Problems · by component

2008 Chevrolet Malibu power train problems

89 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu cite power train, 9% of all 1,017 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
89
9% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2024Power trainCrash reportedODI 11603674
“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. The failure mileage was approximately 245,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2024Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11570755
“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, (928) 302-2515) 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2020Power trainODI 11364619
“TRANSMISSION 123 GEAR SLIPS CHANGES ON OWN TRY TO ACCELERATE STALLS DOWNSHIFTS STALLS ALSO TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE BEEN TOLD WILL HAPPEN WHEN TRYING TO SPEED UP OR COMPLETE STOP OR REVERSE THE TURNING SIGNALS WILL HAVE TO BE MANUALLY STOPPED INTERFERING WITH DRIVING BARLEY MAKE. SOUND SOMETIMES FORGET THE ARE ON STILL CRUISE CONTROL TOTALLY WAKED OUT DOES WHAT EVER IT WANT SPEED OR SLOWS ON OWN I DO KNOW OF ONE CURRENT RECALL I'VE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CALL W NO RETURN MESSAGES THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEED REPLACED BECAUSE THE SOLENOIDS KEEP GETTING STUCK 123 MINE ALSO THE CORE FEE FOR THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE 300-600 FOR THE CORE FEE ..WHY ARE THESE BEING SOLD FOR PRICES OF 500-1000$ IF THE ARE BEING REFURBISHED SEEMS TO BE A HOT ITEM TO EVEN FIND USED OR NEW IF U COULD AFFORD IT .. THESE GM TRANSMISSION ISSUES ARE EVERYWHERE .... WHY ARE THE NO RECALLS .. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE SHIFT FAILURE 45PH TO 15PH IN A SEC .. OR NOTHING THE DEALERSHIPS ARE VERY HARD TO DEAL WITH IF YOU JUST WANT A PART OR INFO A TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE PART # 12678511 RECALL 14V224000 # 14145 DELLEN CHEVROLET 317 462-5591 MADE A FEW CALLS W NO RESPONSE TO SCHEDULE BEEN 7…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2020Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11353311
“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. I UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF NOT DOING DAMAGE TO YOUR CAR WHEN IT "SENSES" SOMETHING IS WRONG, BUT THE DECISION OF DRIVING IT ANYWAY SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE OWNER WHO IS FAR MORE AWARE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAN A COMPUTER MODULE THAT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE IT IS. THESE SYSTEMS ARE NOW SO INTERDEPENDENT THAT EVEN THE DEALERSHIPS CAN NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS WITHOUT JUST THROWING PARTS AT IT. THIS ALL NEEDS TO CHANGE!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2020Power trainODI 11349717
“KEEP GETTING A MESSAGE SAYING 'ESC OFF' , 'TRACTION CONTROL OFF' COMES AND GOES. SOMETIMES SEEMS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS STUCK IN A GEAR MAKES A LOUD ROAR. STARTS TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. HAVING A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHT STAYING ON A EVEN AFTER REPLACING SWITCH. I HAVE THE RECALL PROBLEMS FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL CAR BUT VIN DOESN'T SEEM TO MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2020Power train, Electronic stability control (esc), Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11324493

Showing 6 of 89 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14V224000

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Sep 18, 2012NHTSA 12V460000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.