10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 34,319 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.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu power steering just went out. The consumer also experienced problems with the shifter and the brakes.
- Semmes, AL, USA
2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to GM recall #13036 and repair reimbursement. *
- Theodore, AL, USA
2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer states he received 2 recall notices and has been experiencing problems with his vehicle that are outlined in the recall notice.
- Saint Louis, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train), NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), and NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Jonesboro, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Richmond, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received recall notices for NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V460000 (power train), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The parts needed for the repairs were unavailable and the dealer could not provide an estimated date of arrival. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- St Petersburgh, FL, USA
06/18/2013 sudden onset of steering pulling to the rt and popping @ brake pedal & steering wheel. Svc: Rotate & balance * did not fix problem. 06/23-service traction/traction off on dic. Svc: Scanned for codes-told to bring back when display on dic. 07/22 brake light out. Svc: Replaced bulb. 07/23 scanned for codes 3 times, checked battery/alternator. 09/11 brake job, turned rotors, ran scan, pulled BCM (passenger side) checked for fretting corrosion. 09/19 service traction finally on dic- replaced brake light switch, reset codes. 57 miles later warning back on. Scanned for codes-multiple codes. 09/20 ran scan while driving (svc traction not on dic)- multiple codes * recommended contact Chevrolet to be diagnosed - too many codes. Called chev. Customer service- referred to dealer. 10/03 @ dealer: Cs request scan for codes - has stabilitrac-tcontrol on-brake light on but press brakes and lights go off-diag only perf diag test ebcm code C056100 BCM code C0277 00. *replace bpp sensor, clean apply dielectric to BCM conn., relearn bpp sensor and clear codes. $212.23. On same wo: Cs: steering will pull or twitch lft to rt **perform spec. Policy 10183 steering assist. $0. */21@7:30am transporting my 2 disabled children to school, took rt and completely lost steering. Called for tow to dealer**cspower steering light comes on-steering tightens up-won't steer-then light goes off and steering comes back on. Perfdiag test code C0545 diag ps. Replace column & setup position sensor turning & torque sensor $763.08. * not fix steering popping & pulling. Called dealer in Nov. Wanted $65 diag. Fee. 02/02 took to independent shop: Lubed intermediate shaft per tsb did not fix. 02/11 svc traction back on!!! called dealer, told to bring in when on dic to scan for codes - really! wanted another $65.cannot afford to take into dealer. 04/03/14 steering popping and pulling! unsafe car!!!
- Opelika, AL, USA
While traveling down the highway with my car on cruise control going about 70mph, a car cut me off and I had to slam on my brakes to avoid a crash. In the process of braking, my knee hit a long key on my keychain and caused the key in the ignition to turn to the off position. I immediately lost all power including the ability to easily steer. Luckily I was able to put on my hazards and get to the side of the rode. I then put the car in park and it was able to restart.
- Dayton, OH, USA
While driving or not driving the steering wheel shakes vigorously and the power steering warning light comes on. Then the brake lights come on when I'm not touching them.when I do apply the brakes the lights go out. Then have to apply a generous amount of pressure to get them to come on. I constantly keep getting the light service ESC then it says it is off. I turn off car and it resets but after 2 or 3 minutes it comes back on. I also keep getting a seatbelt light as to buckle up and I'm already wearing seatbelt. The steering gets hung while driving pulling to either side of the road.
- Boiling Springs, SC, USA
While driving or not driving the steering wheel shakes vigorously and the power steering warning light comes on. Then the brake lights come on when I'm not touching them.when I do apply the brakes the lights go out. Then have to apply a generous amount of pressure to get them to come on. I constantly keep getting the light service ESC then it says it is off. I turn off car and it resets but after 2 or 3 minutes it comes back on. I also keep getting a seatbelt light as to buckle up and I'm already wearing seatbelt. The steering gets hung while driving pulling to either side of the road.
- Boiling Springs, SC, USA
While driving or not driving the steering wheel shakes vigorously and the power steering warning light comes on. Then the brake lights come on when I'm not touching them.when I do apply the brakes the lights go out. Then have to apply a generous amount of pressure to get them to come on. I constantly keep getting the light service ESC then it says it is off. I turn off car and it resets but after 2 or 3 minutes it comes back on. I also keep getting a seatbelt light as to buckle up and I'm already wearing seatbelt. The steering gets hung while driving pulling to either side of the road.
- Boiling Springs, SC, USA
The E-brake stripped out to a unable state after 50,000 miles. Now if the brakes fail I have no alternative to stop the car. The steering pops when turning from left to right and from start off after a stop this started at the same time.
- Winder, GA, USA
This vehicle is having issues with the brake lights illuminating without pressing on the brake pedals. When the brake lights come on by themselves, trying to use the brakes when needed (ie slowing down, stopping) shuts the brake lights off, which could cause a major safety issue for the persons in the vehicle as well as persons in other vehicles around my vehicle. It also takes what seems to be some force to make the brake lights come back on. Sometimes shutting down the vehicle and restarting it solves the issue for a short period of time. The vehicle is also having a cruise control issue, which I am assuming is directly related to the above problem. The cruise control does not want to stay engaged when turned on. It seems this only happens when the brake lights illuminate by themselves. This is also another safety issue for the persons within the vehicle. This vehicle is also having an error that comes on advising that the traction control is off and to service the ESC soon. This light comes on for no reason that I can determine. The error code that comes on is C0131. I have searched the internet and have multiple people (more than 50 at this time) that I have found that are having the same exact issues. This is a very high safety concern, that I am unsure on why this hasn't been recalled as of yet. I can imagine there are way more people out there who have just had this issue fixed on their own instead of taking their time out to report to the NHTSA for their review. I would appreciate some sort of contact to be made by this department to myself. Thank you for your assistance in these safety issues.
- Hamel, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the driver was traveling at various speeds when the vehicle would shake. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure continued; therefore, the vehicle was taken to another authorized dealer where the contact was told the brakes were partially engaging and causing the vehicle to shake. The contact was also told the brakes were overheated while they were partially engaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure only occurred when the steering wheel was adjusted to tilt downwards at the lowest setting. The failure and current mileages were 37,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Maumee, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and trying to slow down, he noticed that the brakes would lock up. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure and advised him to take it to a certified dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised the contact that the rotors needed to be turned and that they would test drive the vehicle to see if they could reenact the failure. After driving for a while they were able to duplicate the failure and advised the contact to call the manufacturer to work something out. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Forrest, VA, USA
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
Approx. 10K on the vehicle when the brake pedal would get hard upon braking regardless of rain, snow or shine, it eventually got worse. After taking the car into the dealership 3X's the tech realized that the brake fluid was low. The tech found that the master cylinder was leaking break fluid into the brake booster. The brake booster was more than half full with fluid by the time the problem was noticed. The master cylinder was replaced on the vehicle due to mechanical failure. The brake system is still having various issues that cannot seem to be resolved with the vehicle having only 36,555 miles. The rotors have been turned so much that they already need replacement. The Malibu's brake system is faulty and needs to be investigated. I've talked to other Malibu owners that have had similar issues.
- Coweta, OK, USA
Upon starting the vehicle, all 3 brake lights turn on and remain on. The lights remain on until the brake pedal is depressed. At that point the lights turn off. If you press the pedal again, they will come back on, but only if you slam your foot on the brake. The lights cycle on every 5 seconds, providing you depress the brake to turn them off. Primary concern is that no one knows when you are going to stop and when you do stop, the brake lights turn off (with a hard push on the pedal). It appears this problem only occurs at night. I have brought my car to a Chevrolet dealership 3 times regarding the issue. Every time it just 'stops'. no remedy. The problem remains unsolved.
- Plainsboro, NJ, USA
I have a Chevrolet Malibu lt 2008 since May 2008, unfortunately it seems that the brake system is still a headache based on several online reviews. After 15,000 miles, the steering wheel started shaking every time that I pressed the brakes, therefore I took the vehicle to the dealership, robins Chevrolet in humble (great service by the way), and they resurface the front rotors, that was just 2 months ago, and now with 5 K miles more I have the same issue again. Braking distance has increased maybe by 20%, my question is? why GM has not improve the brake system on these vehicles, I google it and found several complains with the braking system for vehicles 2000 and up, year by year.
- Humble, TX, USA
- Rolling Meadows, IL, USA