At 97000 miles, following all service and oil changes, engine blew out. It sheared off head bolts, broke the timing chain, large amounts of metal both before and after the oil filter. I have talked to many mechanics, as well have talked to numerous people that own these vehicles. They all say the same thing. There is something going on with the build of these engines that is causing failure. Car was stationary after a 45 minute drive. The next day there was no response from turning the key. Chevy has been getting away with these type of engine problems for years and I believe should be held accountable in their quality control department. There is absolutely no reason this should happen with such low miles, let alone all the other people with the same proble.s.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 74, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Esc warning light, service ESC, ESC off, service traction, traction off lights are continuously coming on when driving, front end shudders/shakes when this happens and I lose speed.
(ESC) traction control system needs repairs comes on causing the car to reduce engine power immediately. No matter how fast you are driving. I was lucky was going around a curve on a hwy and hit a small bumb in in road when it happened to me. Took to dealership for them to fix they comb through the car they said after resetting ESC they could not repeat ESC code again, but told me if it keeps happening just bring back. Luckily they didn't charge me this visit but was second time to take to them. First time they said it was some other sensors and changed them which didn't fix problem. They said I had rodent damage but not enough to cut into the wires to cause the problem. They seemed clueless as to why it does this. I read other people's forms on there chevy cars and it's not just my mailbu. I was told pretty much don't trust for a two trip I had planned. They taped up some of my wires and hoped it won't happen again, but I believe this will be the start to a larger problem.
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.
Ignition switch (related to the key) fails intermittently causing vehicle to either not start or quit running while driving.
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
Engine power failure and traction control turns off, the cars power immediately reduces power and speed without notice, car stalls out. It is very random without warning/notice; quite dangerous- if the car is turned off and turned back on it returns to normal only for a period of time.
Takata recall: timing chain and crankshaft issue. Car started to lose speed all of a sudden and the next day I went to start the car, it wouldn't start at all. Had to have it towed to find out that my timing chain is lose and crankshaft sensor piece was missing or broken
2008 chevy malibu lights will come on but engine won't crank. We where in the highway and trying to jump a car and it just turned off and won't start at all.
Intake manifold gaskets leaking bad, loss of steering at low speeds causing for manuel strength and transmission wouldn't change gears at 85,000 miles within the 1st I purchased the car
Engine broke down 2 weeks later they said we will give you warranty and when I refill gas the fuel sensor doesn't reach full tank and steering lost its grip the same week of purchase
Takata recall, my 08 malibu will not start after driving no matter how long. I've been stranded multiple times. I bought a new starter, relay switch, ignition, switch, and paid for multiple diagnostic tests. Every mechanic sends me to the dealer ship and says they can't find the problem but believe it's the ECM. I'm taking it to the dealer today and praying this doesn't cost me another car!
Fuel tank leaking seen several chevys where recalled but my VIN number is not including unable to drive care as dangerous fuel leak
2011 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to engine power reduced and traction control message light issues. *smd
Car states engine power reduce on my car, will be driving and the codes will come on, speed reduced, traction turned off, acceleration is slow. No warning this is going to happen, can happen while driving high speeds or regulars speeds. Has happened or city streets and highway. If you fix one thing code some back saying it's another thing. Don't feel safe in driving the car, never know when this mode will come on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the driver side air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the air bag was deploying from the driver seat and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that a sensor failed, but it was not a concern. In addition, the contact observed a leak coming from the vehicle and took the vehicle back to the dealer. It was diagnosed that the head gasket failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, one month later, the contact observed a leak again, the check engine warning indicator illuminated, and an abnormal clicking noise was heard. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to the head gasket being previously repaired improperly. The engine was replaced. One month later, the vehicle would not start and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring was done improperly and not up to safety standards. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 93,723.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving 40 MPH, the traction control and engine warning indicators illuminated without warning, and the vehicle shook. An independent mechanic replaced the throttle body and accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Engine power reduced message appears while vehicle is running and the engine immediately stops and vehicle stalls after a very short period barely enough to pull over to the side of the road. If the ignition is turned off and turned on again, the vehicle starts fine. This pattern repeats randomly at various speeds and even when it was stopped at a stop sign. This is a dangerous situation especially on the highways. Dealer check revealed that it was engine control module that got shorted and needs a replacement. The part is back ordered, which indicates that there are multiple vehicles having the same issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the engine stalled without warning while driving 40 MPH. The contact lost control of the vehicle, drove into a ditch, and stopped in an embankment. The front driver side air bag deployed and the gas inside caused the contact to contract pneumonia. The contact suffered chest pains that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to storage. A police report was filed. The VIN was not available. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical system) was received over one year ago; however, the repair was not performed. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the timing belt had stretched and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact indicated that approximately one month later, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the actuator solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 61,208. ...updated 03-10-16 *bf
When the car was started the information panal was not reading, it consisted of mostly dashes. The car was running much louder than normal and the check engine light came on. It started saying service traction and engine power loss. I placed the car in drive, the interior lights started flashing and locks went up and down rapidly. I shut the car off and re started it, attempted to see if it would drive but it had no power, could only reverse and there seemed to be no power steering. The next day I started the car again, this time no immediate issue until I pulled out on to the street. The steering wheel was tight, and the car failed to accelerate. Loss of engine power was on the dash, engine and traction lights remained on. Restarted the car and I was able to park again. The car remains at the dealer after being towed a week ago, and they are unsure of the cause. This is extremely dangerous, especially if it were to happen on the highway I would not have had any control of the car and most definitely would have caused an accident.
