2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS NO SUPPORT TO MAINTAI...
A SAFETY HAZARD EXISTS DUE TO POWER DOOR LOCKS NOT LOCKING/UNLOCKING CONSISTENTLY ON THREE OUT OF FOUR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM COULD CAUSE OCCUPANTS, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEATS, TO BECOME TRAPPED DURING AN EMERGENCY. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
A SAFETY HAZARD EXISTS DUE TO POWER DOOR LOCKS NOT LOCKING/UNLOCKING CONSISTENTLY ON THREE OUT OF FOUR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM COULD CAUSE OCCUPANTS, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEATS, TO BECOME TRAPPED DURING AN EMERGENCY. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM TO RELEASE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION A COUPLE TIME AND NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT, BUT IN JUNE THE BEGINNING THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT. SO I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ALONE WITH MY SHIFT THAT COST ME ...
Mileage: 77,000
I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM TO RELEASE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION A COUPLE TIME AND NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT, BUT IN JUNE THE BEGINNING THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT. SO I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ALONE WITH MY SHIFT THAT COST ME ...
Mileage: 77,000
I WAS T BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING THE WRONG WAY ON A ONE WAY. I THEN WAS SENT UP A CURB 35 MPH HITTING A TREE HEAD ON DRAGGING THE CAR DOWN THE TREE THEN WENT UP A SMALL HILL ALMOST ENDING UP IN SOMEONES PORCH. I PASSED OUT AT SOME POINT. NOT ONE AIRBAG WENT OFF IN MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED G...
Mileage: 74,000
I WAS T BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING THE WRONG WAY ON A ONE WAY. I THEN WAS SENT UP A CURB 35 MPH HITTING A TREE HEAD ON DRAGGING THE CAR DOWN THE TREE THEN WENT UP A SMALL HILL ALMOST ENDING UP IN SOMEONES PORCH. I PASSED OUT AT SOME POINT. NOT ONE AIRBAG WENT OFF IN MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED G...
Mileage: 74,000
I WAS T BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING THE WRONG WAY ON A ONE WAY. I THEN WAS SENT UP A CURB 35 MPH HITTING A TREE HEAD ON DRAGGING THE CAR DOWN THE TREE THEN WENT UP A SMALL HILL ALMOST ENDING UP IN SOMEONES PORCH. I PASSED OUT AT SOME POINT. NOT ONE AIRBAG WENT OFF IN MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED G...
Mileage: 74,000
THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOVE FROM OFF TO START POSITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOVE INTO GEAR; THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I CALLED PREVIOUSLY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN WASN'T PART OF ANY RECALL. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT GM HASN'T RECOGNIZED THAT THI...
Mileage: 65,000
I FEEL THAT I EXPERIENCED THE SAME POWER STEERING FAILURE THAT AFFECTED OTHER MALIBUS (AND CHEVROLETS) AND THAT MY REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER CHEVROLET SPECIAL BULLETIN #10183. HOWEVER, SOMETHING ABOUT MY VEHICLE'S BUILD KEPT MY VIN FROM BEING INCLUDED IN THE RANGE FOR THIS EXTENDED COVE...
Mileage: 97,600
I LOST POWER STEERING WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A SEMI CURVE WHILE RAINING LIGHTLY. THE CAR KEPT GOING TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT STEER. I PRESSED BRAKES AND CAR SPUN. I ALMOST HIT A SIGN ON THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THANK GOD NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME NOR MY SON. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED EITHER. T...
Mileage: 112,000
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU (PURCHASED NEW) WITH 41,000 MILES. RECENTLY, I NOTICED MY BACK DOOR CAR LOCKS DID NOT WORK. I CALLED THE DEALER AND AM TOLD WE NEED NEW ACTUATORS; NO RECALL AS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I DISAGREE - PRESSING A LOCK ON YOUR DOOR SHOULD LOCK YOUR DOOR. P...
Mileage: 41,000
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 CA...
Mileage: 2,000
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 CA...
Mileage: 2,000
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 CA...
Mileage: 2,000
DOOR LOCKS ARE FAILING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK, WITH THE KEY FOB OR, WITH THE INSIDE SWITCH, FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OR FROM EITHER ONE OF THE THREE OTHER DOORS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS, IF SOMEONE IS ABOUT TO GET ROBBED, RAPED, BEAT UP OR A CAR JACKING IS ABOUT TO OCCUR AND, THE DOOR LOCKS FAILS ...
