This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Steering shakes violently, while driving or stopped, to the point of losing control. Condition is intermitent. Vehicle has been checked by dealer and diagnosed as needing a steering control module. So far Chevrolet has not offered a fix, except to replace it at a cost of 743.00$ with the same part that is defective? engine light came on at 70000 miles and dealer replaced cat conv at no charge. The third issue is door locks stopped working at 74000 miles, and will only open manually. The steering is a very dangerous condition and I fear will cause a accident.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the power steering module would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The engine was shut down. Upon restarting, the steering wheel began to operate normally. The failure occurred four times. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 03/01/13 updated 03/07/13
While sitting in a parking lot the steering wheel started to move back and forth by itself. The car was not moving. When I went to take off the car would pull to one side the jerk back and forth. It kept doing this most of the way home. My wife will no nolonger drive the car because it is not safe to drive. Why wont the government make Chevy fix this problem. I know from doing research about it that it is happening way too often. I guess somebody has to get hurt before they will do anything.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the power steering assist failed, preventing her from completing a right turn. The contact mentioned that the power steering warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the torque steering sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 43,000. Updated 3/20/13 the dealer replaced the steering wheel torque input sensor. Updated 04/17/13
- Rochester , NY, USA
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While traveling down the highway the steeringwheel on my 2008 Chevy Malibu started to shake back and forth by itself. It nearly made me lose control of the car. It now does this at any speed and at any time or driving condition. It will also do it when the car is just sitting still.
My wife, children, and myself were leaving for school and doctor appointment, when pulling out of driveway the steering wheel locked or was very hard to turn, then a warning came across the display of power steering loss. None the less, atleast no one was injured, we backed up into driveway which was a chore with no power steering. When we got back from all of our running I put the car on the computer and it showed no error codes, it didn't even show there had been a loss of communication with the system. I start the car and drove down the road everything seems fine for now. I expect this will happen again and can only hope my wife and children aren't in an accident because of this issue.
Steering wheel starts vibrating on it's own uncontrollably while stopped and moves on its on while driving. There are many many many cases of this on the 2008 Malibu and Chevy refuses to recall. Paid over 1000 dollars to replace power steering motor. Pls let me know what my options are to get Chevy to recall. Car veers into other lanes of traffic on it's own. Car steers itself.
The contact owns 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, a loss of power steering occurred without warning. The contact continued to drive with difficulty when turning the steering wheel. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and shut off the engine. After allowing the vehicle to sit for several minutes, the vehicle was restarted and the power steering assist resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. Additionally, the steering wheel would shake violently while parked with the engine running. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Started the car to come out of a parking spot, heard humming/rattling noise. Steering wheel started to vibrate then would do rapid half-turns by itself, jerking left and right. Shut the car off and restarted. Seemed ok for first few minutes then started again. Got on the road, driving about 35-40 mpg on highway and it became uncontrollable. Could not keep it straight within the lane. Almost hit a car in the lane on my right! pulled up to an auto shop near by. They test drove and experienced the issue but explained that with these cars, the technology in them is too advanced and would have to be taken to a Chevy dealer. Mechanic explained that the matter is quite hazardous and it would be a huge risk driving it now. Single mom driving 45 minutes from home with 2 minor children. Had to get a tow truck to get back home, 45 minutes away. $$$!! had this vehicle for 11 months only. Prior to this issue, had door locks issues as I've ready on other threads and also currently experiencing issues with faulty tire pressure sensor as well. Nothing but problems with this car since I've had it. This is my first and very last Chevrolet!!
While driving to work the steering seemed to lock up and then was very hard to steer. I got the car slowed down and pulled over and turned it off, after a few minutes I started the car and the steering seemed ok.this has happened a total of 7 or 8 times since 10/1/12. Took car to the dealer on 10/13 and they could not get the car to do it while they drove it. I am taking the car back on 10/22 to get it checked again. There is definitely a problem with the electrically assisted power steering.
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 taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing three times. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. Updated 11/01/12 the consumer stated the vehicle would pull to the side. Updated 11/01/12
Turn signal arm does not stay in place when signaling to turn. Also the turn signal arm when it does stay in place it will not return to normal position/turn off signal by itself after making a turn. When turning the steering wheel it makes popping noises. Door locks on all doors stay either in the "lock" or "unlock" position at all times. One of the rear passenger door lock has been replaced at the dealership for $300 and the door lock still fails. The only way to unlock the passenger doors is to do it manually and climb over the seats. The driver door has to be unlocked with the key and manually locked when exiting the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact mentioned that the failure occurs intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when driving approximately 10 mph and attempting a turn, the contact could hear a popping noise in the steering wheel as the steering wheel would become difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised that the steering column was fractured and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel began to vibrate in a violent jerking motion. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road for a few seconds and then resumed with the steering malfunction. The failure recurred at least three times a week. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician did not repair the vehicle under the extended service warranty. The defect persisted with the engine and power steering warning indicators illumination. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 93,435. Updated 10/26/12
While pressing the brake to slow to turn to the right the ESC servicing comes across the dash. I call the service department the next day (cause the incident happened after hours) they tech says next time the light comes on bring it in without turning the car off. For the next several times it happens of course was after hours. I took it in for a oil change, and when leaving the light came on again. I automatically turned around and went back. Upon diagnostic testing it shows nothing is wrong and the tech says my car doesn't have anything that would set off this code. Can anyone tell me what ESC stands for on this model car"???"
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel became abnormally loose and extremely sensitive. The failure recurred for years. Over time, the contact noticed that a jerk or catch developed in the steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified by the dealer and offered a 50 percent discount for repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 478 and the current mileage was 22,000. Updated 7/23/12 the consumer stated he began to experience problems with the replacement steering column. The consumer stated the vehicle pulled to the left and the steering wheel continued to shake. Updated 07/30/12
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- Oceanside , CA, USA