IN THIS 4 DOOR VEHICLE, THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS APPEAR TO HAVE A DEFECT THAT HAS AFFECTED NUMEROUS VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS EITHER COMPLETELY FAIL OR BECOME INTERMITTENT. THERE ARE TWO PRIMARY SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THESE ACTUATORS FAILING. THE FIRST BEING THAT NOT ALL THE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE, GIVING WOMEN OR MEN A FALSE SENS…
2008 chevrolet Malibu electrical problems
moderate 167 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
167
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CODES ILLUMINATED AND ALL OF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO RUN VERY ROUGH. IF THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, OCCASIONALLY SHE HAD TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN MODULE, BUT THAT ONLY CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR A SHORT …
I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION TOTALLY LOCK UP AND SOUND LIKE BRAKING PLACTIC,HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. DASHBOAD LIGHTS EITHER DO NOT WORK OR FLICKER. FAST FLASHING AS IF A BULB IS OUT THAN IT FIXES ITSELF. NUMBERS RUNNING ACROSS THE RADIO SCREEN THAN STOPS.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 167 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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