10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 5 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 68,662 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Low beams on my 2008 Chevy Malibu intermittently turn off and on. Initially, I thought bulbs had died so I replaced one then the other, however, same issue still exists. Sometimes when I am driving at night on the freeway, both lights will just go out. I have pulled over and giggled wires to lights and usually I can get at least one to go back on, however, this is an extremely dangerous default that should be resolved before a deadly accident happens as a result of headlamps not functioning properly.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
So my headlight passenger side to be exact the light keeps going out an I've change the bulb at least 3 time in the last month and a half.
- Orlando, FL, USA
I have had the car for almost 2 years the computer crashed (code U0100 ECM pcma) unfortunately the car doesn't start at all so now I may have to get a new car because the car lot doesn't want to pay for it.
- Evans, GA, USA
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
When I drive the car sometimes I get a message on my dash that says service traction control and service power steering. When the service power steering message comes on the speedometer says error and I cannot see how fast I'm going and the car stays in first gear.
- Plattsburgh, NY, USA
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
Low beam passenger side headlight works intermittently while driving. It turns out that it was due to the electrical wiring harness burning out. This is not an easy fix for this model, to gain access to the headlight assembly the entire front bumper needs to be removed. I was ticketed and had to pay the fine since I was not able to get a shop to take off the bumper within the 24 hour grace period allotted by the local police department.
- Rye, NY, USA
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
My electric locks are locking and unlocking randomly and the power steering goes out with message on dash. There is no powersteering until I turn the car off and back on then last for a undetermined amount of time.
- Noblesville, IN, USA
Lighting not working in car, power lock not working, power truck open not working, bad suspension.
- Markham, IL, USA
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
Car will not start after engine has heated up the fuse box. Cold starts are ok. Once the fuse box has cooled the car will start again.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
ESC always turning off. Brake light illuminating randomly and not working randomly when in motion. Cruise control disengaging if ESC light comes on when control
- Wylie, TX, USA
Front low beam lights keep going out replaced low beam bulbs 3 times in 6 months and replaced harnesses once and low beam headlights continues to go out. Brake lights stay on when car is started and continues to stay on while driving. 3rd brake light doesn't work all the time. It lights up bright sometime, dim sometime, and other times it don't work at all.
- Hampton, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the reduced engine power warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to dunn Chevrolet Buick (located at 3000 dustin rd, Oregon, oh 43616, (419) 442-7814) where it was diagnosed that a tune up was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V2520000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control); however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.
- Toledo, OH, USA
2008 Chevy Malibu engine shut off in mid drive on city highway during high traffic. My wife and children were in the vehicle the check engine light has displayed and continue to code P0365/6. however the camshaft position sensors, the camshaft position actuators, the altenator and the battery have all been replaced. The issue has upset me due to the fact that it is in line with 2 known concerns and reports that have not been answered by Chevy or GM. 1) discussion of battery cables being the cause of the problem (unanswered) 2) GM ignition switch recall Feb 2014 (which seems to be very in line with this issue). I have taken the vehicle to the Chevy dealership and ofcourse paid for a diagnostic to be told "could not duplicate". it is very concerning to me and hard to believe that this was the first time that these symptoms have been reported and no one knows what could be the source. I was able to find forums and reports on both the battery cables and the ignition switch failures. The ignition switch failure were supposedly only issues for specific vehicles however the symptoms within the recorded Malibu community are totally in line with the same from that recall. We now also have a problem with the ignition struggling to turnover. This is highly unsafe, financially burdening and stressful on the families who are currently dealing with these concerns with no answer or response in sight. Requesting assistance.
- Murrieta, CA, USA
2008 Chevy Malibu passenger side headlight repeatedly has burnt out socket, melting inside. Wiring harness and bulb have been changed out three times and issue reoccurs within days. Bulb has not been touched. Wiring seems in tact. No one seems to be able to resolve this issue, even though this seems to be an extremely common issue on forums. We'd like to be able to use this vehicle and safely. Thank you.
- Mililani, HI, USA
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
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
- Anderson, SC, USA