2008 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA has 86 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all 987 complaints for this model year. That is #7 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 5 crashes and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 88,000 miles.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 86
- 9% of 987
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 88,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
When 2008 Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 18, 2010, latest Jul 22, 2024.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
- NHTSA 14V224000Apr 30, 2014Transmission & Powertrain1,131,113 vehicles
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 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.
Risk: 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 ÂPARK position, the transmission may not be in ÂPARK. 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.
- NHTSA 12V460000Sep 18, 2012Transmission & Powertrain426,240 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Malibu model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
- NHTSA has 86 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all complaints for this model year, including 5 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 88,000 miles.
- Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most transmission complaints?
- The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has the most transmission complaints (170), compared with 86 for the 2008.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu concern the transmission: 14V224000 and 12V460000.