10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,783 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #40

Feb 222018

Malibu

  • miles
Fuel tank leaking seen several Chevy where recalled but my VIN number is not including unable to drive care as dangerous fuel leak

- Cottonwood, AZ, USA

problem #39

Feb 182015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
2011 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to engine power reduced and traction control message light issues.

- Mchenry, IL, USA

problem #38

Nov 222017

Malibu

  • 10,800 miles
Car states engine power reduce on my car, will be driving and the codes will come on, speed reduced, traction turned off, acceleration is slow. No warning this is going to happen, can happen while driving high speeds or regulars speeds. Has happened or city streets and highway. If you fix one thing code some back saying it's another thing. Don't feel safe in driving the car, never know when this mode will come on.

- Gary, IN, USA

problem #37

Dec 272016

Malibu

  • 93,723 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver side air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the air bag was deploying from the driver seat and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that a sensor failed, but it was not a concern. In addition, the contact observed a leak coming from the vehicle and took the vehicle back to the dealer. It was diagnosed that the head gasket failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, one month later, the contact observed a leak again, the check engine warning indicator illuminated, and an abnormal clicking noise was heard. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to the head gasket being previously repaired improperly. The engine was replaced. One month later, the vehicle would not start and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring was done improperly and not up to safety standards. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 93,723.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #36

Jan 242017

Malibu

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 40 mph, the traction control and engine warning indicators illuminated without warning, and the vehicle shook. An independent mechanic replaced the throttle body and accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Manor, TX, USA

problem #35

Aug 232016

Malibu

  • 58,000 miles
Engine power reduced message appears while vehicle is running and the engine immediately stops and vehicle stalls after a very short period barely enough to pull over to the side of the road. If the ignition is turned off and turned on again, the vehicle starts fine. This pattern repeats randomly at various speeds and even when it was stopped at a stop sign. This is a dangerous situation especially on the highways. Dealer check revealed that it was engine control module that got shorted and needs a replacement. The part is back ordered, which indicates that there are multiple vehicles having the same issue.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #34

Feb 072016

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the engine stalled without warning while driving 40 mph. The contact lost control of the vehicle, drove into a ditch, and stopped in an embankment. The front driver side air bag deployed and the gas inside caused the contact to contract pneumonia. The contact suffered chest pains that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to storage. A police report was filed. The VIN was not available. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14E021000 (electrical system) was received over one year ago; however, the repair was not performed. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Hohenwald, TN, USA

problem #33

Nov 272015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,208 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the timing belt had stretched and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact indicated that approximately one month later, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the actuator solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 61,208....updated 03-10-16

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #32

Dec 312015

Malibu

  • 11,500 miles
When the car was started the information panal was not reading, it consisted of mostly dashes. The car was running much louder than normal and the check engine light came on. It started saying service traction and engine power loss. I placed the car in drive, the interior lights started flashing and locks went up and down rapidly. I shut the car off and re started it, attempted to see if it would drive but it had no power, could only reverse and there seemed to be no power steering. The next day I started the car again, this time no immediate issue until I pulled out on to the street. The steering wheel was tight, and the car failed to accelerate. Loss of engine power was on the dash, engine and traction lights remained on. Restarted the car and I was able to park again. The car remains at the dealer after being towed a week ago, and they are unsure of the cause. This is extremely dangerous, especially if it were to happen on the highway I would not have had any control of the car and most definitely would have caused an accident.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #31

Jan 012016

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 146,000 miles
Takata recall: Hello my name is [xxx] I am constantly having problem with my Chevy Malibu 2008. My car shut off while still in drive on my way home on the street and then my gear shifted to park while again the car is in drive. I have bad electrical problems that I gotten fixed and it still acting up but what's is important is that my car is not driving and I cant start it at all. Yes I got a new starter and its still responding the same. These problems been ongoing since I purchased it almost 3 years ago. Can you please contact me and help me. Thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #30

Dec 312015

Malibu

  • 131,000 miles
Check engine light comes on.engine power reduced 99 %.sometimes engine dies while driving 40-55 mph.engine code P2135 is displayed on my code reader. The problem goes away after cycling the ignition switch several times.car is un-reliable.this problem can cause you to crash the car.I was driving on the highway and city street when this happened.

