Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter could be moved without depressing the brake pedal. The contact then stated that the vehicle had failed to start up after several attempts with the traction control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the gear shift indicator lights failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was initially towed to the dealer and was given a diagnostic fee; the vehicle was later towed back to the residence without a diagnostic test being performed. The contact stated that the front headlights and the horn failed to operate after replacing the battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V224000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. …
I backed my car up, put the car in park, opened the door and got out. I walked a few feet away when I noticed the car rolling backwards. The open car door caught a fence which stopped the car from rolling any further. My door was bent backwards. I got into the car from the passenger side. The shifter indicated the car was still in park. Earlier in the day, I drove into my driveway, put the car in park and got out. The car continued to roll forward a few feet before I managed to get back in the car and apply the brake. Again the shifter indicated the car was in park.
This vehicle threw itself into limp mode while my wife was driving down a busy interstate highway, and after suppossed repairs did the same again when she was in a bad section of the city. In the first case, suddenly dropping to 25mph while traffic is going 70mph is an unacceptable risk considering that the car was still mechanically able to function normally, its just that this ridiculous sensor system won't let it. (when taken to the mechanic and he cleared the code, the car drove and shifted normally so it was mechanically able function. In the 2nd case my wife and daughter are again put at risk , again when the car was mechanically able to function. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While the contact's vehicle was stationary, it was rear ended by another vehicle. All of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel upon impact. The air bag did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained significant injuries to the head and a temporary loss of orientation. The passenger sustained injuries to the back. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic repaired the vehicle by resetting the air bag indicator, and the driver's seat belt and gear shift assembly were replaced. Ed bozarth Chevrolet (5501 drexel road, las vegas, nevada 89130, [phone]) was made aware of the crash. In addition, the contact referenced several occasions of becoming locked out and locked in the vehicle. …
(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. …
I have a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, it is a 2.4l 4-cylinder and 4-spd automatic. For a few months now my shifter has felt kind of loose when I am shifting from park to neutral or reverse, and the other day I pulled into my fathers drive way with the car and went to put it into park and I shut the car off and took my foot off the brake, the car did not engage park gear and rolled forward into my fathers car. The car would not start in park, only neutral, and I had to use the parking brake to keep the car from rolling. I took the car to the dealership and found out that it was the shift cable, and it cost me $365 to get it fixed. But then the next day I found out that GM had issued a safety recall 09041 on several models including the 2009 Malibu that cover the exact same thing that I experienced. I feel the 2008 Malibu should be included in this recall as well.
The automatic transmission would not shift correctly and would slip and not engage when I would step on the accelerator. General motors has a service safety bulletin out on the wave plate replacement but will not cover the cost of my repair. The document id 2294206 and also another number of 09-07-30-012. They have identified that the following list of vehicles have a problem 2008-2009 Buick enclave,2008-2009chevrolet equinox, Malibu, 2009 Chevrolet traverse, 2007-2009 GMC acadia, 2007-2009 Pontiac g6, 2008-2009 Pontiac torrent, 2007-2009 Saturn aura, outlook, 2008-2009 Saturn vue. I can only hope that my complaint will cause a safety recall of the listed automobiles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving in reverse, the gear shifter moved through the gears and was stuck in park. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to terry marxen Chevrolet Cadillac (1118 w rte 66, flagstaff, az 86001, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) and was no longer covered under warranty. The failure was diagnosed as a fractured shifter cable. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 113,000. Invalid VIN.
2008 Chevy Malibu power steering assist is lost, a message displays on the driver information center and a chime sounds to inform the driver. We were advised that this is not covered under the GM recall in 2014, per the recall general motors informed the national highway traffic safety administration that it would recall more than 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S. That May experience a sudden loss of electric power steering assist. Per our dealer the 2008 Chevy that we own is not covered under the recall however, we experienced the exact issue listed in the recall. To fix this issue the dealership is replacing the steering council which is costing us $600.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012.
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of the model year's 989 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014); NHTSA recall 12V-460 (gear position indication (prndl), Sep 18, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.