Takata recall: hello my name is [xxx] I am constantly having problem with my chevy malibu 2008. My car shut off while still in drive on my way home on the street and then my gear shifted to park while again the car is in drive. I have bad electrical problems that I gotten fixed and it still acting up but what's is important is that my car is not driving and I cant start it at all. Yes I got a new starter and its still responding the same. These problems been ongoing since I purchased it almost 3 years ago. Can you please contact me and help me. Thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Check engine light comes on.engine power reduced 99 %.sometimes engine dies while driving 40-55 MPH.engine code p2135 is displayed on my code reader. The problem goes away after cycling the ignition switch several times.car is un-reliable.this problem can cause you to crash the car.I was driving on the highway and city street when this happened.
Engine intermittently reduces power, engine lamp come on or blinks, runs rough. This reduce power causes the vehicle to shake and accelerator does not work properly and occurs when moving in normal driving conditions and then it all stops. Mechanics cannot recreate it. It is safety issue and can cause an accident.
When I drive the car it drives fine. In the morning when I try to leave at 7 or 8 it refuses to turn on until it is warm I guess. There's definitely an electrical issue I've only had the cat for 2 months and when it does start it says power steering and service ESC. Sometimes I can't even drive over 20. It's definitely an issue that needs recalled.
The check engine light came on so I took it to the shop and was told that it my catalytic converter and I only have 71000 mile on my car, shouldn't it be still under warranty? Pleas advise
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the door lock switch operated independently without warning. After parking, the vehicle caught fire under the hood. The contact sustained a back injury attempting to put the fire out that did not require medical attention. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
My 08 malibu ltz is having trouble shifting gears. I have to let off accelerator for it to shift gears.
On sunday march 8th, 2015 I turned my car about 7 pm in the evening to realize that the engine light was on, service ESC was populating on the dash and traction control had been lost in the car. I was having difficulty braking as if the ABS brake system was not working in the car. I drove it immediately home from work and parked it at my home address. On monday morning at 7:30 am I called the chevrolet customer support to discuss the current recall which appeared to be the issue. I was instructed that I could drop my car off at best chevrolet and they were aware of the recall and would assist me. I dropped my car off, explained the situation, I also asked them to quote a price on a leak and left. They called me to let me know the recall wasn't the issue even thought everything I experienced was listed in the recall. They held my car for two extra days after the car was no longer displaying the check engine light and no one informed me.
While driving on a crowded freeway the car started to slow down on its own. I figured I was out of gas so I checked the gauge and it was at 1/2 tank. The message said service ESC, engine power reduced. There was no place to safely pull over so I had to continue to the next exit at the reduced speed. Needless to say this was very frightening as traffic was trying to pass me. I could have been rear ended but luckily nothing bad happened. I found a place to stop, shut off the engine and waited 5 minutes. I restarted the car and it ran normal as if nothing happened. The check engine light was still on. I reset the code ( something about a tps) when I got home. This scenario has happened several more times even at city speeds (35 MPH). I don't drive on the freeway anymore and have to take alternate routes that are safer to pull over when this happens. I think I should sell the car but I cant in good conscience pass this on to someone else like gm did to me. Really guys this should be investigated asap so that no one gets hurt or killed !
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