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: electronic stability control (esc)
36 reports, newest first. Show all
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE "SERVICE STABILITRAC" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SKID AND SLIDE BEFORE STOPPING, WHICH CAUSED THE STOPPING DISTANCE TO INCREASE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (ROD HATFIELD CHEVROLET IN LEXINGTON, KY) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *LN UPDATED 7/25/18*JB
Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 9, 2017
ITS A COMMON PROBLEM I HAVE SEEN THAT HAPPENED TO ME 2 MONTHS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR. THE REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY IN BOTH WHEELS HAVE GONE BAD AND IT CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT TO COME AND REPAIRS COST OVER 700 DOLLARS. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND HAPPENS TYPICALLY AROUND 50,000 TO 60,000 MILES. I AM NOT HAPPY AT ALL SEEING AS THIS IS MY FIRST BIG CAR PURCHASE AND FIRST CHEVY PURCHASE. IF THIS ISNT COVERED BY RECALL SOON OR BY CHEVY THEN THIS WILL BE THE LAST AND ONLY TIME I EVER GET A CHEVY ANDITS SAD BECAUSE I ACTUALLY WORK FOR A DEALERSHIP AND STILL GOT SCREWED. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON SO I HAD OUR MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND THATS WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 18, 2017
THE ABS LIGHT SHOWED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER WHEN I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK ON A MONDAY MORNING SO I TOOK MY CAR TO GREEN CHEVROLET IN DERIDDER LA. THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID THE SENSOR WAS BAD SO THEY ORDERED ANOTHER. AFTER REPLACING IT THE LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF SO THEY SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO CHECK INTO THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A SENSOR AND WOULD BE CLOSE TO $ 400 TO REPLACE IT. I PAID $200 THE FIRST TIME. SO I CALLED GM TO ASK ABOUT THE RECALL THAT WAS IN PLACE ON THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT WHILE THE RECALL WAS ACTIVE, IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR BECAUSE IT CAME FROM A DIFFERENT PLANT. SO GM WORKED WITH THE REPAIR SHOP TO LOWER THE COST FOR THE SECOND REPAIR. I PAID $115. THAT AS IN FEBRUARY 2017. THE MECHANIC AT THE SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PART BEING REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE RECALLED. IN APRIL 2017 I WAS ON MY WAY TO MISSOURI FOR A FUNERAL AND MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING MY CAR IN WHEN I RETURNED HOME. I CALLED GM AGAIN TO COMPLAIN THAT IT WAS ON AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR BACK INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT A DIFFERENT WHEEL. AGAIN THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE RECALLED. SO NOW I HAVE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED AND PAY MORE MONEY. I AM WRITING TO ASK WHY THE PART HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR ALL 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS. I AM PAYING FOR A PROBLEM THAT A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON WHILE OTHERS OWNERS ARE NOT. MY CAR HAS 47,000 MILES . IT IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE. HOW MANY TIMES AM I GOING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM? PLEASE EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE MORE VEHICLES. OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT HAPPENING TO CARS FROM JUST ONE AREA. THANK YOU
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
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Jan 9, 2017
SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ISSUE AFTER ISSUE WITH TRIM, ABS, STABILITY TRACK, HEATING SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE HAD THE STABILITY TRACK FIXED TWICE, TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING (COVERED UNDER A RECALL). WHEEL BEARINGS IN REAR BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BEFORE 80000 MILES. WIRING HARNESS TO WHEELS, THE DEALER SHIP HAD TO SPLICE ( I STILL CANT SEE HOW WIRING HARNESS IS NOT A COVERED COMPONENT. FOR A MANUFACTURE BASED OUT OF A STATE THAT HAS SNOW, AND TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE THAT HAS A STABILITY SENSOR THAT GETS DIRTY BECAUSE OF SALT THAT WILL ERROR IS BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION. SAME FOR THE DEFAULT WHEEL BEARINGS ONE WINTER IN MICHIGAN AND THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED (ALSO NOT A COVERED FEATURE). TRIM THAT BLOWS OFF ON THE EXPRESS WAY. I LOST MY WINDOW TRIM AND THE FRONT BLACK COVER. FUNNY HOW THE 2015 MODELS HAVE A SCREW IN THEM BUT NOTHING FOR US POOR 2014 OWNERS THAT HAD AN ISSUE. I CAN PURCHASE A NEW ONE AT 60.00 (REALLY ITS PLASTIC). ABS COMES ON EVERY TIME I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE STABILITY TRACK, WHICH IS EVERY WINTER IT GETS DIRTY. ENGINE LIGHT ON NOW SO I CANT AUTO START THE CAR, MORE THAN LIKELY THAT WILL BE CAUSED BY THE GLAMOROUS AUX BATTERY THAT WAS ENGINEERED FOR THE LOVEY AUTO STOP FEATURE THAT I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. HAVE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP TO BE RIPPED OFF SOME MORE.
Suspension, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 19, 2016
I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY CAR CUTS OFF FREQUENTLY AT STOP LIGHTS ALSO MY CAR ACCELERATES SLOW WHEN ENTERING ONTO HIGHWAY... I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT 7/18/16 IN WHICH MY AIRBAGS ON STEERING WHEEL PARTIALLU DEPLOYED WHILE THE OTHERS DID NOT IN RESULT LEAVING ME WITH A FRACTURED FINGER.
Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 15, 2016
STABILITRAK STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM, ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND WHEEL BEARING. 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD THESE LIGHTS COME ON, DRIVING AND TRACKING CONTROL KICKED IN AND THEN THE LIGHTS ALL APPEAR. I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED, AND THEY SPLICED INTO THE WIRE, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ACCORDING TO CARE. YET IT IS PART OF WIRING HARNESS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 17, 2016
WHILE DRIVING APPX 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY A "SERVICE STABILTRACK, REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE" MESSAGE CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY THE CAR BEGAN A RAPID DECELERATION UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY WE WERE BARELY ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE ACROSS 3 LANES OF 70 MPH TRAFFIC & ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE WE BECAME STRANDED. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 10 MIN WE WERE ABLE TO START THE CAR AND SLOWLY MAKE IT ABOUT A MILE TO A FREEWAY EXIT WHERE THE SAME EVENT REPEATED ITSELF EXCEPT THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. A CHEVY DEALER HAD CLAIMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AS THE SITUATION WAS SIMILAR TO SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND BOTH OCCURRENCES RESULTED IN US BEING AT A DEAD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD NEEDING TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 28, 2015
WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE HEAVILY AND THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE CUT OFF (AUTO START/ STOP FEATURE) AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS, CAME BACK ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
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