2008 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

2008 MALIBU 2LT 2.4L STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK LEFT AND RIGHT ON ITS OWN. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PARKED. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IN MOTION. DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS LOOKING FOR CENTER. DEALER REPROGRAMMED STEERING UNIT AND SAID SHOULD BE FIXED. THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP. TOOK CAR BACK SAME DAY AND DEALERSHIP CALLED GM. GM HAD DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM IS FIXED FOR NOW. *TR

WHEN WE PURCHASED THE MALIBU LTZ V6 FULLY LOADED , LEATHER SEATS ALL THE UPGRADED OPTIONS I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A "EXCELLENT" CAR. I WAS DELUSIONAL ! WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY RADIO, AND COMPONENTS IN THE RADIO SAYING" AUX INPUT DEVICE" AND IT KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF ! I CALLED CHEVROLET IN GREEN COVE SPRINGS FLORIDA AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS "NOTHING" IT WASN'T NOTHING ! I WAS TOLD OF COURSE "AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED" THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM! AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE THEN $3,000 TO FIX IT! NICE GM! BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS WIRED INTO THE RADIO SO WHEN THEY RADIO HAS A PROBLEM GUESS WHAT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ? EVERYTHING GOES TO HELL ! ALSO MY MOTORS ON ALL MY DOORS HAVE FAILED AT LEAST ONCE AND NOW BECAUSE MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GOING MY DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE WHEN THEY WANT TO ! I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES AND HOUR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AS IF I HAD NO POWER AGAIN THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG ! THIS IS MY FIRST CHEVROLET AND MY LAST ! I AM TRADING THIS GARBAGE IN FOR A FOREIGN CAR ! PROBABLY A FIAT ! THANK YOU ! GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BAILED THEM OUT AND THEY HAVE CHINA WHO BTW HATES US ! MAKING PARTS FOR OUR CARS ! OMG I JUST LOVE THIS COUNTRY ! *TR

THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY HOT OR VERY COLD FROM TIME TO TIME STARTING IN 2009. IN THE WINTER OF 2013, THE LIGHT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. WHEN THIS WARNING WAS ON, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING. EVEN IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE SENSOR COULD NOT DETECT A PERSON AND THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. OUR DEALER VERIFIED THAT THE SENSOR WASN'T WORKING AND IF WE GOT INTO A CRASH, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK. WE FELT THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY CHEVROLET AT NO COST TO US, BUT CHEVROLET CLAIMED THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS, THEY COULD NOT REPLACE IT AT NO COST. WE HOPE THIS REPORT HELPS TO SHED LIGHT ON THE ISSUE, AND IF IT IS COMMON, LEADS TO A RECALL OR VOLUNTARY REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY SENSOR AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS. *TR

FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE PULLING INTO LOT AND THEN CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AT FIRST SERVICE, TOLD DEALERSHIP WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THAT SAME YEAR OR NEXT YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HYBRID BATTERY AND IT WAS REPLACED. THOUGHT MAYBE MY PROBLEM WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN BUT EVERY SUMMER HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH CAR PULLING INTO STOP AND SHUTTING OFF. WAS ABLE TO START CAR AGAIN AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. DIAGNOSTICS SHOW NOTHING WRONG AT DEALERSHIP. JULY 23 2013 ON A RAINY HIGHWAY (AIR CONDITIONER NOT ON BECAUSE NEEDS NEW COMPRESSOR), SAME SITUATION SUDDENLY HAPPENS. FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND EVENTUALLY ALL POWER AFTER GETTING OFF HIGHWAY(THANKGOD). POLICE HAD TO PUSH CAR OUT OF INTERSECTION AND TOW TRUCK DRIVER GAVE CAR A JUMP AND PARKED CAR IN SAFE PLACE AND GOT A CAB TO A VERY EXPENSIVE CONCERT A HALF HOUR LATE. AFTER CONCERT, CAR STARTED AND TOOK CAR TO SEARS FOR A NEW BATTERY AS TOW TRUCK DRIVER SUGGESTED. JULY 26 MADE DRIVE HALFWAY ACROSS STATE. NO INCIDENT. JULY 29 DRIVING HOME. BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AFTER MAKING REST STOP. KEPT DRIVING ON HIGHWAY(NICE DAY, NO RAIN) BUT CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN, FORTUNATELY JUST AFTER GETTING OFF HIGHWAY. THIS IS GETTING DANGEROUS! ONSTAR SEES ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ON DIAGNOSTICS. TOWED TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP. RENT CAR TO GET BACK HOME. ONCE AGAIN DIAGNOSTICS SHOW NO PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE MY RENTAL CAR 2 HOURS TO GET MY OWN CAR. GOING TO CALL GM. WISH ME LUCK ON THE HIGHWAY. HOPE I GET THE CAR BACK HOME! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A TIRE, THE JACK FAILED, AND THEN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE HIS RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURY WAS INCREASED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. UPON CONTACT A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BECAUSE THE WHEELS WERE NOT BLOCKED; ALTHOUGH THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS ENGAGED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND GRIP THE WHEEL TIGHT IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY BUT HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED BUT THE DOORS LOCKS WERE NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE STEERING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS SOME STEERING ISSUES. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE SITTING STILL, STEERING WHEEL MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. 2 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING ELECTRONICALLY. SO MANY MORE PROBLEMS, THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND GM AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR MAKING THIS VEHICLE CAR OF THE YEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ABNORMALLY SHAKES AS IF WAS LOOSE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODES, OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, IT FELT AS THOUGH SHE WAS LOOSING STEERING ABILITY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM TIME TO TIME. UPDATED 10/23/09

MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT STALLS OUT WHEN YOU GO FROM PARK TO THE 1ST GEAR, THAN FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND AND FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR. WHAT HAPPENS IS THE TRANSMISSION STALLS OUT LONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER TYPE OF INCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS MOST OF THE TIME AND HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR SIX MONTHS. IT HAS STALLED OUT CLIMBING VAIL PASS, THE EISENHOWER TUNNEL CLIMB AND DESCENT AND I-70 EST OF I-15 IN UTAH THROUGH THE HIGH ELEVATIONS. THIS VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND THAN RE-ENGAGES. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD IT GOES INTO A STALL AND THE RPM'S INCREASE TO AROUND 4000 BEFORE IT ACTUALLY CHANGES INTO THE NEXT GEAR... THE OTHER SEVERE PROBLEM IS WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THROUGH A VERY LONG TUNNEL ON 9-17-09; THE FUEL GAGE WENT FROM FULL TO EMPTY (NO FUEL) AND LOW FUEL LAMP CAME ON. ON-STAR SAID "SYSTEM HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM". THE CAUSE: FUEL VAPOR LINE HANGING UP FUEL LEVEL SENDER CAUSING GAUGE TO READ INACCURATELY J7815 (CODE P0461) FOUND IN BULLETIN #09-06-04-007A. *TR

THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON ALL DOORS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH GM. CHECK THE FORUMS TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK/LOCK FROM KEY FOB OR FROM DRIVER'S DOOR PANEL.

STEERING BECOMES ERRATIC AND 2 HANDS ARE NEEDED TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE ON IT'S OWN AT A COMPLETE STOP. UPON MOVING FORWARD, CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO REPAIR, ONLY TO HAVE PROBLEM COME BACK EVERY FEW MONTHS. *TR

STORMY ,WET NIGHT,I STOPPED AT CORNER IN MY 2008 MALIBU HYBRID-STARTING FORWARD,MY CAR SURGED AND LANDED ME IN A BROOK-NOW SOUNDS LIKE SUA. ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SORT. WATER TOTALED THE CAR-THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION. I AM NOT SURE OF COMPONENT AS I HAVE NO MECHANICAL EXPERTISE. THERE WAS A DEFINITE LOUD SURGE. *TR

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.

