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 30, 2018
WAS DRIVING CAR AND STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF AND EVERYTHING LOCKED UP. THE KEY STAYED STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO GO INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK. ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY THAT COULD OF GOT ME KILLED!!! MY BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. SO IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE FOR CAR TO DIE OUT OF NOWHERE.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 6, 2018
I HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES WOULD NOT BRAKE AND POWER CUT OFF AND CUT BACK ON
Electrical system, Feb 8, 2018, fire
AUXILIARY BATTERY IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT FAILURE CAUSING FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT POWERED ON. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN POWERLESS FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO AUTO STOP MODE AND FAILED TO START WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE GENERATOR BATTERY CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY. SOME TIME AFTER THE BATTERY REPLACEMENT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT A SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO AUTO STOP MODE AS DESIGNED. THE DRIVER RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND BEGAN TO HESITATE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD STALL AT ANY MOMENT. THE CONTACT RAN ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH RESULTED IN THE SAME FAILURE MESSAGE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR THE 2013 MODELS AND NOT THE 2014 MODELS. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8/3551621673. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,600.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 10, 2017
I HAVE A 2014 MALIBU THAT HAS AROUND 86000 AND AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED JERKING AND MY POWER LOCKS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN CONTINUOUSLY ALONG WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE." AFTER I CAME TO A STOP, PULLED OVER TO TUN OFF THE IGNITION, MY RADIO WAS STILL ON EVEN AFTER I OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE KEYS OUT OF THE INGNITION. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I ATTACHED AN IMAGE OF THE MESSAGE. I REALLY HOPE THAT GM HAS A RESOLUTION FOR THIS.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 11, 2017
THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I BELIEVE CHEVROLET HAS DEFECTIVE ABS SENSOR EMBEDDED IN THE WHEEL HUB OF THIS VEHICLE. WE PURCHASED TWO OF THESE CHEVROLET MALIBU CARS A COUPLE MONTHS APART AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH EACH. ONE OF OUR VEHICLES WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (VIN [XXX]) AND REPAIRS COME AT A COST OF $450.00 PLUS PER OCCURRENCE WITH UNDER 65 THOUSAND MILES. WE HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME FAILURE TWICE WITH THE OUT OF WARRANTY VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AND 3 THOUSAND MILES APART. AFTER DOING MINIMAL RESEARCH AND COMMENTS MADE BY THE MECHANIC AT OUR SMALL DEALER I BELIEVE THIS IS A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM THAN A COINCIDENCE. PEOPLE PURCHASE THESE VEHICLES WITH THE ABS - TRACTION CONTROL AND EXPECT THEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WITHOUT EXPENSIVE REPAIRS AS REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. AS OF TODAY THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS DEFECT. I HAVE OPENED A SERVICE REQUEST WITH GM [XXX] THIS VEHICLE HAD A SENSOR FAILURE WHICH IS EMBEDDED IN THE HUB ASSEMBLY. THE SENSOR FAILURE DISABLES THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WITHIN THE CHEVROLET BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY PERIOD CONSEQUENTLY IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2016
ON CLOUDLESS DAYS WHEN THE SUN IS ABOUT 30 DEGREES OR LOWER IN THE SKY THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS TURN ON AND THE VEHICLE DIMS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT IS TOO BRIGHT OUTSIDE TO DRIVE WITHOUT SUNGLASSES AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE DIMMED GAUGES. MY OTHER VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN IT IS SO BRIGHT OUTSIDE.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, May 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND PCM WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,065. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
Electrical system, May 16, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN MY WIFE GOT INTO CAR AND TURNED IT ON SHE TURNED A/C ON AND IT WAS ONLY BLOWING HOT AIR. THEN SHE NOTICED ALL DASH LIGHTS AND GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING AS WELL. IT ALSO GAVE HER LOTS OF PROMPTS SAYING SERVICE AIR BAGS AND OIL. SHE TRIED DRIVING IT DOWN THE STREET AND SHE NOTICED ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AND GAS GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING AS WELL. SHE ALSO SAID THE TOUCHSCREEN FOR RADIO WAS TOTALLY BLACK AND RADIO WAS NOT WORKING. SO SHE BROUGHT IT BACK HOME AND TURNED IT OFF AND RADIO CAME ON AND DID NOT WANT TO TURN OFF EVEN WHILE CAR WAS OFF AND DOORS WERE OPEN. SO I CAME HOME AND TURNED CAR BACK ON AND NOW EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. WE DONT KNOW IF THIS IS AN EARLY SIGN OF SOMETHING GOING OUT OR IS GOING TO BE OUT IN THE FUTURE BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN BE DRIVING AND WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN......
