Steering. Review the 460 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 231 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

30 crash reports5 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

987 reports

140,768 miles · Jul 10, 2015

Latches/locks/linkagesStructureVisibility/wiper

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WIPER TRANSMISSION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED TO WORK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLOSE THE DOOR WITH FORCE TO GET THE DOOR TO SECURE. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO ENSURE THE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,768.

NHTSA ODI #10733317

82,000 miles · Jul 10, 2015

Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT AND DOOR WOULD FREELY OPEN. AFTER PULLING THE DOOR SHUT MULTIPLE TIMES IT FINALLY LATCHED AND I COULD DRIVE. WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. I HAD TO ROLL MY POWER WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. AFTER I GOT OUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE IT. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS THE DOOR WOULD STILL NOT LATCH SHUT AND I HAD TO PHYSICALLY HOLD THE DOOR SHUT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WHERE IT NEVER WOULD LATCH. RESEARCH ONLINE INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS THAT THE DOOR LATCH/LOCK ASSEMBLIES FAIL WHICH DOESN'T SEEM SAFE IF YOU CAN'T EXIT THE CAR OR IF IT WERE TO COME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10733154

51,093 miles · Jul 8, 2015

Steering

Read full complaint

ON DEC. 11, 2014, THE CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS DRIVEN TO THE STORE. UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNMOVABLE. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (GM PART # 22837369) WAS REPLACED AT AN OWNER COST OF $665.01 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE OWNER, THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS EXACT PART AND MODEL OF CAR (PRODUCT SAFETY #14118 AND 14119, SAFETY COMPLAINT ODI#10712564). AFTER DISCUSSING WITH THE DEALER, THE CHEVY REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, AND THE HEAD OFFICE IN DETROIT, THE MANUFACTURER SAYS OUR VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. PERIOD. END OF DISCUSSION. SEEING THAT OUR PS MODULE FAILURE IS IN THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS THE RECALLED CARS; AND THAT OUR MODULE FAILED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE RECALL DATE (AUG. 28, 2014), WE FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COST OF OUR REPAIR. THE RELATIVITY OF THE RECALL VEHICLES AND OUR VIN, PLUS THE FACT THAT OUR PS MODULE DID FAIL, SHOWS THAT OUR CAR WAS BUILT WITH A FAULTY PS MODULE AND THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SINCE GM HAS STATED TO US THAT THEY WILL NOT STEP UP, WE ARE ASKING THE NHTSA TO TAKE THE NECESSARY REGULATORY STEPS TO INSURE THAT OUR CAR, AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER MALIBUS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE, WILL GET THIS POWER STEERING MODULE REPAIRED AT GENERAL MOTORS' COST.

NHTSA ODI #10732730

85,000 miles · Jul 1, 2015

Air Bags

Read full complaint

MY "SERVICE AIR BAG" SIGN LIGHTS UP ON MY DASHBOARD AT RANDOM. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A LOCAL CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER LAST SUMMER (2014). THEY CAME UP WITH SEVERAL SCENARIOS THAT ADDED UP TO MORE THAN 1,700 DOLLARS. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. I WROTE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION TO TRY TO GET ANY FURTHER FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG PROBLEM WAIVED, BECAUSE I THOUGHT 1,700 DOLLARS WAS ENOUGH, AND THEY DID NOT AGREE TO MY REQUEST. IN THE MEANTIME, I'M HOPING THAT I DON'T HAVE A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAG. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10731520

103,824 miles · Jul 1, 2015

Electrical System

Read full complaint

THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN MY CAR IS GOING OFF RESULTING IN MY CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO START. I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES AND THEN MY CAR WILL START AND I KNOW EVENTUALLY IT WILL NOT START OR SOMETHING WORSE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I AM PERSONALLY TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF MY CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR EVEN WORSE, THE HIGHWAY AND IT DOES NOT START BACK UP? RIGHT THERE WOULD BE A SITUATION FOR A POSSIBLE REAR END COLLISION AND AT WHOSE FAULT? THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR HOW MANY TIMES I AM SEEING THE ISSUE. IT IS NOT SOMETHING I CAN SHOVEL $300+ DOLLARS OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY GM'S ISSUE. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING IT A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10731455

100,000 miles · Jun 30, 2015

Power Train

2008 MALIBU LTZ.ON JAN 22 2015 THE CAR FAILED TO START HAD TO BE TOWED TO LANGS.DEALER.THE SHIFTER CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION FRACTURED AND BROKE. HAD TO BE TOWED TO CAR DEALER, REPLACED THE CABLE AND CHARGED ME $278.90. THEN I LEARNED THE MALIBU WAS ON RECALL LIST FROM NHTSA.. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE 4 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS WERE RE…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10731183

