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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,423 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Jul 012015

Malibu

  • miles

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

UNKNOWN - Steering is too tight and unable make turns without using force - occurs always

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #41

Sep 042023

Malibu

  • miles
While driving down the road my steering wheel turned, but I was driving straight. Aso if I want to turn it won't. When turning it makes a popping noise.

- Taft, CA, USA

problem #40

Apr 032023

Malibu

  • miles
Went to get a smog check. And it wouldn-??t connect to the server. Kept saying OBD2 wasn-??t connecting so mechanic wasn-??t able to complete smog check.

- Van Nuys, CA, USA

problem #39

Feb 282022

Malibu

  • miles

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

While driving on the freeway going 60mph the power steering went out and the steering wheel began stiff and unable I was unable to turn the wheel or steer/ control it. this is a problem because without having the ability the turn the wheel I risk not being able to get where I-??m going. And further more cannot avoid an accident. It-??s available for inspection upon request. Thank you

- Renton , WA, USA

problem #38

Feb 112021

Malibu

  • miles
Faulty transmission

- Anderson, SC, USA

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problem #37

Feb 022021

Malibu

  • 160,000 miles
I am experiencing the exact issues detailed in the recall for the later Chevy Malibu models, although being a 2008, my car is not included. The 'service ESC', 'ESC off', check engine light, tire pressure light, and traction lights stay on. With these on, I cannot accelerate past 20mph. It has been an off and on problem for the 2.5 years I've had the vehicle and despite taking it in several times to be worked on, the problem persists. The vehicle was in motion every time these warnings have come on.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #36

Mar 102021

Malibu

  • miles

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

My 2008 Malibu ltz does a hard jurking then the RPM gage rises without shifting. When the car is shut off completely it has a burning smell. Also my check engine light is on but doesn't show on the dashboard.

- Lancaster, TX, USA

problem #35

Oct 222020

Malibu

  • 93,475 miles
Service ESC service traction light came on the steering wheel locked and I almost wrecked there has been a recall for this but it closed and the dealer won't fix it no recalls have been fixed open or closed can U please help me get the fixed

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #34

Jun 182020

Malibu

  • 185,000 miles
The catalytic converter below threshold.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #33

May 112020

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 141,237 miles
The vehicle starts right up when it has not been running. If I drive the car for more than 20-30 minutes and shut the car off the vehicle will not crank or start. I have to wait for at least an hour or longer before the vehicle starting again. No mechanic has been able to figure the problem out. I have had the starter changed, the battery and alternator check out good.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #32

Feb 182020

Malibu

  • 172,810 miles

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

My ignition switch went bad. All other components working fine. I drove it at 7am with no issues. Parked until 3pm, went to start and I had power but absolutely no start or crank.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #31

Feb 102020

Malibu

  • 100,400 miles
My vehicle has been running just fine until the other day when my vehicle out of nowhere went into 'limp mode' and I couldn't go over 20 mph. The notifications on my dash were 'eng pwr reduced' and 'service ESC'. after looking online for possible causes, it is very clear that engine power reduced and service electrical system is an extremely common problem with Chevy Malibu's from older models to newer 2016-2018 models). Not only is it common, but most people that experience the same issue I did, end up spending thousands trying to fix the problem. Repairs range from changing the throttle body to sensors to battery cables & terminals. A few get lucky but for the majority of Malibu owners, the problem returns within days or if they're lucky, they get a couple of months before the error codes come back. All one has to do is search the forums of cargurus.com or youtube for videos to find the countless posts of Chevy Malibu owners all experiencing the same problem. I personally read of many accounts where owners were on the highway when all of a sudden they have the engine power reduced. This is a huge safety concern and eventually someone or multiple people are going to get killed when they lose power at a high rate of speed. Chevy is undoubtedly aware that there's a problem and are choowing to turn a blind eye instead of issuing a recall. What's it going to take for GM to admit there's a problem" multiple deaths" mechanics, even those that work for GM know there's an issue but don't know how to fix it permanently. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I can't afford to pay thousands for guess work. I shouldn't have to even consider it because GM knows there's an issue and aren't doing anything about it. Before people get killed, an investigation needs to be conducted & a recall issued!

- Belchertown, MA, USA

problem #30

Mar 302019

Malibu

  • miles
My 2008 Chevy Malibu has door latch issues. When you close the doors, the latch will not connect and the door will fly back open. We need to keep playing with the locks for the door to eventually latch and lock. Then it also sometimes does it from the inside and you cannot open the door from the inside or the outside and you will need to keep playing with it. One day, I had to role the window down to try to open the door from the outside because it wouldn't open from this inside. This is an extreme safety hazard because in the event something catastrophic happens and the door does not open or close they way its supposed to, it can be life threatening. Expecially since I have a small son. This needs to be addressed and fast!

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #29

Aug 012016

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
I have had the transmission totally lock up and sound like braking plactic, had to replace the transmission. Dashboad lights either do not work or flicker. Fast flashing as if a bulb is out than it fixes itself. Numbers running across the radio screen than stops.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #28

Dec 142019

Malibu

  • 118,400 miles
When I start my car, the steering wheel is locked up and a message stating "power steering" comes across the main screen. My vehicle was stationary. The issue only continues to get worse over time, and the current recall for this doesn't seem to cover my VIN number or yield an open recall. It is possible the person who had this car before me had the issue fixed and it is now happening again. Only after restarting the vehicle multiple times am I able to turn the wheel all the while it shakes back and forth as if there's an issue with the steering column.

- Gowen, MI, USA

problem #27

Aug 192019

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles
The vehicle stays on and running when I cut the car off and remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle will not turn off even after the key is removed and the doors and closed. My car is currently running and there are no keys in the ignition.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #26

Apr 182019

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
On different occasions I have sat in my vehicle with out the keys in the ignition and the blower came on then shut back off on its own. I've seen my tail lights flip on and off car locked no one in it fuel gauge not working right as well.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #25

Mar 212019

Malibu

  • 140,000 miles
Front end & steering wheel will start hard vibrating no matter speed or road condition. After parking, motor off, going again it may or may not vibrate again. 3 mechanics can't find problem as it won't do it all the time. Now what do I do?

- Lewisburg, WV, USA

problem #24

Apr 212019

Malibu

  • 133,258 miles
Takata recall transmission gear shifter cable keeps breaking I was getting ready to put my car in drive and the gear wasn't catching

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #23

Aug 152018

Malibu

  • 87,000 miles
Strong gas smell from rear of vehicle (interior/exterior). Leak confirmed from fuel pump when in motion. Also, vehicle hesitates when accelerated, usually after vehicle sits for an extended period of time.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

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