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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

What owners actually said

21 reports
43,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. 2008 CHEVY MALIBU. PROBLEM STARTED 2 MONTHS AGO, DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A DEFECTIVE, CHEAP PIECE OF METAL IN THE FUEL GAGE THAT EASILY CORRODES. CHEVROLET REFUSES TO RECALL PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS DEFECTIVE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGH…

Read full complaint

ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. 2008 CHEVY MALIBU. PROBLEM STARTED 2 MONTHS AGO, DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A DEFECTIVE, CHEAP PIECE OF METAL IN THE FUEL GAGE THAT EASILY CORRODES. CHEVROLET REFUSES TO RECALL PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS DEFECTIVE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON ALL OF THE TIME IS RELATED. I AM REQUESTING THAT AN INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED TO MAKE GM RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT I HAVE A CAR THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE PART, I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, I DON'T KNOW IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE PART OR A REAL PROBLEM. THE RESALE VALUE OF THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY POOR . I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS "2008 CAR OF THE YEAR". THE COST TO REPAIR THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS YET THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PART. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, ANY TIME. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304974

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.