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: engine
129 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when they started the vehicle all its lights illuminated however it only turned on the vehicle not start the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger-side wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact was unable to specify which wiring harness. The vehicle had not been repaired due to parts any longer being in production. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the matter. The parts no longer being in production were confirmed. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 8, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with the battery. However, the battery was not replaced. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle would not properly shift into gear, decelerated independently, and stopped. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, upon moving the gear shifter into drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then moved the gear shifter to park(P) however, the vehicle rolled away and struck a tree. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Engine, Sep 1, 2022
Stop/Start doesn’t work at least 20% of the time, leaving me stalled in the middle of the road, until *hopefully* it starts again, usually after a few tries.
Engine, Jul 15, 2022
The vehicles "Auto Off" feature, which shuts the engine off when stopped at red-lights, fails to restart the engine when removing your foot from the brake pedal. The engine stalls out, and much be parked, shut off and then restarted. Sometimes it takes multiple times to restart the vehicle. This is very unsafe considering the car could stall out in an intersection or cause another vehicle to collide with mine if they were behind my vehicle, expecting it to begin moving. I have take my car in for multiple repairs and nobody can figure out the issue.
Suspension, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 11, 2022
My car only has 54,000 mile and my transmission is already going out and it happened out of nowhere literally I just started getting stuck at lights like the cat didn’t want to go so mechanic told me it had to be something the dealership could do cause it’s no way I keep up my fluids and all and my brakes just keep wearing
Engine, Jul 9, 2022
My auto start/stop feature failed to engage properly. The safety of myself and my family have been put at risk on multiple occasions because the vehicle would not start back up leaving us stranded in the road amongst traffic. The problem has not been diagnosed or inspected. There were no warnings as to when the auto start/stop would fail, it just happens! At the moment this is the only vehicle my family has so we have to take risks any time we drive this vehicle! I purchased this car 4/26/2022 and this has happened at least 10 times since purchasing!!! Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!!!!
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 7, 2022
The Auto Stop would engage and then when I put my foot on the accelerator, it stalled out. I would turn the vehicle off and restart it. I took it to countless mechanics who could not figure out what was causing the problem because the Check Engine light did not come on and no codes were triggered. The problem became worse over time and once the vehicle stalled, it would not immediately restart. I took it to my Chevy Dealer and they can’t figure it out .
Engine and engine cooling, May 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, she saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed oil leaking on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rocker arm oil control valve was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact became aware of Chevrolet Special Coverage Adjustment Number: N192289160, which she associated to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,605.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 28, 2022
It started off with just a little jerking when I would be in stop and go traffic then it progressed to whenever I was driving below 35mph, the car would completely cut off and the doors would unlock. The check engine light came on and I took it to be repaired. They stated there was a hole in my exhaust which a GM service employee repaired. Two days later the check engine light came on again and this time they stated I needed a new transmission. So I took it to a transmission company, who installed a rebuilt transmission. A few days after getting my car back, the same issue happened again. The transmission company did a diagnostic and stated it wasn't the transmission so I took it back to a GM service place and they stated it was my manifold. I paid for the repairs and the vehicle worked fine until the beginning of April 2022. Now the vehicle is doing the exact same thing expect this time the doors are not unlocking when the car cuts off. A new thing has started where the car shakes when I sit with my foot on the break for too long such as at a traffic light, once I take my foot off the break to accelerate it will jerk or turn completely off. Today, I was trying to do a U-turn and the car just stopped working almost like it was in neutral then the steering wheel locked up.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2022
Reduced Engine Power
Engine, Mar 21, 2022
Rocker Arm Control Valves and solenoid . Check engine light came on
Engine, Feb 9, 2022
As I was driving, “Engine Power Reduced” came up on my dashboard. Then my vehicle slowed down and would not let me accelerate over 20 mph.
Engine, Jan 13, 2022
2014 Chevy Malibu has a start/ stop feature that doesn't work. When stopping the car shuts off completely and does not start back up. I have to put my emergency lights on, put the car in park try to start again, it doesn't restart , I have to try a couple of times. It has cut off on me at traffic lights, getting off highway ramps. THIS IS NOT SAFE!! I've taken it to two Chevy dealers & no one can pin point or address this problem.
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.
Engine, Dec 16, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after he replaced his radiator, his vehicle caught fire. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and no injuries were reported. The contact was not certain if a police/fire report was filed. The vehicle had yet to be towed and remained in the possession of the contact. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
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!!
Engine, Sep 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the engine replaced; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
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.
Engine, Jun 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the engine was shaking, and the vehicle stalled while driving at an undisclosed speed, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested that the contact file a complaint with the NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.
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, Engine, Apr 27, 2021, fire
BATTERY OR ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. SEE ATTACHMENT.
Engine, Apr 14, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CONTACT WAS RELATING THE FAILURE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE BOLTS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEING LOOSENED WHICH ALLOWED AIR TO GET INTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE TRUNK BATTERY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 6, 2021
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AFTER WORK AROUND 12 AM & REDUCED ENGINE POWER APPEARS ON SCREEN, CAR SLOWS DOWN & I COULDN'T ACCELERATE MORE THAN 10MPH & HAD TO KEEP PULLING OVER TO TURN ENGINE ON & OFF. TERRIFYING! READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS JUST NOW & NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR WORSE ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE/HIGHWAY