2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    steering electric assist

    180 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    181
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,500–123,000 mi

    Median 86,000 mi, based on 217 reports (20% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD STRANGE NOISES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE STATED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING/STEERING ASSEMBLY. T…"~1,500 mi, complaint #699779
    • "I WAS DRIVING APPROX 45 MILES PER HOUR ON A ONE LANE ROAD. MY CAR DIC DISPLAYED POWER STEERING THE WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE, PULLED TO THE LEFT AND BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER, ALMOST MAKING ME HIT THE CAR IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE LADY DRIVING THE OTHER VEHICLE SWER…"~50,000 mi, complaint #736864
    • "STARTING IN JUNE OF 2013, OUR 2008 CHEVY MALIBU STARTING HAVING STEERING ISSUES. REGARDLESS OF WHAT SPEED YOU TRAVELED, WHETHER IT BE 20 OR 55MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTING JERKING LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN. IT WOULD STOP, AND THEN SPORADICALLY START BACK U…"~80,000 mi, complaint #999994
    • "THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING THAT CAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS ISSUES WITH BRAKING IN THE, THE TRANSMISSION IS STICKING OR NOT ALWAYS WORKING, AND THE CAR SHAKES OR REQUIRES YOU TO FORCE TURN IT AT LOW SPEEDS LIK…"~121,000 mi, complaint #1109896
    • "RECALL: 14118 AND 13036 DUE TO THESE RECALLS I DRIVE AROUND HOLDING ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO NOT TO LOOSE CONTROLL INTO ANOTHER CAR OR RUN OFF THE ROAD. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY ALL THE TIME. I AM PREVENTING THIS CAR FROM CRASHING WHILE DRIVING WITH…"~700,000 mi, complaint #1118580
  2. #2

    power windows and locks

    62 unsafe, 3 broken, 12 annoyance

    77
    incidents
    Typical range: 37,500–76,000 mi

    Median 50,000 mi, based on 120 reports (8% had no usable mileage)

    • "DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE ALL THE TIME OR LOCK WITH REMOTE ALL THE TIME. ALSO THE COMPUTER THAT GIVES YOU OIL LIFE ,AVERAGE SPEED,AND OTHER READINGS IS GIVING THE WRONG READINGS. I TOOK THIS CAR TO A DEALER WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAI…"~8,748 mi, complaint #902951
    • "MY CAR LOCKS ON ALL 4 DOORS HAS TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED, WHEN THEY ARE ELECTRICAL. AND WHEN I USE THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND I OPEN A DOOR, THE ALARM SOUNDS. THE LOCKS ON MY DOORS HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR A LONG TIME, AND OF COURSE I AM OUT OF THE WARRA…"~37,508 mi, complaint #786223
    • "BACK DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK UNLESS PUSHED DOWN MANUALLY. BOTH BACK DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WITH POWER LOCKS OR WITH KEY FOB. I HAVE READ ON MANY FORUMS THAT IT IS THE ACTUATOR NOT WORKING. THE CAR CAN ACTUALLY BE BROKEN INTO BECAUSE THE DOORS ARE ACTUALLY UNL…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1058702
    • "THE DOOR LOCK MOTORS HAVE GONE OUT ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR. THE BACK DOOR WENT OUT FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE FRONT DOOR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ALL THE TIME, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS…"~75,000 mi, complaint #827862
    • "MY LOCKS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. AT TIMES, I AM LOCKED INSIDE MY VEHICLE. SOMETIMES CRAWLING AROUND THE VEHICLE AND TRYING MULTIPLE DOORS WILL ALLOW ME TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I PUT MY 4 YEAR OLD SON IN THIS CA…"~181,000 mi, complaint #1421142
  3. #3

    power steering hydraulic

    68 unsafe

    68
    incidents
    Typical range: 72,000–136,500 mi

    Median 107,000 mi, based on 71 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I WENT ON VACATION SO THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I WASHED THE CAR AND THEN STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AND FELT LIKE THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK OFF A…"~23,450 mi, complaint #802726
    • "I WAS DRIVING AND IT DID WHAT IT ALWAYS DOES STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND CAME UP ON INFORMATION POWER STEERING FAILURE BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T GO BACK TO NORMAL STEERING AND COULD NOT CONTROL. GOT CAR HOME AND AFRAID TO DRIVE AGAIN. *TR"~69,800 mi, complaint #1058071
    • "MY POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND IS GOING OUT. *JS"~112,587 mi, complaint #1056651
    • "POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHEN STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, WHEN CLEAR.IT DID NOT WORK IN THE 3 MILES TO HOME. IT WAS FRIGHTENING. I DROVE TO THE REPAIR SHOP(NON DEALER) .THEY QUOTED A REPAIR COST AND INDICATED THERE HAD BEEN AN…"~136,319 mi, complaint #1664220
    • "TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING SHUTS DOWN.I PULL OVER SHUT IT OFF WAIT A MINUTE THEN IT WILL WORK FOR A FEW MIN.TBEN SHUT OFF AGAIN.IM A CANCER PATIENT AND NEED MY CAR TO GET TO HOSPITAL.THIS HAS REALLY GOT ME STRESSED."~253,021 mi, complaint #1455993
  4. #4

    lighting exterior

    29 unsafe, 15 annoyance

    44
    incidents
    Typical range: 67,000–130,000 mi

    Median 90,000 mi, based on 69 reports (28% had no usable mileage)

    • "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."~63,000 mi, complaint #1392059
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lamps failed to ill…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1947763
    • "MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU PASSENGERS HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT EVERY TWO WEEKS I BEEN READING A LOT ABOUT IT ONLINE AND IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM"~102,000 mi, complaint #1586699
    • "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 HAV…"~144,743 mi, complaint #1677682
    • "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 ON"~173,000 mi, complaint #1426168
  5. #5

    airbag system

    37 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    38
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,000–105,000 mi

    Median 69,500 mi, based on 47 reports (25% had no usable mileage)

    • "HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS IN THIS VEHICLE BOTH FRONT END COLLISIONS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ALSO THE RIMS ARE NO GOOD TIRES KEEP LOOSING AIR. *TR"~12,785 mi, complaint #683450
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE ACCURATE READING LEVEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1187690
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1137523
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,0…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1182745
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WAS ONE INJURY REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1105139
  6. #6

    stability and traction control

    37 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    38
    incidents
    Typical range: 73,000–138,000 mi

    Median 102,000 mi, based on 79 reports (12% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAR STATES ENGINE POWER REDUCE ON MY CAR, WILL BE DRIVING AND THE CODES WILL COME ON, SPEED REDUCED, TRACTION TURNED OFF, ACCELERATION IS SLOW. NO WARNING THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN, CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS OR REGULARS SPEEDS. HAS HAPPENED OR CITY ST…"~10,800 mi, complaint #1431005
    • "STARTED CAR AND SERVICE TRACTION ESC LIGHTS CAME ON. UPON DRIVING CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS IT NORMALLY DOES, AND SEEMED TO LOOSE POWER. THE ENGINE VIBRATED AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT, MUCH MORE THAN NORMAL. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECAL…"~74,460 mi, complaint #1145121
    • "SOMEONE FOLLOWING ME TO WORK INFORMED ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BUT WHEN I STOPPED AT THE STREET LIGHT, THEY WOULD GO OFF. NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE WARNING TO SERVICE MY TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC SYSTEM IS ON. THE CRUIS…"~102,000 mi, complaint #1075426
    • "(ESC) TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS REPAIRS COMES ON CAUSING THE CAR TO REDUCE ENGINE POWER IMMEDIATELY. NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE DRIVING. I WAS LUCKY WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE ON A HWY AND HIT A SMALL BUMB IN IN ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME. TOOK TO DEALERSH…"~131,500 mi, complaint #1616698
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A CROWDED FREEWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. I FIGURED I WAS OUT OF GAS SO I CHECKED THE GAUGE AND IT WAS AT 1/2 TANK. THE MESSAGE SAID SERVICE ESC, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THERE WAS NO PLACE TO SAFELY PULL OVER SO I HAD TO CONTINU…"~222,500 mi, complaint #1161367
  7. #7

    steering rack mechanical

    36 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    37
    incidents
    Typical range: 40,500–103,000 mi

    Median 69,500 mi, based on 49 reports (21% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHEN ACCELERATING AGGRESSIVELY, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY VEERS RIGHT AND THE CAR VEERS. HAPPENS ON SOME, BUT NOT ALL SUCH STARTS. SIMILAR THING HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN "PANIC" STOPS. *TR"~3,200 mi, complaint #673789
    • "STEERING WHEEL JERKS AND SHAKES LEFT AND RIGHT EVEN AT A STOP WITHOUT HOLDING WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING, THE WHEEL MOVES AND SEEMS STICKY WHEN TURNING, JERKS LEFT AND RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT BUT IS BECOM…"~37,000 mi, complaint #851537
    • "STEERING WHEEL SHAKES INTERMITTENTLY THROUGHOUT EACH DAY FOR APPROXIMATELY THE PAST 50 DAYS AS OF MAY 20, 2011. SOMETIMES OCCURS WHEN CAR IS INITIALLY TURNED ON (SHAKES QUICKLY TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AS IF A LITTLE CHILD WAS PLAYING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL). SH…"~67,000 mi, complaint #857695
    • "WHEN DRIVING THE STEERIN WHEEL SHAKES, AND WHEN SITTING STILL IT WILL TURN ON IT'S OWN.BACK AND FORTH."~100,000 mi, complaint #1439579
    • "EVERY TIME I TURN TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT MY STEERING WHEEL POPS AND I CAN FEEL IT INSIDE THE STREERING WHEEL WHEN I HIT A BUMP WHILE TURNING IT IS EVEN WORSE"~155,000 mi, complaint #1461829
  8. #8

    transmission automatic

    2 stranded, 26 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    30
    incidents
    Typical range: 51,000–113,000 mi

    Median 82,000 mi, based on 66 reports (13% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE CHEVY MALIBU LTZ SPRING EDITION 4 CYLINDER ENGINE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY SERIOUS DELAY OR LAG IN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. AT TIMES, THE LAG IS SO SEVERE THAT WHEN THE RESPONSE TIME DOES FINALLY REGISTER FOR THE VEHIC…"~4,500 mi, complaint #812173
    • "MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU'S SHIFTING CABLE BROKE. I WAS DRIVING IT AND WENT TO PARK AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK HOWEVER I HAD IT IN PARK ON THE GEARSHIFT. WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE IT ROLLED FORWARD. I HAD TO SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP IT STOPPED. MY CAR IS…"~62,000 mi, complaint #850480
    • "I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR AND, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT CAR IN PARK, IT REMAINED IN DRIVE AND WOULD NOT STOP. UPON TAKING MY CAR TO THE AUTO SHOP, AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THEY INDICATED TO ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CA…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1109011
    • "2008 MALIBU LTZ.ON JAN 22 2015 THE CAR FAILED TO START HAD TO BE TOWED TO LANGS.DEALER.THE SHIFTER CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION FRACTURED AND BROKE. HAD TO BE TOWED TO CAR DEALER, REPLACED THE CABLE AND CHARGED ME $278.90. THEN I LEARNED THE MALIBU WAS ON RECALL…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1194794
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD REMAIN STUCK IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1090323
  9. #9

