2008 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems
- 51
- 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 51 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- check engine · 13 records
- engine light · 12 records
- engine power · 12 records
- power reduced · 8 records
- traction control · 6 records
- without warning · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 17 |
| 100–150k mi | 14 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
At 97000 miles, following all service and oil changes, engine blew out. It sheared off head bolts, broke the timing chain, large amounts of metal both before and after the oil filter. I have talked to many mechanics, as well have talked to numerous people that own these vehicles. They all say the same thing. There is something going on with the build of these engines that is causing failure. Car was stationary after…
ODI 11296898
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Power Train
Esc warning light, service esc, esc off, service traction, traction off lights are continuously coming on when driving, front end shudders/shakes when this happens and i lose speed.
ODI 11291342
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
2008 chevy malibu engine shut off in mid drive on city highway during high traffic. My wife and children were in the vehicle the check engine light has displayed and continue to code p0365/6. However the camshaft position sensors, the camshaft position actuators, the altenator and the battery have all been replaced. The issue has upset me due to the fact that it is in line with 2 known concerns and reports that have…
ODI 11254195
Electrical System · Engine
Ignition switch (related to the key) fails intermittently causing vehicle to either not start or quit running while driving.
ODI 11220365
Engine
Engine power failure and traction control turns off, the cars power immediately reduces power and speed without notice, car stalls out. It is very random without warning/notice; quite dangerous- if the car is turned off and turned back on it returns to normal only for a period of time.
ODI 11173584
Engine
2008 chevy malibu lights will come on but engine won't crank. We where in the highway and trying to jump a car and it just turned off and won't start at all.
ODI 11165363
Engine
Takata recall: timing chain and crankshaft issue. Car started to lose speed all of a sudden and the next day i went to start the car, it wouldn't start at all. Had to have it towed to find out that my timing chain is lose and crankshaft sensor piece was missing or broken
ODI 11166596
Electrical System · Engine
My bcm i has terrible wiring connection and the way i bought it someone ran a new wire to the third coil because the bad connect is causing the check engine light to turn on and is shorting out all my emissions parts such as maf sensor, o2s, evap purge solenoid and my car is running like crap and a mechanic said he has had this happen before on the same vechile as mine
ODI 11191547
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Takata recall, my 08 malibu will not start after driving no matter how long. I've been stranded multiple times. I bought a new starter, relay switch, ignition, switch, and paid for multiple diagnostic tests. Every mechanic sends me to the dealer ship and says they can't find the problem but believe it's the ecm. I'm taking it to the dealer today and praying this doesn't cost me another car!
ODI 11119309
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Fuel tank leaking seen several chevys where recalled but my vin number is not including unable to drive care as dangerous fuel leak
ODI 11084568
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Car states engine power reduce on my car, will be driving and the codes will come on, speed reduced, traction turned off, acceleration is slow. No warning this is going to happen, can happen while driving high speeds or regulars speeds. Has happened or city streets and highway. If you fix one thing code some back saying it's another thing. Don't feel safe in driving the car, never know when this mode will come on.
ODI 11052926
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Steering
Engine broke down 2 weeks later they said we will give you warranty and when i refill gas the fuel sensor doesn't reach full tank and steering lost its grip the same week of purchase
ODI 11122008
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving 40 mph, the traction control and engine warning indicators illuminated without warning, and the vehicle shook. An independent mechanic replaced the throttle body and accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
ODI 10967607
Air Bags · Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the driver side air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the air bag was deploying from the driver seat and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that a sensor failed, but it was not a concern. In addition, the contact observed a leak coming from the vehicle and took the…
ODI 10981028
Engine
Engine power reduced message appears while vehicle is running and the engine immediately stops and vehicle stalls after a very short period barely enough to pull over to the side of the road. If the ignition is turned off and turned on again, the vehicle starts fine. This pattern repeats randomly at various speeds and even when it was stopped at a stop sign. This is a dangerous situation especially on the highways.…
ODI 10904270
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the engine stalled without warning while driving 40 mph. The contact lost control of the vehicle, drove into a ditch, and stopped in an embankment. The front driver side air bag deployed and the gas inside caused the contact to contract pneumonia. The contact suffered chest pains that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to storage. A…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10836468
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
Takata recall: hello my name is [xxx] i am constantly having problem with my chevy malibu 2008. My car shut off while still in drive on my way home on the street and then my gear shifted to park while again the car is in drive. I have bad electrical problems that i gotten fixed and it still acting up but what's is important is that my car is not driving and i cant start it at all. Yes i got a new starter and its…
ODI 10818755
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
When the car was started the information panal was not reading, it consisted of mostly dashes. The car was running much louder than normal and the check engine light came on. It started saying service traction and engine power loss. I placed the car in drive, the interior lights started flashing and locks went up and down rapidly. I shut the car off and re started it, attempted to see if it would drive but it had no…
ODI 10819516
Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes
Check engine light comes on.engine power reduced 99 %.sometimes engine dies while driving 40-55 mph.engine code p2135 is displayed on my code reader. The problem goes away after cycling the ignition switch several times.car is un-reliable.this problem can cause you to crash the car.i was driving on the highway and city street when this happened.
ODI 10818544
Engine
Engine intermittently reduces power, engine lamp come on or blinks, runs rough. This reduce power causes the vehicle to shake and accelerator does not work properly and occurs when moving in normal driving conditions and then it all stops. Mechanics cannot recreate it. It is safety issue and can cause an accident.
ODI 10809582
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the timing belt had stretched and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact indicated that approximately one month later, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to…
ODI 10823404
Engine · Power Train · Steering
Intake manifold gaskets leaking bad, loss of steering at low speeds causing for manuel strength and transmission wouldn't change gears at 85,000 miles within the 1st i purchased the car
Crash reported
ODI 11164333
Engine · Unknown Or Other
The check engine light came on so i took it to the shop and was told that it my catalytic converter and i only have 71000 mile on my car, shouldn't it be still under warranty? Pleas advise
ODI 10783141
Electrical System · Engine
When i drive the car it drives fine. In the morning when i try to leave at 7 or 8 it refuses to turn on until it is warm i guess. There's definitely an electrical issue i've only had the cat for 2 months and when it does start it says power steering and service esc. Sometimes i can't even drive over 20. It's definitely an issue that needs recalled.
ODI 10795253
Engine · Power Train
My 08 malibu ltz is having trouble shifting gears. I have to let off accelerator for it to shift gears. *tr
ODI 10705352