2008 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2008 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2008 Chevrolet Malibu | 2008 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 987 | 168 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,074 | 621 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 30 | 3 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–27 | 20–24 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 80,000 mi | 90,500 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 460 | 12 |
| Electrical System | 231 | 21 |
| Exterior Lighting | 106 | 3 |
| Engine | 61 | 43 |
| Power Train | 86 | 12 |
| Air Bags | 64 | 32 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 44 | 44 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 71 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 97 | 0 |
| Steering problems | 58 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 39 | 16 |
| Stalling | 37 | 21 |
| Loss of power | 35 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 27 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 20 | 7 |
| Clunking / rattling | 15 | 0 |
2008 Chevrolet Malibu
2008 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Passat years →
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.