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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,304 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #61

Jul 212022

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car starts to violently shake and the the engine service light starts to flash. The ABS light stays on and the car runes terribly. The system says a spark plug coil has burned out. Locate the ba coil and replace it, car runs great until another coil burns out and the process starts over again. During each occurance the steering is affected by pulling hard to one side or the other when the brake is applied.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #60

Aug 092021

Malibu

  • 150,000 miles
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving behind the vehicle he noticed that the brake light was illuminated even though the brakes was not applied. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the brake light failed to illuminate. The ESC, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number 14V252000 (Electrical system, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #59

Nov 172020

Malibu

  • 240,000 miles
The main concer I have is (1)while driving and car in motion on a city street, the car accerlerated on it's own. Almost caused an accident. This has happen several more times since. (2)the car begins to slow down. I cannot drive more the 10 mile per hour, the RPM gage goes high but the car does not. (3)also, the car ABS light comes on with normal driving in the city, unknown cause. (4)the car seems to have electrical issues, I've changed head lights twice, horn fuses blown multiple times, the air conditioner has gone off 3X now, and on the heat/air control panel makes a clockng noise, even if I want to use the wipers.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #58

Aug 202020

Malibu

  • 161,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Third break light intermittently working. The other two break lights have no issue. I had the third break light replaced and am still experiencing the same issue. This seems to be a common issue with this car as there are numerous complaints of othe consumers experiencing this same issue.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #57

Jan 012017

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start without warning. The contact stated that the doors failed to lock. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal grinding sound detected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #56

Nov 132019

Malibu

  • 150,000 miles
I will be driving down the road and my ESC light comes on and it causes my brakes to engage by there selves it has happened several times now

- Ashville, OH, USA

problem #55

Jan 052019

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Front low beam lights keep going out replaced low beam bulbs 3 times in 6 months and replaced harnesses once and low beam headlights continues to go out. Brake lights stay on when car is started and continues to stay on while driving. 3rd brake light doesn't work all the time. It lights up bright sometime, dim sometime, and other times it don't work at all.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #54

Aug 302019

Malibu

  • 166,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the reduced engine power warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to dunn Chevrolet Buick (located at 3000 dustin rd, Oregon, oh 43616, (419) 442-7814) where it was diagnosed that a tune up was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V2520000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control); however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #53

Jun 222019

Malibu

  • miles
All three brake lights stay on when the car is in drive, reverse, or park. When I step on the brake it will shut off then go on again. When I release the brake the lights will shut off then go back on a couple minutes later.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #52

Mar 282019

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles
Loss of power steering assist while driving. Brake lights go on when driving and do not go on when braking

- Stratford, CT, USA

problem #51

Jan 272017

Malibu

  • 29,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ESC lights, and traction stability control lights come on and off often, regardless of current weather conditions. I noticed it happens more when the weather is cooler. Started around 29K miles on my car. When the warning lights come on, my break lights stay on. Computer doesn't kick back any codes unless the warning lights that are on.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #50

Feb 012019

Malibu

  • miles
Brake lights staying on while car is in parked and while vehicle is turned off

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #49

Oct 132017

Malibu

  • 140,000 miles
My drive shaft line broke by my the gear shift

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #48

Mar 312017

Malibu

  • 56,569 miles
Purchased 2008 Malibu in early 2017. Previous owner stated brake lights come on and off on their own. Had it checked out was told that their was a recall on it. Had recall 13036 work done 3/31/17. Still had problems. Took to dealer on 7/03/17 was told they couldn't duplicate and no codes they recalibrated bpps. Still had problems drove it that way took it back to dealer on 7/06/18. Was told same thing and same work performed. Same problem occurred. Read online that recall didn't solve problem. On 9/10/18 dealer stated been having a lot of same problems with other cars they replaced BCM & brake pedal sensor. Had work done. So far seems to have worked. Never felt safe while driving with brake lights on and while stopped no brake lights on. Can't believe that the manufacturer would let this problem go on as well as dealers

- Walbridge, OH, USA

problem #47

May 062017

Malibu

  • 10,000 miles
When driving brake light continue to stay on. When pressed they go off and pressing to floor they come on but when released around 6 seconds later they come on again. Was taken to dealer ship to be fixed for a recall. Worked for less than a month and it continues again. Had brake pedal switch replaced and it still continues. Now I'm getting the lights coming on saying ESC off and also a traction light. In my opinion all Chevy Malibu's should be recalled and done right. Worst car I ever owned. Fix your mistakes please. These things I'm describing happens anywhere I'm driving constantly

- Inman, SC, USA

problem #46

Jun 012018

Malibu

  • miles
Brake lights randomly illuminate! while driving down the interstate the brake lights are illuminating. This has been an issue for a while now.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #45

Nov 042017

Malibu

  • 3 miles
A police officer pulled beside me and said my brake lights were not working at all. Brake lights will come on and stay on or will not come on at all. Took this vechicle to a mechanic and it has to do with the connection with the BCM. Thought this was recalled but there is no recalls on my vechicle. I asked some other owners of the same model and they are having the same issues. This is a huge safety hazard.

- Elmira, NY, USA

problem #44

Mar 012017

Malibu

  • 150,000 miles
Brake lights illuminate during normal driving when brakes pedal is not being pushed. Brake lights then turn off when brake pedal is pushed and don't come back on until brake pedal is pushed at least half way down. Cruise control doesn't work when this is happening. Problem happens when driving at any speed. This has been happening for about a month this time. Was previously fixed under a recall but the fix is not working.

- Lehi, UT, USA

problem #43

Jan 022017

Malibu

  • 128,000 miles
Traction control light comes on, ESC turns off, vehicle sputters when these lights illuminate and engine light blinks while driving down the road, similiar recall for older model was found NHTSA recall 14V252 but my year of vehicle is not included, can this be the same issue

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #42

Dec 052016

Malibu

  • 118,565 miles
While driving, the vehicles brake lights will suddenly illuminate even when the brakes are not being pressed. When this happens, I tap the brakes and the lights go off, only to turn on again within a few seconds of no longer being pressed. Also, in my dash panel I am receiving a "service traction" and "service ESC" warning. This occurance has happened before and was corrected in 2014 after a recall was issued - however the same issue is happening again.

- Chuluota, FL, USA

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