2008 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System Problems
- 191
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 191 stored complaint records:
- 6 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- brake lights · 22 records
- door locks · 18 records
- power steering · 14 records
- steering wheel · 11 records
- traction control · 10 records
- warning lights · 9 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 58 |
| 30–60k mi | 37 |
| 100–150k mi | 27 |
| 1–30k mi | 17 |
| 150–400k mi | 11 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System · Vehicle Speed Control
On multiple occasions while driving, speed doesn't change outcome, door locks will continue to lock and unlock by themselves and car alarm will go off and will set itself while driving down the road. This is very distracting to the me, the driver and to the drivers around my car. Thus potentially causing a crash. Also, the brake lights will illuminate until you press the brake pedal then they go off. This is…
ODI 10463466
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
2008 chevy malibu automatic door locks fail to operate properly. Began with passenger rear door and moved to all doors. When car reaches 15 mph the doors are supposed to auto lock. They do not. Keyless entry and starter do not work. Battery was replaced in the key fob with no change. Took car to dealership for repair. Cost would be 250 dollars per door to repair. Car was taken in to dealership prior to 3 yr 36000…
ODI 10336029
Electrical System · Steering
I was driving approx 45 miles per hour on a one lane road. My car dic displayed power steering the wheel began to shake, pulled to the left and became very hard to steer, almost making me hit the car in oncoming traffic, the lady driving the other vehicle swerved onto the shoulder which prevented the accident. I shut the car off. A mechanic friend of mine came to my location and could not find any issues with the…
ODI 10285068
Electrical System · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Upon starting the vehicle, all 3 brake lights turn on and remain on. The lights remain on until the brake pedal is depressed. At that point the lights turn off. If you press the pedal again, they will come back on, but only if you slam your foot on the brake. The lights cycle on every 5 seconds, providing you depress the brake to turn them off. Primary concern is that no one knows when you are going to stop and when…
ODI 10284465
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Initially the left rear door lock malfunctioned - approximately 17 months after purchase, would not unlock; problem continued and then the door would not lock. Spoke with gm dealer - not covered, parts cost $165 plus, the next lock to malfunction was the front passenger door, would not unlock; problem continued and then the door would not lock. Contacted gm dealer - no recall notice out, no warranty coverage.…
ODI 10522465
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
The driver door locks stopped working. When i brought to the dealer to repair, it was determined the actuator no longer worked properly and it was repaired under warranty. After another six months, the passenger side went out, the unit was no longer under warranty. The following year the same problem recurred on the driver side. Today, neither side works nor do the key fobs. The cost to repair is $350 per lock.…
ODI 10592743
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Unknown Or Other
The car had an issue with the syatem setting a code to check transaction and esc and the brake lights would stick on. This happened about once every 2 or 3 months. Now that the gm recall has been done it is setting these same codes 2 or 3 times a day. But instead of my brake lights being on, the brake lights don't work, my cruise control doesn't work, my tail lights don't work the car still says service transaction…
ODI 10731010
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering · Wheels
I have a 2008 chevy malibu that has some steering issues. The steering wheel will jerk back and forth while driving or while sitting still, steering wheel makes a popping noise when turning. 2 of the 4 door locks completely quit working electronically. So many more problems, this car is a lemon and gm and the government should be ashamed for making this vehicle car of the year. *tr
ODI 10317688
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
The door lock actuator failed on all doors. This is a common problem and should be a recall with gm. Check the forums to see the number of people with the same problem. The doors will not unlock/lock from key fob or from driver's door panel.
ODI 11084737
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
When we got the car we loved it. After 4500 miles the battery died had to wait 3 days for the dealer to get us a new one. Great car ran fine then after 15,000 miles the check engine light came on and was told that it was something to do with a valve sensor. Dealer fixed it as it was under warranty. Then at 65,000 miles then check engine light came on and was told it was the valve sensor again. They brought it in the…
ODI 10457727
Bead · Electrical System · Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Service Brakes, Electric
2008 chevy malibu 4 cylinder has electronic power steering. This morning driving to work it ripped the steering wheel out of my wife's hands if she had been going more than 35mph she would have ran into a ditch. I went and met her and drove it home it violently jerked backed and forth on me as well. Good think we were not on the interstate going 70mph someone would have probably died. *tr
ODI 10325203
Air Conditioner · Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 60 mph the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle began to slow down. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the head gasket was replaced. The contact also stated that she had to replace the powertrain control module, the air conditioning unit, the mass air flow sensor, the battery, the starter cable…
ODI 10342048
Electrical System · Engine · Exterior Lighting
I have had nothing but trouble with this car. I should have kept exact records, but i haven't. The first issue was the factory battery in 2008. It exploded in the car within 5 months, they stated that this was not covered under warranty. I have replaced 3 batteries in this car. I have had 4 sets of tires. I have had to change the front headlights 2 times. I had the entire computer system go down 2 years ago and had…
ODI 10648554
Electrical System
I bought a 2008 chevy malibu ltz from dave smith auto in kellogg, idaho, picked it up on june 6, 2008, drove it to casper, wy. On 7/22/08, car won't start, find out it is the body control module (has to do with anti-theft, etc.), as of today's date, august 13, it still sits in the shop awaiting the part from chevy, who says they will not have a part available until sept./oct. Because all the parts now are being put…
ODI 10238088
Electrical System · Pedals And Linkages
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving between 20-40 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and then the accelerator pedal. The vehicle jerked violently and was taken to the dealer twice; however, the failure persists. The current mileage was 8,432 and failure mileage was 7,900. Updated 10/14/08 *bf updated 10/23/08.*jb
ODI 10242396
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. On several occasions, the power door locks and windows have failed, locking the contact inside of the vehicle without an escape. The contact had experienced several electrical failures with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions to have the front and rear door actuators replaced; however, the failure would persist. In addition, the…
ODI 10320447