- Brentwood, CA, USA

problem #29

Dec 012015

Malibu

  • 125,000 miles
Engine intermittently reduces power, engine lamp come on or blinks, runs rough. This reduce power causes the vehicle to shake and accelerator does not work properly and occurs when moving in normal driving conditions and then it all stops. Mechanics cannot recreate it. It is safety issue and can cause an accident.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #28

Sep 202015

Malibu

  • 0 miles
When I drive the car it drives fine. In the morning when I try to leave at 7 or 8 it refuses to turn on until it is warm I guess. There's definitely an electrical issue I've only had the cat for 2 months and when it does start it says power steering and service ESC. Sometimes I can't even drive over 20. It's definitely an issue that needs recalled.

- Watonga, OK, USA

problem #27

Oct 122015

Malibu

  • miles
The check engine light came on so I took it to the shop and was told that it my catalytic converter and I only have 71000 mile on my car, shouldn't it be still under warranty? pleas advise

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #26

Sep 202012

Malibu

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the door lock switch operated independently without warning. After parking, the vehicle caught fire under the hood. The contact sustained a back injury attempting to put the fire out that did not require medical attention. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #25

Apr 102015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
My 08 Malibu ltz is having trouble shifting gears. I have to let off accelerator for it to shift gears.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #24

Mar 082015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
On Sunday March 8th, 2015 I turned my car about 7 pm in the evening to realize that the engine light was on, service ESC was populating on the dash and traction control had been lost in the car. I was having difficulty braking as if the ABS brake system was not working in the car. I drove it immediately home from work and parked it at my home address. On Monday morning at 7:30 am I called the Chevrolet customer support to discuss the current recall which appeared to be the issue. I was instructed that I could drop my car off at best Chevrolet and they were aware of the recall and would assist me. I dropped my car off, explained the situation, I also asked them to quote a price on a leak and left. They called me to let me know the recall wasn't the issue even thought everything I experienced was listed in the recall. They held my car for two extra days after the car was no longer displaying the check engine light and no one informed me.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #23

Jan 052015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 222,500 miles
While driving on a crowded freeway the car started to slow down on its own. I figured I was out of gas so I checked the gauge and it was at 1/2 tank. The message said service ESC, engine power reduced. There was no place to safely pull over so I had to continue to the next exit at the reduced speed. Needless to say this was very frightening as traffic was trying to pass me. I could have been rear ended but luckily nothing bad happened. I found a place to stop, shut off the engine and waited 5 minutes. I restarted the car and it ran normal as if nothing happened. The check engine light was still on. I reset the code ( something about a tps) when I got home. This scenario has happened several more times even at city speeds (35 mph). I don't drive on the freeway anymore and have to take alternate routes that are safer to pull over when this happens. I think I should sell the car but I cant in good conscience pass this on to someone else like GM did to me. Really guys this should be investigated asap so that no one gets hurt or killed !

- Bowler, WI, USA

problem #22

Dec 292014

Malibu

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the low traction, ESC, engine power reduced, and engine disabled warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Crownsville , MD, USA

problem #21

Jan 082015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
While on my way to work, suddenly my traction light and service engine light came on and the reduced power notification came on moments later, the car slowed to about 10-20 mph(like it almost died but still running) and the car was shaking. I could not accelerate, I coasted into a parking lot and it was idling rough. I shut it off, waited a few moments and started it like nothing happened. I was scared and just wanted to get home and borrow another car to get to work. I was less than a mile away from home, and managed to get it home. While returning home it did the same thing but, it added a new code disabled engine. I have read these forums, and I don't have extra money to waist on replacing parts that do not fix the problem. It seems to be a common issue with GM, I don't want to be giving the run around with bs reason, I want to fix my car.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »