MYRModel Year Report

2008 Chevrolet Malibu

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Malibu Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1986: 1 complaints 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 566 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1115 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2008 2009: 1509 complaints 2010: 1357 complaints 2011: 976 complaints 2011 2012: 904 complaints 2013: 834 complaints 2014: 349 complaints 2015: 267 complaints 2016: 834 complaints 2016 2017: 696 complaints 2018: 687 complaints 2019: 188 complaints 2020: 190 complaints 2021: 74 complaints 2021 2022: 86 complaints 2023: 49 complaints 2024: 24 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2025
2008: 987 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002566
2003569
20041147
2005975
20061115
2007977
2008987
20091509
20101357
2011976
2012904
2013834
2014349
2015267
2016834
2017696
2018687
2019188
2020190
202174
202286
202349
202424
20257

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 46%

46% of complaints: steering — 451 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO ANOTHER CITY STREET MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH ENABLED ME TO STRAIGHTEN UP MY WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180605

DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ROAD AND CAR SUDDENLY PULLED RIGHT ONTO THE SHOULDER. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR LOST ITS STEERING CAPACITY. TRIED TO CORRECT THE STEERING ONTO THE ROAD AND THEN CAR SPUN 180, THEN HIT DITCH. CAR ROLLED OVER 100 FT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131009

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU 260 MILES PURCHASED ON 7-21-08 ON 7-22-08 RECEIVED WARNING LIGHT "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "SERVICE SCE" PULLED TO THE SIDE AND LOOK IN MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM. MANUAL SAID SERVICE AS SOON POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080730

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23%

23% of complaints: electrical system — 224 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO ANOTHER CITY STREET MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH ENABLED ME TO STRAIGHTEN UP MY WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180605

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10%

10% of complaints: exterior lighting — 95 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 75 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240722

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 7%

7% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 68 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS IN THIS VEHICLE BOTH FRONT END COLLISIONS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ALSO THE RIMS ARE NO GOOD TIRES KEEP LOOSING AIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20080816

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 987
R 20130101 — power train

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 ve

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 on o

Campaign 12V460000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140627 — power train

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000.

Campaign 14V224000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140717 — steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.

Campaign 14V153000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140818 — electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of...

Campaign 14V252000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — steering

Dorman Products, Inc.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

Campaign 14E044000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (451 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (224 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (95 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V460000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V224000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V153000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E044000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2021 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ◆ 2010 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.