THE SUNROOF IN MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU BEGAN RATTLING WHEN IN FULL OPEN POSITION. IT FINALLY EXPLODED, SPRAYING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT (AND MYSELF) WITH GLASS. *TR

IN THIS 4 DOOR VEHICLE, THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS APPEAR TO HAVE A DEFECT THAT HAS AFFECTED NUMEROUS VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS EITHER COMPLETELY FAIL OR BECOME INTERMITTENT. THERE ARE TWO PRIMARY SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THESE ACTUATORS FAILING. THE FIRST BEING THAT NOT ALL THE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE, GIVING WOMEN OR MEN A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY AGAINST CAR JACKING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO INDICATION THAT ALL THE LOCKS ARE WORKING OR NOT ON ALL FOUR DOORS. SECONDLY, IMPAIRED PERSONNEL OR PREGNANT WOMAN MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REACH (MANUALLY) FROM THE INSIDE TO THE REAR LOCKS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR DUE TO THE POSITIONING OF THE LATCH TO THE FAR MOST AFT POSITION OF THE VEHICLE. NOR IS THERE A KEY SLOT TO UNLOCK THE REAR OR PASSENGER DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THEREFORE, SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY OR PREGNANCY MAY BECOME INJURED WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER IN A POSITION TO UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS VIA THE INSIDE LOCK LATCH. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH OF THE ISSUE REVEALED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT MANY CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING. IN FACT, CHEVROLET RE-ENGINEERED THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FOR NEWER MODELS AND FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS OF OLDER MODELS, HENCE CONFIRMING THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AGAINST A KNOWN ISSUE. THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OWNERS ARE COMPROMISED BY THIS FLAW. CASE IN POINT, OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR IN AL, THREE MEN ROBBED A MAN AND LEFT THE AREA IN HIS CHEVY MALIBU. ASKING A CONSUMER WITH A DISABILITY OR WHO IS PREGNANT, WHO BUYS THIS VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKS, TO CRAWL OVER THEIR SEATS TO SECURE/UNSECURE THEIR VEHICLE IS WRONG. PLEASE HELP. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO SECURE BOTH FRONT DOORS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISMS FAILED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE HUB CAPS SNAPPED OFF OF THE WHEELS. AS A RESULT, THE HUB CAPS RUBBED AGAINST THE OUTSIDE OF THE WHEELS AND CAUSED THE SIDEWALLS TO BECOME WORN. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A BLOW OUT MAY OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

WHEN WE GOT THE CAR WE LOVED IT. AFTER 4500 MILES THE BATTERY DIED HAD TO WAIT 3 DAYS FOR THE DEALER TO GET US A NEW ONE. GREAT CAR RAN FINE THEN AFTER 15,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A VALVE SENSOR. DEALER FIXED IT AS IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN AT 65,000 MILES THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE VALVE SENSOR AGAIN. THEY BROUGHT IT IN THE GARAGE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. SO AROUND 79,000 MILES ALL THE DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. NOW WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT TONIGHT THE CAR STARTED "CHUGGING" AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE CHEVY REPS. SAID ALL THEY CAN DO IS GIVE ME A 500.00 REBATE FOR A NEWER CAR. *TR

ACCORDING TO WITNESS, MY SON WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A TWO LANE MAIN ROAD (ON EACH SIDE). HIS 2008 CHEVY MALIBU WAS ON THE OUTER LANE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AS IF HEADING TOWARDS A DRIVEWAY ( WHEN HE ORIGINALLY WAS GOING STRAIGHT TO PICK UP A CO WORKER). THE CAR IMMEDIATELY JERKED TO THE RIGHT, CRASHING INTO A TREE, WHERE PARTS OF THE VEHICLE BECAME EMBEDDED INTO THE TREE. MY SON PASSED AWAY INSTANTLY. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED 66 MPH AT IMPACT. HIS ORIGINAL SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 35MPH ESPECIALLY SINCE HE WAS JUST STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. THE WITNESS WAS COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND STOPPED HIS CAR WHEN HE SAW MY SON'S VEHICLE CROSSING INTO HIS LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

2008 CHEVY MALIBU 4 CYLINDER HAS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THIS MORNING DRIVING TO WORK IT RIPPED THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF MY WIFE'S HANDS IF SHE HAD BEEN GOING MORE THAN 35MPH SHE WOULD HAVE RAN INTO A DITCH. I WENT AND MET HER AND DROVE IT HOME IT VIOLENTLY JERKED BACKED AND FORTH ON ME AS WELL. GOOD THINK WE WERE NOT ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 70MPH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY DIED. *TR

I HAVE A CHEVROLET MALIBU LT 2008 SINCE MAY 2008, UNFORTUNATELY IT SEEMS THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS STILL A HEADACHE BASED ON SEVERAL ONLINE REVIEWS. AFTER 15,000 MILES, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING EVERY TIME THAT I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THEREFORE I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, ROBINS CHEVROLET IN HUMBLE (GREAT SERVICE BY THE WAY), AND THEY RESURFACE THE FRONT ROTORS, THAT WAS JUST 2 MONTHS AGO, AND NOW WITH 5 K MILES MORE I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. BRAKING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED MAYBE BY 20%, MY QUESTION IS? WHY GM HAS NOT IMPROVE THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES, I GOOGLE IT AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES 2000 AND UP, YEAR BY YEAR.

