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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Power Train Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026

75Power Train complaints
7.6%Of all 987 complaints
#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train ranks on this vehicle

STEERING451 · 45.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM224 · 22.7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING95 · 9.6%
POWER TRAIN75 · 7.6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)68 · 6.9%

Share of the 987 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN…”NHTSA complaint 10342048 — filed 07/08/2010

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train complaints by year filed

12010120113201272013282014122015920161201732018420194202022024

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission & power train problems?

Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu: 75 of 987 complaints on file (7.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu have in total?

987 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 30 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train category include?

NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.