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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
21Owner complaints

Model-year median: 14

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
92
200515
200721
2008
Compare all Malibu Classic years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
11Steering
6Latches/locks/linkages
4Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Fuel/propulsion System
2
All reported categories
Power Train
2Air Bags
1Engine
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Service Brakes
1Structure
1Suspension
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 19 of 21 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

1 reports
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78,500 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THIS HAS OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND YOU HAVE TO TAP THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO GO OUT. THEN THEY MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT GO OFF AND TOTALLY CANCELS ANY CRUISE CONTROL OPETATION. THERE IS NO ACTUAL BRAKING AND THIS EVEN HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS LAST T…

Read full complaint

THIS HAS OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND YOU HAVE TO TAP THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO GO OUT. THEN THEY MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT GO OFF AND TOTALLY CANCELS ANY CRUISE CONTROL OPETATION. THERE IS NO ACTUAL BRAKING AND THIS EVEN HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS LAST TIME, THEY WOULD NOT GO OFF AT ALL AND IT EVEN TRIGGERED A 'SERVICE TRACTION' WARNING ON THE DASH. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I TOOK IT IN, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX/DIAGNOSE IT UNLESS IT WAS DOING THIS RIGHT THEN. WELL ANOTHER SHOP FOUND A SAFETY BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE AND COMPLETED THE RECOMMENDED FIX. THIS WORKED FOR QUITE A WHILE UNTIL NOW AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN. I WORRY ABOUT ANOTHER DRIVER TAKING FAULTY ACTION THINKING I AM BRAKING, WHEN I AM NOT. ALSO IT HAS BECOME A RECURRING SAFETY ISSUE AND I SEE OTHER OWNERS ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504785

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.