I have had trouble with my 2008 Chevy Malibu LS for the last 6 years I did not know that there was a recall on it back in 2008 I called GM I spoke to Chevrolet service representative and she said that it was repaired in 2008 this is what year my car was made so it is impossible for it to be prepared I asked her for where she gave me two the beginning of a name and then she changed her mind and said they are no information or when or where it was repaired this car has had a previous owner and this car stutters and jerks I cannot drive it it needs to be fixed and repaired I have wasted money before I found out this recall she said the recall was closed in 2014 I asked to speak to someone else and she would not give me a number or a name and said that she was the only person who could talk to the manager so I need help with this situation because I have two small grandchildren one seven and one six months and I cannot drive this car knowing if it will stop on the side of the road or middle of the lane
2008 Chevrolet Malibu: jerking or lurching
56 of the 989 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 56
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical repair cost reported
- $847
- typical mileage
- 62,100
- recalls
- 2
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
The dash is displaying service power steering service tire monitor system service ESC and traction control. All of which have been recalled on other 2008 Chevy Malibus with different VIN numbers then mine. I feel my Malibu is unsafe and needs to be inspected and placed on the recall list as well. I am available to have the car inspected as soon as possible. The steering is popping and grinding when I turn. The steering wheel jerks when I drive over bumps and the car sways and swerves which makes it hard to control. This is a family vehicle my young child rides in the car daily and I worry about his safety due to the steering locking up like the other recalled Malibus. I am scared to drive it I feel like it is very unsafe. The vehicle has only been inspected by my Certified mechanic. There were warning lights displayed on the dash as I stated above. They've been since I bought the car at the beginning of February.
When driving vehicle jerks left and right.. Making it hard to control.. This happens while driving more than 35 MPH.. I though it was a wheel alingment but it was perform by 2 different shops and still does it...
Electronic power steering failure. All of a sudden the message center beeped and gave message power steering and the steering wheel started jerking out of control and could hardly steer. Several times after restarting steering would work for awhile. There are recalls on other 2008 but I was told mine had a special warranty that ran out. I just recently bought the car and it isn't right that I would have to pay $1500 to fix this defect. It is a safety issue when all of a sudden your steering wheel jerks out of your hand and moves on its own.
The service traction light, ESC off, & service ESC lights have all come on in the dic. Sometimes engine slows & jerks whie driving. I had my drivers side front axle and wheel bearing fixed a month ago. I dont understand why these lights are on.
Driving downtown des moines my message center started dinging, the message output was: "power steering" the steering wheel began moving on its own back & forth, jerking and grinding. At one point jerked out of my hand. It became almost impossible to continue. I pulled into a convience store, bought power steering fluid and started the vehicle. The steering seemed normal. The car was not low on fluids, I didn't travel far before it happened again. By the time I made it home my ribs were hurting from trying to manauver the car home. This malfunction is the eps system and recalls of the 2008 began in 2014. My VIN# wasn't included on the list. However, my car has the same problem. At one point my steering wheel jerked so hard it yanked steering wheel away from my grip and I came close to hitting another vehicle. Prior to the above occasion, I would be stopped at a signal light and the steering wheel grinded jerked back and fourth and unfettered.
In 2014 there was a recall on chevy malibu, we werent experiencing any problems but took it to the dealership instead. We are now experiencing problems with the steering. While car is still, and also in motion the steering wheel will shake very bad. When driving the steering wheel will lock up, and jerk causing you to have to grip the wheel extra hard to keep it straight. The wheel will also shake vigourously while still and in motion causing driving to be dangerous. Took the car to the dealership, they said there was nothing they could do about it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that when the ignition key was turned to the start position, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. While driving at various speeds, when the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle and the brake pedal vibrated and hesitated to respond without warning. On a separate occasion, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked forward independently without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,734. The VIN was unavailable.
I purchased a 2008 chevy malibu one year ago and has had steering and electrical problems after 2 months of ownership. The biggest problem is the power steering and lack of control. When the car is in park or driving, the steering wheel shakes and makes loud noises. When I'm driving, the wheel will jerk left and right and feel "stuck" in certain positions. I am terrified to drive the car because the wheel will turn and stick at any given moment... It has turned and stuck going into oncoming traffic on the street and highway. There is also issues with the car door locks going up and down, and I have replaced the headlight bulb twice within a year. I noticed the turning light/blinker going fast and slow and a couple of times the car speakers have gone in and out. My dealership has sent me around in circles with no care if this gets resolved. I contacted gm and I have a case number but no one has given me a resolution or even suggested help by gm or my dealership.
While driving at a rate of 35 MPH, the steering on my car began to act up. The steering felt like it wanted to lock up but then it would jerk to the left then to the right. After driving a few blocks, it stopped. I remained in the "slow" lane because I wasn't sure what was going on. After driving a few more blocks, it began to do the same thing. This behavior continued until I reached my destination. I also increased my speed to 55 MPH when I approached the expressway. I received a notice about a recall on the steering; however, the part is not available at this time. The dealership only replies with, we don't have a part. Is it safe to continue driving the vehicle? Is my family in danger at this point? This is my only means of transportation & as a single mom, I need my car! Please review & advise.
While driving on the interstate going 65 MPH my steering start jerking and locking up couldn't turn left or right pull over to the side and let the car rest for about 15 mins. It starting to drive right after I let it rest the next day the same problem and now the power steering light is on. If I wouldn't held tight to the wheel I might would have crash.
The first incident began while sitting at a traffic light. The steering wheel started to abruptly move to the left and right, oscillating back and forth quickly, with no contact from my hands. The wheel oscillated for about 10 seconds made a chime noise then stopped. I drove on towards the interstate and all appeared fine. I was traveling about 60 MPH on the interstate when the steering wheel started to jerk to the right when I was trying to drive straight. When steered to the right to change to the far right hand lane, the wheel jerked to the left. The pavement was smooth and clean so I knew it was the car and not the driving surface. This continued for several miles. Holding the when in an effort to drive straight the wheel would jerk to the left and then the right. A couple of times it was so forceful I thought I would lose control of the vehicle. This problem reoccurred randomly for months until I paid the dealer to repair it. Googled malibu steering issue and read that gm has recalled malibu?s, and other gm models, doing the same thing. Took the car to the dealership and was told that even though my car had the same it was not included in the recall. I paid to have the steering motor and shaft replaced. It has been just over a year and the car is acting up again.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required...
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
- Power train
- This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission...
- This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic...
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
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
56 of 989 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu (6%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2008.
How much does it cost to fix jerking or lurching on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $847 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
There are 2 recalls and 75 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Power steering loss 100Door locks 92Check engine light 57Headlights 49Steering lock-up 43Loss of power 41Airbag light 31Stalling 26Engine failure 23Won't start 23Adaptive cruise 22Fuel leak 19Steering noise 18Fuel pump 15Pulling 15Fuel smell 14Key fob 13Won't shift 13ABS 11No deployment 10Harsh shifting 10Grinding brakes 9Knocking 9Fuel gauge 8Ball joint 7Fire or smoke 6Hesitation 6Warning lights 6Transmission failure 5
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