Malibu (8th)
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LE5
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Chevrolet Malibu Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
LE9
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LY7
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZ4
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L61
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
LAT - MFI, DOHC, Bas Hybrid, Ecotec
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZE
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 13 additional engine variants with limited data
LG8
3.1L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LCV -SIDI, DCVCP, VVT, DCVCP, E85 Max, E0-E100, Aluminum
2.5L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LV6
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LC3
4.4L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LS7
7.0L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LUU - E-FLEX, FAM 0
1.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LX9
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LAY
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
1.6-I4-Gas
1.6L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L32
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
1.0-I3-Gas
1.0L 3-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.8-V6-Gas
2.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Mild Hybrid
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 8 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2008] FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 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
- [2008] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. 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. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOU
- [2009] Loss of power steered. Power steering esc code appears. Steering wheel locks when I first start vehicle.
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2008] FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 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
- [2009] PLEASE REVIEW NHTSA ID NUMBERS 10360384, AND 10464366. MY ORIGINAL CASE IS 10360384, AND BOTH ARE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WORKED WITH GM A FEW YEARS AGO, WHEN I SUBMITTED MY CASE. THEY NOTED THE HESITATION AND SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL. MY CAR WAS "BETTER" FOR A WHILE AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE LATELY. I AM WANTING TO KNOW NOW IF THIS IS A SIMILAR ISSUE IN REALITY TO THE OWNERS THAT COMPLAIN OF THE BRAKES
- [2009] MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS ALMOST GOING TO STALL OUT WHENEVER I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. THIS HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME WHEN CROSSING AND INTERSECTION FROM A STOP. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES. I AM NOT SURE, BUT I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THIS USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT WITH IT OFF TOO. NOW, WHENEVER I COME TO A STOP
High-Voltage Battery
- [2008] FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 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
- [2009] ON 4/29/10, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF NOT ACCELERATING OVER 45. ON 6/18/10, I WAS TRYING MERGE ONTO A INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR, BUT THE CAR HAD NO POWER. I ALMOST WAS HIT BECAUSE OF THIS. IMMEDIATELY THE SERVICE HYBRID LIGHT CAME ON SO TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND A LEAKING BATTERY AND BAD SENSOR. CAR REPAIRED AND BEGAN TO DRIVE HOME. AFTER STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I TRIED TO ACC
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Malibu, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu
On a used 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (2,100), the electrical system (2,064) and the exterior lighting (806). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 2,100 owner complaints on the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu about the steering.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 2,064 owner complaints on the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu about the electrical system.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 806 owner complaints on the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu about the exterior lighting.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 562 owner complaints on the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu about the brakes.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 545 owner complaints on the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu about the engine, all engines combined.
Recalls (9)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. 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. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
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.
Show 4 older recalls
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
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.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".
GM IS RECALLING 77 MY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEM." THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIRCONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE BLOWER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE MODE SELECTOR WOULD REMAIN IN THE LAST KNOWN SETTING.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu complaints?
Owners have filed 5,786 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The systems they name most often are the steering, the electrical system and the exterior.
Is the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 5,786 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA has 5,786 owner complaints on file for the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Malibu?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the electrical system and the exterior, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Malibu?
The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 5,786 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.