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2008 Chevrolet Malibu

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,012 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (480 complaints) and electrical (256 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Malibu, consider the 2025 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

12V460000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these...

Risk

If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ign...

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began o...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200010520737925315
2001957335520514
200265513621126
20031195629412913
200411207731410084
20057547833816259
20069217617616151
20076443915011742
20084807525612477
2009744150404100107
2010538184368153114
20113243832020091
20122806038414633
20132474433725637
201495355614233
20156713828124
201621575110334122
2017182419829999
20181453483313111
20192610336950
20202129306644
2021190181819
2022212143316
202319210171
2024112822
202550101

By Category

Body
480
Electrical
256
Engine
124
Transmission
77
Brakes
75

By Severity

1
480
2
491
3
4
4
35
5
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 1

Randomly when I press the brakes the brake lights don't turn on. Other times they work fine. All of the light bulbs are good. All three brake light don't turn on randomly. I have almost been rear-ended on numerous occasions.no dash lights came on. And I have not had it inspected yet just my girlfriend pushing the brake pedal to test the lights. One day they work another they don't then another day they work again.

19d ago
Body 2

As I'm driving I hear a chime and the radio says power steering and I just loose power steering it's scary and I really wish gm would have made this a permanent recall

2mo ago
Engine 2

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 position correlator and crankshaft and intake were not aligned and needed to be realigned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 965,162.

2mo ago
Body 2

Vehicle accelerated on its own. Only able to stop by turning off the ignition. It was cold at the time 8-15degrees F.

3mo ago
Body 2

I own a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ (VIN [XXX] ) with an electric power steering (EPS) issue that matches GM’s known EPS defect and recall 14V‑153 / bulletin 15356 for 2007–2012 Malibus. The steering is very stiff and hard at low speeds, the car feels like it is dragging, and the steering wheel shakes back and forth while driving, especially at low to moderate speeds. A Chevrolet customer‑service representative confirmed the VIN does not show the EPS recall, but said I should report this to NHTSA. This is a safety‑related steering‑assist defect pattern that GM has already acknowledged on other Malibus. I am requesting NHTSA to review whether this 2008 Malibu LTZ should be included in the EPS‑related recall or special coverage, or whether further action on this defect is needed INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

3mo ago
Body 2

The EPS malfunctions and turns off during normal driving operations at random intervals. Happens more when temperature outside is below 50 degrees. This has made it difficult to steer and has almost caused me to get in an accident on multiple occasions

5mo ago
Engine 2

UNKNOWN FUEL LEAK needs added to Recall list . It is currently at the Chevy dealership in Van Buren Arkansas getting looked at on the fuel leakage. I'm going to upload some documents for y'all to look at and consider. Everything that has been stated in these recall is exactly what my car is doing and has wrong with it. I'm just asking for it to be added on this recall list because it needs to be y'all will be able to get all the information at the Chevy dealership on the fuel leakage it is currently up there right now getting looked at in Van Buren Arkansas. I appreciate y'all and everything y'all do.

7mo ago
Electrical 1

UNKNOWN

9mo ago
Electrical 1

My vehicle is experiencing a sudden loss of power steering assist.

13mo ago
Body 1

Recurrence of Sudden loss of electric steering. Apparently this was supposedly fixed under recall N140115. It did not last.

14mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. The check engine and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 14116B; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

15mo ago
Body 1

I bought a used car, 2008 Malibu a couple years ago. I just found out that it had a recall back in 2014. I called a dealership about getting it fixed and they refused to do it. Is there anything I can do? I am retired and live on a limited income. Can you please let me know.

16mo ago
Body 2

Power steering esc not working properly

16mo ago
Electrical 2

The power steering consistently locks up. It may or may not reset itself if you turn the car off and back on. It’s very dangerous. It’s hard to drive . It definitely licks up if it’s cold outside or if you hit a pothole.

17mo ago
Body 2

Warning light on dash (power steering) I had no power steering at all !thank God I was at a Drive Thur at that moment . Took car to my mechanic(Steve Brook)Family Auto 26937 Eckel Rd. Perrysburg Ohio 43551 419-931-1900 they diagnosed power steering needs to be replaced and they looked up recall on 2008 Chevy Malibu’s so I called around and I’m getting no where on a recall on this but when looking it up, it shows a recall, this is something that needs to be addressed very dangerous cause that day I was getting on the highway to pick up my grandchildren and I don’t even wanna know the outcome of that would’ve been. I bought this car new and I have low mileage and I take care of my vehicle

19mo ago
Electrical 1

The electrical power steering every time it’s driven so often, car is used for school yes the vehicle was inspected by several mechanics the vehicle was like this when i brought it in september of 2022 i was told by chevrolet that my vin is not accepted in the recall which i don’t understand how if it’s the same car and same issue that the recall entails, i replaced the rack and pinion but it didn’t fix the eps sometimes when turning the car on the steering wheel is locked as in it cannot be moved/turned either way and other times it’s extremely hard to turn. the steering wheel will become extremely hard to turn at random times while driving at any speed and while stalled. when it locks while stalled a grinding noise can be heard

23mo ago
Transmission 4

I backed my car up, put the car in park, opened the door and got out. I walked a few feet away when I noticed the car rolling backwards. The open car door caught a fence which stopped the car from rolling any further. My door was bent backwards. I got into the car from the passenger side. The shifter indicated the car was still in park. Earlier in the day, I drove into my driveway, put the car in park and got out. The car continued to roll forward a few feet before I managed to get back in the car and apply the brake. Again the shifter indicated the car was in park.

24mo ago
Electrical 2

UNKNOWN - Steering is too tight and unable make turns without using force - occurs always

24mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter could be moved without depressing the brake pedal. The contact then stated that the vehicle had failed to start up after several attempts with the traction control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the gear shift indicator lights failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was initially towed to the dealer and was given a diagnostic fee; the vehicle was later towed back to the residence without a diagnostic test being performed. The contact stated that the front headlights and the horn failed to operate after replacing the battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V224000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 245,000.

29mo ago
Body 1

My power steering locking up when I trying to back up out of my driveway and a service warning light coming on

30mo ago

1012 total

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