2008 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2008 Chevrolet Malibu | 2009 Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 987 | 1,509 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,074 | 1,098 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 30 | 41 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 9 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–27 | 20–29 |
| Median reported mileage | 80,000 mi | 100,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 460 | 768 |
| Electrical System | 231 | 368 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 68 | 255 |
| Exterior Lighting | 106 | 172 |
| Power Train | 86 | 121 |
| Service Brakes | 62 | 142 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 71 | 56 |
| Air Bags | 64 | 62 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 97 | 64 |
| Steering problems | 58 | 111 |
| Check engine light | 39 | 33 |
| Stalling | 37 | 45 |
| Loss of power | 35 | 87 |
| Airbag warning light | 27 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 20 | 16 |
| Clunking / rattling | 15 | 0 |
2008 Chevrolet Malibu
2009 Chevrolet Malibu
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Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.