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
My son's 2008 chevy malibu is having problems with the steering column suddenly shaking and jerking back and forth while driving and occasionally while in park. The brake lights will also come on without him pressing on the brake and disengage the cruise control, if it is on. We have had a switch replaced that was faulty, but it did not fix either problem. Now we have been told that the steering unit needs to be…
ODI 10352739
Steering
I own a 2008 chevy malibu with electronic power steering. While driving or at a stop, the steering wheel will either shake or suddenly pull to the left or right. I had it in the dealership for repairs and they replaced a steering column that needed to be replaced but that did not fix the steering. The dealership believes that it is the electronic power steering itself even though nothing is saying that it is…
ODI 10351345
Steering
I have a 2008 chevy malibu with a power steering problem. I went on vacation so the car was not driven for a couple of weeks. I washed the car and then started to have problems with the steering wheel shaking and felt like the power steering would work off and on. It continues to be a problem off and on. Sometimes the problem is there and sometimes its not. *tr
ODI 10346021
Steering
2008 chevy malibu with 4700 miles, began having problems with the steering. When driving vehicle would be hard to handle as if someone had taken possession of the steering wheel. Then when in idle the steering wheel would vibrate back and forth. Took in to dealership and they stated the electronic power steering module had to be replaced. First trip to the dealership they could not locate the problem. Researched…
ODI 10342108
Steering
I own 2008 chevrolet malibu with a little over 50k miles on the odometer. Recently while i was driving the vehicle on the highway i noticed that the steering wheel started to jerk left and right pulling the vehicle in both directions. I drove to the dealer to have them look at it. As i was waiting at a stop light i then noticed the steering wheel make slight turns to the left and right by itself. I arrived at the…
ODI 10341318
Steering
2008 chevrolet malibu power steering issues. Issues began occurring at approximately 32,000 miles. Problem will appear and disappear at any speed, including while stopped, without warning. While stopped, the steering wheel will rapidly oscillate left and right on its own approximately 20 degrees. The best analogy is that it is "shivering or shaking" uncontrollably. Also, while driving at any speed the steering wheel…
ODI 10360574
Steering
2008 malibu with 41k miles has steering issue with steering wheel shaking left to right at hwy speeds. Have to fight to keep car straight in own lane. No noticeable incident leading up to issue, just felt like there was no steering assist. Happens on a daily basis. Nothing done as of yet, but will be calling dealer tomorrow. After searching the internet, this seems to be an issue with the electronic steering assist.…
ODI 10339231
Steering
Difficult to turn at low speeds, steering wheel shaking and shimmies left, clunking or rubbing noise. Had steering column lubed, new rack and pinion installed and still doing it. *tr
ODI 10336732
Steering
One week ago i noticed my steering wheel would shake back and forth when idling. I thought the fluid may be low and looked to fill it only to find out the car has electric steering. I drove it to work without issue but now the shaking has begun to appear when driving at all speeds. It is an uncanny shimmy that can be controlled but requires constant attention and a firm grip. It happens frequently enough(every 10…
ODI 10339407
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated when driving a various speeds and attempting a turn, the vehicle would make an unusual clunk noise. The dealer advised the steering shaft would need to be replaced to correct the failure. The manufacturer stated the vehicle was outside of warranty and would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure…
ODI 10339351
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving at any speed, the steering wheel would involuntarily jerk to the left and right. The failure persisted intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were in the process of diagnosing the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 59,600.
ODI 10339020
Steering
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) steering keeps messing up. When i am driving at low or higher speeds (35-60) the steering wheel shakes from let to right. It does this at least once a day. No light on dash showing there is a problem. I have 47,000 miles on my car. I am afraid i will be in the middle of a turn and my steering will go out. I am really scared…
ODI 10332121
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that when driving 65 mph the steering wheel locked abnormally. The failure would occur intermittently and also when accelerating from a complete stop or attempting a left turn. The dealer performed a diagnostic test but was unable to locate or duplicate the failure. The manufacturer advised taking the vehicle back to the dealer for them to run a…
ODI 10351292
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the steering wheel locked up and began to shake and shimmy. The contact notified the dealer and was told that any repairs would be at his expense. Current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.
ODI 10331235
Steering
My 2008 chevrolet malibu lt will shake violently from side to side and becomes virtually uncontrollable. The first time it happened was in april 2009 with about 2 k miles. I took it to the dealer, they scanned it but no codes were present. The mechanic found a service bulletin where a brake pad problem was referred to regarding this shaking problem, so he replaced the front pads and resurfaced the rotors. The…
ODI 10328324
Steering
2008 malibu the power steering goes out with out warning sometimes on the highway it is very scary this is a big concern to me because this is my wife and kids only transportation. *tr
ODI 10328388
Steering
I am at about 45k miles on my 2008 chevrolet malibu. My console warning of "power steering" came on and with it my steering wheel shakes when i start the car. I don't drive or put it in gear it just shakes! After being told i do not have power steering fluid a gm service dealership told me it sounds like my "electronic motor for power steering" sounds like it needs to be replaced. The cobalt was just recalled for…
ODI 10333842
Steering
I have had my 2008 chevy malibu in the garage now 3 times for the same recurring problem. My steering wheel shimmies and then locks up and it's very hard to steer. If i weren't as strong in my hands and arms, i would be dead! It comes and goes but it is a persistent problem that they cannot or will not fix. I was told that they cannot fix something that they didn't diagnose as "broke" and was told it would be too…
ODI 10335729
Steering
Just go over my 36,000 mile warranty, and the power steering problem indicator came up on my dash. The steering wheel starts moving frantically on it's own, whenever it wants to, even if you are driving the car. This could be a big hazard. I call the dealer, and of course it's not included in the power train warranty, even though the power steering is electric in my 2008 4 cylinder malibu. The dealer also stated no…
ODI 10324310
Steering
2008 chevy malibu 4 cyl motor. 56,000 miles, steering wheel shakes at high and low rate of speed while driving. Steering wheel shakes while car is idle with no one in auto. Steering assist gives out and then engages while car is in motion causing car to jerk from side to side causing loss of control of auto. *tr
ODI 10341706
Steering
Steering problem with 2008 chevy malibu. While driving the steering wheel will go back and forth and hard to control steering. Also, sometimes when engine is on and car not moving the wheel will shake and go back and forth on both sides. Have had the car to a chevy dealer and they say there is nothing wrong with the car and everything is solid. Also had a wheel and tire check it out and they said the same thing but…
ODI 10328058
Steering
Steering wheel locking up while driving at 50 - 55 mph. Trouble light on dashboard indicating steering problem. Lock-up same as when car is stopped and transmission lever placed into park position.
ODI 10323564
Steering
Problem with my 2008 chevrolet malibu power steering. Was driving and suddenly the steering had a mind of its own, pulling slightly to the right and then left. Became somewhat lethargic in responsiveness.
ODI 10323443
Steering
2008 malibu chevy has major clinking noise in steering and steering is shifting to the left just bought it preowned and hyundai of 112 in long island is giving me a run around even though the car is under a 90 day warranty . And they don't seem to wanna keep to there end of the bargain. They have ripped me off and are doing illegal actions against consumers like me they. Have taken advantage of me and i don't have…
ODI 10394229
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving at the speeds of 25 mph, the power steering was very hard to control when making a turn. Other times whenever the vehicle is being parked it will shake and jerk. The dealer was contacted and they stated that he will need a new electronic motor and a control module for the power steering. There have been no diagnosis and no repairs. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10340513