IllustrationGOV 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.
2014 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
560–25K
4225–50K
4250–75K
4375–100K
37100–150K
10150K+
230 reports with mileage · 121 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports8 fire reports11 injury reports
Structure complaints
11 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TATATA RECALL CAR FILLS WITH WATER, TRUNK AND FLOOR BOARDS.
A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED MY CHEVY MALIBU ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS I WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HEAD SLAMMED IN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE DRIVEN. I HAVE A CONCUSSION THAT'S LASTED FOR 2 WEEKS AND BOD…
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A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED MY CHEVY MALIBU ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS I WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HEAD SLAMMED IN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE DRIVEN. I HAVE A CONCUSSION THAT'S LASTED FOR 2 WEEKS AND BODY PAIN FROM THE ACCIDENT. SHOULDN'T THE AIRBAGS HAVE DEPLOYED?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OBSERVING INSIDE THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, WHITE WATER WAS DISCOVERED INSIDE THE SPARE TIRE WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED ORE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
DRIVING 12/18 BELTLINE EAST BOUND. BETWEEN SOUTH TOWN EXIT AND MONONA DRIVE EXIT. DEBIS IN ROAD HIT BY TRUCK LIC#DG93483 THAT CAME UP AND HIT THE RIGHT FRONT END PASSANGER SIDE OF VECHILE. CRACKED HEADLINE AND FRONT BUMPER DENTED AS WELL AS PAINT ALL SCRATCHED! CALLED NON EMERGENCY POILE AND THEY TOLD ME TO FILL OUT THIS FORM TO…
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DRIVING 12/18 BELTLINE EAST BOUND. BETWEEN SOUTH TOWN EXIT AND MONONA DRIVE EXIT. DEBIS IN ROAD HIT BY TRUCK LIC#DG93483 THAT CAME UP AND HIT THE RIGHT FRONT END PASSANGER SIDE OF VECHILE. CRACKED HEADLINE AND FRONT BUMPER DENTED AS WELL AS PAINT ALL SCRATCHED! CALLED NON EMERGENCY POILE AND THEY TOLD ME TO FILL OUT THIS FORM TO REPORT.
THE TRUNK OF MY MALIBU OPENS BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE I OR MY CHILDREN ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON ON THE REMOTE KEY. BUT THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THIS COULD NOT BE THE CASE. I SAW ON FORUMS THAT THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS AS WELL. *TR
TWO TIMES IMPACTED BY BEHIND WHEN STOPPED DUE TO TRAFFIC, FOLLOWER CARD DID NOT NOTICED IN TIME DUE TO STOP LIGHT NOT LIT. SAME SCENARIO IN BOTH CASES. NEED ADVISE ON GM RECALLS FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES COVERAGE. *TR
A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT OF INSUFFICIENT FRONT END GROUND CEILING HEIGHT IN 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS EQUIPPED WITH 16" TIRES. WHEREAS, 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS EQUIPPED WITH 18" TIRES DO HAVE SUFFICIENT CEILING HEIGHT TO SAFELY PARK IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PARKING LOT, THAT HAS PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS. THESE PARKING SPACE BUMPER …
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A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT OF INSUFFICIENT FRONT END GROUND CEILING HEIGHT IN 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS EQUIPPED WITH 16" TIRES. WHEREAS, 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS EQUIPPED WITH 18" TIRES DO HAVE SUFFICIENT CEILING HEIGHT TO SAFELY PARK IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PARKING LOT, THAT HAS PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS. THESE PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS ARE LOCATED IN PUBLIC PARKING LOTS AS IN WALMART, POST OFFICE, SHOPPING CENTERS, MALLS, FOOD STORES, AIRPORTS, ETC. YOU NAME IT, WHEREVER THERE IS ARE PUBLIC PARKING SPACES, A MOTORIST WILL BE CONFRONTED WITH A PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS. HOWEVER, 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS EQUIPPED WITH 16" TIRES, WILL ENCOUNTER FRONT END BUMPER DAMAGE AS THE CHEVROLET MALIBUS CEILING HEIGHT OF ONLY 5.5 INCHES, WHERE STANDARD PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS ARE 6 TO 7 INCHES HIGH. THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT CAUSES THE FRONT BUMPER LOCATED BY THE BLACK RUBBER MOLDING TO BE PONE FOR DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE BLACK RUBBER MOLDING, DO TO NO FAULT OF THE DRIVER. . THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED A FULL DISCLOSURE OF THIS DEFECT UPON PURCHASE AND/OR ENTERING THE LEASE AGREEMENT AND/OR FINANCING THE VEHICLE AND/OR A CASH PURCHASE THAT THE STANDARD 16" TIRES, HAS INSUFFICIENT FRONT END GROUND CEILING HEIGHT THE CAR WILL BE PRONE TO DAMAGE DO TO NO FAULT OF THE DRIVER. THE DEFECT CAN BE CORRECTED BY INSTALLING 18" TIRES, AS 18" TIRES DO COME STANDARD WITH SOME MODELS OF THE CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONSUMER IS THE INNOCENT VICTIM AND BE DEEMED TO BE HOLD HARMLESS FOR ANY DAMAGES BY THE DEFECT, AND FAILURE FOR A LACK OF A FULL DISCLOSURE UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
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 THER…
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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
Official recalls
616V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Jul 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
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."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
15V164000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Mar 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
14V247000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
May 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
14V240000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
14V092000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Feb 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
13V567000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System; Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element
Nov 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element
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."
Consequence: The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
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."
Consequence: The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.