2008 Chevrolet Malibu reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,487
- 99 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- STEERING
- 451 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 4
- see below
- Reported harm
- 54 reported crashes · 32 injuries · 6 deaths · 9 fires
What owners report fails — 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
- STEERING 451
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 223
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING 95
- POWER TRAIN 75
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 68
4 recalls on record for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
- NHTSA 14V224000 · 2014 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not mat
- NHTSA 14V153000 · 2014 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing
- NHTSA 14V252000 · 2014 · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 12V460000 · 2013 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not matc
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2008 Chevrolet Malibu units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
NHTSA has 1,487 consumer complaints on record for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and 4 recalls. The most-reported problem area is steering (451 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2008 Chevrolet Malibu units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners most often report problems with: steering (451), electrical system (223), exterior lighting (95), power train (75). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.