2008 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems
- 388
- 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 388 stored complaint records:
- 10 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
- 1 indicate a death
What owners report
- Electric Power Assist System · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 96 |
| 30–60k mi | 81 |
| 100–150k mi | 81 |
| 1–30k mi | 42 |
| 150–400k mi | 40 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
2008 chevrolet malibu power steering faulty .vehicle is hard to control at any speed. Happens quite frequently. Brought it to the dealer ,it will be very expensive to repair.
ODI 10397247
Steering
Steering wheel starts vibrating on it's own uncontrollably while stopped and moves on its on while driving. There are many many many cases of this on the 2008 malibu and chevy refuses to recall. Paid over 1000 dollars to replace power steering motor. Pls let me know what my options are to get chevy to recall. Car veers into other lanes of traffic on it's own. Car steers itself. *tr
ODI 10486233
Steering
The front end makes clunking noises while turning. Dealership "fixed" it. Started doing the same thing a few weeks later. The steering wheel also shakes while driving. At times making it difficult to control. Very unsafe!! *tr
ODI 10575662
Steering · Unknown Or Other
Steering wheel shakes intermittently throughout each day for approximately the past 50 days as of may 20, 2011. Sometimes occurs when car is initially turned on (shakes quickly to the left and right as if a little child was playing with the steering wheel). Shaking will also take place spontaneously while driving at various speeds. On may 10, 2011 passenger side power locks began to malfunction-would not lock or…
ODI 10403178
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu lt. The contact was driving 55 mph when the steering wheel turned independently and the vehicle traveled into another lane unexpectedly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 44,000.
ODI 10428955
Steering
Steering wheel jerks and shakes left and right even at a stop without holding wheel. While driving, the wheel moves and seems sticky when turning, jerks left and right causing the vehicle to be difficult to control. This problem was intermittent but is becoming increasingly consistent. Vehicle is at service dealership currently, but clearly has become a safety issue.
ODI 10396488
Steering
2008 chevy malibu with 60,000 miles - i encountered problems with steering- the car was pulling, the steering wheel was moving when the car was stopped. Took it to the dealership was told it needed an alignment. Had the alignment, the problem got worse. Took it to another mechanic was told it was the steering column. When they called the dealer to order the parts, the dealer advised them that they see this problem…
ODI 10395476
Body · Electrical · Exhaust System · Steering · Traction Control System
The power steering in the vehicle jumps from left to right going down the road. It is very hard to maintain your lane when this happens. It happens at all different points whether the car has been running or just started, it can last up to 30 min. Quit then start again it is very unsafe. My catalytic converter has also gone out in this car. It looses transmission power, doesn't accelerate promptly. When we first got…
ODI 10380862
Steering
The front of the car shakes when driven over 45 mph. When the steering wheel is turned the oil pressure light blinks and an alert sound briefly chimes. The car is not easy to steer. The service power steering alert appears randomly and goes away when the car is restarted. I have had the car realigned multiple times because the right front tire always wears quickly. There is an undiagnosed oil leak causing the car to…
ODI 10444817
Steering
Steering wheel will "wobble" left to right while car is stopped, in parked position, at idol. Event occurs daily and a noise will accompany the motion at times. "wobble" motion seems to increase with slight rev of engine. *tr while driving at any given speed and on any road surfaces the steering will jerk from left to right, causing the vehicle to rapidly swirve from side to side. Feels like all control could be…
ODI 10401204
Steering
2008 chevrolet malibu with 80k miles has steering issue with steering wheel shaking left to right uncontrollably. I have to fight to keep car straight in my own lane. It also jerks left to right while being stopped and while in park. I have almost gotten into a few accidents. This happens without warning at least every day or every other day. I strongly believe there needs to be a recall on all 2008 chevrolet…
ODI 10376980
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The next day while driving in reverse at a very low speed the steering wheel became very stiff. The driver experienced difficulty turning the wheel. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed and was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 62,000. The consumer stated while trying to pull over for an emergency…
ODI 10371751
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel began shaking and grinding; the power steering seemed to malfunctioned. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
ODI 10370414
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving 30 mph when the steering wheel began to vibrate violently. The power steering light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 11,000 and the current mileage is 22,732. Updated 12/29/11 *bf…
ODI 10436887
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the steering shaft u-joint. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,833. Updated 12/01/14*lj the consumer stated the failure was caused by a defective plastic…
ODI 10643396
Steering
The power steering motor on our 2008 chevrolet malibu has gone out with only 45,000 miles on the car. This causes the car to pull right to left violently while the wheel is trying to center itself. This requires the driver to fight the wheel at times to keep it centered on the road. This type of system failure is unsafe and dangerous for any driver. Given gm's history with other vehicle recalls for the same issue,…
ODI 10362602
Parking Brake · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
The e-brake stripped out to a unable state after 50,000 miles. Now if the brakes fail i have no alternative to stop the car. The steering pops when turning from left to right and from start off after a stop this started at the same time. *tr
ODI 10436701
Driveshaft · Steering · Traction Control System
The vehicle just recently purchased has had a problem with the steering. The drive shaft was replaced within 2 weeks of the purchase then another problem occurred and another part was replaced. But now one month later the steering wheel starts to jerk and wiggle while i am driving or even when i turn the car off. Then 2 days ago the powersteering alert keeps coming on. Allow since i bought the car the traction light…
ODI 10358931
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, there was a complete loss of the power steering. The contact experienced extreme difficulty turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they informed the contact that the failure was contributed to the steering column, rack and pinion and control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
ODI 10355283
Steering
On august 30th my power steering light came on, i read the manual and discovered this car doesn't have power steering fluid, it has an electric power steering motor. 5 days later my steering wheel started jerking continuously while parked and while driving, it was difficult to drive. I took my car to the dealership and they said the power steering motor had gone out and it happens quiet often on these cars just as…
ODI 10362779
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving at various speeds, the contact noticed that the power steering went out, making it difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact did not inform the manufacturer nor was the vehilce repaired. The current mileage was approximately 46,000. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. The vin was…
ODI 10376444
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving 50 mph, the contact stated the steering wheel locked, almost causing a crash. The warning light would illuminate intermittently. The dealer diagnosed that the electric power steering was defective and needed to be repaired. The manufacturer made an attempt to assist the contact with the repairs. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000…
ODI 10421459
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving 65 mph when the power steering failed without warning, causing limited steering capability. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired for the failure. The failure mileage was 38,400.
ODI 10350716
Steering
Steering wheel is having an issue where it will jerk to the left and right by itself and then pulsate while sitting still. I have been driving on the highway when the steering wheel jerks left and then right. When wheel jerks, it is extremely hard to hold it in the correct lane. *tr
ODI 10351278
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph and making a right turn the steering wheel locked causing the vehicle to crash into a fence. The tire was damaged when the crash occurred. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer had not informed the contact what caused the steering wheel to lock. The steering wheel malfunction could have caused a major crash. The failure…
Crash reported
ODI 10372239