I backed my car up, put the car in park, opened the door and got out. I walked a few feet away when I noticed the car rolling backwards. The open car door caught a fence which stopped the car from rolling any further. My door was bent backwards. I got into the car from the passenger side. The shifter indicated the car was still in park. Earlier in the day, I drove into my driveway, put the car in park and got out. The car continued to roll forward a few feet before I managed to get back in the car and apply the brake. Again the shifter indicated the car was in park.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems
86 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 88,000. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 86
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 88,000
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission9
- Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2
- Driveline: driveshaft1
- Driveline1
- Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
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 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Jerking 56Won't shift 13Harsh shifting 10Hesitation 6Transmission failure 5
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
- Risk
- If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
Recall number 14V224000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
- Risk
- If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑521‑7300.
Recall number 12V460000 · Recall details
What 2008 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving in reverse, the gear shifter moved through the gears and was stuck in park. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to terry marxen chevrolet cadillac (1118 w rte 66, flagstaff, az 86001, (928) 302-2515) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v224000 (power train) and was no longer covered under warranty. The failure was diagnosed as a fractured shifter cable. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 113,000. Invalid VIN.
Transmission 123 gear slips changes on own try to accelerate stalls downshifts stalls also transmission control module been told will happen when trying to speed up or complete stop or reverse the turning signals will have to be manually stopped interfering with driving barley make. Sound sometimes forget the are on still cruise control totally waked out does what ever it want speed or slows on own I do know of one current recall I've made several attempts to call w no return messages the transmission control module need replaced because the solenoids keep getting stuck 123 mine also the core fee for this is unbelievable 300-600 for the core fee ..why are these being sold for prices of 500-1000$ if the are being refurbished seems to be a hot item to even find used or new if u could afford it .. These gm transmission issues are everywhere .... Why are the no recalls .. This is very unsafe shift failure 45ph to 15ph in a sec .. Or nothing the dealerships are very hard to deal with if you just want a part or info a transmission control module part # 12678511 recall 14v224000 # 14145 dellen chevrolet 317 462-5591 made a few calls w no response to schedule been 7 days now. Stanley chevrolet penalton in. Justin would not allowe a part # to me unless 120.$ diagnostic then tolde to get out after a few words exchange so I paid for a diagnostic twice neither through gm they told me the repair would be 1300$ over the phone doug at dellen chevrolet I thk that's name gave me quote over phone .. So there's much more the transmission and solenoids in theses cars should be recalled or flashed fixed and if u read it's been going on since 2004 and now the new and newer one still same problems I've had to stop oil over restart car put in neutral to shift rpms get high I live in a small town walkers to diners etc ..needs attn into
This vehicle threw itself into limp mode while my wife was driving down a busy interstate highway, and after suppossed repairs did the same again when she was in a bad section of the city. In the first case, suddenly dropping to 25mph while traffic is going 70mph is an unacceptable risk considering that the car was still mechanically able to function normally, its just that this ridiculous sensor system won't let it. (when taken to the mechanic and he cleared the code, the car drove and shifted normally so it was mechanically able function. In the 2nd case my wife and daughter are again put at risk , again when the car was mechanically able to function. I understand the concept of not doing damage to your car when it "senses" something is wrong, but the decision of driving it anyway should never be taken away from the owner who is far more aware of the circumstances than a computer module that doesn't even know where it is. These systems are now so interdependent that even the dealerships can not figure out how to fix these problems without just throwing parts at it. This all needs to change!
Keep getting a message saying 'ESC off' , 'traction control off' comes and goes. Sometimes seems like the vehicle is stuck in a gear makes a loud roar. Starts to vibrate while driving at certain speeds. Having a problem with brake light staying on a even after replacing switch. I have the recall problems for this year/model car but VIN doesn't seem to meet the qualifications.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the shift cable snapped. The vehicle was towed to monument chevrolet (3940 pasadena fwy, pasadena, tx 77503) where it was diagnosed that the shift tram was fractured and associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v224000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified. The failure milage was 139,000.
(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.
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
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu transmission
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 86 complaints about the transmission of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 88,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 14V224000, 12V460000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have bad transmission?
The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most transmission complaints are 2018 (171 complaints), 2016 (166 complaints) and 2017 (139 complaints).
Other 2008 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Steering 460Electrical 233Lights 106Brakes 89Driver assistance 74Engine 74Locks 71Airbags 64Fuel system 54Acceleration 42Body 21Suspension 15Wheels 10Seats 8Tires 8Visibility 8Seat belts 4
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