NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. UPDATED 1/15/13 *CN UPDATED 1/28/2013 *JS
WHILST DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON, HOWEVER I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES. I THEN PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. ONCE I LET GO OF THE BRAKE THEY CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS. AT THE SAME TIME, I RECEIVED AN ERROR THAT READ ALONG THE LINES OF: ESC SERVICE TRACTION. MY HUSBAND AND I FOUND A FORUM WHERE OTHER MALIBU OWNERS SEEMED TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, SO WE REMOVED THE PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR TO CHECK FOR ANY CORROSION, THEN REPLACED THE PANEL. THE PROBLEM STOPPED, HOWEVER THIS ISSUE IS RE-OCCURRING, AND HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES SINCE THEN. I ALWAYS RECEIVE THE SAME ESC SERVICE TRACTION ERROR EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS AND I AM NOT ABLE TO USE CRUISE CONTROL AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BEING ENGAGED WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING PRESSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS FOR ALL FOUR DOORS FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN USING THE KEY FOB REMOTE. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK NO LONGER WORKS WHEN USING THE POWER LOCK BUTTON. IT MUST BE ACTUATED MANUALLY- BY MANUALLY LIFTING THE KNOB UP. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE KNOB IS LOCATED TO THE REAR OF THE DOOR AND IS NOT ACCESSIBLE UNLESS YOU ARE IN THE BACK SEAT- THE KNOB CANNOT BE RAISED FROM THE FRONT SEAT AREA OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR TO HELP OCCUPANTS EXIT THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. THE LOCK PULL KNOB IS LOCATED IN A POOR POSITION. *TR
GM IS RECALLING 40000 CARS FOR A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK. I ORIGINALLY HEARD THAT THIS WAS FOR CARS IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION OF THE COUNTRY. MY DAUGHTER LIVES IN PHOENIX, DRIVES A 2005 PONTIAC G6, AND HAD A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM A PLASTIC FITTING ATTACHED TO THE FUEL PRESSURE RETURN LINE. THE FUEL WAS RUNNING ACROSS THE TOP OF THE TANK ACROSS THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD AND ONTO THE MUFFLER IN SMALL AMOUNTS. FORTUNATELY WE REPLACED THE PUMP/INDICATOR SENDING UNIT BEFORE A FIRE TOOK PLACE. I LIVE IN TUCSON AND DRIVE A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LT. A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AT THE REAR OF THE CAR AFTER IT WAS PARKED. NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK LIKE MY DAUGHTER"S CAR, BUT A STRONG SMELL. I JACKED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH FOR A LEAK, BUT FOUND NONE. THE SMELL OF FUEL WAS STRONGER IN THE AREA OF THE WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL LINES GOING TO THE TOP OF THE TANK. DO YOU KNOW OF A RECALL FOR MY MODEL OF CAR? IT SEEMS LIKE A TREND WITH THIS PARTICULAR DESIGN OF FUEL SYSTEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
ON SEVERAL OCCASION I HAVE NOTICE THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT ME EVEN PRESSING THE BRAKES. IT ALSO LIGHTS UP AND WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES IT GOES OFF. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER MALIBU OWNER AND THEY COMPLAIN OF THIS SAME BRAKE FAILURE. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND NOT SAFE. *TR
BOTH HOSES BUSTED. THEY WERE REPLACED GM PARTS. SAME THING HAPPENED 10/28/14. BACKING OUT FROM PARKING ABOUT 2 MPH AND HEARD A NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BOTH HOSES BUSTED AGAIN, SAME CAR. *TR
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH STEERING SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT HER VEHICLE HAD COVERAGE FOR A STEERING MOTOR REPLACEMENT, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER CHEVY MODELS. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED HER VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR CURRENT POLICY.
