2008 Chevrolet Malibu: check engine light

Filed Apr 7, 2025 · Steering · 160,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. The check engine and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 14116B; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

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 Apr 15, 2021 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · OK

I am experiencing the exact issues detailed in the recall for the later chevy malibu models, although being a 2008, my car is not included. The 'service ESC', 'ESC off', check engine light, tire pressure light, and traction lights stay on. With these on, I cannot accelerate past 20mph. It has been an off and on problem for the 2.5 years I've had the vehicle and despite taking it in several times to be worked on, the problem persists. The vehicle was in motion every time these warnings have come on.

Filed Mar 21, 2021 · Acceleration · TX

My 2008 malibu ltz does a hard jurking then the RPM gage rises without shifting. When the car is shut off completely it has a burning smell. Also my check engine light is on but doesn't show on the dashboard.

Filed Jan 5, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · 150,000 miles · CT

I was driving the car was perfectly fine I only had it for 4 months it's only had two owners me and one other person and all of a sudden the power steering just went it immediately stopped working the gauges are bobbin up and down it's telling me to service ESC sometimes even the car won't start right away the lights on the gear stick won't turn on right away the engine light turned on the traction control turns off it's telling me power steering service tire monitor even though there's nothing wrong with it I don't know what's going on this car brands like brand new at first and then within a month of driving it it immediately just started crashing and that's when I read that there's been a lot of recalls on this model everything's electrical there's no power steering fluid nothing like that sometimes when the gears are changing they stick and it makes buffering sounds now it's starting to sputter and I have no idea what's going on this is dangerous having to stop and restart the car sometimes just to get the computer to recognize that the system is fine every time I call gm and I tell them that this car was never serviced when the recalls first happened they automatically reject me I don't know what to do as I said this car is basically brand-new it's only had two owners me and one other person it never was brought in when the first recall was acknowledged so this is still has all the original parts in it is there no one around that can help me?

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 Nov 12, 2019 · Steering, Wheels · 20 miles · NC

If I drive real fast whenever it rain it'll say power steering service traction off my car would slid as I pull off from a complete stop . It's hard for my car to turn and it's triggering my check engine light .on the highway wheels and tires shake

Filed Sep 9, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · CA

2008 chevy malibu engine shut off in mid drive on city highway during high traffic. My wife and children were in the vehicle the check engine light has displayed and continue to code p0365/6. However the camshaft position sensors, the camshaft position actuators, the altenator and the battery have all been replaced. The issue has upset me due to the fact that it is in line with 2 known concerns and reports that have not been answered by chevy or gm. 1) discussion of battery cables being the cause of the problem (unanswered) 2) gm ignition switch recall feb 2014 (which seems to be very in line with this issue). I have taken the vehicle to the chevy dealership and ofcourse paid for a diagnostic to be told "could not duplicate". It is very concerning to me and hard to believe that this was the first time that these symptoms have been reported and no one knows what could be the source. I was able to find forums and reports on both the battery cables and the ignition switch failures. The ignition switch failure were supposedly only issues for specific vehicles however the symptoms within the recorded malibu community are totally in line with the same from that recall. We now also have a problem with the ignition struggling to turnover. This is highly unsafe, financially burdening and stressful on the families who are currently dealing with these concerns with no answer or response in sight. Requesting assistance.

Filed Mar 26, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · NE

My bcm I has terrible wiring connection and the way I bought it someone ran a new wire to the third coil because the bad connect is causing the check engine light to turn on and is shorting out all my emissions parts such as maf sensor, o2s, evap purge solenoid and my car is running like crap and a mechanic said he has had this happen before on the same vechile as mine

Filed Feb 4, 2019 · Acceleration · 98,500 miles · CA

Check engine light came on, reduced engine power signage, and traction control light. Driving home on secondary street. Fixed with new sensor for throttle pedal position sensor. 2 weeks later, same lights on dash when started in the morning.

Filed Dec 6, 2018 · Steering · 4 miles · NM

Power steering all of a sudden isn't working. Engine light and power steering light came on while I was driving. I have electric power steering