10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 76,806 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 contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving highway speeds, the "power steering fault" message displayed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- New Castle, DE, USA
At approx. 140K miles, the eps module failed and caused the power steering to fail and the car immediately changed to manual steering while driving on the highway. The warning chime alerted me to the eps module failure. After getting to a safe area and turning the car off and back on, the eps resumed working for a breif period, only to fail again the same way. This occured multiple times over the next few days until even turning the car off and on again did nothing. The eps just will not engage now at all. GM issued a recall for other 2008 Malibu's for this exactfailure but my VIN is not listed. I have heard/read about this exact issue from many other 2008 Malibu owners.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, made a squeaky noise, and vibrated violently. Also, the tire pressure warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was later taken to future Chevrolet of sacramento (4811 madison ave, sacramento, ca 95841, (916) 331-6777), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
- Carmichael, CA, USA
In 2014 a recall on the power steering was done bulletin 14117A, I had it fixed in 2017 and now the power steering is going out again code CO545! the power steering locks up while driving and while parked randomly! causing it very difficult to steer! obviously if this is happening to my car again I am sure it is happening to others! the Chevrolet dealership will not do anything about it!
- Portage, MI, USA
My wife was driving her 2008 Malibu when power steering and service ESC lights came on the dash. She lost all power steering and had to pull off the highway. When she turned off her car and turned it back on everything worked normal. Five minutes later this same thing happened again. It seems to happen often now but the lights are all off when we take it to get it scanned. This problem was included in a recall for certain VIN numbers of this vehicle but ours was not included for some reason.
- Valley City, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving 45 mph. The steering wheel became difficult to turn and the electric power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 143,000.
- Upper Darby, PA, USA
Vehicle makes popping nosie when you turn the steering wheel
- Walnut Ridge, AR, USA
Car has 145, xxx on odometer with a shaking steering wheel, power steering consistently goes out shortly after steering wheel begins to shake causing higher risk for crash which is unsafe for me and my family. Every-time I drive the vehicle power steering goes out wherever I am (city street, highway). I have to pull over on the side of the road/highway to restart my car to try to "buy" some time for power steering and then it will go out again. The first time my power steering went out was while I was in an intersection making a left turn and nearly resulted in an accident.
- Lake St. Louis, MO, USA
Electronic power steering failure. All of a sudden the message center beeped and gave message power steering and the steering wheel started jerking out of control and could hardly steer. Several times after restarting steering would work for awhile. There are recalls on other 2008 but I was told mine had a special warranty that ran out. I just recently bought the car and it isn't right that I would have to pay $1500 to fix this defect. It is a safety issue when all of a sudden your steering wheel jerks out of your hand and moves on its own.
- Dee Moines, IA, USA
The power steering failed in 2015 with 65,900 miles and was repaired at a Chevrolet dealer the car now has 94,000 miles on it and the power steering has failed again.according to GM this vehicle is not included in the thousands of vehicles that have been recalled for the same problem. They are replacing defective parts with the same. I contacted GM case#9-4978065207 and they said that it is normal wear and tear and that they would be of no assistance and that I would have to pay for the repair. The power steering fails while driving and you have to steer it manually over to the side of the road. This is an ongoing problem with these vehicles and GM should be held accountable and not be able to hide behind saying that your number vehicle is not included in the recall even though it is an identical problem. They told me that just because all these people have posted their similar problems on the internet that it doesn't mean its true. I guess all those people have nothing better to do than report imaginary problems with
- Franklin Park, IL, 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
Intake manifold gaskets leaking bad, loss of steering at low speeds causing for manuel strength and transmission wouldn't change gears at 85,000 miles within the 1st I purchased the car
- Ruston, LA, USA
On numerous occasions in the last 2 weeks. When starting the car, the words 'power steering' comes on the message board along with a yell illuminated triangle light and an 'ESC' light and the cars steering will not control. Car will shift but steering cannot be controlled. Will also happen while driving. Steering will lock until car is turned off and restarted!
- Rosedale, NY, USA
The electric power steering has went out on my car all of a sudden. It also would come back on and while I am driving it will suddenly go out as well. It has been continuously happening.
- Detroit, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering indicator illuminated while the vehicle was stopped in traffic. The vehicle was checked by an independent mechanic who confirmed a power steering failure and advised the contact to check for recalls. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 144,000.
- Aberdeen, MS, USA
Power steering all of a sudden isn't working. Engine light and power steering light came on while I was driving. I have electric power steering
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the electronic stability control, electric power steering, and traction control warning indicators illuminated intermittently. The contact felt a strong vibration coming from the steering wheel and the steering wheel frequently seized. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and back on to reset the computer. In addition, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14E044000 (steering) and 14V153000 (steering). The contact felt that the vehicle exhibited the same failure as listed in the recall campaigns. Ocean city Chevrolet (2366 ocean hwy w, shallotte, nc 28459, (910) 364-9917) was notified of the failures, but did not diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who was to provide further technical information concerning the diagnostic trouble codes and recommendations. The independent mechanic indicated that the failures needed to be addressed by the manufacturer to receive repairs from an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures to determine their guidelines to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was not available.
- Calabash, NC, USA
1G1zg57B0843[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
- 10255 Jarash Pl Ne, NM, 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
- Hampton, VA, USA