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2008 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

74 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 89,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
74
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
89,000
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Malibu engine problems in other years

1997200020052010201520202024

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Check engine light 57Loss of power 41Stalling 26Engine failure 23Won't start 23Knocking 9

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2008 Chevrolet Malibu owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MO

The wiring harness in the 2008 Chevy Malibu hybrid has a open ground somewhere in the wiring harness it is draining the 12 volt battery and affecting the starter and the alternator generator in the hybrid it will not let the starter engage all fuses appear to be good after checking all of them majority of the solenoids fuses relays and sensors have been replaced diagnostics test show that the wiring harness has an open ground throughout the car please call us about the open recalls that are on this car it appears to be five of them my number is [XXX] it is very important it just gets through to somebody and you give me confirmation back INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Engine · 965,162 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start up. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed DTC: P0016 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the camshaft position correlator and crankshaft and intake were not aligned and needed to be realigned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 965,162.

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · TX

When I walk up to my car all I smell is gas and my gas tank doesn’t last as long as it should the first half of my tank is gone within 2-4 hours the second half last a couple days . I just had a child and I wanna make sure I can get these things fixed . I just purchased this car like 3 months ago from a dealership .. he’s been giving me the run around so I’m trying to see what I can do

Filed Jul 31, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

The car starts to violently shake and the the engine service light starts to flash. The ABS light stays on and the car runes terribly. The system says a spark plug coil has burned out. Locate the ba coil and replace it, car runs great until another coil burns out and the process starts over again. During each occurance the steering is affected by pulling hard to one side or the other when the brake is applied.

Filed Feb 19, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

I was driving down hwy 79 and all of a sudden my car traxtion control light, service ESC,service traction, and,engine reduce power and check engine light came on.

Filed Feb 16, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · 180,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 25-30 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The check engine warning light and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact shifted into neutral and manually steered the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the steering wheel and alignment had failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred increasingly while reversing. The contact notified the independent mechanic of the failure and he advised her to drive the vehicle for about 15 miles and the steering wheel would loosen up. The contact drove the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for the steering repair under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering and the torque sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair as the recall repair for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) had already been completed in 2014. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as recalls are repaired one time free of charge and additional related failures would be repaired at her expense. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the anti-theft lock warning light was blinking. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 50,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start without warning. The contact stated that the doors failed to lock. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal grinding sound detected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed May 2, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 260,000 miles · GA

My car's check engine light has been on and flashing for the past two weeks. I have had my car repaired several times by autobody shops. A diagnostic test have never been done before today. My car is pulling to the right. The rack and pinion was replaced last year. I hit a deer and according to the repair shop I only had body damage. Six months later they are telling me I need to replace my engine. I have replaced the brakes on this car more than seven times. I am in the process of getting the rotors replaced. Then every four months I have to get my tires replaced.

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Engine, Lights · 136,006 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving steering wheel wobbles and when at a stop light the vehicle stalled. In addition, the contact stated that the wiring harness was bulb was replaced on four different occasions. The contact also mention the rear signal inside the vehicle would click very fast and that the ABS warning light stayed illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed but was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,006.

Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu engine

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have engine problems?

Owners have filed 74 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 89,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have bad engine?

The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most engine complaints are 2016 (305 complaints), 2018 (286 complaints) and 2017 (258 complaints).

Other 2008 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Steering 460Electrical 233Lights 106Brakes 89Transmission 86Driver assistance 74Locks 71Airbags 64Fuel system 54Acceleration 42Body 21Suspension 15Wheels 10Seats 8Tires 8Visibility 8Seat belts 4

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