2008 Chevrolet Malibu door lock problems

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHUCK NICHOLSON INC (LOCATED AT 7190 OH-39, MILLERSBURG, OH 44654, (330) 275-3522) STATED THAT A WAIVER NEEDED TO BE SIGNED PRIOR TO ANY ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR DUE TO POSSIBLE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11133517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS, THE LATCHES FAILED TO CONNECT. AS A RESULT, THE DOORS REMAINED OPEN AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10967878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND ALL OF THE DOORS LOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED BACK TO THE PARK POSITION THE REAR DOORS DID NOT UNLOCK. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ UPDATED 05/16/18

NHTSA complaint #10767411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

OWNERS OF CHEVY MALIBUS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH 2008 - 2010 POWER DOOR LOCKS THAT MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE DOORS CAN LOCK AND UNLOCK AT RANDOM TIMES, AND MINE DO NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK UNLESS DONE MANUALLY, SINCE THERE IS ONLY A KEY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS DOOR YOU HAVE TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO MANUALLY UN LOCK THE REAR DOORS. PLEASE LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION AND ORDER THE MANUFACTURER TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AFFECTED SINCE ITS SAFETY RELATED. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10758541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WIPER TRANSMISSION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED TO WORK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLOSE THE DOOR WITH FORCE TO GET THE DOOR TO SECURE. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO ENSURE THE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,768.

NHTSA complaint #10733317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, THE DIMMER SWITCH, THE CONSOLE LIGHTS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS, AND THE TURN SIGNALS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BULB FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE HARNESS WAS REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION, BUT THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DEALER FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOOSE PIN ON ONE OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CONNECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BULBS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK EXCESSIVELY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCHES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10725599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA complaint #10713044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. AT TIMES, THE LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NOT ALL THE LOCKS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10712276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

REAR DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO FUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10676183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT WORK AT TIMES... THE DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL THE TIME. WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING IN PARK.

NHTSA complaint #10632621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I PUT MY CHILDREN I THE CAR AS I ALWAYS DO THE CAR DOORS LOCK WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE UNLOCKED AND WOULD NOT LOCK BACK. SINCE THEN THEY HAVE FAILED TO WORK. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR THOSE WITH CHILDREN. THE FUSES AND RELAYS ARE ALL GOOD ON THE CAR IM ASSUMING IT IS THE ACTUATOR. WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THESE LOCKS FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND OTHERS RIDING IN THESE SAME CONDITIONS DUE TO FAULTY LOCKS.

NHTSA complaint #10608167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

POWER DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT WORK THEY MAKE THE NOISE AND CLICK BUT DO NOT TAKE ACTION TO LOCK OR UNLOCK.THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT HAVING KIDS AND HAVING TO REACH ALL THROUGHOUT THE CAR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS . PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10606541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS ARE INTERMITTENT OR HAVE FAILED. THIS HAS BECOME A PROBLEM WITH CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT LEAVING THEM WITH UNLOCKED DOORS OR MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REACH ACROSS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WERE A BABY SEAT IS LOCATED.

NHTSA complaint #10597313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE MASTER DOOR LOCK OR THE KEY FOB WAS USED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK HAD TO BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED MANUALLY. THE DEALER RE-PROGRAMMED THE REMOTE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,700.

NHTSA complaint #10597146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK UNLESS DONE MANUALLY. MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR JUST RECENTLY STOPPED UNLOCKING WITH THE REMOTE IT HAS TO BE DONE WITH THE KEY. ITS NOT SAFE I DON'T LIVE IN THAT GREAT OF A NEIGHBORHOOD AND IF MY DOORS ARE UNLOCKED AND SOMEONE IS TRYING TO GET IN ID HAVE TO CRAWL INTO THE BACK SEAT TO LOCK EACH DOOR. ITS NOT SAFE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET.

NHTSA complaint #10594035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ON 3 OF THE FOUR DOORS. THE DOORS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN CAR PUT INTO DRIVE. YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR OR REAR DOORS WITH DRIVERS AUTOMATIC CONTROLS OR THE KEY FOB. HAVE TO LIFT THE DOOR LOCK MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS IS BY CLIMBING INTO THE BACK SEATS. A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOUNG CHILDREN ARE IN THE REAR SEATS AND YOU NEED TO GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY!! HAD TO HAVE THE DOOR LOCKS REPLACED ON THE THREE DOORS WHICH COST $750.00.

NHTSA complaint #10593485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MY CHEVY 2008 MALIBU, THE POWER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING ON 3 OUT OF 4 DOORS.

NHTSA complaint #10592991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE DRIVER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I BROUGHT TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR, IT WAS DETERMINED THE ACTUATOR NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY AND IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER ANOTHER SIX MONTHS, THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT, THE UNIT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. TODAY, NEITHER SIDE WORKS NOR DO THE KEY FOBS. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $350 PER LOCK. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING AND NOTED ISSUE WITH GM. THE MANUAL STATES "UNLOCKED DOORS CAN BE DANGEROUS". MANY MALIBU OWNERS HAVE LODGED COMPLAINTS ON INDEPENDENT SITES INCLUDING CHEVROLET MALIBU FORUM.

