Page 18 of 20 · complaints 851–900 of 989

2008 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Power Train › Driveline
Filed May 24, 201157,600 milesMS

2008 MALIBU V6 ENGINE THE CAR GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR AN GOES TO NEUTRAL HAVE TO HIT BRAKES TO GET IT TO GO BACK TO NORMAL,COULD BLOW UP MOTOR OR CAUSE WRECK. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed May 20, 201167,000 milesVA

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES INTERMITTENTLY THROUGHOUT EACH DAY FOR APPROXIMATELY THE PAST 50 DAYS AS OF MAY 20, 2011. SOMETIMES OCCURS WHEN CAR IS INITIALLY TURNED ON (SHAKES QUICKLY TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AS IF A LITTLE CHILD WAS PLAYING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL). SHAKING WILL ALSO TAKE PLACE SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ON MAY 10, 2011 PASSENGER SIDE POWER LOCKS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION-WOULD NOT LOCK OR OPEN WHEN USING POWER BUTTON INSIDE CAR OR USING REMOTE. LOCKING AND UNLOCKING HAD TO BE DONE MANUALLY BY PULLING UP OR PUSHING DOWN LOCK.

Steering
Filed May 17, 201150,000 milesMO

STEERING WHEEL WILL "WOBBLE" LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE CAR IS STOPPED, IN PARKED POSITION, AT IDOL. EVENT OCCURS DAILY AND A NOISE WILL ACCOMPANY THE MOTION AT TIMES. "WOBBLE" MOTION SEEMS TO INCREASE WITH SLIGHT REV OF ENGINE. *TR WHILE DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED AND ON ANY ROAD SURFACES THE STEERING WILL JERK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY SWIRVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. FEELS LIKE ALL CONTROL COULD BE LOST AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. I HAVE A 60 MILE COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK AND IT IS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING AS IT OCCURS WHILE OTHER VEHICLES ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MINE. I AM SURPRISED THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN CITED FOR CARELESS AND IMPRUDENT DRIVING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ULTIMATELY KILLED IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. I FIRST MENTIONED THE EVENT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHILE THERE FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. EVENT DID NOT OCCUR UPON MECHANIC TEST DRIVE, HOWEVER, THEIR ANSWER WAS AN UNSCHEDULED TIRE ROTATION THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR AND THE EVENT OCCURRED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. THE PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITH THE NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WHICH INCLUDED ANOTHER TIRE ROTATION. THE MECHANIC DID WITNESS THE FAULTY STEERING AT THIS TIME AND EVIDENTLY SOME TORQUE SOMETHING OR OTHER WAS RECALIBRATED AND THE STEERING ANGLE WAS READJUSTED. UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, THE STEERING WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT CORRECTED. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THAT TIME. THE TECHNICIAN AND I WENT ON A 20 MILE DRIVE AND UNFORTUNATELY IT ENDED WITHOUT ANY OCCURANCE

Child Seat
Filed May 11, 2011WY

THE SUPER LATCH BELT ON MY SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN XTSL LOOSENS FAR TOO EASILY. DRIVING, BUMPING THE SEAT, EVEN JUST PUTTING MY DAUGHTER IN HER SEAT MADE IT LOOSEN. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD DO IN AN ACCIDENT. HAD TO INSTALL USING THE SEAT BELT. 2008 CHEVY MALIBU 2LT (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2008, MAKE=CHEVROLET, MODEL=MALIBU). *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 24, 201151,000 milesWA

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU POWER STEERING FAULTY .VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL AT ANY SPEED. HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ,IT WILL BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR.

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 21, 201131,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIRECTION INDEPENDENTLY. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OCCURRED FOR A BRIEF PERIOD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD RESUME NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Apr 20, 201124,638 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT ACTIVATE UPON THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE KEY FOB OR THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCK DEVICE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,638.

