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 · Service Brakes
On sunday march 8th, 2015 i turned my car about 7 pm in the evening to realize that the engine light was on, service esc was populating on the dash and traction control had been lost in the car. I was having difficulty braking as if the abs brake system was not working in the car. I drove it immediately home from work and parked it at my home address. On monday morning at 7:30 am i called the chevrolet customer…
ODI 10693981
Engine
2011 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to engine power reduced and traction control message light issues. *smd *cn
ODI 10692466
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
While on my way to work, suddenly my traction light and service engine light came on and the reduced power notification came on moments later, the car slowed to about 10-20 mph(like it almost died but still running) and the car was shaking. I could not accelerate, i coasted into a parking lot and it was idling rough. I shut it off, waited a few moments and started it like nothing happened. I was scared and just…
ODI 10670870
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
While driving on a crowded freeway the car started to slow down on its own. I figured i was out of gas so i checked the gauge and it was at 1/2 tank. The message said service esc, engine power reduced. There was no place to safely pull over so i had to continue to the next exit at the reduced speed. Needless to say this was very frightening as traffic was trying to pass me. I could have been rear ended but luckily…
ODI 10691252
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the low traction, esc, engine power reduced, and engine disabled warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
ODI 10671908
Engine · Seats
Driver side seat frame broke, head gaskets failed. *tr
ODI 10663581
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving 50 mph down the highway in my 2008 chevy malibu (106,800 miles) the traction control light came on and information center read "engine power deduced" and my car slowed to 20 mph almost immediately with no warning to me or the vehicles behind me. Luckily there was a wide shoulder and i veered off to avoid being rear ended as i had my 3 child all in car seats in back. I called the dealership but as they…
ODI 10632972
Electrical System · Engine
While driving on the 101 a 5 lane hwy, we were in the hov lane. The car completely stalled, we had all electrical on the dash light radio worked but the car wouldn't start back up. Previous occasions it has stalled , this is the 5 or 6th time! I take it in to service and they say its one thing and other week goes by and it does it again. *tr
ODI 10626316
Engine · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer stated that the parts were not available for repair. Additionally, the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering) however, the contact stated that the recall had exceeded a reasonable amount of time…
ODI 10614550
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Turn signal isn't operating correctly, it no longer cuts off automatically, three of my four door latches aren't working--don't respond to key fob (the one that works), have to lock all three doors manually. Check engine light comes on after filling up car and has been on for about 7 months with no one at the dealership knowing why. Also have a problem with water settling in my car every time it rains. Key fobs both…
ODI 10592050
Engine · Traction Control System
My 2008 chevy malibu 2lt is experiencing issues where it basically loses power to the engine. The code that came up is p2135 and the messages were service traction/service esc/engine power reduced. Once the engine is shut down, it won't start until the codes are cleared. My husband & i were driving at 50mph and all of a sudden the car wouldn't let us go more than 20mph and we were almost hit by cars behind us and…
ODI 10585695
Engine
I was traveling on route 15 from va to md. I stopped for gas, got back on the highway going around 45 and the timing chain broke which destroyed the motor. The mechanic who replaced the motor said this was a common problem with this particular motor and gm was aware of it, but have not issued a recall. The mechanic said the oil needed to be changed regularly or the engine was more prone to this problem. I did change…
ODI 10640074
Air Bags · Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the check engine, dome light, door ajar sound, seat belt warning lights illuminated at the same time. The engine lost power after the above warning signals displayed. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
ODI 10633855
Engine · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle became hesitant to accelerate and stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart however, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to seize. The problem recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.…
ODI 10616187
Engine
My vehicle looses power and ability to accelerate suddenly while on the highway traveling around 65 mph. This causes a very dangerous situation for me each time it occurs because i am driving at a high speed and most of the time on a busy highway. I have to turn my hazards on and do my best to get off the road all while the vehicle continues to slow itself down and loose all power. I've come so very close to being…
ODI 10661233
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Started car and service traction esc lights came on. Upon driving car would not accelerate as it normally does, and seemed to loose power. The engine vibrated an unusual amount, much more than normal. The next day we took the vehicle to the dealer for recall no. 13036, the htsa campaign id no. For this recall is 14v252. The dealer only replaced what was outlined in the recall, which was clip, retainer, strap,…
ODI 10670494
Engine
The exhaust manifold of the 2008 has a severe crack which allows exhaust fumes into the cabin of the vehicle. I cannot keep the fan on while the vehicle is stopped, idling, or in slow traffic as the fumes are so strong that it causes headaches and nausea. The vehicle was taken to two different chevrolet dealerships to pinpoint the source of the exhaust fumes and nothing could be found. Afterwards, it took my husband…
ODI 10669059
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle shook violently and the engine power reduced warning indicator illuminated. The speed decreased and another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
Crash reported
ODI 10639230
Electrical System · Engine
2008 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration issues. *smd the consumer stated as she attempted to accelerate, the vehicle did not move for several seconds. The engine kept revving and making a loud sound. The odometer went from 60 mph to 0 and the tachometer vacillated from two to five. Suddenly, the vehicle accelerated. Then the engine began revving again and the situation…
ODI 10532514
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Chevrolet malibu ltz 3.6l, as you drive down the street at any speed the traction control light comes on check engine light comes on and the display say check traction press esc i have had it checked at the chevy dealership where i purchased the car and the tech said the engine misfired that it was probably due to bad gas or a particle in the gas but it has happened about ten times with gas from several places and…
ODI 10502220
Engine · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the doors on the vehicle would not lock with the key fob, but it did lock with the key. The contact stated that the check engine light also illuminated on the instrument panel and the air conditioner smelled like the coolant was burning; however, the vehicle did not overheat. The failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or mechanic. The vin was not…
ODI 10526293
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that she refueled the vehicle and once the vehicle was restarted, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they advised her that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The fuel…
ODI 10487196
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the door lock switch operated independently without warning. After parking, the vehicle caught fire under the hood. The contact sustained a back injury attempting to put the fire out that did not require medical attention. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure…
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10748366
Electrical System · Engine · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering
Steering shakes violently,while driving or stopped,to the point of losing control. Condition is intermitent. Vehicle has been checked by dealer and diagnosed as needing a steering control module. So far chevrolet has not offered a fix ,except to replace it at a cost of 743 .00$ with the same part that is defective? Engine light came on at 70000 miles and dealer replaced cat conv at no charge . The third issue is…
ODI 10497888
Engine · Seat Belts
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the driver side and passenger side rear seat belts had separated from the seats. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that the seat belts were improperly installed during manufacturing. The seat belts were replaced but the defect had recurred on the passenger side. Also, the contact indicated that later the rear middle seat belt had…
ODI 10609086