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Chevrolet Malibu HybridModel year report

2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,580miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 24 city / 32 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and steering (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,580 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 176 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 32 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins 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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “When driving, 2 messages appeared on dash - power steering and service air bag. When attempting to start the car later, it would not turn over, and the anti-theft light was on, along with the other 2 warning messages from above. After other lights turned off, the anti-theft and service engine light remained and the car would not start. Odometer: 101844”

NHTSA complaint #10818123, filed 2016-01, 101,844 miles

Fuel system: “Vehicle is strong gas smell coming from the rear. Took the vehicle to independent mechanic and they confirmed the fuel pump module needed to be replaced due to leak. No recall has been issues by GM to fix this issue on the Chevrolet malibu.”

NHTSA complaint #10783115, filed 2015-10

Steering: “The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a complete loss of power steering without warning. One week prior to the failure the steering suspension was recalibrated by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer after the malfunction for diagnosis. The technician informed that the power steering motor would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 70,580.”

NHTSA complaint #10525612, filed 2013-07, 70,580 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,000 and 101,844 miles.

33%0–100%10–250%25–5033%50–750%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,580 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2010201322014201520162017
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 Hybrid. 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 Hybrid · 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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Malibu Hybrid FWD2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid4-speed automatic243227$2,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 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. 176 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 176 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20181145,1740—46—Not enough data
20172214,7250—46—Falling
20162428,6091—46—Stable
20092559,0000—29Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
2008770,5800—27—Not enough data

All Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid model years

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.

Has the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 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.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (Malibu Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,580 miles and the middle half falls between 3,000 and 101,844 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.