2008 Chevrolet MALIBU CLASSIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 21 complaints (47.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 23.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
Electrical System: 10; Steering: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 7 |
2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 8; 2014: 7
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10395169 · 2011-04-07 (April 7, 2011)
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON FIXES THE ISSUE. GM ISSUED RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IN MARCH 2010, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED ON THAT RECALL ALTHOUGH IT SUFFERS FROM THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,976 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10501059 · 2013-03-02 (March 2, 2013)
FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS NOW EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IT WANTS TO "JUMP" IT ACTS LIKE IT IS HANGING UP SOMEWHERE. ON 3-2-2013 I GOT INTO THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. I GOT BACK HOME AND SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AND IT WORKED AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 115,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10501059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479992 · 2012-10-13 (October 13, 2012)
FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE RESULTING IN ENGINE CODE AND INABILITY TO PROPERLY MONITOR FUEL LEVEL. POTENTIAL FOR OUT OF FUEL STALLS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575401 · 2014-03-28 (March 28, 2014)
I FEEL THAT I EXPERIENCED THE SAME POWER STEERING FAILURE THAT AFFECTED OTHER MALIBUS (AND CHEVROLETS) AND THAT MY REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER CHEVROLET SPECIAL BULLETIN #10183. HOWEVER, SOMETHING ABOUT MY VEHICLE'S BUILD KEPT MY VIN FROM BEING INCLUDED IN THE RANGE FOR THIS EXTENDED COVERAGE. I FIRST EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS ON FEBRUARY 13, 2014. MY VEHICLE HAD 97,600 MILES ON IT. AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CAR MADE A DINGING SOUND AND THE WORDS "POWER STEERING"' FLASHED ON MY RADIO INFORMATION SCREEN. I TRIED TO DRIVE A FE…
Owner-reported narrative. 97,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10504785 · 2013-03-28 (March 28, 2013)
THIS HAS OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND YOU HAVE TO TAP THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO GO OUT. THEN THEY MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT GO OFF AND TOTALLY CANCELS ANY CRUISE CONTROL OPETATION. THERE IS NO ACTUAL BRAKING AND THIS EVEN HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS LAST TIME, THEY WOULD NOT GO OFF AT ALL AND IT EVEN TRIGGERED A 'SERVICE TRACTION' WARNING ON THE DASH. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I TOOK IT IN, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX/DIAGNOSE IT UNLESS IT WAS DOING THIS RI…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10569067 · 2014-03-13 (March 13, 2014)
I LOST POWER STEERING WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A SEMI CURVE WHILE RAINING LIGHTLY. THE CAR KEPT GOING TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT STEER. I PRESSED BRAKES AND CAR SPUN. I ALMOST HIT A SIGN ON THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THANK GOD NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME NOR MY SON. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED EITHER. THERE WAS A TRUCK COMING ON THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION BUT HE STOPPED. OTHERWISE, WE WOULD HAVE COLLIDED. I GOT ON THE DITCH. I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK ON ROAD AND DRIVE TO NEAREST GM/CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND FOUND OUT THAT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10569067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10533168 · 2013-08-01 (August 1, 2013)
WHEN WE PURCHASED THE MALIBU LTZ V6 FULLY LOADED , LEATHER SEATS ALL THE UPGRADED OPTIONS I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A "EXCELLENT" CAR. I WAS DELUSIONAL ! WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY RADIO, AND COMPONENTS IN THE RADIO SAYING" AUX INPUT DEVICE" AND IT KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF ! I CALLED CHEVROLET IN GREEN COVE SPRINGS FLORIDA AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS "NOTHING" IT WASN'T NOTHING ! I WAS TOLD OF COURSE "AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED" THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM! AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE THEN $3,000…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10637578 · 2014-09-19 (September 19, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS NO SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF THE KEY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR OVER SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILUR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10637578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10501327 · 2013-03-05 (March 5, 2013)
WHEN VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO BREAK. DOES NOT ALLOW ACCURATE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER REAR WINDOWS ELECTRIC SUSPENSION WIRE POPPED AND CAME UNRAVELED AND WINDOW DROPS. FUEL LEVEL RANGE SENSOR DOES NOT PROVIDE ACCURATE READING. ALSO, DISABLED FUEL GAUGE ARM IN DASH (FLUCTUATES). DIAGNOSIS RAN AND SEEMS TO BE NO ISSUE WITH FUEL PUMP. WHILE DRIVING THE ARM BAR THAT KEEPS SEAT LEVEL AND IN PLACE SNAPPED AND SEAT FELL AS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (70MPH ON FREEWA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10501327 at NHTSA ↗