RECALL: 14118 AND 13036 DUE TO THESE RECALLS I DRIVE AROUND HOLDING ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO NOT TO LOOSE CONTROLL INTO ANOTHER CAR OR RUN OFF THE ROAD. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY ALL THE TIME. I AM PREVENTING THIS CAR FROM CRASHING WHILE DRIVING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALER SHIP WHO IN TURN WILL NOT CALL ME BACK REGARDING THE RECALL PARTS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING LIKE THIS FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE ALREADY PUT AN EXTRA OVER $900 IN THIS CAR. I AM TELLING YOU THIS SO TO HAVE IT DOCUMENTING FOR FEAL OF GETTING KILLED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE TO DRIVE THIS CAR.PLEASE HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND HARD TO TURN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF THEN CAR WOULD NOT START ALL THE COMPUTERS BURNT OUT DON'T SEE HOW 1,400 DOLLARS LATER SHE GOT IT BACK SOME THINGS DON'T WORK AS THEY DID.THEY SAID SHE DID SOMETHING TO IT. SHE'S A 78 YEAR OLD WOMAN SHE CAN'T EVEN CHECK OIL. SO U TALE ME WHAT HAPPEN IT. I THINK THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND BLAMED IT ON HER , I HAD TO PAY THE BILL SHE COULD NOT. THIS CAR DOSE NOT STEER RITE. THIS CAR STEERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE NEVER IN THE CENTER. AN WHEN THE WIND BLOWS ITS 5 TIMES WORSE. THEY SAY ITS FINE.IT'S A HARD CAR DRIVE U HAVE TO WORK THE STEER THE CAR TURN SIGNALS KEEP BREAKING.BEEN THIS WAY SINCE SHE BOUGHT IT. *TR
TURN SIGNAL ARM DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN SIGNALING TO TURN. ALSO THE TURN SIGNAL ARM WHEN IT DOES STAY IN PLACE IT WILL NOT RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION/TURN OFF SIGNAL BY ITSELF AFTER MAKING A TURN. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES POPPING NOISES. DOOR LOCKS ON ALL DOORS STAY EITHER IN THE "LOCK" OR "UNLOCK" POSITION AT ALL TIMES. ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK HAS BEEN REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $300.00 AND THE DOOR LOCK STILL FAILS. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE PASSENGER DOORS IS TO DO IT MANUALLY AND CLIMB OVER THE SEATS. THE DRIVER DOOR HAS TO BE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY AND MANUALLY LOCKED WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. *TR
WHEN I WOULD BE DRIVING MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ILLUMINATED. WHEN I WOULD BRAKE AT STOP, MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED MANY MANY TIMES. TRACTION CONTROL ERROR KEPT COMING ON FOR A MINUTE AND THEN WOULD GO OFF. I'VE GOTTEN IT FIXED AND THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOW A RECALL FOR THESE ISSUES FOR THE 08 MALIBU THE DEALERSHIP SAYS MY VIN# IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO STATED THAT TOXIC FUMES EMITTED FROM THE AIR BAGS ONCE DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER, AS WELL AS A CHILD PASSENGER, SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE SHARDS AND FUMES OF THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND THE REPAIR OF THE AIR BAGS COULD COST APPROXIMATELY $5,000 AT THE CONTACT EXPENSIVE. THE DEALER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED, PREVENTING HER FROM COMPLETING A RIGHT TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 3/20/13 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE INPUT SENSOR. UPDATED 04/17/13
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
THE A/C UNIT IS BLOWING HOT AIR ..DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE IN A VIOLENT JERKING MOTION. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN RESUMED WITH THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY. THE DEFECT PERSISTED WITH THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,435. UPDATED 10/26/12 *CN
AFTER PURCHASING MY 2008 MALIBU IN JUNE OF 2012, I HAVE NOTICED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN ACCELERATING, AND TURN OFF WHILE BRAKING. IF I PUSH THE BRAKE HARD ENOUGH THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY DOES COME ON. I TOOK THIS INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT EXAMINED, AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN ON A WEEKLY, IF NOT DAILY BASIS. *TR
KEY FOB DOES NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK THE FRONT AND BACK DOORS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. IF SOMEONE IS IN THE BACK SEAT THE DRIVER CAN NOT GET THEM OUT AS THE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE FOB. WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE THE DRIVERS DOOR DOES NOT LOCK, SO IT IS ASSUMMED THAT YOU ARE SAFELY LOCKED IN THE CAR, BUT THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE LOCKED MANUALLY AFTER IN THE CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE. WHEN LOCKED MANUALLY WHEN IN CAR, WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY OPENED BY PULLING THE LOCK ON DOOR UP ON THE DRIVER DOOR AND THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR. WHEN TRYING TO USE THE REMOTE TO LOCK THE DOORS, THE FRONT AND BACK DOORS DO NOT LOCK UNLESS DONE MANUALLY. WHEN THE FOB IS USED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AS I TRY TO GET INTO THE CAR THE FOB DOES NOT WORK AND I HAVE TO MANUALLY WITH THE KEY UNLOCK THE DOOR. WHEN TRYING TO REMOTE START THE CAR THE REMOTE START DOES NOT WORK, AS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND BACK DOOR WILL NOT LOCK, SO REMOTE START DOES NOT WORK. I HAD AN INCIDENT WITH THE BACK DOOR WHEN I NEEDED TO GET AN INDIVIDUAL OUT OF THE BACK SEAT QUICKLY AND IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. I HAD TO RUN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR AND GET THE INDIVIDUAL OUT BY PULLING THEM TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR. WHEN I AM APPROACHING MY CAR IN AN AREA THAT I FEEL UNSAFE IN, SUCH AS A GARAGE, I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN MY CAR DOOR WITH THE FOB AND HAVE TO AGAIN USE THE KEY. AGAIN THEN WHEN I GET IN THE CAR I AM UNSAFE AS THE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK, FRONT OR BACK IF NOT LOCKED MANUALLY. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO GET SOMEONE OUT OF THE BACK SEAT OR ME OUT OF THE FRONT SHOULD I ENCOUNTER AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, OR IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT, OR IF FOR ANY REASON I HAVE A FIRE IN THE CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE AND A JERKING MOTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHILE PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THREE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 11/01/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE SIDE. UPDATED 11/01/12
THE CHEVY MALIBU 2008 DOOR LATCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. IT HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED MANUALLY. WHEN YOU BUY ANEW CAR AND PAY THAT MUCH MONEY FOR IT, YOU EXPECT THE DOORS TO WORK PROPERLY FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, AS I DID FOR MY OTHER CARS. THIS IS WRONG AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHETHER IT'S UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT. THIS IS JUST GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE. ALSO, MY FRONT HEADLIGHT LEAKS INSIDE WHEN IT RAINS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR. I'VE DRIVEN ALMOST 50 YEARS AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY OF MY CARS. THIS ALSO NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. ..UPDATED 12/11/12 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE SERVICE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SENSORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR JUST STOPPED AND TURNED OFF, I COULD NOT SWITCH GEARS OR TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND I PAID $470.00 TO GAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT UNEXPECTEDLY COLLAPSED TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF THE ARM REST. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAITED A BRIEF MOMENT AND THEN RESUMED DRIVING CAUTIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT BRACKET FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
STEERING SHAKES VIOLENTLY,WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED,TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL. CONDITION IS INTERMITENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A STEERING CONTROL MODULE. SO FAR CHEVROLET HAS NOT OFFERED A FIX ,EXCEPT TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF 743 .00$ WITH THE SAME PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE? ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 70000 MILES AND DEALER REPLACED CAT CONV AT NO CHARGE . THE THIRD ISSUE IS DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AT 74000 MILES,AND WILL ONLY OPEN MANUALLY. THE STEERING IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND I FEAR WILL CAUSE A ACCIDENT. *TR
REMOTE LOCK WOULD NOT WORK ON DRIVER'S DOOR. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY LOOSE AND EXTREMELY SENSITIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR YEARS. OVER TIME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A JERK OR CATCH DEVELOPED IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER AND OFFERED A 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 478 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 7/23/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE REPLACEMENT STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO SHAKE. UPDATED 07/30/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE REAR DOORS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE DOORS USING THE INNER DOOR LOCK CONTROL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE OFTEN WHEN THERE WERE HIGHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,600. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ
THE RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. ALL DOORS IN THE VEHICLE ARE SUPPOSED TO, AND ASSUMED TO BE, LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND WHEN THE LOCK IS HIT. HAVING A DOOR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION AS IT IS ASSUMED THAT IT WILL PRESENTS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE THROUGH VANDALISM/THIEVES OR IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY AS THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT. LOOKING THROUGH THE EXISTING LIST OF COMPLAINTS HERE AND ALSO ON MODEL SPECIFIC FORUMS, THIS ISSUE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A WIDESPREAD ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM, CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF CARS IT AFFECTS NOT ONLY FOR THE MALIBU MODEL, BUT ALSO OTHER VEHICLES THAT THEY SELL. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2LT WITH 111,000 KM ON IT. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A FEW THINGS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS FROM BRAND NEW. OVERALL MY CAR HAS BEEN OK WITH GETTING ME FROM PLACE A TO PLACE B. THE ISSUES I HAVE HAD THAT ARE PRETTY SERIOUS FLAWS ARE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN, THE ALIGNMENT, THE AUTOMATIC POWER TRANSMISSION, AND THE DOOR LOCKS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET BY HOWEVER RECENTLY I HAD TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED UNDER A SPECIAL WARRANTY POLICY. I HAD TO "KICK AND SCREAM" HOWEVER IN THE END THE PART WAS INSTALLED. THAT WOULD HAVE COST ME ABOUT 900 DOLLARS IF IT WAS NOT COVERED. NOW I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" INDICATOR. THIS CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY AND WHEN I CALLED TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS AFTER LOOKING ON-LINE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CARE AS MINE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I AM GETTING NERVOUS SINCE I JUST PAID 13,000 TO BUY OUT MY LEASE. I HAVE CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL WORK WITH ME AND THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THIS FIXED. BEFORE I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP I WANT TO HAVE ALL MY DOCUMENTATION THAT INDICATES THAT THIS IS A SPECIAL POLICY ISSUE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR OUT OF MY OWN WALLET. I HAVE PUT ABOUT 38,000 INTO THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR AND DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE ROOM TO DUMP TONS OF MONEY TO GETTING THIS FIXED ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHER GM CUSTOMERS HAVE PAID OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET TO REALIZE A FEW WEEKS LATER THAT THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS FIXING. I AM GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO HAVE THIS COVERED BY GM. I HAVE BEEN A PROUD GM OWNER ALL MY DRIVING LIFE AND WANT TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. I DREAD NEEDING TO FIX THE CAR AND SELLING IT. THAT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME AT THIS TIME. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT LOCK (OR UNLOCK ) WITH THE REMOTE OR MANUAL PUSH BUTTON SWITCH ON DRIVERS ARM REST. THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK (OR UNLOCK) REAR DOORS IS CRAWL OVER FRONT SEATS TO MANUALLY PULL UP LEVER ON BACK SIDE OF DOOR. OR.......USE THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND LOWER REAR WINDOWS TO REACH IN FROM OUTSIDE......WHICH ANYONE THAT LIVES IN A COLD CLIMATE KNOWS YOU DON'T LOWER AN ELECTRIC WINDOW IN COLD WEATHER.....HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER ANYTHING.....WHAT IF I HAVE MY GRANDSON STRAPPED IN A CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT AND AN EMERGENCY ARISES ? HOW DO I "QUICKLY" GET HIM OUT??? THIS IS A VERY COMMON SITUATION WITH THE CHEV. MALIBUS. PLUS THERE ARE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE FRONT END AND STEERING COMPONENTS. *TR
THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ON 3 OF THE FOUR DOORS. THE DOORS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN CAR PUT INTO DRIVE. YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR OR REAR DOORS WITH DRIVERS AUTOMATIC CONTROLS OR THE KEY FOB. HAVE TO LIFT THE DOOR LOCK MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS IS BY CLIMBING INTO THE BACK SEATS. A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOUNG CHILDREN ARE IN THE REAR SEATS AND YOU NEED TO GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY!! HAD TO HAVE THE DOOR LOCKS REPLACED ON THE THREE DOORS WHICH COST $750.00. *TR
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STARTING WITH THE FRONT SPEAKERS ON DRIVERS/PASSENGERS DOOR WORK THEN STOP, THE DOOR LOCKS DIS-ENGAGE AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS, THE DOOR CHIME DOES NOT WORK NORMALLY IN THE MORNING, I HEAR DINGING COMING FROM THE CAR WHEN I MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK BUTTON TO ENGAGE THE LOCKS. WHAT IS WEIRD IS IN THE MORNING THE SPEAKERS DO NOT WORK, BUT AS YOU BLAST THE VOLUME ABOUT FIFTY TIMES WHILE PRESSING ON THE BREAK IT SEEMS TO MAKE ALL THINGS WORK AGAIN. """ PIECE OF JUNK"""" THIS IS PROOF THAT 17 PERCENT OF GM CARS AT BUILT IN CHINA. I WILL BUY A DONKEY NEXT TIME, AT LEAST ALL I NEED IS SOME FEED....... GET RID OF YOUR GM'S ....... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL BUT HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DOING SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE HAPPENED, THE BRAKES FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN AND THE FAIL STILL RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE SPECIFIC REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ASSIST IN HER PURCHASING A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
KEY WON'T TURN TO OFF POSITION IN IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE DOORS WOULD LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS THE WINDOW HAD TO BE ROLLED DOWN TO BE ABLE TO REACH INSIDE AND MANUALLY UNLOCK THEM. THE CONSUMER'S THREE GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE PARKED VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION OFF WHEN THE LOCKS FAILED. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 56,000 MILES. UPDATED 09/10/2012 *JS
WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 28, 2012, I WAS SITTING STILL ON AN INCLINE AND THE WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN BACK AND FORTH ON ITS ON. THE CAR LOT ASSURED ME IT WAS MOTOR MOUNTS, AN EASY FIX, AND I BOUGHT THE CAR. WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO, THE STEERING BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE. TODAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2013, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE FREEWAY AND I AM A PETITE WOMAN(WEIGHING IN AT AROUND 110 LBS.) SO IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENDING COST FOR MY VEHICLE IS AROUND 15,000 AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE THE TIME I PURCHASED IT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
MY POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND IS GOING OUT. *JS
EVERY TIME I TURN TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT MY STEERING WHEEL POPS AND I CAN FEEL IT INSIDE THE STREERING WHEEL WHEN I HIT A BUMP WHILE TURNING IT IS EVEN WORSE
MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A LOUD CLUNK NOISE WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL SHARPLY EITHER DIRECTION, THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION AND WHEN COMPLETELY STOPPED. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS WHERE IT STATES IT IS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND NEEDS REPLACE. I STILL HAVE 1 YR LEFT ON WAR. BUT TOOK IT TO A DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID ITS NOT COVERED!! IF GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS WHY HAVE THEY NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO FIT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM??!! *TR
MY CHEVY 2008 MALIBU, THE POWER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING ON 3 OUT OF 4 DOORS. *TR
I JUST PULLED ON AND STARTED TO DRIVE ON A WINDING DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN ROAD -NOT YET ACCELERATING 40MPH- WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LET ME TURN, ALMOST FROZEN, AND I AM INTO A RIGHT CURVE! I WAS FIGHTING THE WHEEL TO GAIN CONTROL FOR WHAT SEEMED MINUTES BUT WAS ACTUALLY SECONDS AS I SLOWLY PUT ON MY BRAKES WHILE I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE WHEEL (MIND YOU I AM IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A MT. CURVE, A CONCRETE WALL TO MY LEFT, A ROCK OUTCROPPING ON MY RIGHT, NO SHOULDER, GUARDRAIL BEGINS WHERE THE ROCKS END. WHEN I FINALLY REGAINED CONTROL, I STILL HAD A HARD TIME STEERING; STEERING WAS UNPREDICTABLE...INTERMITTENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL/SOMETIMES FELT LIKE I HAD LOST A BOLT ON MY RIGHT RIM (FOR THOSE WHO DID AT ONE TIME YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT)/I HAD A SHIMMY ON THE RIGHT LIKE SOMETHING WAS NOT CONNECTED/ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR CONTROL AT ALL (HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL-TOOK SOME MUSCLE), JUST NOT RIGHT. MY CAR USED TO HAVE SUCH CONTROL- TURN ON A DIME BARELY TOUCHING THE WHEEL. THIS STEERING ISSUE HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND MENTIONED TO MY MECHANIC AT AN OIL CHANGE BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING, EVEN HOOKED UP TO THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT, WALLET LIGHTER. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING OUT OF MY MIND THEN READ OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME KINDS OF PROBLEMS. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED? FOR THE MOUNTAIN THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE EVERY DAY TO AND FROM WORK, THIS COULD PROVE VERY DANGEROUS-LIFE THREATENING... I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY OWN CAR I HAVE ONLY HAD NEARLY A YEAR NOW NOR HAVE THE FUNDS TO SPEND ON COSTLY REPAIRS. I AM READY TO TAKE THE BUGGER BACK AND DEMAND MY MONEY BACK AND GET A MORE DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. I AM DONE SPENDING MONEY- WHY THIS IS HAPPENING? WHY NO ANSWERS OR FIXES? WORSE YET, "EVERYTHING CHECK OUT OKAY" WHEN IT KEEPS HAPPENING! *KB
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU 4 DOOR SEDAN. I PURCHASED THE CAR AND APPROX. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK FAILED TO OPERATE, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM AND THEY FIXED IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. APPROX. ONE YEAR AFTER THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK INCIDENT, BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS FAILED. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE I WAS 200 MILES OVER MY WARRANTY. APPROX. 3 MONTHS LATER THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK FAILED AS WELL. I CANNOT UNLOCK THE BACK DOORS, AND HAVE TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE FRONT DOOR. I HAVE TWO SMALL NEPHEWS IN CAR SEATS AND MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THEY ARE IN THE VEHICLE DURING AN INCIDENT THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE CHILDREN FREE FROM THE BACK SEAT BECAUSE OF THE DOOR LOCKS. THEY CANNOT REACH THE LOCK ITSELF SO THEY WOULD BE TRAPPED. FOR MYSELF TO FIX THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD COST MORE THAN THREE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON THE VEHICLE AND IN THE ECONOMY THAT IS VERY HIGH. I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE WITH NO CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHEN TRAVELING WITH MY NEPHEWS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. CONSIDERING THIS I BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS. *KB