Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tla* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle was shifted out of park and all of the doors locked. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted back to the park position the rear doors did not unlock. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. Updated 11/09/15 updated 05/16/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front driver side door remained in the locked position. The contact was unable to unlock the door from inside or outside the vehicle. Chuck nicholson inc (located at 7190 oh-39, millersburg, oh 44654, [phone]) stated that a waiver needed to be signed prior to any attempts to unlock the door due to possible damage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Owners of Chevy malibus have an issue with 2008 - 2010 power door locks that malfunction. This is a safety issue since the doors can lock and unlock at random times, and mine do not lock and unlock unless done manually, since there is only a key way to unlock the drivers door you have to crawl over the front seats to manually un lock the rear doors. Please launch an investigation and order the manufacturer to recall the vehicles affected since its safety related. Thank you
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the door locks would lock and unlock independently. At times, the locks would not work at all. The contact stated that the security light illuminated on the instrument panel and not all the locks failed at the same time. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to open and close the front driver and passenger side doors, the latches failed to connect. As a result, the doors remained open and there were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the door locks on the vehicle failed. The failure occurred intermittently. In addition, the contact stated that the security system failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Back in April I started having problems with my driver side lock. It would get stuck. Sometimes the door wouldn't even open. I would press the button to unlock the door, and that wouldn't work. I would have to use my key, ans sometimes that didn't work either. I am still having problems with the lock, and pretty much everyday I have to use my key to open the driver side door. I was told to use wd-40 and that sill didn't help. The most recent event with my car is this loud vibrating noise that has been occuring off and on for the past two months. I'v had several people check it out and they say they can't find anything wrong. My car makes the noise while sitting in park, sometimes while I'm driving, or sitting still at a light. About a 1-1 1/2 months ago my wheel wou;d move back and forth. I went to have it checked out and was told that there wasn't anything wrong. …
After returning grocery shopping I could not get groceries into back seat, door would not unlock . This could have been going on for months as I always put groceries in front passenger seat and floor and never used rear doors . Approximately 1-2 weeks later other rear passenger door would not lock or unlock. I contacted dealer who stated GM might work with me to help a little but doubt it as my mileage was at 42000 miles. After checking online I found numerous complaints from Malibu owners that this has happened to them at 40,000 - 50,000 miles after the warranty is over. This problem should be covered by GM as it shows a defect in the actuater in doors go bad, as well as a negligent safety hazard knowing many cars having this problem. Is it going toi take someone to die in rear seats due to this defect when an accident or fire occurs. …
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. …
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 71 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 7% of the model year's 989 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Malibu door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.