2014 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 363 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 19 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 17 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, sun/moon roof assemblyMar 23, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.
Campaign 15V164000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumMay 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2.5L engine with the auto stop/start option. The affected vehicles may experience a complete loss of brake vacuum assist, disabling the hydraulic boost assist. As such, these vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
If the hydraulic boost assist is disabled, slowing or stopping the vehicle will require additional brake pedal effort and a lengthened stopping distance. Both of these effects increase the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic brake control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020. General Motors number for this recall is 14201.
Campaign 14V247000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, discMay 8, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured February 7, 2014, through March 31, 2014, and equipped with 17 inch front brake rotors. The affected vehicles may have had brake rotors intended for the rear of the car accidentally installed on the front. The rear rotors, while the same diameter, are thinner and may result in a front brake pad detaching from the caliper.
If a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake rotors, and install the correct rotors with new brake pads, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14128.
Campaign 14V240000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionFeb 21, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
Campaign 14V092000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, defroster/defogger/hvac systemNov 13, 2013
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.
Campaign 13V567000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2022
2014 Malibu will turn to auto stop then off while reversing or getting out of a parking spot in general. Rarely, it will stop in traffic when waiting at a red light, but 99% of the time when coming out of a parking spot. It will also bounce and/or rock when stopped in drive. This has been going on since about January 2022 as far as I realize.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2022
Reduced Engine Power
Suspension, Electrical system, Apr 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power while coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions. The dealer replaced the auxiliary battery and the timing intake bracket arm; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 8, 2022
2014 Malibu lt with the auto stop issues. My auxiliary batter was replaced and everything was good until my engine light came on can’t even remember exactly but the code was for the rocker arm control valve and oil pressure sensor. I replaced vvt solenoid also the intake and exhaust solenoid. Shortly after that, maybe 2 months or so after was when the auto stop started having issues. After the suto stop is engaged and my foot comes off the brake, it fails to restart after two failed attempts. I’ll manually restart it and it might start right away but sometimes wont start until the 2nd or 3rd try
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 30, 2021
The vehicle will still be running after I turn the engine off and take the key out of ignition.
Electrical system, Nov 29, 2021
The HVAC system is not functioning. In July of 2021, the air conditioner would not turn off at all. The car cannot be driven at all if it is cold outside and the windows frost over as you cannot turn on the heater to defrost them. Even if they aren't frosted over, it's too cold now to drive with the air conditioner on. There was a recall with other 2014 Chevy Malibu's, but not for my car, but it is the same problem as the other recall. It is available for inspection. I called GM and they were not helpful at all. No warning lamps or messages prior to the problem. Can take to a dealership when the weather is warm enough. Had to disengage the blower motor.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 3, 2021
THIS CAR HAS THE AUTO/STOP FUNCTION. THERE IS NO WAY TO CUT THIS OFF ACCORDING THE THE OWNERS MANUAL OR ONLINE RESEARCH. NOT EVERYTIME BUT IT HAPPENS ALOT. BE DRIVING STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE AUTO STOP KICKS IN. WHEN THE LIGHT TURN GREEN, STEP ON GAS CAR IS SUPPOSE TO START, DOES NOT START. YOU HAVE TO PUT IN PARK, TURN KEY OFF, ATTEMPT TO CRANK AGAIN BEFORE YOU CAN GO. MEANWHILE PEOPLE ARE AVOIDING HITTING YOU IN THE REAR NOT KNOWING YOU ARE NOT MOVING ETC. ON THE MALIBU FORUM YOU WILL SEE MULIPLE COMPLIANTS FROM MALIBU OWNERS 2014-2016 WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT! I CALLED GM NO RESPONSE . ITS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED OR INJURED FOR GM TO DO A RECALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE- PEOPLE COULD REAR END ME , SITTING IN MIDDLE OF A ROAD NOT MOVING!! THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THERE IS NOTHING IN OWNERS MANUAL TELLING HOW TO DISABLE THIS FUNCTION.. ITS USELESS.. DEATH TRAP! PLEASE FORCE GM TO HAVE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE THERE ARE LAWSUITS INVOLVING DEATHS!!! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT!!
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 15, 2021
My car is throwing a rocker arm valve code but chevy is saying its not covered under the NHTSA program that was passed. Its a 2014 chevy malibu 2.5 L with 93000 miles on it. It causes the auto stop to malfunction and the car will completely shut down when stopped. It will not restart at all. Have been almost hit 3 times at major intersections.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jun 16, 2021, fire
GOV vehicle was traveling north on the Baltimore Washington Parkway near Interstate 695. The steering and brakes failed, and the driver moved the vehicle safely to the shoulder and exited the vehicle. The vehicle began to smoke and caught fire. The Traction control , steering, brake and ABS warning lamps appeared.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jun 7, 2021
Whenever a passenger rides in the front seat all electrical components lose proper function. Heating/air-conditioning does not work, multiple warning sensors go off, radio does not work, gas gauge does not work, speedometer does not work, blinkers do not work.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 27, 2021, fire
BATTERY OR ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. SEE ATTACHMENT.