Steering
Filed Apr 17, 201150,499 milesGA

THE POWER STEERING IS ACTING UP, THERE IS NO WARNING OR ENGINE LIGHT SIGNALS, I HAVE LOOKED UP FOR RECALL AND ALL I HAVE FOUND IN MANY OTHER CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS 2004 -2009 HAVING THE POWER STEERING ISSUES. IN SOME CASES THIS HAS CASED SOME OF THE DRIVERS TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE POWER STEERING AN RESULT IN A CRASH. TODAY MY WIFE SWERVED OFF THE ROAD AND JUST BARELY HIT A GUARD RAIL AND ALMOST RAN INTO THE BRIDGE DUE TO THE POWER STEERING JUST GOING OUT WITH OUT ANY NOTICE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS. GM HAS NO RECALL FOR THIS BUT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO MANY OF PEOPLE FOR ALMOST A DECADE NOW, WHAT ARE THEY WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT. GM SERVICE PERSONNEL TELL YOU TO TURN OF THE CAR AND A WILL WORK AGAIN FOR A LITTLE WHILE, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT GOES OUT AGAIN? ALSO THEY SAID IT RUNS ABOUT 800.00 TO FIX THEN THERE ARE REPORTS OF IT GOING RIGHT BACK TO NOT WORKING, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE I DON'T HAVE 800.00, I SPENT 24,000 ON THIS VEHICLE I SHOULD HAVE TO TURN MY VEHICLE OFF TO JUST POSTPONE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 14, 201137,000 milesFL

STEERING WHEEL JERKS AND SHAKES LEFT AND RIGHT EVEN AT A STOP WITHOUT HOLDING WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING, THE WHEEL MOVES AND SEEMS STICKY WHEN TURNING, JERKS LEFT AND RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT BUT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONSISTENT. VEHICLE IS AT SERVICE DEALERSHIP CURRENTLY, BUT CLEARLY HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 13, 201137,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE BRAKES WERE PARTIALLY ENGAGING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO TOLD THE BRAKES WERE OVERHEATED WHILE THEY WERE PARTIALLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ADJUSTED TO TILT DOWNWARDS AT THE LOWEST SETTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Apr 11, 201160,000 milesPA

2008 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 60,000 MILES - I ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH STEERING- THE CAR WAS PULLING, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVING WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD IT NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. HAD THE ALIGNMENT, THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN THEY CALLED THE DEALER TO ORDER THE PARTS, THE DEALER ADVISED THEM THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM 3-4 TIMES A WEEK ON THE MALIBU, BUT NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT IT. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1300, YET THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PARTICULAR PART IS ALSO THE SAME PART USED ON THE PONTIAC G6 WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED, YET THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 7, 201162,000 milesVT

MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU'S SHIFTING CABLE BROKE. I WAS DRIVING IT AND WENT TO PARK AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK HOWEVER I HAD IT IN PARK ON THE GEARSHIFT. WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE IT ROLLED FORWARD. I HAD TO SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP IT STOPPED. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. SINCE THE 2009 MALIBU HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SHIFTING CABLE CLIP, I FEEL THE 2008 CHEVY SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 4, 201132,000 milesNY

2008 MALIBU CHEVY HAS MAJOR CLINKING NOISE IN STEERING AND STEERING IS SHIFTING TO THE LEFT JUST BOUGHT IT PREOWNED AND HYUNDAI OF 112 IN LONG ISLAND IS GIVING ME A RUN AROUND EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS UNDER A 90 DAY WARRANTY . AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO WANNA KEEP TO THERE END OF THE BARGAIN. THEY HAVE RIPPED ME OFF AND ARE DOING ILLEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST CONSUMERS LIKE ME THEY. HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF ME AND I DON'T HAVE THE TYPE OF MONEY TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS WHEN THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Mar 23, 201147,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS DOORS WERE UNABLE TO OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 9, 201131,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED HIM TO TAKE IT TO A CERTIFIED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AND THAT THEY WOULD TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THEY COULD REENACT THE FAILURE. AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO WORK SOMETHING OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Feb 6, 201185,000 milesGA

THE POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE JUMPS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN YOUR LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT POINTS WHETHER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING OR JUST STARTED, IT CAN LAST UP TO 30 MIN. QUIT THEN START AGAIN IT IS VERY UNSAFE. MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS ALSO GONE OUT IN THIS CAR. IT LOOSES TRANSMISSION POWER, DOESN'T ACCELERATE PROMPTLY. WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR WE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THE BACK TRIM LEAKING, TRUNK RELEASE NOT WORKING, THE CAR WOULDN'T START DO TO THE AFTERMARKET ALARM THE DEALER SHIP PLACED ON IT, AND THE PAINT PEELED. NO I AM HAVING MAJOR ISSUES AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY. THIS WAS THE WORST MISTAKE EVER AND THOSE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 20, 201133,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE DEALER PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,300.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 19, 201131,700 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCIBLY SHIFT THE KEY AROUND IN THE IGNITION TO GET THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SERVICE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,700.