Mileage: 57,200
DOOR LOCKS ARE FAILING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK, WITH THE KEY FOB OR, WITH THE INSIDE SWITCH, FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OR FROM EITHER ONE OF THE THREE OTHER DOORS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS, IF SOMEONE IS ABOUT TO GET ROBBED, RAPED, BEAT UP OR A CAR JACKING IS ABOUT TO OCCUR AND, THE DOOR LOCKS FAILS ...
Mileage: 57,200
THIS HAS OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND YOU HAVE TO TAP THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO GO OUT. THEN THEY MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT GO OFF AND TOTALLY CANCELS ANY CRUISE CONTROL OPETATION. THERE IS NO ACTUAL BRAKING AND THIS EVEN HAPPENS WH...
Mileage: 78,500
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 L...
Mileage: 40,000
WHEN VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO BREAK. DOES NOT ALLOW ACCURATE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER REAR WINDOWS ELECTRIC SUSPENSION WIRE POPPED AND CAME UNRAVELED AND WINDOW DROPS. FUEL LEVEL RANGE SENSOR DOES NOT PROVIDE AC...
WHEN VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO BREAK. DOES NOT ALLOW ACCURATE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER REAR WINDOWS ELECTRIC SUSPENSION WIRE POPPED AND CAME UNRAVELED AND WINDOW DROPS. FUEL LEVEL RANGE SENSOR DOES NOT PROVIDE AC...
WHEN VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO BREAK. DOES NOT ALLOW ACCURATE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER REAR WINDOWS ELECTRIC SUSPENSION WIRE POPPED AND CAME UNRAVELED AND WINDOW DROPS. FUEL LEVEL RANGE SENSOR DOES NOT PROVIDE AC...
WHEN VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO BREAK. DOES NOT ALLOW ACCURATE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER REAR WINDOWS ELECTRIC SUSPENSION WIRE POPPED AND CAME UNRAVELED AND WINDOW DROPS. FUEL LEVEL RANGE SENSOR DOES NOT PROVIDE AC...
FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS NOW EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IT WANTS TO "JUMP" IT ACTS LIKE IT IS HANGING UP SOMEWHERE. ON 3-2-2013 I GOT INTO THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. I GOT BACK HOME AND SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AND IT WORKED AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 115,650
FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS NOW EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IT WANTS TO "JUMP" IT ACTS LIKE IT IS HANGING UP SOMEWHERE. ON 3-2-2013 I GOT INTO THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. I GOT BACK HOME AND SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AND IT WORKED AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 115,650
2008 MALIBU SHOWS "ICE POSSIBLE" AND THEN TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGH WAY, IN TRAFFIC, WHILE ACCELERATING AND HONESTLY GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS. TOOK TO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE MASS A...
Mileage: 125,232
2008 MALIBU SHOWS "ICE POSSIBLE" AND THEN TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGH WAY, IN TRAFFIC, WHILE ACCELERATING AND HONESTLY GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS. TOOK TO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE MASS A...
Mileage: 125,232
2008 MALIBU SHOWS "ICE POSSIBLE" AND THEN TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGH WAY, IN TRAFFIC, WHILE ACCELERATING AND HONESTLY GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS. TOOK TO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE MASS A...
Mileage: 125,232
FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE RESULTING IN ENGINE CODE AND INABILITY TO PROPERLY MONITOR FUEL LEVEL. POTENTIAL FOR OUT OF FUEL STALLS. *TR
Mileage: 49,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED. THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS WERE BROKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE EXTERIOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEA...
Mileage: 42,000
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 ...
Mileage: 62,000
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 ...
Mileage: 35,000
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 ...
Mileage: 35,000
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON FIXES THE ISSUE. GM ISSUED RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IN MARCH 2010, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED ON THAT RECALL ALTHOUGH IT SUFFERS FRO...
Mileage: 68,976
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. 2008 CHEVY MALIBU. PROBLEM STARTED 2 MONTHS AGO, DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A DEFECTIVE, CHEAP PIECE OF METAL IN THE FUEL GAGE THAT EASILY CORRODES. CHEVROLET REFUSES TO RECALL PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS DEFECTIVE. THEY ALSO TOLD...
Mileage: 43,000
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. 2008 CHEVY MALIBU. PROBLEM STARTED 2 MONTHS AGO, DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A DEFECTIVE, CHEAP PIECE OF METAL IN THE FUEL GAGE THAT EASILY CORRODES. CHEVROLET REFUSES TO RECALL PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS DEFECTIVE. THEY ALSO TOLD...
Mileage: 43,000