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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2008 Chevrolet Malibu Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
42about this part
Share
4%of 989 total for the year
Median mileage
93,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the 989 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When I drive the car sometimes I get a message on my dash that says service traction control and service power steering. When the service power steering message comes on the speedometer says error and I cannot see how fast I'm going and the car stays in first gear.”

NHTSA complaint #11325367, filed 2020-05, 150,000 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

“My 2008 chevy Malibu has a recurring brake light issue. The brake lights stay on randomly, and when you step down on the brake pedal you get no brake lights randomly. I've almost been hit countless times due to vehicles behind me not knowing when I'm actually stopping due to the brake lights being on for 20 miles straight. This is very dangerous for me and my family.”

NHTSA complaint #10546823, filed 2013-10, 40,000 miles

“Everything everyone has been complaining about is wrong with my car. The alarm doesn't work. We have to manually lock the doors sometimes. Brake lights comes on and off as it wants. Just recently, 05/15/14 the car had been really slow at picking up. It was really hard to get the car to reach 60mph. But some days it'll pick up ok too? I hope they fix these issues sooner. Really disappointed.”

NHTSA complaint #10598496, filed 2014-06, 93,000 miles

“I was driving to work let off the pedal cause of traffic and car started to accelerate on its own. Pressing brake barely got it to stop. I avoided a crash that day. This is a safety hazard and it doesnt give any warning nor obd codes”

NHTSA complaint #11153651, filed 2018-11, 140,400 miles

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202412%
202323%
202244%
202111%
2020189%
2019126%
201811416%
201713519%
201615218%
20152810%
2014175%
2013283%
2012526%
2011879%
20101169%
2009735%
2008424%
2007313%
2006353%
2005273%
2004272%
20038515%
200261%
2001253%
2000212%
199971%
1998222%
1997133%

Other parts of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

Steering
460 complaints
Electrical system
233 complaints
Exterior lighting
106 complaints
Brakes
89 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
86 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
71 complaints
Electronic stability control
68 complaints
Air bags
64 complaints
Engine
62 complaints
Fuel system
54 complaints
Other or unknown
52 complaints
Body 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