    engine stall or no start

    9 stranded, 15 unsafe

    24
    incidents
    Typical range: 67,000–138,000 mi

    Median 107,000 mi, based on 40 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "I LEASED A NEW 2008 CHEVY MALIBU THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. GREAT CAR, LOVED IT. THEN ON JAN 14TH WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (IN THE FAST LANE) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. CONCERNED I DECIDED MAYBE I SHOULD PULL OFF THE ROAD. LUCKIL…"~1,100 mi, complaint #655160
    • "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 ACTUAT…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1601198
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE INTO A DITCH, AND STOPPED IN AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1261337
    • "2008 CHEVY MALIBU LIGHTS WILL COME ON BUT ENGINE WON'T CRANK. WE WHERE IN THE HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO JUMP A CAR AND IT JUST TURNED OFF AND WON'T START AT ALL."~140,000 mi, complaint #1528845
    • "IGNITION HEATS UP AND WILL NOT START UNTIL COOLS OFF"~179,000 mi, complaint #1528476
  10. #10

    steering column

    19 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    23
    incidents
    Typical range: 37,000–103,000 mi

    Median 60,000 mi, based on 47 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ABNORMALLY SHAKES AS IF WAS LOOSE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODES, OR DUPLICATE THE FAILU…"~5,000 mi, complaint #733958
    • "2013- APRIL, RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN FOR A FEW MONTHS THEN STEERING BECAME TOO HARD, BARELY MADE TO DEALERSHIP. STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED ALONG WITH INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PART NO. 25979679 AT 38,643 MILES. 2019-DECEMBER RUBBING…"~38,643 mi, complaint #1658623
    • "MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE LOUD POPPING NOISE HAS NOW BEEN HAPPENING JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND EVEN WORSE AT LOWER SPEEDS OF 20-35 MPH. ALONG WITH A SQUEAKY BOUNCING NOISE THAT IS CONSTANT. I TOOK I…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1090946
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1020127
    • "MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LS; HAS ALOT OF KNOCKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT MAKE CRUNCHING NOISES WHEN YOU TURN AND HIT BUMPS IN THE STREET. THE CAR SQUEAKS ON STREETS WITH NO BUMPS AND GETTING WORSE EVERYDAY. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS; YOU CAN HEAR THE CAR COM…"~153,780 mi, complaint #1049162
  11. #11

    brake hydraulics

    22 unsafe

    22
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,500–80,000 mi

    Median 69,000 mi, based on 40 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "BOTH HOSES BUSTED. THEY WERE REPLACED GM PARTS. SAME THING HAPPENED 10/28/14. BACKING OUT FROM PARKING ABOUT 2 MPH AND HEARD A NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BOTH HOSES BUSTED AGAIN, SAME CAR. *TR"~8,945 mi, complaint #1125657
    • "MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A RECURRING BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON RANDOMLY, AND WHEN YOU STEP DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL YOU GET NO BRAKE LIGHTS RANDOMLY. I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT COUNTLESS TIMES DUE TO VEHICLES BEHIND ME NOT KNOWING WHEN I'M ACTUALL…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1013987
    • "THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL ISN'T PRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 3 TIMES IN ORDER TO RELEARN THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. THIS AFFECTS THE CRUISE CONTROL, A…"~69,000 mi, complaint #997735
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH TO OCCUR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED WHERE THERE WA…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1072536
    • "Brake lights automatically come on when you don't touch the brakes and go off when you do. GM has had at least 2 recalls on this problem which this vehicle has gone through and now at 177,000 miles there was a 3 recall which GM won't honor due to high mileage…"~177,000 mi, complaint #1850654
  12. #12

    other

    13 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    20
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 28,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY CAR WAS FLOODED FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH BOARD OF THE FRONT SIDE OF DASHBOARD. MY CARPET FROM FRONT TO BACK GOT WET AND HAD A DEFECTIVE RIM. *TR"~16,000 mi, complaint #744708
    • "TURN SIGNAL ISN'T OPERATING CORRECTLY, IT NO LONGER CUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY, THREE OF MY FOUR DOOR LATCHES AREN'T WORKING--DON'T RESPOND TO KEY FOB (THE ONE THAT WORKS), HAVE TO LOCK ALL THREE DOORS MANUALLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER FILLING UP CAR AND…"~39,555 mi, complaint #1065914
    • "REC'D TWO SAFETY RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS VEHICLE. 2 MONTHS APART. LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS, WE WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN AVAILABLE ARE WE GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE? *TR"~40,000 mi, complaint #1100111
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEATS WERE WET. THE DEALER INSTALLED AN UNKNOWN RING ALONGSIDE THE REAR DOORS TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THERE…"~56,000 mi, complaint #792202
  13. #13

    fuel tank and lines

    16 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    19
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 85,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "GAS LEAK. GRADUALLY BEGAN TO NOTICE STRONG FUEL ORDER AND NOW AN ACTUAL LEAK."~45,000 mi, complaint #1468896
    • "THIS CAR HAS 77000 MILES, AND DUMPING FUEL FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK ON TO EXHAUST SYSTEM WHILE BEING DRIVEN. FUEL IS ALSO SMELLED AFTER BEING DRIVEN."~68,000 mi, complaint #1452870
    • "IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE PURCHASED FOUR GAS CAPS AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. I HAVE HAD IT TESTED AT AUTO ZONE AND THEY STATED IT IS THE GAS CAP. GM STATED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THERE GAS CAPS. *TR"~78,000 mi, complaint #949701
    • "FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. STARTED OUT DROPPING TO EMPTY AND ACTIVATING THE TROUBLE LIGHT AND LOW FUEL DISPLAY WHEN THERE WAS STILL HALF A TANK OF FUEL. NOW IT DOES IT WITH 3/4 TANK OR MORE. AFTER THE FUEL GETS LOWER THAN 3/4 TANK OFTEN TH…"~98,000 mi, complaint #892610
    • "PURCHASED A USED 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. VERY SHORTLY AFTER I COULD NOTICE A STRONG ODOR OF GAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING IT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO REMOVED THE FUEL TANK AND DISCOVERED THAT A PLASTIC FEED LINE ON TOP OF THE FUEL PU…"~145,000 mi, complaint #1266962
  14. #14

    control module

    3 stranded, 13 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 83,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I BOUGHT A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ FROM DAVE SMITH AUTO IN KELLOGG, IDAHO, PICKED IT UP ON JUNE 6, 2008, DROVE IT TO CASPER, WY. ON 7/22/08, CAR WON'T START, FIND OUT IT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (HAS TO DO WITH ANTI-THEFT, ETC.), AS OF TODAY'S DATE, AUGUST 13,…"~1,400 mi, complaint #683025
    • "ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE APPEARS WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STOPS AND VEHICLE STALLS AFTER A VERY SHORT PERIOD BARELY ENOUGH TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IF THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED ON AGAIN, THE VEHICLE START…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1314920
    • "THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYS CONSTANTLY. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL RANDOMLY DROP DOWN TO LOW/EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A FULL TANK OF GAS. ALSO AT RANDOM, THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM LIGHT AND AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY DISPLAY ON THE CAR'S DASH BOARD. TH…"~70,500 mi, complaint #952379
    • "BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN IF BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PUSHED, BOTH WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. TRACTION CONTROL WAS DISABLED WHILE IN MOTION. BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON ALL RO…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1331062
    • "TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP BECAUSE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THEY INFORMED ME THAT VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH SYSTEM. THEY PERFORMED THE RECALL. BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, THEN QUIT WORKING AGAIN. THEY THEN…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1304473
  15. #15

    wiring harness

    15 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 86,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING ON DIVIDED HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY THE WARNING LIGHT FOR EMERGENCY STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON. DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER THEN INDICATED THAT BOTH NEEDED SERVICING, THEN ADVISED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". MANAGED TO "LIMP" HOME DRIVING THE CAR.…"~876 mi, complaint #670510
    • "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 M…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1139622
    • "STEREO SYSTEM SHORT CIRCUITS, AND LOOSES SOUND IN SOME SPEAKERS. WINDOWS, AND DOORS,ALONG WITH THE TRUNK GET STUCK AND WONT RELEASE 20% OF THE TIME. I SEE THE PROBLEM BEING WITH A CRASH, AND POSSIBLE FIRE, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS NOT BEING ABLE TO ESCAPE THE V…"~79,000 mi, complaint #1136779
    • "LOW BEAMS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. REPLACE WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH LIGHTS AND LIGHT BULBS TWICE. *TR"~98,000 mi, complaint #1076009
    • "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 TURNIN…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1384797
  16. #16

    key fob and immobilizer

    10 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 89,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "KEYLESS DOOR FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK REAR DOORS. LOOKING THIS UP ON THE INTERNET HAS SHOWN THIS PROBLEMS IS A COMON COMPLAINT AND NOT COVERED AFTER 3 YEAR OR 36000 MILE WARRANTY THOUGH MILEAGE IS NOT A FACTOR FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE SAFETY FACTOR INVOLVED WOULD…"~42,000 mi, complaint #973830
    • "ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE CAR WILL LOCK OUT AND NOT START DUE TO FAULTY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. I HAVE FOUND JUMPING BATTERY OR DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING BACK WILL CLEAR LOCK-OUT AND ALLOW CAR TO START. ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY WHILE DRI…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1190472
    • "KEY WON'T TURN TO OFF POSITION IN IGNITION"~87,000 mi, complaint #1281477
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS SHIFTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…"~123,265 mi, complaint #1265269
    • "I WENT TO THE WALKING TRACK WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD SON TO TAKE OUR DOG FOR A WALK. IT WAS HOT THAT DAY SO WE WAITED UNTIL EVENING TO GO. WHEN WE WERE DONE, I POPPED THE TRUNK TO PUT HIS BIKE AWAY AND UNLOCKED THE DOOR, WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARN…"~162,721 mi, complaint #1477953
  17. #17

    brake booster

    9 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REGAIN NORMAL BRAKE FUNCTION. THE LOW TRACTION CONTR…"~25,287 mi, complaint #1282054
    • "PURCHASED 2008 MALIBU IN EARLY 2017. PREVIOUS OWNER STATED BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. HAD IT CHECKED OUT WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON IT. HAD RECALL 13036 WORK DONE 3/31/17. STILL HAD PROBLEMS. TOOK TO DEALER ON 7/03/17 WAS TOLD THEY CO…"~56,569 mi, complaint #1499414
    • "BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STAYING LIT WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT GO OFF. RETURNED CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR SAME ISSUE. *TR"~93,000 mi, complaint #1012837
    • "BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE DURING NORMAL DRIVING WHEN BRAKES PEDAL IS NOT BEING PUSHED. BRAKE LIGHTS THEN TURN OFF WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED AND DON'T COME BACK ON UNTIL BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED AT LEAST HALF WAY DOWN. CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK WHEN THIS IS HAP…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1360829
  18. #18

