10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,245 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 #55

Oct 062017

Malibu

  • 173,000 miles
Vehicle has electrical lighting issues interior and exterior, service air bag and check tire sensor is flashing on the dashboard when U start the car and stays flashing, on some occasions the vehicle randomly throws off the traction and that light comes

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

problem #54

Nov 042017

Malibu

  • 3 miles
A police officer pulled beside me and said my brake lights were not working at all. Brake lights will come on and stay on or will not come on at all. Took this vechicle to a mechanic and it has to do with the connection with the BCM. Thought this was recalled but there is no recalls on my vechicle. I asked some other owners of the same model and they are having the same issues. This is a huge safety hazard.

- Elmira, NY, USA

problem #53

Jan 012016

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
I was pulled over by the police one day and was told that I had a headlight out. May 1st, 2016 my husband went to change the bulb (passenger side) and discovered that the original headlight socket itself had completely melted (images attached). I ordered a new socket for it, and it worked for a little while before going out again about a month later. Then, the drivers side headlight went out and we discovered once again that both headlight sockets had melted (images attached). So we replaced both headlight sockets again, and this time they lasted about two weeks and they are both out again and I am left without the ability to drive at night because my headlights are not working.

- Chuluota, FL, USA

problem #52

Jul 172017

Malibu

  • 150,000 miles
Third brake light works when it wants to when applying brakes, but majority of time it does not work. Dealer says there is a short in the electrical for it and will not pass inspection without it being fixed. So have to pay at least $500 for them to pull out back seat etc in order to replace. Thought this was covered in a 2014 recall.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #51

Jul 132017

Malibu

  • 63,000 miles
The cyclops brake light does not activate with the other brake lights. This may be a dangerous condition given all the distracted drivers. This happens when the engine is on and car stationary. No recall can be found.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #50

Apr 152017

Malibu

  • 140,000 miles
Took vehicle to dealership for recall on the electrical power steering module. After work compleded high stop light works randomly with regular brake lights, front speakers stopped working, dash lights work randomly, serius radio stopped working, when turning on ac does not start working immediately, must romp on gas to create a vacumn drop and after about 3 miles it will start working. Have had four sets of brakes and rotors in 155,000 miles. Can be moving or stationary for the electrical problem to happen.. supposedly a recall on this problem however since I was over 150,000 miles I am sol.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #49

May 072017

Malibu

  • miles
My right hi-beam headlight has failed twice since Feb 2017. I read a recall of certain models and years in the columbus dispatch..is mine included?

- Circleville, OH, USA

problem #48

Feb 022017

Malibu

  • 112,300 miles
Passenger side headlight continually going out after changing lightbulb and pigtail. Ended having to change item that was already known by Chevrolet to fail but refuses to put in recall.

- Rochester, NH, USA

problem #47

Dec 252016

Malibu

  • miles
This model Chevy keeps blowing low and high beam headlamps repeatedly and without warning. A search online reveals numerous complaints regarding this phenomenon. Carefully replaced oem bulbs blow within and every 3-4 months. There are no bulbs available which perform. Voltage at bulb listed at 12vdc can't handle the actual voltage from the running vehicle. Needs recall solution.

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

problem #46

Dec 052016

Malibu

  • 118,565 miles
While driving, the vehicles brake lights will suddenly illuminate even when the brakes are not being pressed. When this happens, I tap the brakes and the lights go off, only to turn on again within a few seconds of no longer being pressed. Also, in my dash panel I am receiving a "service traction" and "service ESC" warning. This occurance has happened before and was corrected in 2014 after a recall was issued - however the same issue is happening again.

- Chuluota, FL, USA

problem #45

Oct 172016

Malibu

  • 108,130 miles
Front end was wreck, daughter lip busted, no airbag explode

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #44

Jul 222015

Malibu

  • miles
I brought a 2008 chev Malibu ls that had a lot of problems and the dealer refuse to give me my money back the came with a warranty but the warranty didn't cover the thing that need it to be fix the car had a bad catalyst covert and electrical problems the car has been hit all around I bought the car from E&S auto sales in South hackensack New Jersey don't know elias it's nothing but the crook refuse to give my money back and give this to a lot of other people and he needs to be stopped I contacted the better business bureau Consumer Affairs and New Jersey dmv

- Orange, NJ, USA

problem #43

Jul 202016

Malibu

  • 160 miles
The headlights webt off while I was driving. Ever since I bought the vehicle my headlights have been having problems.

- Chowchilla, CA, USA

problem #42

Nov 202015

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph, the contact was notified that the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. In addition, the brake light illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 ( electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the BCM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Camp Hill, PA, USA

problem #41

Mar 012013

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at various speeds, the ESC and traction control warning lights illuminated. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed but the brake lights failed to illuminate. The brake lights illuminated independently without the brake pedal being depressed. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. Update 01/15/16

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #40

Aug 212009

Malibu

  • miles
The car had an issue with the syatem setting a code to check transaction and ESC and the brake lights would stick on. This happened about once every 2 or 3 months. Now that the GM recall has been done it is setting these same codes 2 or 3 times a day. But instead of my brake lights being on, the brake lights don't work, my cruise control doesn't work, my tail lights don't work the car still says service transaction and ESC daily. This recall has made my problem much worse. It is dangerous to drive as I never know if my tail lights and brake lights are working or if my antilocks or stabilization systems work. GM needs to find a different solution to this problem.

- Chilhowee, MO, USA

problem #39

Aug 222010

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to unsatisfactory customer service at dealership for unnecessary repair work and seeks reimbursement. The consumer stated the service brake illuminated when the brake was not applied, the cruise control would not engage and the traction control light illuminated intermittently. Instead of fixing the wiring harness as described in the safety recall notice the dealership replaced the brake sensor and charged him $245. 03. the consumer stated while driving, he discovered the cruise control had not been fixed., even though the technician noted everything was operable. The consumer returned to the dealer, where they kept the car for a day and a half and replaced the BCM and dtc. Updated 09/10/15 updated 10/2/2017

- Rolling Meadows, IL, USA

problem #38

Sep 202013

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an electrical failure, which caused multiple failures with the headlights, the dimmer switch, the console lights, the brake lights, and the turn signals. The contact also stated that the front passenger side bulb failed several times and was replaced, but the failure recurred. In addition, the harness was replaced due to corrosion, but the repair failed to remedy the failure. The dealer further inspected the vehicle and found that the headlight assembly wires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, there was a loose pin on one of the body control module connectors. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the bulbs, but the failure recurred. The dealer then replaced the body control module. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel shook excessively and the front passenger and driver side doors were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the power steering motor and both the driver and passenger side door latches were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

- North Royalton , OH, USA

problem #37

Jan 082015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 127,130 miles
Was heading home from work and my low beams would not come on. All other lights work but low beams will not. High beams will come on. Sometimes with the high beams you have to hold the switch for them to stay on.

- Madisonville, LA, USA

problem #36

Aug 012014

Malibu

  • 58,000 miles
Passenger headlight started blinking turning off, hit a bump then comes back on, we changed bulb and light worked for two days then went out came back on for a moment then went back out. The bulbs are good so I suspect a wiring problem. There is about 60,000 miles on the vehicle. This is a hazard I have to drive with high beams on.

- Galloway, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »