| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2008 Chevrolet Malibu repairs by problem area
Engine (14%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)
Brakes and Traction Control (6%)
Suspension and Steering (22%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (31%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (16%)
Other (8%)
Chart based on 134 repairs.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (8%)
$500 - $999 (5%)
$100 - $499 (27%)
< $100 (59%)
Chart based on 92 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Chevrolet Malibu in Indiana, United States Dec 2014 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Dec 2015100000 miUS $150 | Emission control solenoid, oil change Right rear hub replaced | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada Jul 2008 - Aug 2009 | |||
| Sep 20081860 mi | Small buzz coming from the door trim. Fixed by a drop of glue, very simple. | ||
| Dec 20084960 mi | Rear window defroster grid does not work, the ground was not connected. DIY fix: plugged in the connector. | ||
| Jan 20096200 mi | Radio would cut out momentarily (very infrequent occurrences). Dealer replaced the radio, so far so good. Plastic steering column shroud loose, dealer glued it. Trim panel around the shifter is loose at one side. Repaired myself, later found out that there is a TSB for that. A quarter panel at the rear right side kept popping out. I fixed it myself, seems good so far. Possibly a small assembly error. | ||
| Mar 20098060 mi | Front door locks developed a significant clunk that occurred when opening doors. Dealer installed striker panel spacers and aligned the doors, problem fixed. On a side note - as a result of the adjustment the front doors sit a bit lower than a rear ones. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Arkansas, United States Jul 2016 - Dec 2016 | |||
| Nov 2016126000 miUS $300 | Cleaned valves | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States Oct 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Nov 200925000 mi | XM "Not Available" message comes up on radio. At same time air bag light and tire pressure light start to blink. Cause: no communication with BCM. BCM replaced and programmed. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Florida, United States Nov 2010 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Jan 2011 | Squeaking/creaking noise when steering wheel turned. The problem diagnosed as a defective sector gear and the part was ordered. Sector gear was replaced. Noise is gone. | ||
| Oct 201250000 miUS $40 | Drivers power door lock stopped working. Replaced door lock actuator. | ||
| Nov 201250800 miUS $5 | Rear drivers side automatic door lock failed. 2nd lock to fail in 2 months. $400 repair at dealer. Fixed it myself with a $5.00 universal lock motor in 2 hours. Internet research indicates this is a design flaw and a very common failure. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Missouri, United States Mar 2010 - Dec 2011 | |||
| Oct 201038000 mi | Passenger side door was leaking water, the dealer fixed it by alignment and not leaking anymore, the door opening/closing sounds and feels much better. | ||
| Oct 201145000 mi | This is the third time I take it for sunroof shade rattling, and they claimed that they fixed it but it's still the same. | ||
| Dec 201145000 mi | Sunroof still rattling when sold. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in North Dakota, United States Dec 2007 - Dec 2017 | |||
| Oct 2016123300 miUS $125 | Replace stabilizer links | ||
| Nov 2017135000 miUS $1200 | 3 5 R wave plate broke | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Texas, United States Feb 2009 - Jul 2017 | |||
| Sep 200938000 mi | Rack & pinion replacement, under warranty | ||
| Nov 201151000 miUS $1500 | Steering column replacement, 20k miles after a rack and pinion. Two power locks on driver side Blower motor gone. | ||
| Apr 201258200 miUS $500 | Water leaking into headlamp | ||
| May 201364100 miUS $1500 | New struts Sunroof rattle, driver door rattle | ||
| Jan 201563700 miUS $1050 | Fuel pump was shot. I'm pretty careful about using reliable looking gas stations, but pump died at 77k. Car started one morning, idled roughly, then was fine for 20mi trip. Then it stranded me. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in West Virginia, United States Apr 2008 - Jul 2011 | |||
| Nov 200968000 miUS $400 | balljoint and tie rods | ||
| Dec 200971000 miUS $150 | radiator recovery tank replaced, in shop six days waiting for part | ||
| Apr 201084000 mi | right front hub assy | ||
| Jun 201090000 miUS $300 | caliper sticking | ||
| Oct 2010104000 miUS $200 | tie rod ends | ||
| May 2011131000 miUS $900 | right front hub noise, and warning messages, replaced RF hub assy and ABS wiring harness | ||
| Jun 2011131000 miUS $400 | hesitation occurs on acceleration, engine light on, advised at minimum needs fuel injectors, possibly also fuel pump soon afterwards AC quit working, opted not to repair, get rid of car | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Florida, United States Aug 2008 - May 2014 | |||
| Jun 200910000 mi | Drivers side door panel raising up around switches. | ||
| Jun 201021000 mi | Keyless entry/remote start not working. Key fobs replaced. | ||
| Jun 201133000 mi | ordered new fuel sensor fuel sensor replaced | ||
| Feb 201238700 miUS $50 | Keyless entry would not start car | ||
| Oct 201246000 miUS $69 | replaced outer steering collum. | ||
| Dec 201248000 miUS $535 | Check gas cap message kept coming on. Then check engine light came on. A tank pressure sensor and a purge valve connector were installed. | ||
| Mar 201352000 mi | Pressure monitor ban on left front wheel | ||
| Sep 201357000 miUS $250 | Replaced 2 TPMS | ||
| Apr 201464000 miUS $50 | Car would not start. towed to dealer. Alternator replaced | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Pennsylvania, United States Dec 2012 - Sep 2017 | |||
| Oct 201258000 mi | Transmission had to be completely rebuilt.. It was covered under the powertrain warranty. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in New Jersey, United States Apr 2008 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Nov 201028500 mi | Noise in steering intermittently...Dealer replaced internediate steering shaft | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Connecticut, United States Nov 2016 - Jan 2017 | |||
| Jan 2017US $450 | Misfire due to faulty coils | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in West Virginia, United States Jan 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jul 200924000 mi | I had a loose passenger side rear window regulator replaced(nothing serious, but was making a noise when the window was down and I went over a bump). | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Florida, United States Sep 2010 - Mar 2011 | |||
| Sep 201032500 mi | The clip holding the back seat in place became warped, and had to be replaced. The clip on the passenger seat holding the back part/plastic came undone, and needed to be replaced. The sunroof leaked due to plugged drain. This required the carpet to be replaced, as well as the seat tracks of the passenger front seat. | ||
2008 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Chevrolet Malibu in New York, United States Jun 2009 - Apr 2015 | |||
| Jul 201333700 miUS $100 | Also found some of the inner wheel well plastic panels were loose and tightened those. | ||
2008 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States Jan 2010 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Mar 201251000 mi | Gas cap was replaced due to a fault code. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in South Dakota, United States Jul 2017 - Jul 2020 | |||
| Sep 201797000 miUS $240 | Rear pads were worn out. They actually fell apart and locked up left rear brake | ||
| Jan 201898500 miUS $385 | Replace throttle body and mounting gasket | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada Jan 2011 - Jul 2011 | |||
| Feb 201129140 mi | heater fan malfunction of 1-2 setting grinding sound very loud | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Massachusetts, United States Apr 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| May 201043000 miUS $225 | Driver's side door latch failed. GM paid the cost of replacement after contacting the customer support center. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States Jun 2011 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Jul 201272300 mi | Shifting oddly. Ran diagnostics and looked for service bulletins. Did not reflash, but it is ok. | ||
| Dec 201275000 miUS $280 | Windshield wiper transmission was replaced. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in New Mexico, United States Nov 2009 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jan 201048200 miUS $4350 | Bought used malibu. Seller said probably needs front wheel bearing. Dealer said it was bad alignment, rear tires bulging on inside sidewalls. Today temp guage went to 3/8 up instead of 1/4 up. Has me a little worried. | ||
| Sep 201043000 mi | Front and rear door lock motors don't work. Dealership would charge $ | ||
| Jul 201149200 miUS $300 | Drivers side door lock assemblies had to be replaced front and rear. Also check engine light comes on. Code reader says catalytic efficiency not right. Mechanic, oil change people, friend in business say not a problem, but it's annoying. | ||
| Apr 201250300 mi | Last year I was advised by private mechanic not to worry about engine light. Poor mpg, sluggish pickup,excessive downshifting and engine whine. Dealership replaced cat.conv under warranty, now car is peppy, quiet, and I am totally satisfied. | ||
| Jul 201582300 miUS $250 | positive cable was not insulated, and had corroded everything in sight. Needed new battery and cable. Firestone shop a RIP-OFF in Santa Fe, NM | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Arizona, United States Jan 2014 - Jan 2014 | |||
| Jan 201488000 miUS $175 | Electric began working inconsistently. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in West Virginia, United States - Sep 2009 | |||
| Sep 200944000 miUS $90 | AC condensate draining under carpet. Problem with water running back along outside of hose into cabin area. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Texas, United States Sep 2014 - Dec 2016 | |||
| Sep 201592000 miUS $38 | turn signal switch | ||
| Dec 201594000 miUS $115 | Electric driver seat mechanism broke on front r/h side. Mechanic said that he has seen this before on Malibus and that it was a poor factory weld that broke that had barely caught the edge of the frame.. Seat removal, welding and re-instal. | ||
| Feb 201696600 mi | Another weld broke this time on back of seat frame. Could not be repaired due to metal being too light. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in New York, United States Jun 2012 - Jul 2017 | |||
| Apr 2015116700 mi | Diagnose why passenger airbag turns on and off randomly when passenger is riding in car | ||
| May 2016135300 miUS $300 | Tie-rod Needed replacement | ||
| Aug 2016138600 miUS $200 | Front headlight replaced , requires entire front end to be removed . A $250 job to replace a $40 part , awful design | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Utah, United States Sep 2011 - Nov 2012 | |||
| Jun 201191000 miUS $259 | Check engine light came on and code indicated a major problem. The dealer replaced the front cam shaft position sensor. | ||
| Aug 201198000 miUS $259 | Check engine light came on and the code indicated an major problem. Dealer replaced the rear cam shaft position sensor. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States Mar 2009 - Feb 2015 | |||
| Sep 200913000 mi | electric door lock not working on one door | ||
| May 201023000 miUS $38 | Slight plastic rattle due to positioning of seat belt clip, slight clicking sound from steering column during wide turns | ||
| Sep 201254000 miUS $90 | cruise control | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in New Hampshire, United States Apr 2008 - Apr 2011 | |||
| Jun 201030000 mi | Replaced two door lock actuators and reprogramed one key. | ||
| Apr 201134000 mi | Driver door actuator & driver seat back adjuster stopped working. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Pennsylvania, United States Apr 2008 - Apr 2010 | |||
| Mar 200919000 mi | Rattling air intake box, that was fixed at the dealership with double sided tape. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Missouri, United States Jun 2008 - Jul 2013 |
| Chevrolet Malibu in Virginia, United States Mar 2008 - Aug 2012 | |||
| Jul 200910000 mi | Sun roof opens but then would not close. Center arm rest latch broken | ||
| Jul 201019000 mi | Anti-lock brakes, Traction control and Parking brake warning lamps came on simultaneously. Replaced brake control module. Rear bumper cover would shift left to right approx. .5 inches. Found loose hardware. Re-secured hardware with the use of Loctite. | ||
| Sep 201020000 mi | Knocking/banging coming from front end when making a turn. Trunk closing strap handle snapped in half | ||
| Dec 201022000 mi | Steering wheel oscillating from side to side without touching steering wheel. Car would also lurch uncommanded from side to side while driving. Replaced power steering motor. Right/front door speaker had no sound. Replaced door speaker. | ||
| Aug 201234000 mi | Auto lights intermittent. Problem first reported December 2011. Out of warranty so never got it fixed. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Saskatchewan, Canada Feb 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Sep 200921080 mi | The rear passenger door lock no longer worked electronically only manually. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Florida, United States Jun 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jul 200915000 mi | Power steering was out and car rumbled when it was driven. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Delaware, United States Dec 2007 - Dec 2009 | |||
| Nov 200810000 mi | Driver's door latch intermittently would not let the door latch or unlatch, making it bounce or get stuck shut. The latch was replaced and all is back to normal. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Manitoba, Canada Jun 2008 - Dec 2020 | |||
| Dec 20086820 mi | The brake fluid in the master cylinder started to break down about 3 months after owning the car. Come cold winter months, the brakes would squeak when depressed. Dealer changed fluid to a modified DOT3 fluid as per bulletin #PIT3779J. | ||
| Jun 201022940 mi | Noticeable clicking noise coming from rear when going over a bump. Dealer troubleshooted and discovered it was a rattle originating from the seatbelt mechanism. Applied some foam tape around the mechanism, and the problem was solved. | ||
| Mar 201251460 mi | Both driver and passenger lower ball joints had slight play. Both were recommended for repair, and as a result was repaired under extended warranty. Estimated cost would have been $1385 had I not been covered under extended warranty. | ||
| Jul 201255880 miC $1100 | Driver side strut mount bearing was seizing. Loud clunks could be heard as I was steering both left or right. Since the old struts had to be removed anyway, I decided to install all new springs, struts too. No quick strut avaialable... | ||
| Mar 201371300 miC $1650 | Replaced both front control arms and replaced both rear sway bars. The ball joints in the front were loose, and the bushings in the back were cracked. GM basically requires replacement of the whole control arm and sway bar kit. | ||
| Dec 201389900 miC $700 | The steering column and rack were chattering causing clicking when turning. The steering column was replaced. | ||
| Nov 2015134440 miC $280 | Rear shocks getting noisy. Auto shop replaced both rear shocks. | ||
| Apr 2016143080 miC $850 | In addition, the power door lock for driver side door was replaced as it wasn't locking/unlocking anymore. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Tennessee, United States Oct 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Sep 20087800 mi | A piece of paneling in the center console where the back 12volt plug is kept popping out when I would lift the console door. It was fixed a week later and covered by warranty with no issues. Tire wheel arch also had a missing panel plug; was replaced. | ||
| Nov 200812000 mi | A small piece of panel in the middle was popping out when the box in the center was opened to its fullest. Slightly annoying to have to pop it back in, but was replaced quickly and have had no problems. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Illinois, United States May 2008 - Nov 2010 | |||
| Sep 20086000 mi | Clunk from brake pedal while depressing brake in cold weather: brakes drained, filled, and bled at no cost. | ||
| Aug 201026000 mi | Cruise control inoperative and brake lamps on. Replaced brake lamp switch. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States Jun 2009 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jan 200920000 mi | AC blower fan started making a clicking sound. | ||
| Jun 200922000 mi | Replaced left rear stereo speaker after the stereo made a loud pop and cut out for a few seconds. Speaker became "fuzzy" and was replaced under warranty. | ||
| Oct 200930000 mi | Clunk sound when straightening wheel after right hand turn. Also occasional clunk sound when accelerating from a stop. Replaced intermediate steering column under warranty. Key would stick in ignition. Replaced ignition. Door to storage slot in front of gear selector broken by dealer during replacement of ignition. | ||
| Dec 200933000 mi | Parts installed Squeaking break pedal. Replaced fluid in master cylinder. Not fixed 100% of the time but better. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States Jan 2009 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Oct 201030000 mi | Steering component needed lubrication. I've had regular service, OLF, every 3-4000 miles. Don't know why lubricant failed in this case. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Quebec, Canada Jul 2009 - Mar 2017 | |||
| Aug 200918600 mi | Rear left door lock intermittent no-lock/unlock condition | ||
| Nov 201027280 mi | Light bulb from driver's door handle area was out. Replaced. Driver's door latch/light burned out. Replaced under warranty. | ||
| Mar 201235960 mi | Intermitent NO lock/unlock condition rear R/H door latch. Dismantled, looked at, physically cycled cleaned with isopropyl alcool, and lightly lubed with LPS. Fixed! Frt L/H door latch this time. Door Ajar on DIC, chime when key switch OFF with door fully closed. will attempt cleaning before dismantle. Same built as rear with latch/solenoid/switch in same casing? Update on Front L/H door latch: Fixed itself! No more Door Ajar message Radio plays until door is opened, and dome light shuts off when required! | ||
| Jun 201235340 mi | Frt L/H door latch this time. Door Ajar on DIC, chime when key switch OFF with door fully closed. will attempt cleaning before dismantle. Same built as rear with latch/solenoid/switch in same casing? EDIT June 30: fixed itself! | ||
| Sep 201342160 miC $15 | Knocking sound was coming back slowly, even with new disks and pads. Dismantled, cleaned and relubed with synthetics. Specialy the caliper pins which were quite dry. Pins out of calipers and boots throughout clean job. Works good. | ||
| Dec 201553320 miC $100 | Front struts top towers. Bearings seized causing the coil springs to retain the steering movement. | ||
| Mar 201654560 miC $1000 | Left front Wheel bearing, and lower suspension arm joint | ||
| Apr 201654760 mi | L/H lower A-arm ball joint + bearing | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada Aug 2009 - May 2018 | |||
| Sep 200912400 mi | passenger side rear door lock stopped working. replaced under warranty. | ||
| Jun 201455800 miC $50 | Camshaft sensor or something like that. It was minor took two minutes. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Idaho, United States Nov 2008 - Feb 2015 | |||
| Dec 200827000 mi | Emissions filter stuck open. | ||
| Sep 200940000 mi | Steering "Clunk." There is a TSB re; this. Steering mid-shaft was replaced. Parts were in stock. One hour, in and out. Drives like new now. Very pleased with the Malibu and the Dealer Service. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Quebec, Canada Jul 2009 - Aug 2009 | |||
| Aug 200914260 mi | Left rear hubcap, chrome coating was peeling and popping. | ||
2008 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
164-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 4-speed automatic FWD
| Chevrolet Malibu in Florida, United States Feb 2009 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Jun 201028000 mi | Replaced failed Lith. Battery | ||
| Dec 201033000 mi | Clunging sound when turning and moving over irregular pavement | ||
| Oct 201247300 mi | Droning sound that increased with speed, corrected by replacing rear hub bearing. covered by drive train warrenty | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans
See TrueDelta's information for all Chevrolet models.
