The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter could be moved without depressing the brake pedal. The contact then stated that the vehicle had failed to start up after several attempts with the traction control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the gear shift indicator lights failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was initially towed to the dealer and was given a diagnostic fee; the vehicle was later towed back to the residence without a diagnostic test being performed. The contact stated that the front headlights and the horn failed to operate after replacing the battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V224000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 245,000.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems
106 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 106
- of this car's complaints
- 11%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Brake lights5
- Headlights4
- Turn signal1
- Brake lights: switch1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Malibu lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2008 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lamps failed to illuminate intermittently. The contact stated that the brightness of the brake lamps was reduced. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who repaired the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while his partner was driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake lights failed to activate or respond as designed. The contact confirmed that at night when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights failed to illuminate; however, when the brake pedal was released the brake lights illuminated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the brake light switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the brake light failure recurred. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and had informed the contact that the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) had been repaired in December of 2014. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Brake lights automatically come on when you don't touch the brakes and go off when you do. GM has had at least 2 recalls on this problem which this vehicle has gone through and now at 177,000 miles there was a 3 recall which GM won't honor due to high mileage. If it was unsafe at 150,000 miles why is it not unsafe now? We've had it fixed on our own which cost $200.00 and lasted all of 5-6 months.
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving behind the vehicle he noticed that the brake light was illuminated even though the brakes was not applied. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the brake light failed to illuminate. The ESC, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was like the federal safety agency Campaign Number 14V252000 (Electrical system, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Third break light intermittently working. The other two break lights have no issue. I had the third break light replaced and am still experiencing the same issue. This seems to be a common issue with this car as there are numerous complaints of othe consumers experiencing this same issue.
Tail lights not working and have a problem recall for tail lights problems
Headlights burn out within a few months of replacement. Have had to replace two to three times a year. Poor design means the entire front end of the car must be removed to access and change headlight bulbs. Bulbs have gone out while driving on the highway, making a very unsafe situation.
Headlights continuously go out. I have owned the car for 5 years and have replaced the lights about 4 times but the bulb has never burned out on me the light just quits working. Used to be the passenger side only and every now and then if I hit a bump or hit the light myself it would flicker back on. Now the driver side light has refused to work for a year now. I have replaced it with a new light and new wiring harness and still will not work while the car is running. The light will come on when I unlock the doors though.
Low beams on my 2008 chevy malibu intermittently turn off and on. Initially, I thought bulbs had died so I replaced one then the other, however, same issue still exists. Sometimes when I am driving at night on the freeway, both lights will just go out. I have pulled over and giggled wires to lights and usually I can get at least one to go back on, however, this is an extremely dangerous default that should be resolved before a deadly accident happens as a result of headlamps not functioning properly.
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu lights
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have lights problems?
Owners have filed 106 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 11% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu lights?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have the most lights problems?
The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most lights complaints are 2000 (241 complaints), 2012 (202 complaints) and 2010 (195 complaints).
Other 2008 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Steering 460Electrical 233Brakes 89Transmission 86Driver assistance 74Engine 74Locks 71Airbags 64Fuel system 54Acceleration 42Body 21Suspension 15Wheels 10Seats 8Tires 8Visibility 8Seat belts 4
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