    hv system fault reduced power

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 115,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON US-10, A HIGH TRAFFIC FREEWAY IN PHOENIX AZ, THE CAR REDUCED SPEED TO ABOUT 30 MPH. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE THIS RATE! SO MY SON WAS SUDDENLY STUCK IN ONE OF THE PASSING LANES ON A VERY BUSY FOUR LANE FREEWAY. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1226346
    • "MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU 2LT IS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WHERE IT BASICALLY LOSES POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE CODE THAT CAME UP IS P2135 AND THE MESSAGES WERE SERVICE TRACTION/SERVICE ESC/ENGINE POWER REDUCED. ONCE THE ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN, IT WON'T START UNTIL THE CODES A…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1061016
    • "MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING JUST FINE UNTIL THE OTHER DAY WHEN MY VEHICLE OUT OF NOWHERE WENT INTO 'LIMP MODE' AND I COULDN'T GO OVER 20 MPH. THE NOTIFICATIONS ON MY DASH WERE 'ENG PWR REDUCED' AND 'SERVICE ESC'. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE CAUSES, IT IS…"~100,400 mi, complaint #1646038
    • "THIS VEHICLE THREW ITSELF INTO LIMP MODE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, AND AFTER SUPPOSSED REPAIRS DID THE SAME AGAIN WHEN SHE WAS IN A BAD SECTION OF THE CITY. IN THE FIRST CASE, SUDDENLY DROPPING TO 25MPH WHILE TRAFFIC IS GOING 7…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1685182
    • "BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON WHEN NOT APPLYING BRAKES AND BRAKES LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON WHEN APPLYING BRAKES - ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION INDICATORS REMAINED ON. ON THE WAY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REPAIR FOR THE 3RD TIME, THE ENGINE LOSS POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING APP…"~195,160 mi, complaint #1251459
  19. #19

    door latch and hinge

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 55,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2008 MALIBU - DRIVERS DOOR LATCH DOES NOT WORK. OFTEN DRIVER GETS STUCK IN VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A LOUD KNOCK IN THE STEERING AND IT HAS HAD A RING GEAR REPLACED ALREADY, SAME PROBLEM 12,000 MILES LATER. *TR"~30,000 mi, complaint #859294
    • "AFTER RETURNING GROCERY SHOPPING I COULD NOT GET GROCERIES INTO BACK SEAT, DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK . THIS COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AS I ALWAYS PUT GROCERIES IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND FLOOR AND NEVER USED REAR DOORS . APPROXIMATELY 1-2 WEEKS LATER OT…"~42,000 mi, complaint #889054
    • "REAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN PUT IN GEAR OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR UNLOCK WHEN PUT IN PARK. ONLY WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THE REAR LOCK SOLENOIDS GO BAD. AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SELLING AND INSTAL…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1051956
    • "DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT AND DOOR WOULD FREELY OPEN. AFTER PULLING THE DOOR SHUT MULTIPLE TIMES IT FINALLY LATCHED AND I COULD DRIVE. WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. I HAD TO ROLL MY POWER WINDOW DOWN T…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1197432
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHUCK NICHOLSON INC (LOCATED AT 7190 OH-39, MILLERSB…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1504216
  20. #20

    fuel pump

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "GM IS RECALLING 40000 CARS FOR A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK. I ORIGINALLY HEARD THAT THIS WAS FOR CARS IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION OF THE COUNTRY. MY DAUGHTER LIVES IN PHOENIX, DRIVES A 2005 PONTIAC G6, AND HAD A FUEL LEAK COMING…"~52,000 mi, complaint #944849
    • "GAS LEAKING, MODULE FUEL PUMP & SENDER ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED, ARTICLE IN TIMES PAPER SAID IT WAS RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2012, I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS THE GAS ODOR WAS VERY STRONG AND…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1402468
    • "STRONG GAS SMELL FROM REAR OF VEHICLE (INTERIOR/EXTERIOR). LEAK CONFIRMED FROM FUEL PUMP WHEN IN MOTION. ALSO, VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATED, USUALLY AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME."~87,000 mi, complaint #1496281
    • "WE HAVE HAD TWO ISSUES. FIRST BROKEN FUEL PUMP SPILLING GAS ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE BUT NOT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. COST TO REPAIR 400 DOLLARS. ISSUE TWO. BAD TORQUE SENSOR ON ELECTRIC POWER STEERING…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1444363
    • "CAR HAS A FUEL SMELL AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD FUEL PUMP HAS CRACK AND IS LEAKING. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE PART? *TR"~122,000 mi, complaint #1134207
  21. #21

    starter

    3 stranded, 3 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 130,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR JUST STOPPED AND TURNED OFF, I COULD NOT SWITCH GEARS OR TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND I PAID $470.00 TO GAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, *TR"~58,341 mi, complaint #1053402
    • "TAKATA RECALL, MY 08 MALIBU WILL NOT START AFTER DRIVING NO MATTER HOW LONG. I'VE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES. I BOUGHT A NEW STARTER, RELAY SWITCH, IGNITION, SWITCH, AND PAID FOR MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. EVERY MECHANIC SENDS ME TO THE DEALER SHIP AND SAYS…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1490262
    • "TAKATA RECALL: HELLO MY NAME IS [XXX] I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY CHEVY MALIBU 2008. MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE ON MY WAY HOME ON THE STREET AND THEN MY GEAR SHIFTED TO PARK WHILE AGAIN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE. I HAVE BAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS T…"~146,000 mi, complaint #1250977
    • "IGNITION SWITCH (RELATED TO THE KEY) FAILS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO EITHER NOT START OR QUIT RUNNING WHILE DRIVING."~170,000 mi, complaint #1575309
  22. #22

    transmission manual clutch

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I PULLED THE CAR INTO MY DRIVEWAY, STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO PARK. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS. I PUT THE BRAKE BACK ON, STOPPED IT, AND THEN DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWED THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN RE…"~69,032 mi, complaint #973794
    • "TAKATA RECALL MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU GOT STUCK IN REVERSE WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND I FIXED IT WITH ZIP TIES BUT THE PLASTIC PIN THAT HOLDS MY SHIFTER TO MY TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK."~75,865 mi, complaint #1528047
    • "I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND I PROCEEDED TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE "R" BUT THE GEAR CONTROL WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED INTO POSITION, NOR WOULD THE CAR REVERSE. IT WAS MOVING FREELY BETWEEN GEARS BUT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO POSITION. I THEN PLACED THE GEAR CONTROL BACK INTO…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1305374
    • "TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER CABLE KEEPS BREAKING I WAS GETTING READY TO PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GEAR WASN'T CATCHING"~133,258 mi, complaint #1559744
    • "I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR YESTERDAY AND IT DROVE FINE BUT TODAY WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN THE CAR BEGAN TO SHIFT VERY ROUGH EVEN FELT AS THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND I PULLED OVER AND DROVE OFF A…"~188,674 mi, complaint #1063913
  23. #23

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ 4 CYLINDER HAS A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH GM/CHEVY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. IT IS PUTTING MY FAMILY AND I AND POSSIBLE DANGER. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VERY SEVERE LAGS AND HESITATION AT VARIABLE INTERVALS WHILE DRIVING EITHER S…"~46,700 mi, complaint #860156
    • "TL* 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 [REDACTED ADDRESS], OREGON, OH 43616,…"~166,000 mi, complaint #1601847
  24. #24

    engine head gasket

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 17,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. TH…"~16,988 mi, complaint #798030
    • "DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE, HEAD GASKETS FAILED. *TR"~65,000 mi, complaint #1138271
    • "TL* 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 D…"~93,723 mi, complaint #1373925
    • "AT 97000 MILES, FOLLOWING ALL SERVICE AND OIL CHANGES, ENGINE BLEW OUT. IT SHEARED OFF HEAD BOLTS, BROKE THE TIMING CHAIN, LARGE AMOUNTS OF METAL BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE OIL FILTER. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY MECHANICS, AS WELL HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE THAT…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1634123
  25. #25

    timing belt or chain

    2 stranded, 3 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD STRETCHED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED.…"~61,208 mi, complaint #1257301
    • "TIMING CHAIN ON V-6 MALIBU LTZ HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 62,000 MILES AND COST $1,700. TRAVELING WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAM ON AND ONSTAR SAID POWERTRAIN ISSUE AND GET TO SHOP IMMEDIATELY. OIL CHANGED AT DEALER AND GM VERIFIED RECORDS. ONLY USED 89 OCTANE GAS.…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1241898
    • "I WAS TRAVELING ON ROUTE 15 FROM VA TO MD. I STOPPED FOR GAS, GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AROUND 45 AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH DESTROYED THE MOTOR. THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE MOTOR SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR AND GM W…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1115006
    • "TAKATA RECALL: TIMING CHAIN AND CRANKSHAFT ISSUE. CAR STARTED TO LOSE SPEED ALL OF A SUDDEN AND THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO START THE CAR, IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO FIND OUT THAT MY TIMING CHAIN IS LOSE AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR PIECE WAS MISSIN…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1530683
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start up. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed DTC: P0016 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the camshaft…"~965,162 mi, complaint #2200763
  26. #26

    alignment and pull

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON CITY ROADS OR 65-[REDACTED ADDRESS], THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. AS OF NOW IT'S A "MILD" SHAKE (BUT IT SEEMS AS IF ITS GETTING "SHAKER" AS THE DAYS GO BY. IM NOT SURE IF THERE AN ALIGNMENT NEEDED. I HAD A NEW TIRE PUT ON (PASSENGER BACK TIRE) A…"~104,000 mi, complaint #1140643
    • "WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE JERKS LEFT AND RIGHT.. MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL.. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING MORE THAN 35 MPH.. I THOUGH IT WAS A WHEEL ALINGMENT BUT IT WAS PERFORM BY 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND STILL DOES IT..."~135,000 mi, complaint #1724163
    • "MY CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND FLASHING FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BY AUTOBODY SHOPS. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAVE NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE TODAY. MY CAR IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED LAST…"~260,000 mi, complaint #1661082
  27. #27

    catalytic converter

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND AFTER I REPAIRED THAT ISSUE, WAS TOLD THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MAINTENANCE GUY FOUND A LETTER STATING 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS BEING RECALLED FOR FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HOWEVER, WHEN I ENTERED MY VI…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1142371
    • "THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BELOW THRESHOLD."~185,000 mi, complaint #1687285
  28. #28

    engine internal

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHEN WE GOT THE CAR WE LOVED IT. AFTER 4500 MILES THE BATTERY DIED HAD TO WAIT 3 DAYS FOR THE DEALER TO GET US A NEW ONE. GREAT CAR RAN FINE THEN AFTER 15,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A VALVE SENSOR.…"~5,000 mi, complaint #917636
    • "CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ 3.6L, AS YOU DRIVE DOWN THE STREET AT ANY SPEED THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DISPLAY SAY CHECK TRACTION PRESS ESC I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THE TE…"~44,000 mi, complaint #967406
    • "ON 3/15/21 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER2008 MALIBU DOWN 787 INTERSTATE WHEN TAX STARTED GOING UP AN DOWN ENGINE RAISING FOR NO REASON ALSO THAT SAME MONTH WHEN YOU TURN SHARP TO GO INTO A TURN STEERING HAD MIND OF ITS OWN AN YOU CAN HERE A LOT OF RATTLING UP UN…"~157,341 mi, complaint #1735320
  29. #29

    parking brake

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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. *TR"~50,000 mi, complaint #891690
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED IN PARK BUT WOULD NOT REGISTER THE PARKING GEAR. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN THE PARKING POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DE…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1066538
    • "VEHICAL WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, PLACED IN THE PARK POSTION, AND KEY REMOVED FROM IGNIATION, WITHOUT INCIDENT. AS DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICAL, THE VEHICAL PROCEEDED TO ROLL AWAY. DRIVER RE-ENTERED THE VEHICAL TO TRY AND START THE VEHICAL, BUT WOULD NOT START.…"~136,530 mi, complaint #1187414
  30. #30

    sunroof

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "THE SUNROOF IN MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU BEGAN RATTLING WHEN IN FULL OPEN POSITION. IT FINALLY EXPLODED, SPRAYING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT (AND MYSELF) WITH GLASS. *TR"~32,000 mi, complaint #723100
    • "SUN ROOF ON PASSENGER DOOR LEAKING WATER AFTER IT RAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT RIGHT SIDE DRAIN WAS STOPPED UP. ON APRIL 12 THE SUN ROOF WAS LEAKING AGAIN. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT AND NEED A RECALL. I HAVE HAD CARS WITH SUN ROOF BEFORE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. IT IS M…"~57,353 mi, complaint #973638
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE SUNROOF AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE F…"~99,467 mi, complaint #949631
    • "THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY RIPPED FROM THE CAR AT HI SPEED( INTERSTATE); WHILE AIRBORNE STRUCK A WINSHIELD OF A CAR BEHIND ME CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE ' THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AND ALL WINDOWS ROLLED UP SO NO PRESSURE CHANGES WAS NOT THE FACTOR ."~140,400 mi, complaint #1369267
  31. #31

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "THE FRONT END MAKES CLUNKING NOISES WHILE TURNING. DEALERSHIP "FIXED" IT. STARTED DOING THE SAME THING A FEW WEEKS LATER. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHAKES WHILE DRIVING. AT TIMES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. VERY UNSAFE!! *TR"~20,000 mi, complaint #1050794
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE AND A JERKING MOTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHILE PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~69,000 mi, complaint #941042
    • "FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED TO MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. FRONT PRO-STEER SWAY BAR & F STABILIZER WAS IDENTIFIED CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ALSO DEFAULTED PART IS THE CONTROL ARM W/BALL JOINT. *TR"~94,000 mi, complaint #1051650
  32. #32

    wheel or rim

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE HUB CAPS SNAPPED OFF OF THE WHEELS. AS A RESULT, THE HUB CAPS RUBBED AGAINST THE OUTSIDE OF THE WHEELS AND CAUSED THE SIDEWALLS TO BECOME WORN. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A BLOW OUT M…"~19,000 mi, complaint #721449
    • "I WAS PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRE AND WHEN I RELEASED THE NOZZLE OF THE AIR HOSE THE VALVE STEM BROKE IN HALF AND THE HOSE FLEW BACK AND THE TOP HALF OF THE METAL PART OF THE VALVE STEM FLEW BACK. IT MISSED MY FACE AND FLEW ABOUT 2 FEET BEHIND ME. ALL THE AIR C…"~28,121 mi, complaint #739125
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL BROKE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIM AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND TO THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND WHETHER IT WAS COVERED…"~41,000 mi, complaint #818749
  33. #33

    abs module

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 50,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-[REDACTED ADDRESS] CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A DECREASE IN THE BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. IN ADDITI…"~700 mi, complaint #709478
    • "WHEN DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUE TO STAY ON. WHEN PRESSED THEY GO OFF AND PRESSING TO FLOOR THEY COME ON BUT WHEN RELEASED AROUND 6 SECONDS LATER THEY COME ON AGAIN. WAS TAKEN TO DEALER SHIP TO BE FIXED FOR A RECALL . WORKED FOR LESS THAN A MONTH AND IT CONTI…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1485792
    • "TL* 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 INDEPENDE…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1237078
  34. #34

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 broken, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AC SYSTEM WILL NOT OPERATE. VARIOUS SETTINGS WILL NOT ACTIVATE SYSTEM. DEALER SAYS THAT NO DTC COULD BE FOUND (NO TROUBLE CODES). VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN FAL…"~1,500 mi, complaint #923686
    • "THE A/C UNIT IS BLOWING HOT AIR ..DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR"~62,650 mi, complaint #932975
  35. #35

    glass and windshield

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED THE COMPUTER BOARD TO BECOME CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRAIN HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1125148
  36. #36

    unintended acceleration

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I WAS DRIVING TO WORK LET OFF THE PEDAL CAUSE OF TRAFFIC AND CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. PRESSING BRAKE BARELY GOT IT TO STOP. I AVOIDED A CRASH THAT DAY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IT DOESNT GIVE ANY WARNING NOR OBD CODES"~140,400 mi, complaint #1518214
    • "THE MAIN CONCER I HAVE IS (1)WHILE DRIVING AND CAR IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, THE CAR ACCERLERATED ON IT'S OWN. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL MORE TIMES SINCE. (2)THE CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN. I CANNOT DRIVE MORE THE 10 MILE PER HOUR, TH…"~240,000 mi, complaint #1743455
  37. #37

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I HAVE A CHEVROLET MALIBU LT 2008 SINCE MAY 2008, UNFORTUNATELY IT SEEMS THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS STILL A HEADACHE BASED ON SEVERAL ONLINE REVIEWS. AFTER 15,000 MILES, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING EVERY TIME THAT I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THEREFORE I TOOK TH…"~26,500 mi, complaint #713431
    • "MY 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND BECOMES VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN APRIL 2009 WITH ABOUT 2 K MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SCANNED IT BUT NO CODES WERE PRESENT. THE MECHANIC FOUND A…"~50,400 mi, complaint #784775
  38. #38

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE U JOINT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…"~104,000 mi, complaint #1135376
    • "MY DRIVE SHAFT LINE BROKE BY MY THE GEAR SHIFT"~140,000 mi, complaint #1514596
  39. #39

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SEATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, IT UNEXPECTEDLY COLLAPSED TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED TH…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1159805
    • "DRIVERS SEAT DEFECTED. THE METAL BRACKET THAT SECURE THE SEAT BROKE, CASING THE SEAT NOT TO SLIDE FORWARD OR BACK, UP OR DOWN. ALSO THE SEAT PADDING AND COVER TO SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT MOLDEN. TOOK VEHICLE TO BUICK CAR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY SAID THIS WAS…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1049467
  40. #40

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MI…"~7,900 mi, complaint #688479
    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, REDUCED ENGINE POWER SIGNAGE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. DRIVING HOME ON SECONDARY STREET. FIXED WITH NEW SENSOR FOR THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. 2 WEEKS LATER, SAME LIGHTS ON DASH WHEN STARTED IN THE MORNING."~98,500 mi, complaint #1536711
  41. #41

    adas collision warning

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND IT CAUSES MY BRAKES TO ENGAGE BY THERE SELVES IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW"~150,000 mi, complaint #1620608
  42. #42

    battery and charging

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR. I SHOULD HAVE KEPT EXACT RECORDS, BUT I HAVEN'T. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS THE FACTORY BATTERY IN 2008. IT EXPLODED IN THE CAR WITHIN 5 MONTHS, THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE REPLACED 3…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1121495
  43. #43

    engine cooling

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I DRIVE A CHEVROLET MALIBU 2008 WITH JUST A LITTLE OVER 56,000 MILES. I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND ALL THE SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE & THE CAR VIBRATED A LITTLE. ONE OF THE FANS COMPLETELY BROKE APART AND THE PIECES FLEW INTO THE RADIATOR EMBEDDING THE…"~56,650 mi, complaint #1120612
  44. #44

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 28, 2012, I WAS SITTING STILL ON AN INCLINE AND THE WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN BACK AND FORTH ON ITS ON. THE CAR LOT ASSURED ME IT WAS MOTOR MOUNTS, AN EASY FIX, AND I BOUGHT THE CAR. WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO, THE STEERING BECAM…"~74,000 mi, complaint #1019972
  45. #45

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OF THE 2008 HAS A SEVERE CRACK WHICH ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I CANNOT KEEP THE FAN ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IDLING, OR IN SLOW TRAFFIC AS THE FUMES ARE SO STRONG THAT IT CAUSES HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. THE…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1143027
  46. #46

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. IT STARTED ON A TRIP HOME FROM CHICAGO WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WARMER KEPT COMING ON BY ITSELF. MY WIFE HAD TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT MOST OF THE WAY HOME. WHAT WE DID NOT KNOW UNTIL JUNE 25TH 2015 WAS THAT IT WAS COMING ON DU…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1194311
  47. #47

    heater core and blower

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. IN TEMPERATURES OF 40 AND BELOW ICE FORMED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF OUTSIDE. THE DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON , BUT IT DOES NOT CLEAR THE GLASS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FILTER ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. A TE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #747878
  48. #48

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "SPEED GAUGE ,FUEL GAUGE, AND ENGINE REV GARAGE WENT DEAD IN MID TRIP ON HIGHWAY CANNOT GAUGE FUEL SPEED OR ENG REV AND TEMP, PROPERLY.."complaint #1385370
  49. #49

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FRONT END & STEERING WHEEL WILL START HARD VIBRATING NO MATTER SPEED OR ROAD CONDITION. AFTER PARKING, MOTOR OFF, GOING AGAIN IT MAY OR MAY NOT VIBRATE AGAIN. 3 MECHANICS CAN'T FIND PROBLEM AS IT WON'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. NOW WHAT DO I DO?"~140,000 mi, complaint #1574495
  50. #50

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELTS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED DURING MANUFA…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1084269
  51. #51

    tire failure

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR LLS2 TIRES, TIRE SIZE P225/50/R18 AND DOT NUMBER: ME6111012. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED PREMATURELY. THE TIRE WAS UNABLE TO RETAIN AIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1154150
  52. #52

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "SEVERAL TIMES WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. MY TECHS ARE QUALIFIED AND THESE WERE DEFECTIVE WHEN THE CUSTOMER CAME IN, BUT BECAUSE WE SHOWED THEM TO THE CUSTOMERS THEY FELT WE DAMAGED THEM. IT IS MAKI…"complaint #876142
  53. #53

    unknown

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "1G1ZG57B0843[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM "~81,000 mi, complaint #1520536

Recall-sized clusters

These are large batches of near-identical complaints (recall notifications, service campaigns), kept separate from the ranking above so they don't drown out individually-reported problems.

Not matched to any cluster below: every campaign NHTSA has on file for this exact make/model/year is 12V460000, 14E044000, 14V153000, 14V224000, 14V252000. This is a vehicle-wide list, not an attribution - see below for which clusters have a real, complainant-cited match.

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for CHEVROLET MALIBU directly.