The Lemon Index2008 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is about average by owner complaints: 186 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 105, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 20 to 27 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,017 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 118K miles on the car (822 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 50K–124K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 45K–118K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 60K–129K miles
Recalls 5
- steering 2014
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- electrical 2014
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
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 vehicle…
Show all 5 recalls
- steering 2014
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2012
On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1074 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clunk, knock or rattle noise from front of vehicle while driving or turning over bumps at low…
- Brake pedal clunk possible brake drag c0131
- On some of these vehicles, transient voltage surges from the engine cooling fans may be
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Steering wheel jerking left and right while at low speed and setting still.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10262701
More owner reports
Difficult to turn at low speeds, steering wheel shaking and shimmies left, clunking or rubbing noise. Had steering column lubed, new rack and pinion installed and still doing it.
NHTSA complaint 10336732
There was a clunking noise in the steering mechanism, especially at low speed. The dealer stated that it was the intermediate steering shaft. It was replaced at a cost of $371.
NHTSA complaint 10319528
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 105; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (59%), doors, locks & latches (14%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have?
5 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu get?
20 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,000 and 118,000 miles. The middle report was at 78,800 miles, from 822 complaints.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works