STEERING WHEEL JERKING LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE AT LOW SPEED AND SETTING STILL. *TR

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO JERK TO LEFT AND RIGHT. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LT. IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO JERK LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. IT WOULD ALSO JERK WHILE BEING STOPPED AND WHILE IN PARK.THERE IS ALSO A POPPING SOUND OR A CLUNKING SOUND LIKE A BAD UNIVERSAL WHILE TURNING AND/OR BACKING UP. I NOTICED THIS ABOUT JANUARY OF '09. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT,BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. ON 5/12/10 THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COMES AND GOES,IT WILL RUN FINE FOR A WHILE THEY ITWILL START UP FOR A WHILE. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. ON 5/30/10 AND 5/31/10 THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. I CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THERE IS NOT. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE LOOKING INTO IT. I WENT TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEB STE AND SEEN THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE '05 MALIBUS (PS CONTROL MODULE).THERE WERE AT LEAST 7 COMPLAINTS FOR THE '08'S ON THIS SITE THAT I NOTICED. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING PROPERLY,THEY WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK NOR WOULD THE REMOTE WORK ON THEM. WHEN THE LEFT REAR DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE WAS USED TO OPEN THE DOOR THE DOOR WOULD LOCK. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING IS ELECTRIC IN THIS CAR. *TR

2008 CHEVY MALIBU. STEERING BECOMES JERKY, HARD TO CONTROL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE STEERING WILL FREEZE CAUSING UNWANTED LANE CHANGE, WHEN TRYING TO STEER BACK IT WILL UNLOCK AND CAUSE THE CAR TO JERK BACK. WHEN STOPPED, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE STEERING WHEEL, AT TIMES, JERK BACK AND FORTH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. IN TEMPERATURES OF 40 AND BELOW ICE FORMED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF OUTSIDE. THE DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON , BUT IT DOES NOT CLEAR THE GLASS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FILTER ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE NOT CERTAIN IF THERE WAS A FILTER ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, OR ONLY ON THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

UNEXPECTEDLY THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS STARTS TO UNLOCK AND LOCK BY THEM SELF. IF I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, THE LOCKS ARE SUPPOSE TO LOCK, THESE LOCKS I HAVE UN-LOCK THEM SELF IN THIS PROCESS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008, ON A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

2008 CHEVY MALIBU, MAKES THUMPING SOUND TURNING AT LOWER SPEEDS, WHEEL FEELS MUSHY AND SHAKES. TOLD BY DEALER ITS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN. CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL DANGER. CAR OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WANT OVER $200 TO FIX IT. SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL, AS I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER GM OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID DEBRIS FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, SHE STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, THE BATTERY, THE STARTER CABLE WIRES, THE SYSTEM COMPUTER AND THE DOOR LOCKS ON BOTH REAR DOORS. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,988 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR. I SHOULD HAVE KEPT EXACT RECORDS, BUT I HAVEN'T. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS THE FACTORY BATTERY IN 2008. IT EXPLODED IN THE CAR WITHIN 5 MONTHS, THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE REPLACED 3 BATTERIES IN THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD 4 SETS OF TIRES. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS 2 TIMES. I HAD THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM GO DOWN 2 YEARS AGO AND HAD TO REPLACE. WHEN I REACHED OUT TO THE PLACE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY. SO, ALL OF MY WORK HAS BEEN DONE AT ANOTHER AUTO MECHANIC. OF COURSE, BECAUSE OF THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE WORK WAS NEVER DONE WITH THEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ALONG WITH THE SUSPENSION, AND GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT ELSE. I AM CURRENTLY GETTING READY TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS AGAIN, ALONG WITH I AM NEEDING NEW TIRES ON THE FRONT END AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 YEARS. *TR

