48 complaints reported

2008 Chevrolet Malibu Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
48
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2014

TL* 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*LJ UPDATED 4/2/2015 *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2014
Jul 2014

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 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2014
Jul 2014

TL* 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2014
May 2014

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 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*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 3/16/2015 *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2014
May 2014

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? *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2014
Apr 2014 Crash

SHIFTING CABLE IS SHREDDED WON'T GO IN PARK, BACKED INTO MY GARAGE THOUGHT IS WAS IN PARK BUT WASN'T.CAN'T GET CAR IN REVERSE NOW. THERE IS 3 RECALL'S ON VEHICLE ONE WHICH IS THIS SHIFT CABLE. CAN'T GET ANSWER WHEN THIS FIX IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE.GOING ON 6 MONTHS.IS ANY ONE THERE GOING TO GET THIS COMPANY MOVING OR NOT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2014
Jan 2014

TL* 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2014
Nov 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN OR EIGHT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2013
Oct 2013

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT ERRATICALLY AND IT ALSO SLIPPED AT TIMES. THE SOLENOID AND TCM WERE REPLACED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2010
Jul 2013

2008 CHEVY MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION DEFECT RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, DESPITE RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2013
May 2013

SHIFT CABLE BROKE. WHEN I WENT TO PARK THE CAR, THE CAR KEPT MOVING. NO INJURY, NO DAMAGE. LOOKS LIKE GENERAL MOTORS SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 12106, BUT DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER THIS DEFECT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND IF OTHER VEHICLES ARE OUT THERE, THEN THEY SHOULD RECALL THEM ALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT BECAUSE MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST, AND I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE HIT THIS ISSUE... UPDATED 06/10/13 *BF UPDATED 06/17/2013 *JS *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2013
May 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE GEAR SHIFTER CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN). THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2013
May 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN) BUT THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,864.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2013
Apr 2013

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 REVERSE. I RAN THE SHIFTER THROUGH ALL THE GEARS, BUT THE INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED THE SAME. IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS AGAIN WHEN I BRIEFLY LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, REMOVED THE KEY, CALLED MY DEALER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THEM. THEY FIXED IT THE SAME DAY AND TOLD ME THE SHIFT CABLE HAD SEPARATED FROM WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2013
Apr 2013

WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, CAR DID FINE BUT WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE THE CAR WENT INTO MANUAL STEERING. I COULD HARDLY MOVE THE WHEEL. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK. THEN, WAS AT A LIGHT TO TURN LEFT ONTO A MAIN BUSY TWO WAY ROAD WITH LOTS OF TRAFFIC, AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR WENT INTO MANUAL AGAIN AND I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS JUST ABLE TO GET PAST THE ONCOMING CARS, QUICKLY SHUT IGNITION OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK. THEN, ASSIGNMENT FOR MY WORK, WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 50 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I WAS VERY AFRAID. I TOOK SURFACE STREETS TO GET TO THE JOB THEN AND CAME HOME USING SURFACE STREETS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT IS NOT ALL THE TIME, INTERMITTENT, BUT FAIRLY FREQUENT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I WENT ONLINE TYPING 2008 MALIBU POWER STEERING PROBLEM AND SAW THE WEBSITE WHERE GM HAD A RECALL. I EMAILED GM HELPLILNE AND WAS ASKED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT IF THEY CANNOT ISOLATE THE PROBLEM, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED AS PART OF THE RECALL AND THE MILEAGE IS OVER 100,000. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A "WEAR AND TEAR", BUT RATHER A DEFECTIVE KNOWN PROBLEM THAT PRACTICALLY COULD HAVE KILLED ME. THE CAR IS UNSAFE. THE REPAIR IS WELL OVER $700+ AND I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX IT. I THINK THAT THIS IS A GRAVE DANGER TO THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT FOR OTHER DRIVERS SUCH THAT THE POWER STEERING IS UNPREDICTABLE IN PERFORMANCE. I USE MY CAR FOR MY JOB AS I AM ASKED TO GO TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND SO IT IS NOT JUST UNSAFE FOR PERSONAL DRIVING IT AFFECTS MY ABILITY TO FEEL SAFE WHILE ON THE JOB. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2013
Nov 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JANUARY 2013 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2012
Jan 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AFTER BEING PARKED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,735.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2012
Jul 2011

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 AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. SINCE THE 2009 MALIBU HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SHIFTING CABLE CLIP, I FEEL THE 2008 CHEVY SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2011
May 2011

2008 MALIBU V6 ENGINE THE CAR GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR AN GOES TO NEUTRAL HAVE TO HIT BRAKES TO GET IT TO GO BACK TO NORMAL,COULD BLOW UP MOTOR OR CAUSE WRECK. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2011
May 2011

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 STOP AND GO OR ON A HIGHWAY. LAST MONTH WHILE DRIVING ON RT. 95 IN CONNECTICUT, OUR VEHICLE ACTED UP AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS PROPERLY. THE SERIOUS LAGS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS INBETWEEN GEARS WITH NO ENGINE/TRANS. ENGAGEMENT, LEFT US CLOSE TO BEING RUN OVER BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2011
Oct 2010 Crash

I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, IT IS A 2.4L 4-CYLINDER AND 4-SPD AUTOMATIC. FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW MY SHIFTER HAS FELT KIND OF LOOSE WHEN I AM SHIFTING FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE, AND THE OTHER DAY I PULLED INTO MY FATHERS DRIVE WAY WITH THE CAR AND WENT TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DID NOT ENGAGE PARK GEAR AND ROLLED FORWARD INTO MY FATHERS CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START IN PARK, ONLY NEUTRAL, AND I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE SHIFT CABLE, AND IT COST ME $365 TO GET IT FIXED. BUT THEN THE NEXT DAY I FOUND OUT THAT GM HAD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL 09041 ON SEVERAL MODELS INCLUDING THE 2009 MALIBU THAT COVER THE EXACT SAME THING THAT I EXPERIENCED. I FEEL THE 2008 MALIBU SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS WELL. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2010
Jul 2010 Crash

STORMY ,WET NIGHT,I STOPPED AT CORNER IN MY 2008 MALIBU HYBRID-STARTING FORWARD,MY CAR SURGED AND LANDED ME IN A BROOK-NOW SOUNDS LIKE SUA. ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SORT. WATER TOTALED THE CAR-THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION. I AM NOT SURE OF COMPONENT AS I HAVE NO MECHANICAL EXPERTISE. THERE WAS A DEFINITE LOUD SURGE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2009
Apr 2010

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 VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND THEN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE VEHICLE STILL INTENDS TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNED PRIOR TO THE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS AT ANY TIME, HOT OR COLD ENGINE, DURING HOT WEATHER AND ON SHORT DRIVES OR LONG ONES. THE DEALER AND GM HAS FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS SOME SHORT OF PROBLEM; NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THROUGH SOFTWARE UPDATES HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL THUS FAR. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2008

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu has 48 Power Train complaints on file. 4 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.