10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 75,941 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
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
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact noticed that the steering wheel began to shake slightly. The contact approached a stop sign and attempted to brake but the steering wheel began to shake vigorously. The failure was constant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the steering motor and module assembly was defective and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 68,245.
- Castro Valley, CA, USA
I purchased a 2008 Chevy Malibu at matt blatt in egg harbor township in New Jersey approximately 5 month (March or may of 2011) with approximately 28,500 miles. I spoke with a service representative [xxx] in regards to the power steering problem that my vehicle was having. My steering was shaking out of control and I almost got involved in two vehicle accidents this week 10/19/11. I explained this situation to don, who stated that because I did not purchased an extended warranty on the vehicle I will had to pay for the service. I then proceeded to speak to the manager [xxx], who kindly sent me to the bennett Chevrolet on the same date and the problem was corrected. I own a 2008 Chevy Malibu with 30,700 miles. I also have a problem with the power locks which I was advised that I will have to pay for this. I believe that my complaint was handled very unprofessional by [xxx], because I was very specific that I was afraid to drive the vehicle and he stated we can towed your vehicle, but you will have to pay the fee. Again I was afraid because the power steering motor was damage and my vehicle was driving out of control. I'm requesting some type of compensation and I will like the power locks to be fixed free of charge. Remember my car only has 30,700 miles and when I purchased the vehicle I was advised by the salesman [xxx] that I had warranty for 100,000 miles or 5 years bumper to bumper. I will like someone to investigate this. Thank god I didn't have an accident due to the electronic power steering motor. I purchased in the past a 2 Chevy Impala and now a Chevy Malibu and I will never purchase a Chevy again. Again, this was a safety issue and was handle wrong by service representative [xxx]. the steering wheel shakes when vehicle is in motion and the the vehicle is not moving. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Pleasantville, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would jerk abnormally. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would become hard to steer once the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the steering wheel had to be re learned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 75,000.
- West Heaven , UT, USA
I have made this complaint before. It concerns the front wheel shakes, vibration. After getting tired of this I put the car on jacks removed the wheel and found the tie rod end ball nut to be loose and the ball joint to be frighteningly worn. I replaced the lower control arm and tightened the tie rod ball nut myself. The problem has completely disappeared. Funny the dealership couldn't figure this out.I think that other owners should be warned of this potentially fatal condition!
- Bowler, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu lt. The contact was driving 55 mph when the steering wheel turned independently and the vehicle traveled into another lane unexpectedly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 44,000.
- Danville, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 mph and at any speed the steering wheel began to shake violently causing the vehicle to move to the right and left instead of remaining inside the lane. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the motor/module assembly for the electric steering was faulty. The repair cost was $800; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they would notify her and let her know if they would repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 103,487.
- Rockwood, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when driving various speeds, the steering wheel would wobble from left to right and would occasionally become extremely tight. The contact was concerned that the steering wheel would eventually fail and seize. The vehicle was not repaired and neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 66,000.
- Miami, FL, USA
Steering becomes erratic and 2 hands are needed to control the steering wheel. Steering wheel will shake on it's own at a complete stop. Upon moving forward, car becomes difficult to keep in a straight line. Car has been brought back to dealership several times to repair, only to have problem come back every few months.
- Des Plaines, IL, USA
Driving at highway speed of 65 mph the steering wheel suddenly jerked right and left without any warning. It jerked hard enough that it caused the car to unexpectedly cross into another lane. This has become an intermittent problem and may happen when idling or driving. GM notified on date of incident, 8/29/11, and awaiting response.
- Warner, OK, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 50 mph, the contact stated the steering wheel locked, almost causing a crash. The warning light would illuminate intermittently. The dealer diagnosed that the electric power steering was defective and needed to be repaired. The manufacturer made an attempt to assist the contact with the repairs. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 119,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Cadrz, KY, USA
My 2008 Malibu has a power steering problem. On a daily basis the power steering becomes erratic and fails to react properly under normal driving conditions, usually at highway speeds. While stopped, the steering wheel will turn left and right on its own. When this occurs at highway speed control of the car is dangerous. Two hands are needed to keep car in lane and not cross the line into other vehicles. Problem began when mileage hit 45,000 miles. Occasionally, a chime will occur and indicate power steering in the display but by the time the chime occurs the steering problem is gone. This issue is consistent and intermittent on a daily basis. I have researched this problem for Chevy Malibu and have found that thousands of Malibu owners are experiencing this problem. This is not a problem caused by improper routine maintenance. This steering problem is a failure of a component in the steering assembly that is not subject to routine maintenance. This is a defective part!!! as a percentage of Malibu on the road that have this problem I would Venture that it is very high and the number is increasing. The electronic assist power steering in the I4 Malibu's is a road handling nightmare and GM has no interest in fixing this problem. I would expect a serious problem like this to be made a recall issue before there is a fatality and then GM and obama motors will be sued for reckless endangerment.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
Steering wheel randomly jerks right and left while driving. Is very "notchy" and difficult to return to the precisely desired position.
- Florissant, MO, USA
Back in April I started having problems with my driver side lock. It would get stuck. Sometimes the door wouldn't even open. I would press the button to unlock the door, and that wouldn't work. I would have to use my key, ans sometimes that didn't work either. I am still having problems with the lock, and pretty much everyday I have to use my key to open the driver side door. I was told to use wd-40 and that sill didn't help. The most recent event with my car is this loud vibrating noise that has been occuring off and on for the past two months. I'V had several people check it out and they say they can't find anything wrong. My car makes the noise while sitting in park, sometimes while I'm driving, or sitting still at a light. About a 1-1 1/2 months ago my wheel wou;D move back and forth. I went to have it checked out and was told that there wasn't anything wrong. My wheel moves more and more. It moves sometimes when I first start my car, while sitting a light, and at various speeds while I am driving. When I turn my steering wheel back in a neutral position sometimes it would turn the other way. Today my wheel was moving while I was drivng and my car started moving in the same direction. It was hard to control and it was very scary because I was on the highway. I'm so fed up with this car, and I totally regret buying it. I am probably never going to buy a Chevrolet again, even if Chevrolet's are all that I have ever owned.
- Dayton, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 65 mph the steering wheel became stiff and the power steering stopped functioning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians were unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the dealer the power steering failure was a known issue caused by a defective power steering module. The power steering module was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 2/22/12
- West Bend , WI, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and while stopped, the steering wheel would begin to turn back and forth. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to have the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,000.
- Bloomfield, NJ, USA
Letter from senator brown on behalf of constituent re concerns about 2008 Chevrolet Malibu (respond to cleveland office the consumer stated the transmission cooler lines and front hub assembly were replaced. Also, the power steering light illuminated and the headlights had condensation which caused the bulbs to blow out. The dealer found a seal around the parameter of the capsule was not properly sealed at the factory. The intermediate steering shaft and power steering control module were replaced. Also, the front seat heater switch had to be replaced, due to the heater coming on when the seat was occupied.
- Swanton, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the steering column locked and the electronic power steering was pulling the steering wheel to the left and right involuntarily. The steering wheel began to vibrate once the vehicle was stopped. The failure recurred at different speeds on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
- Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Driving on I 40 at 70 mph steering became erratic and jerking, it took extreme effort to stay in proper lane, pulled to shoulder and stopped. I killed the car and restarted and steering was normal until I exited freeway and there was a short episode of loss of power steering but soon started to work normal. A popping noise is now heard sometimes at slow turning speeds and is not always heard.
- Fairfield, TX, USA
- Inglewood, CA, USA