MODERN VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH THE SUN VISOR BUILT INTO THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID "SCALPING" THE OCCUPANTS DURING A CRASH. HOWEVER, ON MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ, THE VISOR IS NOT BUILT INTO THE CEILING AND HAS THE ABILITY TO "SCALP" SOMEONE WHEN THEY ARE INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC CRASH. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT ON THIS NEW MODEL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE REMOTE CONTROL OR WITH MANUAL THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS WAS TO PULL THE KNOB TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

AC SYSTEM WILL NOT OPERATE. VARIOUS SETTINGS WILL NOT ACTIVATE SYSTEM. DEALER SAYS THAT NO DTC COULD BE FOUND (NO TROUBLE CODES). VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN FALL OF 2008. *JS

I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CHEVROLET MALIBU 2008 BRAND NEW CAR TWO MONTHS AGO. WHEN I BOUGHT IT I DROVE THE CAR AND I ASKED THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE IF THERE IS SOMETHING ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE REP. FROM DEAN MYERS SAID IS NOTHING AND IT GETS OFF WHEN IS DETAILED. IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE LIKE THAT AS I CAN NOT SEE CLEAR THROUGH ALL THE WINDSHIELDS SO I GOT THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. THEY SAID IS NOT THEIR FAULT AND CALLED A GM REPRESENTATIVE. THEY SAID IS NOT THEIR FAULT AS WELL. AT THE END THEY ADVISED ME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH MY INSURANCE AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN AN "ACID RAIN OR SOMETHING". THE CAR WAS LIKE THIS WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND I BOUGHT LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR INSIDE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A RIDICULOUS RESOLUTION FOR MY PROBLEM. I DIDN'T NOTICED THOUGH THIS PROBLEM GOT WORST WHEN THEY RUST PROOF IT. DO NOT BUY FROM DEAN MAYERS CAR DEALER FROM TORONTO!!! *TR

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

AC IN 2008 MALIBU LT1 ERRATIC OPERATION. AC WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE TEMP CONTROL UNIT IS REPEATEDLY TURN OFF AND ON UNTIL IT DECIDES TO OPERATE. IF INSIDE AIR IS SELECTED IT WILL OPERATE SOMETIMES. VEHICLE AC WILL OPERATE AFTER SECOND START UP OF ENGINE OCCASIONALLY. FAN MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN ON REPEATEDLY TO GET AC TO TURN ON, AC SELECT MUST TURNED OFF THEN ON REPEATEDLY TO GET AC TO OPERATE. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. A PART IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING/STEERING ASSEMBLY. STEERING WILL BE SMOOTH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND BECOME VERY LOOSE LIKE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR TENDS TO STEER LEFT. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY DURING DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE LEFT AND RIGHT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER ONE TIME BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. *TR

MY CAR LOCKS ON ALL 4 DOORS HAS TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED, WHEN THEY ARE ELECTRICAL. AND WHEN I USE THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND I OPEN A DOOR, THE ALARM SOUNDS. THE LOCKS ON MY DOORS HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR A LONG TIME, AND OF COURSE I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY TIME. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THAT. IT REALLY GETS TIRING. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAGS AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE FOREVER, AGAIN, I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CALLED FOR THESE CARS. *TR

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU 260 MILES PURCHASED ON 7-21-08 ON 7-22-08 RECEIVED WARNING LIGHT "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "SERVICE SCE" PULLED TO THE SIDE AND LOOK IN MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM. MANUAL SAID SERVICE AS SOON POSSIBLE. CAR WAS RUNNING VERY SLUGGISH AND ABS BRAKES WERE CHATTERING WHEN APPLIED. CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. TOOK TO DEALER ASAP. DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FROM A LOW CHARGE ON THE BATTERY. DEALER HAD CAR FOR 2 DAYS. DID NOT DRIVE CAR AGAIN UNTIL 7-28-08. DROVE 4-5 MILES AND "SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE SCE" WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. DROVE TO DEALER APPROX 2 MILES. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER, THE LEFT FRONT ABS BRAKE WAS SMOKING WAS VERY HOT, ALMOST SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD BURST INTO FLAMES. HUBCAP HAD WILTED ON WHEEL. LEFT CAR A DEALER, RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER SAYING THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY DUE TO STEERING WHEEL BEING ADJUSTED TO THE LOWER POSITION, CAUSING THE STEERING ASSEMBLY TO PRESS AGAINST THE BRAKES. IF THIS IS THE CASE IT SOUND AS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW. SINCE PEOPLE ALWAYS LOWER THE STEERING COLUMN TO A LOWER POSITION. DEALER WAS ORDERING PARTS AND WOULD CAR FOR 4-5 DAYS. PARTS TO BE ORDERED WAS A PAD FOR THE STEERING COLUMN (BAND AID) NEW HUB CAP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE STEERING COLUMN SPONTANEOUSLY LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UNTIL MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB

I BOUGHT A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ FROM DAVE SMITH AUTO IN KELLOGG, IDAHO, PICKED IT UP ON JUNE 6, 2008, DROVE IT TO CASPER, WY. ON 7/22/08, CAR WON'T START, FIND OUT IT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (HAS TO DO WITH ANTI-THEFT, ETC.), AS OF TODAY'S DATE, AUGUST 13, IT STILL SITS IN THE SHOP AWAITING THE PART FROM CHEVY, WHO SAYS THEY WILL NOT HAVE A PART AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPT./OCT. BECAUSE ALL THE PARTS NOW ARE BEING PUT INTO THEIR NEW CARS. I HAVE ABOUT 1400 MILES ON IT, AND IT IS INOPERABLE. WHAT GOOD DOES A WARRANTY DO WHEN THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS? I HAVE CALLED CHEVY'S SO-CALLED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, AND THE GIRL THAT'S ASSIGNED TO MY CASE CAN'T DO ANYTHING BUT CALL THE LOCAL DEALER, WHICH I CAN DO, AND CALL THE PARTS DEPARTMENT, WHO GIVE HER INFORMATION CONTRARY TO WHAT THEY'RE GIVING THE LOCAL DEALER. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. *TR

HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS IN THIS VEHICLE BOTH FRONT END COLLISIONS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ALSO THE RIMS ARE NO GOOD TIRES KEEP LOOSING AIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE FRONT RIMS AND TIRES. THE DEALER REASSURED HER THAT THE OIL CAME FROM THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT SHE WOULD NOT GET AMPLE GAS MILEAGE AS STATED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. ON-STAR PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE TRACTION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE, THERE WAS A LOUD, PERSISTENT SCREECHING NOISE, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 8,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,432 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,900. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08.*JB

WHEN ACCELERATING AGGRESSIVELY, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY VEERS RIGHT AND THE CAR VEERS. HAPPENS ON SOME, BUT NOT ALL SUCH STARTS. SIMILAR THING HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN "PANIC" STOPS. *TR

APPROX. 10K ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GET HARD UPON BRAKING REGARDLESS OF RAIN, SNOW OR SHINE, IT EVENTUALLY GOT WORSE. AFTER TAKING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3X'S THE TECH REALIZED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW. THE TECH FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BREAK FLUID INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS MORE THAN HALF FULL WITH FLUID BY THE TIME THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS STILL HAVING VARIOUS ISSUES THAT CANNOT SEEM TO BE RESOLVED WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING ONLY 36,555 MILES. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED SO MUCH THAT THEY ALREADY NEED REPLACEMENT. THE MALIBU'S BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I'VE TALKED TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

DRIVING ON DIVIDED HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY THE WARNING LIGHT FOR EMERGENCY STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON. DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER THEN INDICATED THAT BOTH NEEDED SERVICING, THEN ADVISED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". MANAGED TO "LIMP" HOME DRIVING THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, SAME THING HAPPENED (BUT NOT ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY). DEALER FIXED IT, CLAIMING "TRACED PROBLEM TO WIRING HARNESS, CHAFFED AND RUBBING ON TRANSMISSION BOLT - REPAIRED HARNESS & REROUTED HARNESS." CAR HAD LESS THAN 900 MILES ON IT. MAYBE OUR CAR WAS UNUSUAL, BUT I'M THINKING IF WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS RUBBING AGAINST A TRANSMISSION BOLT, SO BADLY THAT IT STARTED SHORTING OUT IN LESS THAN 900 MILES, THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2008 MALIBUS AT RISK OF THE SAME THING. *TR