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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,376 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2008 Chevrolet Malibu drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #34

Jul 012014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On or about July 1, 2014 I received a recall notice from GM, safety recall 14152, but was informed the part was not available to perform the recall service. Since that time I have called the local dealership, apple Chevrolet in tinley park, Illinois (708) 336-3163, where I purchased the vehicle, on two occasions and was informed the part is still not available. Today, during my call to the dealership to again check on the status of the part, after being informed the part is still not available, I was directed to call General Motors directly and was given the number 1-800-222-1020. After speaking to the representative at General Motors, [xxx], and giving the last eight digits of my vehicle identification number, I was informed that the part is available. GM is saying the part is available and my local dealership is saying the part is not available. Can someone please help me? information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #33

Sep 242014

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train), NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), and NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #32

May 192014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 121,000 miles
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 like up exist ramps. This has gone on for quite a while I have called several dealerships and the main number on the recalls and they just keep telling me no parts are available. This is my only car and I have no money for another how do they expect people to depend on their cars or survive when transportation is needed. Why aren't these parts being made faster or why aren't people provided any other solutions?

- Hastings, MN, USA

problem #31

Sep 112014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 106,884 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 50 mph down the highway in my 2008 Chevy Malibu (106,800 miles) the traction control light came on and information center read "engine power deduced" and my car slowed to 20 mph almost immediately with no warning to me or the vehicles behind me. Luckily there was a wide shoulder and I veered off to avoid being rear ended as I had my 3 child all in car seats in back. I called the dealership but as they weren't open yet, I did what I had to as one of my children is a special needs child and was almost time for his seizure medication and drove the car on to my mother in laws 4 miles away. I drove down the shoulder of the highway for approximately 1 mile to make it to my mother in laws turn then the next 3 miles to her house was less congested with traffic luckily. The car had a slight shake to it almost and something seemed like it was rattling almost under the hood but a slow rattle not like a knocking sound tho. After the dealership opened I took the car to them after shutting off and restarting car ran normal again. They said they could find the issue in the history. Chevy told us the cam shaft solenoid had internal failure and needed replaced. We got it fixed and changed spark plugs and did a small tune up to make sure that was the whole issue solved. Last night just a day later the same thing happened as my husband was driving the car. This is an issue with many newer Chevy cars some still with just 50,000 miles on them. It is a major safety concern and needs to be addressed with GM in a recall I am afraid before more lives are taken due to faulty engineering and parts! please look into this further! Chevy also found a crack in the exhaust manifold that they are replacing for free already as well as multiple other recalls we are awaiting parts for.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #30

Sep 122014

Malibu

  • 86,000 miles
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 cable was damaged and needed to be replaced. Upon further research, there was a recall for this issue by GM (recall # 14152). However, my vehicle was not specifically recalled even though I am now having the exact issue that has been listed in the recall. The auto shop is saying that I will have to pay for repairs related to this problem. I do not believe that I should have to do so.

- Kentwood, MI, USA

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problem #29

Feb 032014

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). However, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Atlanta , GA, USA

problem #28

Aug 272014

Malibu

  • 64,915 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. When the transmission was shifted into drive and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle automatically went into reverse. The failure occurred several times. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V224000 (power train) and 12V460000 (power train). The dealer replaced the gear lever with a plastic attachment five times, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 64,915.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #27

Jul 182013

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
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?

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #26

Aug 112014

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received recall notices for NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V460000 (power train), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The parts needed for the repairs were unavailable and the dealer could not provide an estimated date of arrival. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- St Petersburgh, FL, USA

problem #25

Jul 182014

Malibu

  • 180,000 miles
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 testing, who stated that the shift cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 14V224000 (power train), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #24

Jul 132014

Malibu

  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle failed to shift into gear and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #23

Jul 022014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 13,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle decelerated to 25 mph and the engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. There was a chime that sounded throughout the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and restarted but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer a remedy. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 13,000 and the current mileage was 13,050. Updated 10/22/2014 updated 4/2/2015

- Beaufort, SC, USA

problem #22

Jun 112014

Malibu

  • 92,480 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle stalled and the gear shifted independently from drive to low drive. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed and an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the shift cable was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was made aware of recall NHTSA campaign id number 12V460000 (power train). However, the VIN was not included on the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 92,480.

- Hamton, VA, USA

problem #21

May 182014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
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 dealer or mechanic for inspection. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 12V460000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 10/07/14 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. Updated 3/16/2015

- Darien, IL, USA

problem #20

May 012014

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles
I drove to the store pulled in the parking space and turned off the car. I immediately noticed something was wrong with the shifter. When I went to try to take the key out it wouldn't come out. The shifter would no longer locked into park and will come out of gear with out having my foot on the brake. Key is still stuck. It was scary because I have 3 small children. Two months later I was on my was to work when I noticed the car was having trouble shifting it seemed like. It feels like the car doesn't want to go. After doing research they say there is three recalls something with the shifter the oxygen sensor and Cadillac converter. My dealer wont fix and I owe 13000 car is to dangerous to drive my family what do I do?

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #19

May 162014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle transmission- car is moving when not supposed to or car gets stuck in place awhile shifting gears. Car drives sluggish not shifting to the proper gear. Light bulb- lights go out and come back on at later dates. Electrical-radio speakers go in and out locks don't operate neither dies alarm.

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #18

Mar 082010

Malibu

  • 15,000 miles
The power door locks do not lock or unlock when the vehicle gear shift is put in park or drive. The first lock became disabled while under warranty and was repaired.. now the remaining (3) three power locks do not function.. they stopped functioning when the warranty ended... I did not repair them because the cost is a few hundred dollars per lock.. I have to turn the car ignition off while the transmission is in drive and then put the shifter in park. Otherwise I have to go around to each door and lock them manually.. very embarrassing.. not certain of the possible safety hazard though.

- Marlton, NJ, USA

problem #17

May 102014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 188,674 miles
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 and the car did not shift out of first gear and also reverse does not work...I was told it was the clutch wave plate which is an issue with several different GM vehicles.

- Bellville, TX, USA

problem #16

Apr 302014

Malibu

  • 99,928 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into park and failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the shift cable was broken and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who advised him that the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 99,928.

- Ouray, CO, USA

problem #15

Feb 232014

Malibu

  • 108,000 miles
Door locks stop working two years ago, noise with steering and power train. Every time I turn it makes a crazy noise.

- Morrow, GA, USA

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