Electrical system, Mar 23, 2021, crash
WHEN THE AUTO STOP KICKS IT AT LIGHT THE CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY AND TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART WITH MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY. THIS IS A ACCIDENT HAZARD AND THE 2014 MALIBU HAVE NO OPTION TO TURN OFF THE AUTO STOP LIKE THE NEWER CARS.. BEEN HAPPENING FOR A YEAR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 6, 2021
WHEN START STOP WAS ENGAGED AT LIGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF EVERYTHING ON THE DASH AND RADIO WENT BLANK. IT AUTO STARTED AND AC WAS NO LONGER WORKING. AFTERWARDS I SMELLED A SLIGHT BURNING SCENT (IN LOUISIANA TRAFFIC, I WAS UNSURE IT WAS ME) BUT CAR RAN FINE. WHEN START STOP ENGAGED THERE WAS A LONGER THAN NORMAL PAUSE BEFORE WOULD AUTO START WOULD ENGAGE. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO CRANK ON OCCASION FOR A FEW KEY TURNS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TRUNK WOULD MYSTERIOUSLY POP OPEN. STARTED DISPLAYING TWO KEY FOBS PROGRAMMED, ABS STABLE TRACK, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, LOW BATTERY AND ANOTHER THING I CAN'T REMEMBER AT START UP. I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WITH NEW ONES AND THE NEXT DAY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED AS WELL AS HEAD LIGHTS. AND WHEN I WAS TO TAKE IT IN TO DEALERSHIP IT HAD COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE FUSE BLOCK AND REPLACED IT. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND HAS A PAUSE BEFORE IT START. WILL NOT SEND DIAGNOSTICS TO MY CHEVY APP. REMOTE START IS NOT WORKING WITH ENG LIGHT ON. I TOLD THEM I THOUGHT IS WAS BATTERY CONTROL MODULE BUT HE INSISTED THAT IT WAS JUST THE ENGINE FUSE BLOCK. I CANNOT EXPLAIN THE ANXIETY. AND HAVE TOLD MY FAMILY THAT IF I DIE IN THAT CAR TO SUE GM. THERE SHOULD BE NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR AT 6 YEARS OLD. 53000 MILES AND IS DRIVEN LESS THAN 50 MILES A WEEK.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jan 14, 2021
WHILE SOMEONE IS IN MY PASSENGER SEAT, ALLY GAGES WILL GO TO 0, (INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING) THE SEAT WARMS WILL TURN OFF, ALSO MY STEREO SHUTS DOWN. I GET A NOTIFICATION SAYING "SERVICE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM", "SERVICE THIEF DETERRENT SYSTEM" ALSO SOMETHING ABOUT THE AIRBAGS.
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2021
MY BLOWER STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR AND NOTICED IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, SO I'M GUESSING THEY CAUGHT A RECALL BEFORE THEY SOLD TO ME. AFTER I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR, IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, AND THEN STOPPED AGAIN. I'VE NOTICED PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF SIMILAR ISSUES IN ONLINE FORUMS AND AM WONDERING IF IT'S COVERED UNDER SOME SORT OF RECALL OR SOMETHING. PLEASE HELP.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 25, 2020
THE CAR WILL NOT START AND MESSAGES POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD STATING BATTERY SAVER ASSIST, POWER STEERING CARE, STABILOCK CONTROL.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 13, 2020
POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING THEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON DASH AND CAR STOPS ACCELERATING. SHUT CAR OFF AND ALL LIGHTS TURN OFF AND CAR DRIVES FINE AND THEN RANDOMLY COMES ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK NEARLY GOT IN AN ACCIDENT . AFTER READING MANY FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY CHEVY !! VERY VERY UNSAFE STILL CAN'T SOLVE HOW TO FIX THE ISSUES AND HAVE TO DRIVE CHILDREN AROUND!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2020
KEY CONSISTING BECOMES STUCK IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER OF MY 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS PREVENTS THE DOORS FROM BEING LOCKED AND INCREASING THE CHANCE OF THE VEHICLE BEING STOLEN. THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF VIDEOS FOR THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND ALL ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CHEVROLET VEHICLES. THIS IS A REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLES.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 5, 2020
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF AND THERE'S ONLY 78000 MILES. THE AUTO STOP ISN'T WORKING. THE TRACKING LIGHT WON'T GO OF AND THE ABS LIGHT WONT GO OFF
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 11, 2020
SERVICE ENGINE SIGNAL WON'T COME OFF AND MY CAR WON'T CUT OFF
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2020
THE CARS STOP START FUNCTION IS MALFUNCTIONING AND WILL COMPLETELY TURN THE CAR OFF WHEN ENGAGED. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS DUE TO THIS. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME THE FUNCTION IS ENGAGED. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR MARCH 17,2020
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 28, 2020
THE VEHICLE STOPS WHILE IN MOTION AND IN DRIVING GEAR THEN WHEEL LOCK UP. MAKING IT UNABLE TO PROCEED TO TURN OR DRIVE. THIS DOES NOT MATTER IF ON HIGHWAY OR PUBLIC STREET. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO COTTMANS AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN AND WAS COVERED BY MANUFACTURERS UNDER CODES P0011 AND P2646. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED WITH RESOLVING THIS MATTER AS MY CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jun 17, 2020
MY PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG ISN'T WORKING AND MY ELECTRICAL TO MY EMC ISN'T WORKING AND WHEN BATTERY IS UNHOOKED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON I'VE HAD SEVERAL SENSORS TO GO BAD. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2020
AC AND RADIO COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. NO POWER WHATSOEVER.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 17, 2020
WHEN I COME TO A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, WHEN MY CAR TRIES TO USE THE AUTO STOP FEATURE THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT FAILS TO START BACK ON WHICH CAUSES IT TO FULLY TURN OFF WHILE THE KEY IS STILL TURNED AND THE CAR IS IN DRIVE AS IF THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOR DO I KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING IT. I CHANGED MY SPARK PLUGS THINKING THAT MIGHT OF BEEN THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME MALFUNCTION. PLEASE HELP.