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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
76,457 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 21 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #41

May 082010

Malibu

  • 47,000 miles

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

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) steering keeps messing up. When I am driving at low or higher speeds (35-60) the steering wheel shakes from let to right. It does this at least once a day. No light on dash showing there is a problem. I have 47,000 miles on my car. I am afraid I will be in the middle of a turn and my steering will go out. I am really scared for my children's safety. This is our family and my work car. Please look into I have done some research and show over 100 complaints on the steering also the 2006 GM cobalt has same steering and the same problems. Please please help for my and my children's safety. [xxx]

- Trenton, FL, USA

problem #40

May 032010

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the steering wheel locked up and began to shake and shimmy. The contact notified the dealer and was told that any repairs would be at his expense. Current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.

- Savannah , GA, USA

problem #39

Apr 282010

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles
2008 Malibu the power steering goes out with out warning sometimes on the highway it is very scary this is a big concern to me because this is my wife and kids only transportation.

- San Antonio , TX, USA

problem #38

Apr 302010

Malibu

  • 50,400 miles

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

My 2008 Chevrolet Malibu lt will shake violently from side to side and becomes virtually uncontrollable. The first time it happened was in April 2009 with about 2 K miles. I took it to the dealer, they scanned it but no codes were present. The mechanic found a service bulletin where a brake pad problem was referred to regarding this shaking problem, so he replaced the front pads and resurfaced the rotors. The problem recurred in Feb. 2010 with approx. 40 K miles. I again took it in but they said there was nothing wrong. Yesterday 4-10-10 on my way to work it happened again at approx. 70 mph, I thought I was going to crash ! what am I to do ?

- Bowler, WI, USA

problem #37

Apr 012010

Malibu

  • 43,500 miles
Steering problem with 2008 Chevy Malibu. While driving the steering wheel will go back and forth and hard to control steering. Also, sometimes when engine is on and car not moving the wheel will shake and go back and forth on both sides. Have had the car to a Chevy dealer and they say there is nothing wrong with the car and everything is solid. Also had a wheel and tire check it out and they said the same thing but they say it may be in the rack and pinion system. It is very scary when you have trouble controlling the vehicle.

- Mcalester, OK, USA

problem #36

Jul 212009

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Blytheville, AR, USA

problem #35

Apr 052010

Malibu

  • 37,600 miles

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

Just go over my 36,000 mile warranty, and the power steering problem indicator came up on my dash. The steering wheel starts moving frantically on it's own, whenever it wants to, even if you are driving the car. This could be a big hazard. I call the dealer, and of course it's not included in the power train warranty, even though the power steering is electric in my 2008 4 cylinder Malibu. The dealer also stated no recalls on my Malibu, but this should definitely be a recall, since I see Chevy cobalt is being recalled for the same thing. Please help. I have to take the car in for service, the dealer states it is the power steering electric box or in the power steering column.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

problem #34

Apr 012010

Malibu

  • 52,000 miles
Steering wheel locking up while driving at 50 - 55 mph. Trouble light on dashboard indicating steering problem. Lock-up same as when car is stopped and transmission lever placed into park position.

- Reedley, CA, USA

problem #33

Apr 012010

Malibu

  • 32,165 miles
Problem with my 2008 Chevrolet Malibu power steering. Was driving and suddenly the steering had a mind of its own, pulling slightly to the right and then left. Became somewhat lethargic in responsiveness.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #32

Mar 272010

Malibu

  • 25,334 miles
The steering will suddenly vibrate and cause me to lose control of the car and as a result I have almost gotten into a few accidents.. it happens without warning. The manfacture has a bulletin about this problem but refused to fix it. I then went to a local mechanic who was able to download the correct information into the power steering module. I believe this should be a recall and force the manfacture to correct all effective cars and not get away with refusing to fix it and thus make it look like there is no problem

- Davison, MI, USA

problem #31

Mar 152010

Malibu

  • 27,423 miles

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

2008 Chevrolet Malibu steering free wheels at times jerks side to side at times at any speed. Brakes fade at times rumble.this week I contacted General Motors waiting to hear what I should do. Did search on internet and I seen hundreds of people that have same problem.and they say dealer cannot repair.has anyone investigated Malibu steering problems it scares me when it stops working.all at once the steering jerks side to side.hard to turn at low speed.car has 27000 miles and has had intermittent problems with steering and brakes since I bought it afraid to take it to dealer they say nothing is wrong with it but I say there wrong.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #30

Feb 012010

Malibu

  • 37,000 miles
There was a clunking noise in the steering mechanism, especially at low speed. The dealer stated that it was the intermediate steering shaft. It was replaced at a cost of $371.

- Glastonbury, CT, USA

problem #29

Mar 012010

Malibu

  • miles
I am hearing a "knocking" when I turn the vehicle left or right. This vehicle has had many internet reports of steering problems. I will be taking my vehicle in today March 10,2010 to see if this is in fact the problem. I am just being precautious due to the high volume of complaints before mine. The problem occurs everytime I turn.

- Adelanto, CA, USA

problem #28

Jul 182009

Malibu

  • 45,000 miles
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.

- Blytheville, AR, USA

problem #27

Oct 012009

Malibu

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 mph the steering wheel began to shake and it became difficult to control it. The steering wheel also locked. There were no warning lights prior to the failure. He took the vehicle to the dealer five times. The dealer replaced the intermediate shaft and the computer was reprogrammed, but the failure was not corrected. He will take the vehicle back to the dealer to replace the steering column rod. The failure mileage was 31,000 and the current mileage was 40,000.

- Callbert, OK, USA

problem #26

Oct 102009

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to turn the steering wheel in either direction, there was a hesitation in the vehicle responding to driver input. The dealer replaced the power steering motor in an attempt to correct the failure. Later, while turning the vehicle in either direction, he heard a clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. The dealer added grease to the steering wheel to correct the failure, however the repairs would only last temporarily and he would have to continue having grease added in order for it to function. The dealer stated that the failure would persist for the life of the vehicle and once the vehicle reached 32,000, the repairs would be at the owner's expense. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was approximately 32,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 08/13/10. Updated 08/23/10

- North Cambria, PA, USA

problem #25

Feb 272010

Malibu

  • 28,800 miles
2008 Chevy Malibu power steering failure.

- Columbia City, OR, USA

problem #24

Feb 272010

Malibu

  • 28,800 miles
2008 Chevy Malibu power steering failure.

- Columbia City, OR, USA

problem #23

Feb 062010

Malibu

  • 30,000 miles
Steering problem: Steering wheel oscillates while car is idling, also has a catch at or near center point while driving. It tries to lock and then release. Will also oscillate while traveling. Happens at different speeds but is mostly driven in the 35 to 55mph range. Also is affected with brake pressure. Dealer could not find anything wrong. It seems to be happening more often but with no pattern.

- Lake City, FL, USA

problem #22

Oct 152009

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles
My 2008 Chevrolet Malibu has the same electric power steering motor problems that GM issued recalls for the cobalt and G5 today. The car sporadically has tremors that happen mainly at low speed but has happened at highway speeds. Will the recall be expanded to include Malibu?

- Howell, MI, USA

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