Steering
Filed Jan 17, 201179,200 milesTN

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 80K MILES HAS STEERING ISSUE WITH STEERING WHEEL SHAKING LEFT TO RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT IN MY OWN LANE. IT ALSO JERKS LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE BEING STOPPED AND WHILE IN PARK. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO A FEW ACCIDENTS. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AT LEAST EVERY DAY OR EVERY OTHER DAY. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON ALL 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S DUE TO THE POTENTIAL DEADLY OCCURRENCES THAT MAY BE CAUSED. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 12, 201141,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHILCE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 30, 201058,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CODES ILLUMINATED AND ALL OF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO RUN VERY ROUGH. IF THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, OCCASIONALLY SHE HAD TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN MODULE, BUT THAT ONLY CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE WIRES WITHIN THE COMPUTER WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR ONLY LASTED A FEW WEEKS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE STATED THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60000.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Dec 29, 201068,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON; AFTER THE RESTART, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 02/28/11

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Dec 23, 201080,000 milesAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKES EXCESSIVELY AND MADE A NOISE. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY ONCE AND THE OTHER TIMES SHE HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

SteeringCrash
Filed Dec 23, 201016,000 milesOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A FENCE. THE TIRE WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER HAD NOT INFORMED THE CONTACT WHAT CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 20, 201062,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT A VERY LOW SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRYING TO PULL OVER FOR AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE, HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS IF THERE WERE NOT POWER STEERING. UPDATED 10/12/11

Steering
Filed Dec 13, 201040,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND GRINDING; THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Nov 28, 201075,000 milesTN

THE DOOR LOCK MOTORS HAVE GONE OUT ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR. THE BACK DOOR WENT OUT FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE FRONT DOOR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ALL THE TIME, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS ISSUES SIMPLY BECAUSE WE CANNOT AFFORD THE EXTRA EXPENSE. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Nov 1, 201036,000 milesNM

I OWN A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU THAT WAS BOUGHT NEW OFF THE LOT. THE DOOR LOCKS ON BOTH BACK DOORS AND THE PASSENGER DOOR STARTED MALFUNCTIONING A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND NOW EVEN THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK IS INOPERABLE. I HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERIES IN THE FOBS, TO NO AVAIL. I HAD ONSTAR ALSO DO THE AUTO UNLOCK, BUT THIS TOO IN UNSUCCESSFUL. I PURCHASED ALL EXTENDED WARRANTIES THE COMPANY HAD TO OFFER, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY ONLY COVER UP TO 36,000 MILES. I AM CURRENTLY AT 36,000 MILES AND UNFORTUNATELY OUT OF LUCK. THE SERVICE CENTER WANTS $90 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE BEFORE THEY EVEN TELL ME WHAT THE COSTS MAY BE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 28, 201065,600 milesTX

ON AUGUST 30TH MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, I READ THE MANUAL AND DISCOVERED THIS CAR DOESN'T HAVE POWER STEERING FLUID, IT HAS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. 5 DAYS LATER MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED JERKING CONTINUOUSLY WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HAD GONE OUT AND IT HAPPENS QUIET OFTEN ON THESE CARS JUST AS THE COBALTS. THE COST WAS $465, I CONTACTED GMC AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP AT ALL, I TOLD THEM I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND THAT I THINK THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON THIS MODEL ALSO AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT TRACK STUFF LIKE THAT. THE CAR HAD 65,600 MILES AT FAILURE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 27, 201045,000 milesIA

THE POWER STEERING MOTOR ON OUR 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS GONE OUT WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO PULL RIGHT TO LEFT VIOLENTLY WHILE THE WHEEL IS TRYING TO CENTER ITSELF. THIS REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO FIGHT THE WHEEL AT TIMES TO KEEP IT CENTERED ON THE ROAD. THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS FOR ANY DRIVER. GIVEN GM'S HISTORY WITH OTHER VEHICLE RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, THE CHEVY MALIBU SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Oct 16, 201037,000 milesOH

