2008 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1482 complaints
1482
Total Complaints
80,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
54
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
50,000
25th Percentile
80,000
Median Mileage
120,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
449
Electrical System
222
Exterior Lighting
95
Power Train
75
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
68
Latches/Locks/Linkages
67
Air Bags
62
Service Brakes
61
Engine
60
Fuel/Propulsion System
44
Severity Assessment
54
Crashes
9
Fires
32
Injuries
6
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"I LEASED A NEW 2008 CHEVY MALIBU THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. GREAT CAR, LOVED IT. THEN ON JAN 14TH WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (IN THE FAST LANE) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. CONCERNED I DECIDED MAYBE I SHOULD PULL OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY THERE WAS AN OFF RAMP CLOSE. AS I PROC..."
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE HAS UNIROYAL TIGERPAW TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE VALVE FELL INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE TIRE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE MONITORING SYSTEM ACTIVATES AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE TIRE SIZE WAS ..."
"DRIVING ON DIVIDED HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY THE WARNING LIGHT FOR EMERGENCY STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON. DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER THEN INDICATED THAT BOTH NEEDED SERVICING, THEN ADVISED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". MANAGED TO "LIMP" HOME DRIVING THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR,..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
449 complaints
25th: 50,000 mi
Median: 83,000 mi
75th: 126,116 mi
Electrical System
222 complaints
25th: 48,000 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 119,282 mi
Exterior Lighting
95 complaints
25th: 59,000 mi
Median: 90,000 mi
75th: 130,000 mi
Power Train
75 complaints
25th: 66,932 mi
Median: 90,000 mi
75th: 126,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
68 complaints
25th: 51,525 mi
Median: 100,000 mi
75th: 140,187 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
IL: 103
OH: 96
FL: 95
TX: 94
CA: 87
MI: 70
GA: 64
NY: 62
KY: 52
PA: 48
Who Files Complaints?
1.1%
Original Owners
98.9%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Wiring
Campaign 14V252000 | 14/05/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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 charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim let
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 14V153000 | 31/03/2014
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 1
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 14V224000 | 30/04/2014
If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the veh
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. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
Steering
Campaign 14E044000 | 21/07/2014
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign 12V460000 | 18/09/2012
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 ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted
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 on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 201
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28