NHTSA complaint #10592743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING TWO YEARS AGO, NOISE WITH STEERING AND POWER TRAIN. EVERY TIME I TURN IT MAKES A CRAZY NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #10584576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

BACK DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK UNLESS PUSHED DOWN MANUALLY. BOTH BACK DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WITH POWER LOCKS OR WITH KEY FOB. I HAVE READ ON MANY FORUMS THAT IT IS THE ACTUATOR NOT WORKING. THE CAR CAN ACTUALLY BE BROKEN INTO BECAUSE THE DOORS ARE ACTUALLY UNLOCKED.

NHTSA complaint #10584087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

CHEVROLET MALIBU DOOR LOCKS / LATCHES ARE FAILING TO OPERATE ON THREE OF FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE. REMOTE LOCK AND UNLOCK CANNOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO ACTUATOR / LATCH FAILURE. SAFETY OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED AS CHEVROLET MALIBU BODY CONTROL MODULE IS SUPPOSED TO LOCK ALL DOORS AS VEHICLE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED INTO DRIVE AND UNLOCK ALL DOORS WHEN VEHILCE IS PLACED INTO PARK. HOWEVER, DUE TO APPARENT DESIGN / QUALITY FAILURE OF DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR / LATCH MECHANISM (AS EVIDENCED BY FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE AND NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES AS REPORTED IN ONLINE OWNER FORUMS HTTP://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=7950) SAFETY OF PASSENGERS IS IMPACTED BY INABILITY TO SECURE MOVING VEHICLE AND UNLOCK AND OPEN DOORS TO RETRIEVE SMALL CHILDREN WHEN OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10579447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

REAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN PUT IN GEAR OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR UNLOCK WHEN PUT IN PARK. ONLY WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THE REAR LOCK SOLENOIDS GO BAD. AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SELLING AND INSTALLING A LOT OF THEM. THE SOLENOIDS ARE PART OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH. I PAID FOR TWO NEW SOLENOIDS AND INSTALLED THEM .PROBLEM FIXED. THE PARTS NUMBER HAS BEEN UPDATED FOUR TIMES? I FEEL GM SHOULD HAVE REPAIRED THIS AT NO CHARGE. WHY IS THIS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM ?

NHTSA complaint #10576440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS FOR ALL FOUR DOORS FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN USING THE KEY FOB REMOTE. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA complaint #10552435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB, BUT IT DID LOCK WITH THE KEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE AIR CONDITIONER SMELLED LIKE THE COOLANT WAS BURNING; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT OVERHEAT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10526293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCKS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #10526338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

INITIALLY THE LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED - APPROXIMATELY 17 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, WOULD NOT UNLOCK; PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THEN THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. SPOKE WITH GM DEALER - NOT COVERED, PARTS COST $165 PLUS, THE NEXT LOCK TO MALFUNCTION WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, WOULD NOT UNLOCK; PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THEN THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. CONTACTED GM DEALER - NO RECALL NOTICE OUT, NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER CARE - NO RECALL OR WARRANTY COVERAGE.THE LATEST DOOR LOCK TO MALFUNCTION IS THE RIGHT REAR DOOR, WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. WHET TO GM DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE - COST $ 58.80, INFORMED, "NEED RIGHT FRONT AN BOTH REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS, $ 784.24 INSTALLED - HAVE TO ORDER." IRONICALLY, THE ENTRY ALARM SYSTEM STILL FUNCTIONS IF IT HAS BEEN SET ALTHOUGH THE DOOR APPEARS, AND ACTUALLY IS, UNLOCKED.

NHTSA complaint #10522465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS MANY ON THE CHEVY.COM WEBSITE. THE ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH THE DOOR LOCKS NOT LOCKING. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS ATTEMPT TO PULL THE LOCK DOWN BUT HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO CONSISTENTLY DO SO. IT IS TOT HE POINT WHERE THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK THE DOOR IS TO MANUALLY DO SO. THIS WOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE IF THE CAR HASN'T ALREADY TRAINED YOU TO BE USE TO THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE AND LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB WHILE WALKING AWAY FROM THE CAR WITH A CLICK AND A HONK. THERE ARE SOME SAFETY ISSUES HERE AS YOU AREN'T QUITE SURE WHEN YOU CAR IS LOCKED OR NOT. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WAS DISTURBING WHEN I LOGGED ONTO THE CHEVY.COM FORUM WHICH DISCUSS SUCH ISSUES. A RECALL SEEMS INEVITABLE AND VERY MUCH NEEDED FOR SAFETY REASONS.

NHTSA complaint #10521083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEY.

NHTSA complaint #10520308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON ALL 4 DOORS DO NOT OPERATE, I HAVE TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THEN CLIMB OVER THE SEATS TO UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS AND REACH ACROSS TO UNLOCK PASSENGER DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10514662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DOORS STOPPED LOCKING WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, AND UNLOCKING WHEN IN PARK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE CARRY A TODDLER/CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT AND THEY ARE NOT LOCKED IN, AND COULD OPEN THE DOOR. WE ARE TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON IN MALIBU'S AND THE DEALER MAINTAINS AN INVENTORY OF ACTUATOR'S TO REPAIR ALL OF THE VEHICLES THAT ARE BROUGHT IN.

NHTSA complaint #10508793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.