10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 10 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 13 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 65,769 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.
Air bag sensor is reading airbag as a foreign object and not apart of the vehicle. Airbag has never been deployed, nor has it ever been changed. This should not be happening.
- Tamarac, FL, USA
While driving down the road at about 20mph on city streets my power steering went out while I was turning left into a business and I was unable to turn the steering wheel. I had to turn the car off, then back on, and it would drive for a short while before power steering would shut off again, usually while making a left or right turn. The steering wheel also turns on its own while sitting still. I am unable to drive the car. Also, the steering wheel is making a grinding, popping noise and flashing "check airbag" messages when the car is turned on. I have researched this problem and found the power steering issue to be a broad GM vehicle problem. Chevy Malibu from 2004 to 2010 I believe were all covered for a recall. My VIN however is not on this list and I am suffering the same problems as all of these other Chevy Malibu owners. My vehicle has 128, xxx miles.
- Independence, MO, USA
First time car was in park. Then the traction control light comes but doesn't turn off. Also message pops up saying to service traction control. Next was stationary, I stopped at a light and the car just shut off. Next was stationary and the car turned on but then the cluster instrument lights didn't come on it was completely dark. Also while in motion car RPM didn't read anymore and it was shifting hard. Another thing it says service tire sensor and service airbag
- Douglas, GA, USA
Airbag off light stays
- Charles Town, WV, USA
Cars purchased on October 31st 2018 the car can I pass inspection with no one to dmv they gave us a call back saying the car was totaled in the salvage car declared in 2016 the car should not have been sold for $2,700 when contacted dealer he refused to give us our money and he said only I can get another car if I pay your car notes at this time would just like for my money to be refunded the vehicle cannot pass inspection and is unsafe to be driven on the street I would like my money back he's putting my life in danger
- Washington, DC, USA
Driving downtown des moines my message center started dinging, the message output was: "power steering" the steering wheel began moving on its own back & forth, jerking and grinding. At one point jerked out of my hand. It became almost impossible to continue. I pulled into a convience store, bought power steering fluid and started the vehicle. The steering seemed normal. The car was not low on fluids, I didn't travel far before it happened again. By the time I made it home my ribs were hurting from trying to manauver the car home. This malfunction is the eps system and recalls of the 2008 began in 2014. My VIN# wasn't included on the list. However, my car has the same problem. At one point my steering wheel jerked so hard it yanked steering wheel away from my grip and I came close to hitting another vehicle. Prior to the above occasion, I would be stopped at a signal light and the steering wheel grinded jerked back and fourth and unfettered.
- Des Moines, IA, USA
My airbag light is on airbag issues, I have had my headlights checked three times and they keep going completely out there is an issue with the headlights the steering is always shaky its been an ongoing issue with my car
- Lafayette, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While the contact's vehicle was stationary, it was rear ended by another vehicle. All of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel upon impact. The air bag did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained significant injuries to the head and a temporary loss of orientation. The passenger sustained injuries to the back. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic repaired the vehicle by resetting the air bag indicator, and the driver's seat belt and gear shift assembly were replaced. Ed bozarth Chevrolet (5501 drexel road, las vegas, Nevada 89130, (702) 967-5500) was made aware of the crash. In addition, the contact referenced several occasions of becoming locked out and locked in the vehicle. Also, on one occasion, the transmission became stuck in the reverse position while driving various highway speeds. The manufacturer was made aware of the crash and other failures. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Red air bag light is on also service air bag message is on. This is on while stationary and while moving. No issues to the vehicle that would have caused this to occur.
- Harrisonburg, VA, USA
Passenger air bag error message that air bag sensor does not work.
- Manhattan, KS, USA
The air bag light comes on and it says to be serviced. Sometimes it comes on and it can stay off for long periods of time. The service air bag light can come on while the car is in motion and then turn off, sometimes it does stay on. My vehicle is giving a strong smell of fuel coming from the rear of the car. I notice it being a stronger smell after I station it after a drive. I have not seen a noticeable leak yet. I will have a mechanic check that for me.
- Anthony, TX, USA
Air bar warning light and tire sensor warning lite both came on at the same time. Took vehicle to dealer and was advised that that the drivers side air bag was faulty.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Service air bag light is
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
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
Service air bag light is on taken to garage scanned no errors reset light back on taken back to garage scanned again no error code.this issue should be up for a recall.
- Kingston, PA, USA
Power locks have only worked for front doors for as long as ive had the car, about a year..... over the past month - service air bag light came on shortly after starting the car one day. A few weeks later, service ESC and traction control popped up after starting the car. Now my power steering has gone out and does not reset upon restarting the car.
- South Charleston, WV, USA
A few weeks ago my wife was driving here 2008 Malibu and she smelled a slight burning and very strong chemical odor in the car, shortly after that the service warning light came on for the air bag system. Windows had to be opened for the remainder of the 30 minute trip. Sometime later my wife removed something from the front passenger seat and notice a color change to circular pale yellow with a central charred mark in part of the cover material, upon touching seat cover material disintegrated and disappeared into the seat. A picture is attached of the passenger seat. Later I investigated the service light and found B0081 symptom 71 was set. I believe the seat sensor shorted out causing the seat cover and foam to smolder possibly on its way to an open flame before the power source failed. The VIN number [xxx]. a copy of this letter will also be send to the NHTSA. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA
Front end was wreck, daughter lip busted, no airbag explode
- Atlanta, GA, USA
Takata recall, the vehicle constantly displays service air bag system and will not activate. Doesnt matter if in motion or not the warning goes on and off at random.
- Neosho, MO, USA
- Long Beach, MS, USA