AI Damage2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 29% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 29% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 14% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Stormy ,wet night,I stopped at corner in my 2008 malibu hybrid-starting forward,my car surged and landed me in a brook-now sounds like sua. Any other complaints of this sort. Water totaled the car-there was no investigation. I am not sure of component as I have no mechanical expertise. There was a definite loud surge.
Smell fuel and there is a leak near upper tank by the fuel pump.
When driving, 2 messages appeared on dash - "power steering" and "service air bag." when attempting to start the car later, it would not turn over, and the "anti-theft" light was on, along with the other 2 warning messages from above.
Vehicle is strong gas smell coming from the rear. Took the vehicle to independent mechanic and they confirmed the fuel pump module needed to be replaced due to leak. No recall has been issues by gm to fix this issue on the chevrolet malibu.
The lock will lock and unlock as you are driving down the road and or when the key are not in it.
Loss of power steering while pulling into lot and then car shut off and would not start again. At first service, told dealership what happened but they did not know what the cause was. That same year or next year there was a recall on the hybrid battery and it was replaced.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, there was a complete loss of power steering without warning. One week prior to the failure the steering suspension was recalibrated by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer after the malfunction for diagnosis.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,539 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Malibu Hybrid has 13 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, steering. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (43%), fuel system, fuel smell (29%), won't start (29%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.