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2008 Chevrolet Malibu: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, most recently filed May 2014. Owners have filed 994 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 4campaigns 2 power train · 1 brake · 1 steering Source: NHTSA Complaints 994filed Owner reports, 2004–2013 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 27mpg combined $2,419/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.4 L 4-cyl· 4-speed automatic 5 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
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Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V252000 Filed May 14, 2014

Brake Lights may or may not Randomly Illuminate

Electrical system · wiring
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
59.6% repairedof 2,440,524 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V252000
Listed for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V224000 Filed Apr 30, 2014

Transmission Shift Cable may Fracture/Rollaway

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
Consequence
If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
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. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
53.6% repairedof 1,131,113 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V224000
Listed for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V153000 Filed Mar 31, 2014

Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering

Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Consequence
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
60.1% repairedof 1,373,177 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V153000
Listed for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V460000 Filed Sep 18, 2012

The Transmission Shift Cable May Detach

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
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. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Repair progress not yet reported426,240 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V460000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Malibu years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet MalibuAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (994)

994 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.

31involved a crash
5involved a fire
19injuries reported
2deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 994.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2008 compares with other Malibu years

Best and worst Malibu years →
1,147 975 1,116 977 994 1,534 1,363 978 907 923
2004200520062007200820092010201120122013
This year (2008)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
24
city
32
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2008 Chevrolet Malibu configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27$2,500329
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 25$2,700356
3.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 29 / 22$3,050404
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 20$3,350444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2008 Malibu for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Malibu years

Where to next

Which Malibu years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2009 Chevrolet Malibu report1,534 complaints · 5 campaigns →2007 Chevrolet Malibu report977 complaints · 3 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2008 Chevrolet Malibu FAQ

How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 14V252000 (brake), 14V224000 (power train), 14V153000 (steering), 12V460000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 994 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (462), Electrical system (233), Exterior lighting (106) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 24 city, 32 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2008 Malibu compare with other years?

Among the 2004–2013 Chevrolet Malibu model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (907) and the 2009 the most (1,534). The 2008 drew 994. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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