2008 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 86about this part
- Share
- 9%of 989 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 86 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of the 989 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10818544, filed 2016-01, 131,000 miles“2008 Malibu ltz.on jan 22 2015 the car failed to start had to be towed to langs.dealer.the shifter cable to the transmission fractured and broke. Had to be towed to car dealer, replaced the cable and charged me $278.90. Then I learned the Malibu was on recall list from NHTSA.. The dealer told me the 4 speed transmissions were recalled, my car was 6 speed transmission not on recall list.”
NHTSA complaint #10731183, filed 2015-06, 100,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10632972, filed 2014-09, 106,884 miles“When trying to accelerate at a complete stop, the car will not go -- it seems to stall. When the car tries to shift from 3rd to 4th gear, the RPM's increase very high and the car will not shift until I release my foot from the accelerator. Once it shifts, it will maintain speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10903232, filed 2016-09, 171,000 miles“I just bought the car yesterday and it drove fine but today while pulling away from a stop sign the car began to shift very rough even felt as the transmission was slipping then a few minutes later the car would not accelerate and I pulled over and drove off and the car did not shift out of first gear and also reverse does not work...I was told it was the clutch wave plate which is an issue with several different GM vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10587677, filed 2014-05, 188,674 milesRelated recalls
- 14V224000Apr 30, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2008, Malibu Maxx 2004–2007, Pontiac G6 2005–2008 +1 more
- 12V460000Sep 18, 2012General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2008–2010, Saturn Aura 2007–2010, Pontiac G6 2008–2010
Related service bulletins
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10247768Sep 1, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating. The concern is present when coasting at…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10242061Aug 7, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% |
| 2021 | 28 | 31% |
| 2020 | 59 | 30% |
| 2019 | 68 | 35% |
| 2018 | 171 | 24% |
| 2017 | 139 | 20% |
| 2016 | 166 | 20% |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 | 52 | 15% |
| 2013 | 54 | 6% |
| 2012 | 49 | 5% |
| 2011 | 112 | 11% |
| 2010 | 133 | 10% |
| 2009 | 121 | 8% |
| 2008 | 86 | 9% |
| 2007 | 47 | 5% |
| 2006 | 43 | 4% |
| 2005 | 65 | 7% |
| 2004 | 64 | 6% |
| 2003 | 13 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 18 | 3% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% |
| 1998 | 50 | 5% |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
460 complaintsElectrical system
233 complaintsExterior lighting
106 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
71 complaintsElectronic stability control
68 complaintsAir bags
64 complaintsEngine
62 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsOther or unknown
52 complaintsVehicle speed control
42 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology