2008 Chevrolet Malibu Acceleration Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  27%
• 25k–50k
  310%
• 50k–75k
  517%
• 75k–100k
  621%
• 100k–150k
  724%
• 150k+
  621%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

(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. …

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. …

Tl contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Upon purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed oil all over the front rims and tires. The dealer reassured her that the oil came from the brakes and there was nothing to worry about. She also stated that she would not get ample gas mileage as stated at the time of purchase. While driving less than 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal would not depress and the vehicle would not gain speed. On-star performed a diagnostic and found that the traction system malfunctioned. The gears would not change, there was a loud, persistent screeching noise, and smoke was coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle off the highway and take it back to the dealer for repairs. However, the failure still persists. The failure mileage was 6,000 and current mileage was less than 8,000.

While on my way to work, suddenly my traction light and service engine light came on and the reduced power notification came on moments later, the car slowed to about 10-20 MPH(like it almost died but still running) and the car was shaking. I could not accelerate, I coasted into a parking lot and it was idling rough. I shut it off, waited a few moments and started it like nothing happened. I was scared and just wanted to get home and borrow another car to get to work. I was less than a mile away from home, and managed to get it home. While returning home it did the same thing but, it added a new code disabled engine. I have read these forums, and I don't have extra money to waist on replacing parts that do not fix the problem. It seems to be a common issue with GM, I don't want to be giving the run around with bs reason, I want to fix my car.

As I'm driving down the freeway going about 70 MPH I hear about 3 or 4 dings go off all at one time. The service ESC , engine pwr reduced, service traction, and ESC off warnings came on my 2008 Chevy Malibu lt dash as well as the traction warning light and check engine light. My car almost instantly starting to decelerate at an exceptional speed. I had to "floor it" to make it stop and then it slowly accelerated. Once I got home I googled the problem and a lot of people were saying it has to do with the fuse box or throttle body or both. I don't know what is wrong with it and I don't have a lot of extra money right now so I'm kinda stuck driving it like this for awhile since it is not under any type of warranty and I have to go to work.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the reduced engine power warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to dunn Chevrolet Buick (located at 3000 dustin rd, oregon, oh 43616, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that a tune up was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v2520000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control); however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

The main concer I have is (1)while driving and car in motion on a city street, the car accerlerated on it's own. Almost caused an accident. This has happen several more times since. (2)the car begins to slow down. I cannot drive more the 10 mile per hour, the RPM gage goes high but the car does not. (3)also, the car ABS light comes on with normal driving in the city, unknown cause. (4)the car seems to have electrical issues, I've changed head lights twice, horn fuses blown multiple times, the air conditioner has gone off 3x now, and on the heat/air control panel makes a clockng noise, even if I want to use the wipers.

Started car and service traction ESC lights came on. Upon driving car would not accelerate as it normally does, and seemed to loose power. The engine vibrated an unusual amount, much more than normal. The next day we took the vehicle to the dealer for recall no. 13036, the htsa campaign id no. For this recall is 14V252. The dealer only replaced what was outlined in the recall, which was clip, retainer, strap, retainer. However, this had no effect on the problem. They would not further diagnose or fix the problem.

While driving on us-10, a high traffic freeway in phoenix az, the car reduced speed to about 30 MPH. It would not accelerate above this rate! So my son was suddenly stuck in one of the passing lanes on a very busy four lane freeway. It was extremely dangerous trying to maneuver off the freeway. Several codes appeared on the dash; check engine light, reduced engine power, service traction, and something about air bags. He managed his way off the freeway and 'limped' the car home.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 25 MPH, the service traction light illuminated and the brake lights illuminated intermittently. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle slowed down and was hesitant to accelerate after a significant amount of pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was repaired, but the issue recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Related recalls

Acceleration complaints in other Malibu years