Electrical system, Feb 18, 2016
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, ALL GAUGES AND THE RADIO GOES BLACK, EXCEPT FOR THE MIDDLE SCREEN WHICH THEN FLASHED "SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM, SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, SERVICE PASSENGER MONITORING SYSTEM." I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING OR ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO INTERRUPTION OF POWER OR ANY AFFECT TO THE ENGINE. IF THE PASSENGER LIFTS THEMSELVES OFF THE SEAT, THE SYSTEM THEN RESETS AND EVERYTHING RUNS PERFECTLY. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS ALOT, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FOR DAYS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE 6 PAGES OR ERROR CODES SHOWING A LOSS IN COMMUNICATION. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS POSSIBLY SOMETHING LOOSE OR THAT A SENSOR IS GOING BAD, HOWEVER, THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THIS PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE CONTROL START FAILED AND THE ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE FUNCTION BUTTON TO RESET THE ALARM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 30, 2014
THIS CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED FROM THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT, WE WERE FINALLY TOLD IT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY TIED DOWN TOO TIGHT ON THE DELIVERY TRUCK. IT HAS MANY ISSUES SUCH AS THE BODY DOESN'T LINE UP, THE ELECTRONICS ARE BAD AND THE CARE HAS SHUT DOWN GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY TWICE, THE PAINT IS DIRTY AND PEELING, THE GM REP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE VEHICLE BUT THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT AND REFUND MY MONEY OR GIVE ME ANOTHER NEW ONE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 28, 2014
HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK VIRGINIA DEALER SERVICE FOUND GM HISTORY CODE DTC U0121 FOR THIS FAILURE. MY 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU SUDDENLY AND FULLY CEASED OPERATING WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC RED LIGHT IN DOWNTOWN NORFOLK VA; EVEN LOST ALL ELECTRICAL INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY / HAZARD LIGHT NOT OPERATING. THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WHILE TAKING FOOT OFF OF BRAKE AND PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN; ALL DASHBOARD DISPLAYS WENT DARK. IT TOOK 3 ATTEMPTS TO RE-START THE CAR OVER A PERIOD OF 11 MINUTES (PAUSED FOR SOME TIME AFTER 2ND TRY). VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING DURING THIS INCIDENT! WE THEN BROUGHT THIS CAR TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK SERVICE DEPT. WHO FOUND CODE DTC U0121 INDICATING "LOSS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE EBCM" ON OUR CAR COMPUTER HISTORY FOR OCT. 27 2014 CORRESPONDING TO THE DATE AND TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. THIS DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY SEEN ONE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF THIS SAME TYPE FOR ANOTHER OWNER OF 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU, WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS DEALERSHIP HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK VIRGINIA. THIS DEALER SERVICE VISIT IS DOCUMENTED ON THEIR INVOICE NO. [XXX]1 DATED 10/27/2014. MY WIFE AND I ARE NOW EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR WHICH HAS THE CHEVROLET STOP-START ENGINE TECHNOLOGY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAVE NO FIX FOR THIS AT THIS TIME AND THAT I SHOULD DIRECTLY REPORT IT TO CHEVROLET / GM WHICH I HAVE NOW ALSO DONE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR