2008 Chevrolet Malibu: sudden loss of power

Filed May 27, 2025 · Airbags, Steering · UT

My vehicle is experiencing a sudden loss of power steering assist.

Filed Mar 14, 2023 · Steering · 82,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while attempting to make a left turn. The contact pulled off to the side of the road where the power steering failure warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and was informed of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 14E044000 (Steering) and 14V153000 (Steering. The contact called the dealer who confirmed that the power steering had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not currently under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the recall repairs were already completed and that a second free repair would not be offered. The failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed May 6, 2022 · Steering · TX

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering inadvertently with the power steering message displayed. The contact then used extra effort to steer the vehicle while pulling into a nearby parking lot, where she turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle regained power steering functionality however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Steering · 187,110 miles · AL

The owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number 14V153000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 187,110.

Filed Mar 16, 2022 · Steering · 218,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and felt that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 218,000.

Filed Nov 10, 2021 · Steering · MI

While driving I randomly lose power steering. Happens at various speed but usually slower speeds or stopped. Power steering warning light comes on in the dash panel. Sometimes can be reset by shutting off the car and restarting it. Still not 100% after resetting. Constant pulsing felt in the steering wheel and vehicle always wants to pull to the left.

Filed Jan 24, 2021 · Steering · 108,000 miles · FL

Loss of power steering, several times when first started and also while driving. These happened in a commercial parking as well as on a highway

Filed Jan 2, 2021 · Steering · 200,000 miles · CA

Loss of power steering in motion on freeway and surface streets

Filed Dec 12, 2020 · Steering · 78,000 miles · NJ

As I was pulling out of a parking spot all of a sudden I lost power steering and the power steering warning light came on. I turned off the car and turned it back on and the power steering worked so I straightened it out and took another car.

Filed Feb 12, 2020 · Driver assistance · 100,400 miles · MA

My vehicle has been running just fine until the other day when my vehicle out of nowhere went into 'limp mode' and I couldn't go over 20 MPH. The notifications on my dash were 'eng pwr reduced' and 'service ESC'. After looking online for possible causes, it is very clear that engine power reduced and service electrical system is an extremely common problem with chevy malibu's from older models to newer 2016-2018 models). Not only is it common, but most people that experience the same issue I did, end up spending thousands trying to fix the problem. Repairs range from changing the throttle body to sensors to battery cables & terminals. A few get lucky but for the majority of malibu owners, the problem returns within days or if they're lucky, they get a couple of months before the error codes come back. All one has to do is search the forums of cargurus.com or youtube for videos to find the countless posts of chevy malibu owners all experiencing the same problem. I personally read of many accounts where owners were on the highway when all of a sudden they have the engine power reduced. This is a huge safety concern and eventually someone or multiple people are going to get killed when they lose power at a high rate of speed. Chevy is undoubtedly aware that there's a problem and are choowing to turn a blind eye instead of issuing a recall. What's it going to take for gm to admit there's a problem? Multiple deaths? Mechanics, even those that work for gm know there's an issue but don't know how to fix it permanently. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I can't afford to pay thousands for guess work. I shouldn't have to even consider it because gm knows there's an issue and aren't doing anything about it. Before people get killed, an investigation needs to be conducted & a recall issued!

Filed Sep 11, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 166,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the reduced engine power warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to dunn chevrolet buick (located at 3000 dustin rd, oregon, oh 43616, (419) 442-7814) where it was diagnosed that a tune up was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v2520000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control); however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

Filed May 31, 2019 · Steering · 204,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering lost power and the power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 204,000.