I OWN A 2008 MALIBU LT2. SHORTLY AFTER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANT RAN OUT THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR BY THE UNLOCK BUTTON. IT HAS TO BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHARGED ME $80 DOLLARS TO TELL ME IT WOULD COST $400 TO REPLACE BOTH ACTUATORS ON THE LOCKS. I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE DOOR LOCKS ON 2008 MALIBU'S. WHEN IT BECOMES A NORMAL OCCURRENCE THAT PARTS ON A CAR ARE GOING BAD IT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THEM. IN READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE MALIBU I SEE A LOT ON THE STEERING SHAKING AND JERKING. THIS IS REALLY SCARY AS I DRIVE OVER 400 MILES TO SEE MY SON AT COLLEGE. TO THINK THIS MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN I WOULD BE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA IS REALLY SCARY. CHEVY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND PUT OUT RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 14, 201032,000 milesNJ

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU POWER STEERING ISSUES. ISSUES BEGAN OCCURRING AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES. PROBLEM WILL APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR AT ANY SPEED, INCLUDING WHILE STOPPED, WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL RAPIDLY OSCILLATE LEFT AND RIGHT ON ITS OWN APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES. THE BEST ANALOGY IS THAT IT IS "SHIVERING OR SHAKING" UNCONTROLLABLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SUDDENLY GO FROM A SMOOTH RANGE OF MOTION TO A RANGE OF MOTION WITH ONLY A FEW VERY DISTINCT AND SEGMENTED DIRECTIONS. TYPICALLY THE TWO CHOICES ARE LEFT OF CENTER OR RIGHT OF CENTER WITH NO SMOOTH MOTION IN-BETWEEN. THESE ISSUES CAN LAST ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 10 SECONDS TO 30 MINUTES. IF THE PROBLEM DOES NOT CORRECT ON ITS OWN, IT CAN BE CORRECTED BY TURNING OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTING THE CAR. CAR NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES AND THE POWER STEERING ISSUES DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND LASTING FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Oct 13, 201048,000 milesTN

BOTH REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE INOPERABLE. THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY OR UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. BOTH DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON IS ACTUATED. BOTH DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED INTO DRIVE. THE REAR DOORS CAN BE OPENED WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. BOTH DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, GM WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Oct 12, 201039,000 milesAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SUDDENLY VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 39,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. UPDATED 02/23/11

Wheels
Filed Oct 6, 201041,000 milesWV

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL BROKE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIM AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND TO THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND WHETHER IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE 17 INCH RIM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 6, 201042,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED BOTH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND EVEN WHEN IT WAS NOT. THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SENSOR, FUSE AND OTHER PARTS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Oct 3, 201037,000 milesTX

THE VEHICLE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF THE PURCHASE THEN ANOTHER PROBLEM OCCURRED AND ANOTHER PART WAS REPLACED. BUT NOW ONE MONTH LATER THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO JERK AND WIGGLE WHILE I AM DRIVING OR EVEN WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF. THEN 2 DAYS AGO THE POWERSTEERING ALERT KEEPS COMING ON. ALLOW SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE TRACTION LIGHT WILL COME ON AND SOMETIMES I AM JUST SEATING AT A RED LIGHT. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Sep 23, 201053,000 milesKY

MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU 1LT HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS, LET ME EXPLAIN. FIRST THE PROBLEM WAS A SLIGHT CLICKING, POPPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL, THEN IT STARTING DOING IT EVERY TIME I SLIGHTLY TURN THE WHEEL YOU CAN FEEL IT THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN, NOTHING BAD BUT ITS ANNOYING, THEN SUDDENLY WITHIN A COUPLE MONTHS OF THAT MY POWER LOCKS SUDDENLY STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN BY THEMSELVES PERIODICALLY WHETHER IT'S PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, LOCKED ME OUT TWO TIMES, I WAS LATE FOR WORK BECAUSE I HAD TO CALL DOOR UNLOCKING SERVICE, ALSO THE MANUAL LOCKS ON THE DOOR USED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WON'T WORK AT ALL, YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY USE YOUR HAND, THEN TO BEAT IT ALL MY SEATBELT WONT LOCK I TRIED TO CLICK IT BUT IT WONT EVEN GO DOWN HARDLY AT ALL, THIS IS ONLY THE SEATBELT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS IS A REAL BAD SAFETY ISSUE AND THE LAW IN KY (CLICK IT OR TICKET) SO FAR THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY IS GOING ON FOR NOW. I DO KNOW THIS FOR A FACT I WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVROLET. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 13, 201080,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN, RACK AND PINION AND CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 4, 20104,500 milesNJ

THE CHEVY MALIBU LTZ SPRING EDITION 4 CYLINDER ENGINE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY SERIOUS DELAY OR LAG IN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. AT TIMES, THE LAG IS SO SEVERE THAT WHEN THE RESPONSE TIME DOES FINALLY REGISTER FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND THEN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE VEHICLE STILL INTENDS TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNED PRIOR TO THE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS AT ANY TIME, HOT OR COLD ENGINE, DURING HOT WEATHER AND ON SHORT DRIVES OR LONG ONES. THE DEALER AND GM HAS FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS SOME SHORT OF PROBLEM; NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THROUGH SOFTWARE UPDATES HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL THUS FAR. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 30, 201045,000 milesIL

MY SON'S 2008 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SUDDENLY SHAKING AND JERKING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING AND OCCASIONALLY WHILE IN PARK. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ALSO COME ON WITHOUT HIM PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF IT IS ON. WE HAVE HAD A SWITCH REPLACED THAT WAS FAULTY, BUT IT DID NOT FIX EITHER PROBLEM. NOW WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE STEERING UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 23, 201064,000 milesIN

STEERING WHEEL IS HAVING AN ISSUE WHERE IT WILL JERK TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT BY ITSELF AND THEN PULSATE WHILE SITTING STILL. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS LEFT AND THEN RIGHT. WHEN WHEEL JERKS, IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO HOLD IT IN THE CORRECT LANE. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 23, 201067,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2010AZ

I OWN A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING OR AT A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL EITHER SHAKE OR SUDDENLY PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND THEY REPLACED A STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE STEERING. THE DEALERSHIP BELIEVES THAT IT IS THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ITSELF EVEN THOUGH NOTHING IS SAYING THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE. WITH THE PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IN CHEVY COBALTS FOR 2004 TO 2009, I'M CONCERN THAT THE ISSUES WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MAY NOT BE JUST IN ONE MODEL CAR BUT THE COMPONENT ITSELF. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 20, 201038,400 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LIMITED STEERING CAPABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,400.

Steering
Filed Aug 13, 201015,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE, HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. BEFORE THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. HE HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO RESET THE POWER STEERING AND IT WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. UPDATED 11/11/10 *BF UPDATED 11/18/10

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Aug 10, 201038,750 milesAL

I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, IT IS A 2.4L 4-CYLINDER AND 4-SPD AUTOMATIC. FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW MY SHIFTER HAS FELT KIND OF LOOSE WHEN I AM SHIFTING FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE, AND THE OTHER DAY I PULLED INTO MY FATHERS DRIVE WAY WITH THE CAR AND WENT TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DID NOT ENGAGE PARK GEAR AND ROLLED FORWARD INTO MY FATHERS CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START IN PARK, ONLY NEUTRAL, AND I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE SHIFT CABLE, AND IT COST ME $365 TO GET IT FIXED. BUT THEN THE NEXT DAY I FOUND OUT THAT GM HAD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL 09041 ON SEVERAL MODELS INCLUDING THE 2009 MALIBU THAT COVER THE EXACT SAME THING THAT I EXPERIENCED. I FEEL THE 2008 MALIBU SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS WELL. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 1, 201035,000 milesAR

I HAVE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ON MY CAR AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TWICE TO HAVE THE LOCKS REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND NOW THE LOCKS ARE GIVING ME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 29, 201023,450 milesTX

I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I WENT ON VACATION SO THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I WASHED THE CAR AND THEN STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AND FELT LIKE THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK OFF AND ON. IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM OFF AND ON. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM IS THERE AND SOMETIMES ITS NOT. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 27, 201043,000 milesMI

BOUGHT A USED 2008 MALIBU WITH 36K, BY THE TIME I HIT 43K THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT WORK ELECTRONICALLY. BY THE TIME I HIT 45K THE DRIVER DOOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CHEVY DEALERS THEN CHARGE OVER $1000 TO FIX THE LOCK MOTORS, EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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