I have had nothing but trouble with this car. I should have kept exact records, but I haven't. The first issue was the factory battery in 2008. It exploded in the car within 5 months, they stated that this was not covered under warranty. I have replaced 3 batteries in this car. I have had 4 sets of tires. I have had to change the front headlights 2 times. I had the entire computer system go down 2 years ago and had to replace. When I reached out to the place I purchased the car, they wanted to charge me outrageous amounts of money. So, all of my work has been done at another auto mechanic. Of course, because of that they are not willing to do anything because the work was never done with them. I believe there is something wrong with the electrical system, along with the suspension, and god only knows what else. I am currently getting ready to replace the headlights again, along with I am needing new tires on the front end after only 4 months. I have had this car for 6 years.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints
Page 6 of 9: complaints 131 to 160 of 233, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Recall: 14118 and 13036 due to these recalls I drive around holding on to the steering wheel so not to loose controll into another car or run off the road. My electrical system is faulty all the time. I am preventing this car from crashing while driving with family and friends. I have called the local gm dealer ship who in turn will not call me back regarding the recall parts. I have been driving like this for 2 years and have already put an extra over $900 in this car. I am telling you this so to have it documenting for feal of getting killed while driving. I have no other choice to drive this car.please help. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
When vehicle was placed in park, the auto unlock feature activated unlocking the doors, but I could not remove keys from ignition, (ignition was in off position). I attempted to restart car and key would not turn to the start position, after several attempts to start, ignition finally moved to start position. Now the auto locks are constantly trying to unlock even when locks are in unlock position. This happens with vehicle running in park and not running in park with no keys in ignition and moving down road. Warning chime constantly dinging but no message or indicator light is displayed. Removed fuse for power locks problem with locks stops (well sure it does, no power to locks) but the warning chime still is activated but no idiot light on or message displayed. Very frustrating with this junk gm product.
2008 chevrolet malibu. Consumer states he received 2 recall notices and has been experiencing problems with his vehicle that are outlined in the recall notice.
The automatic door locks on the passenger side of my car stopped working (but occasionally start working off and on). I didn't realize this until a few days later. I feel like this is a huge safety issue knowing that at any moment a stranger could walk up to my car, at any stoplight or stop sign and be able to freely open my doors and enter my car with ease. The door locks will randomly work here and there without my knowing and this is not ok! This defect raises the probability of someone being able to get into my car freely without me ever knowing, or be able to get into my car while I'm sitting at a stoplight. I am very concerned for my safety in this matter and wish to have gm fix the issue considering the many online forums with thousands of people having the same issue on these cars at about 80000 miles.
Just bought this vehicle used from the dealer. The keypad didn't work, so we tried locking it by the switch on the door... Still didn't work. 3 of the doors will lock when the car is put in drive. 3 (most of the time) will unlock when the car is manually unlocked in the driver door by the key. One of the doors only works by manually pushing down or pulling up on the lock no matter what. To get in the car when the doors decide not to unlock, I have to either have one kid climb in to unlock them or roll the back windows down so they can reach in to unlock them. This is a safety issue. I have two kids that could be trapped in the car if we were to have an accident and the doors will not unlock by the button or keypad. For the car to be this new, it should not have this issue. The car also has something wrong with the fuel sensor. On highways (continuous driving) you can watch the gas measurement slowly go down. An example, a 1 hour and 40 minute trip leaving on a full tank took the gas down to below half a tank. But when the vehicle is stopped or back in the city, the gas level will rise back up toright below or right above 3\4 tank. It was below a half tank on the highway and when we filled up before leaving back out it only took $10 to get it back on full. Also another issue that should not be occurring in a newer vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact received recall notifications for the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v460000 (power train), the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), and the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
While driving the door locks started locking/unlocking. Speed did not affect the frequency of roughly every 30 seconds for 5 minutes then stopped. Heard alarm chime no warning lights or information on the display. Car continues to lock/unlock while driving and while in park. Also happens while the car is parked an keys out of ignition?? Has continued now over week.
Driving on the freeway, tried to switch lanes and vehicle's traction went out of control, making the vehicle had unstable, tried to controlled the car, but there were other vehicles driving next to the car which resulted in a multiple car crash, had recently received a recall letter from gm stating that the car had that problem but they did not have the parts available, they were going to contact me as soon as the parts were available but up to today I have not heard anything from general motors.
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 repaired. The failure recurred with seat belt and service air bags light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken back to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 88,845.
The door locks will not work at times... The door locks lock and unlock all the time. While driving and sitting in park.
Only 3 of 4 power locks work, I have had this issue twice since owning the vehicle, the first time while it was still under warranty and was able to have it repaired, the second while no longer under warranty and cannot afford the repair. I experienced the effects of the body control module recall issues while on a road trip traveling at 65 MPH when my cruise control disengaged and my brake lights would not stay off or on. I've paid to have this repaired and I am now awaiting the "official" recall notice from chevrolet, despite having received the interim notice and already having had to have the vehicle repaired, in order to obtain a refund of the nearly $600 repair. Now, I'm waiting to get in to the dealer for the electronic power steering recall repairs and I've begun to experience issues with the ignition switch and key mechanism. Intermittently the vehicle will turn everything on, but not turn over or start the engine. The battery is new and this only happens sporadically. Also, with the same intermittent the key becomes stuck in the ignition / key mechanism on the steering column and it will not come out without significant wiggling and forceful pulling. I've also had to have the exhaust converter, manifold and gaskets replaced, a nearly $800 repair. Not to mention an earlier recall in 2012 dealing with the same transmission cables that I now see are being recalled once again via your site, however I've not seen a notice from chevrolet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two different occasions who stated that the fuel pump and starter relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,313.
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.
Pulling out of my parking space my steering wheel got stiff. I put car in park restarted car and it loosened up but as I started to drive it the power steering light came on and now my steering wheel is starting to shake and my engine light is on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact received recall notices for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 12v460000 (power train), 14v153000 (steering), and 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The parts needed for the repairs were unavailable and the dealer could not provide an estimated date of arrival. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Regular headlights do not work. They were going off then on for at least 3 weeks. Shutting off on the freeway 3 times. Forcing me to use my high beams. Please review your recall to include my 2008 also. Tire sensor problems since I got the car. 3 years ago.
All the dash board lights coming on and off then car would not start all the computers burnt out don't see how 1,400 dollars later she got it back some things don't work as they did.they said she did something to it. She's a 78 year old woman she can't even check oil. So u tale me what happen it. I think there was a problem and blamed it on her , I had to pay the bill she could not. This car dose not steer rite. This car steers from side to side never in the center. An when the wind blows its 5 times worse. They say its fine.it's a hard car drive u have to work the steer the car turn signals keep breaking.been this way since she bought it.
I was driving down a bridge when the vehicles in front of me came to a sudden stop, I hit my brakes and slid into the back of a dodge ram and then was rearended by a chevy tahoe. My airbags never deployed and a light flashed in the dash saying check airbags. I wasn't aware this could be a defect in my vehicle at the time, it has since be totaled.
I put my children I the car as I always do the car doors lock when put in drive. All of a sudden the unlocked and would not lock back. Since then they have failed to work. This is a huge safety issue for those with children. The fuses and relays are all good on the car im assuming it is the actuator. Would definitely like to see a recall on these locks for the safety of our children and others riding in these same conditions due to faulty locks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the key failed to turn. On numerous occasions, the contact had to make multiple attempts to start the vehicle. The dealer stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000. Updated 09/15/14
Power door locks will not work they make the noise and click but do not take action to lock or unlock.this is very inconvenient having kids and having to reach all throughout the car to lock or unlock doors . Please fix this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the third brake light illuminated erroneously and failed to illuminate during deceleration. In addition, the driver's side turn signal, driver's side brake light, and instrument panel gauges malfunctioned intermittently. The electronic stability and traction controls also failed while driving various speeds in cold weather. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 40,000.
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.
The power door locks are intermittent or have failed. This has become a problem with children in the back seat leaving them with unlocked doors or making it very difficult to reach across to unlock the door were a baby seat is located.
My wife and I were traveling on interstate 40 going around 75-80 MPH when the cruise control disabled by itself. I could not get it to engage and noticed the tail lights were illuminated. The only way they would go off was to apply a little pressure to the brake pedal. The cruise control will still not work and the brake lights are staying illuminated. Also when braking at high speeds the entire car occasionally shakes and does not brake properly. I have been fortunate enough that I have not needed to apply the brakes in such a manner to avoid an accident.
The power door locks do not work on 3 of the four doors. The doors do not automatically lock when car put into drive. You are unable to unlock drivers door or rear doors with drivers automatic controls or the key fob. Have to lift the door lock manually from inside the car. The only way to unlock the rear doors is by climbing into the back seats. A safety hazard when young children are in the rear seats and you need to get them out of the car quickly!! Had to have the door locks replaced on the three doors which cost $750.00.
My chevy 2008 malibu, the power locks stopped working on 3 out of 4 doors.
The driver door locks stopped working. When I brought to the dealer to repair, it was determined the actuator no longer worked properly and it was repaired under warranty. After another six months, the passenger side went out, the unit was no longer under warranty. The following year the same problem recurred on the driver side. Today, neither side works nor do the key fobs. The cost to repair is $350 per lock. After researching this seems to be a recurring and noted issue with gm. The manual states "unlocked doors can be dangerous". Many malibu owners have lodged complaints on independent sites including chevrolet malibu forum.
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