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2015

Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

THE CAR HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE SYATEM SETTING A CODE TO CHECK TRANSACTION AND ESC AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD STICK ON. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 OR 3 MONTHS. NOW THAT THE GM RECALL HAS BEEN DONE IT IS SETTING THESE SAME CODES 2 OR 3 TIMES A DAY. BUT INSTEAD OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS BEING ON, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK, MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, MY TAIL LIGHTS DON'T WORK THE CAR STILL SAYS SERVICE TRANSACTION AND ESC DAILY. THIS RECALL HAS MADE MY PROBLEM MUCH WORSE. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS I NEVER KNOW IF MY TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE WORKING OR IF MY ANTILOCKS OR STABILIZATION SYSTEMS WORK. GM NEEDS TO FIND A DIFFERENT SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10731010

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2015

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

Read full complaint

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIR WORK AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SERVICE BRAKE ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. INSTEAD OF FIXING THE WIRING HARNESS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE SENSOR AND CHARGED HIM $245. 03. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE DISCOVERED THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN FIXED., EVEN THOUGH THE TECHNICIAN NOTED EVERYTHING WAS OPERABLE. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A DAY AND A HALF AND REPLACED THE BCM AND DTC.*JB UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/2/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10701596

33,000 miles · Jun 28, 2015

Electrical System

Read full complaint

INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. IT STARTED ON A TRIP HOME FROM CHICAGO WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WARMER KEPT COMING ON BY ITSELF. MY WIFE HAD TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT MOST OF THE WAY HOME. WHAT WE DID NOT KNOW UNTIL JUNE 25TH 2015 WAS THAT IT WAS COMING ON DUE TO A CONDENSATION LINE LEAK AT THE PASSENGER SIDE COWL. ON JUNE 28, 2015 I DISCOVERED SOAKED CARPET IN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR FLOOR BOARD. I PULLED THE CARPET AND FOUND 1" OF WATER. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, ONLY DURING SUMMER MONTHS WITH AC RUNNING, THE SEAT WARMER WAS SHORTING OUT DUE TO WATER WAVES TRAVELING FORWARD AND BACK DURING ACCELERATION/BRAKING. THE LAST TWO YEARS ID FIND WET CARPET, BUT THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A FLUKE, POSSIBLE SUNROOF LEAK, OR THAT I LEFT MY WATER THERMOS LID UNSCREWED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STAY WET ALL THE TIME DUE TO WEATHER, DRIVE TIMES ETC. OUT OF WARRANTY, I KNEW IT HAD TO BE AC CONDENSING LINE RELATED. I WENT TO THE DEALER (WEBER CHEVROLET IN CREVE COEUR MO), WHERE PURCHASED NEW, TO GET A DIAGRAM OF WHERE THE AC LINES RUN. THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST ME. I WENT TO AN AC AUTO REPAIR PERSON WHO FOUND A FACTORY PLUG IN THE AC DRAIN HOSE THAT EXITS THE COWL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE REMOVED THE PLUG AND WATER OF COURSE CAME OUT. I THOUGHT THAT WAS IT BUT THE WATER KEPT LEAKING INTO THE CARPET. I REMOVED THE FRONT CARPET AND FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK AFTER VISITING A POST ON A CHEVYMALIBU FORUM. IT IS LEAKING THROUGH A 3OR 4SPONGE RUBBER SEAL ABOUT THE SIZE OF A HOCKEY PUCK, THAT APPARENTLY SURROUNDS THE BLOWER HOUSING TUBE THAT ENCASES THE CONDENSATION LINE THAT EXTENDS THOUGH THE COWL. I HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH A SERVICE SUPERVISOR AT WEBER. I JUST RECEIVED A FORUM REPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING TSB INFORMATION: MOISTURE IN CABIN: TSB 09-01-37-002A (A/C - FRONT/REAR PASSENGER CARPET WET). I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A VIABLE REPAIR PROCEDURE BECAUSE I CANNOT ACCESS THE TSB BULLETIN.

NHTSA ODI #10730839

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2015

Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, THE DIMMER SWITCH, THE CONSOLE LIGHTS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS, AND THE TURN SIGNALS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BULB FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE HARNESS WAS REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION, BUT THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DEALER FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOOSE PIN ON ONE OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CONNECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BULBS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK EXCESSIVELY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCHES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10725599

Official recalls

14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 14, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)