Skip to content
Chevrolet Malibu ClassicModel year report

2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (52% of the total), followed by steering (6) and latches, locks and linkages (4). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 37% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 11 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “For about 3 weeks now every time I turn the steering wheel to the left it wants to jump it acts like it is hanging up somewhere. On 3-2-2013 I got into the car and the power steering wasn't working. I got back home and shut it off and turned it back on about an hour later and it worked again.”

NHTSA complaint #10501059, filed 2013-03, 115,650 miles

Steering: “My 2008 chevy malibu has a loud clunk noise when I turn the wheel sharply either direction, this occurs while in motion and when completely stopped. I have read many reviews where it states it is the intermediate shaft and needs replace. I still have 1 yr left on war. But took it to a dealer today and they said its not covered!! If GM knows about this why have they not issued a recall to fit this dangerous problem??!!”

NHTSA complaint #10454020, filed 2012-04, 62,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “A safety hazard exists due to power door locks not locking/unlocking consistently on three out of four doors of the vehicle. The problem could cause occupants, particularly children in the rear seats, to become trapped during an emergency.”

NHTSA complaint #10608366, filed 2014-07, 100,000 miles

Electronic stability control: “When we purchased the malibu ltz v6 fully loaded , leather seats all the upgraded options I thought I was getting a excellent car. I was delusional ! Within a couple of months I had a problem with my radio, and components in the radio saying aux input device and it kept turning on and off ! I called Chevrolet in green cove springs florida and asked them about it and they said it was nothing it wasn't nothing ! I was told of course after my warranty expired that it was the electrical system! And that I would have to pay more then $3,000 to fix it! Nice GM! …”

NHTSA complaint #10533168, filed 2013-08, 2,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

37% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 42,000 and 97,600 miles.

5%0–100%10–2532%25–5026%50–7516%75–10021%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

201020112012201382014
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Malibu Classic · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 11 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 11 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Classic

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20082165,0000———Stable
20071575,2500———Stable
20059290,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
2004116100,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200316130,0000———Stable
20021679,5000———Stable
20011381,5000———Not enough data
20001180,0000———Not enough data
1998580,0000———Not enough data

All Chevrolet Malibu Classic model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (52% of the total), followed by steering with 6.

Has the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 42,000 and 97,600 miles; 37% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.