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
What owners actually said
351 reports
98,193 miles · Mar 7, 2020
Engine
I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THE INTAKE ROCKER ARM CONTROL VALVE SINCE DECEMBER 2019. APPARENTLY GM HAS DISCONTINUED THIS PART FOR MALIBUS AND IMPALAS. THEY ARE SAYING IT IS ON BACK ORDER. I AM STILL PAYING ON MY VEHICLE AND THIS SHOULD BE APART OF A RECALL. THERE IS THOUSANDS OF US THAT IS WAITING ON THIS PART AND THIS IS SO UNFAIR. …
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I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THE INTAKE ROCKER ARM CONTROL VALVE SINCE DECEMBER 2019. APPARENTLY GM HAS DISCONTINUED THIS PART FOR MALIBUS AND IMPALAS. THEY ARE SAYING IT IS ON BACK ORDER. I AM STILL PAYING ON MY VEHICLE AND THIS SHOULD BE APART OF A RECALL. THERE IS THOUSANDS OF US THAT IS WAITING ON THIS PART AND THIS IS SO UNFAIR. I AM TERRIFIED THAT SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO MY ENGINE IF THIS IS NOT FIXED SOON.
NHTSA ODI #11316743
125,000 miles · Mar 1, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE READER SHOWED THAT THE VARIABLE TIMING SOLENOID NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SEARCHING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART, I KEEP GETTING TOLD THAT THIS MAKE/MODEL CONSISTENTLY HAS THIS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR LOSES POWER AND SEEMS TO HAVE A TUGGING FEEL WHEN DRIVING ESPECIALLY …
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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE READER SHOWED THAT THE VARIABLE TIMING SOLENOID NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SEARCHING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART, I KEEP GETTING TOLD THAT THIS MAKE/MODEL CONSISTENTLY HAS THIS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR LOSES POWER AND SEEMS TO HAVE A TUGGING FEEL WHEN DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WITH IN TOWN DRIVING AND FREEWAY DRIVING. HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #11315432
46,000 miles · Feb 27, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ROCKER ARM CONTROL OIL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ROCKER ARM CONTROL OIL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO WHITE-ALLEN CHEVROLET PARTS (442 N MAIN ST, DAYTON, OH 45405 (937) 222-3701) WHERE IT WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROCKER ARM CONTROL OIL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA ODI #11311804
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2020
Engine
MY VEHICLE SHOWS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE DEALER MADE A CHECK AND FOUND PROBLEMS WITH THE ROCKET ARM VALVE PART NUMBER 12633613 (ENGINE VARIABLE TIMING OIL CONTROL VALVE). THAT WAS IN DECEMBER 2019, THEY REQUEST THE PART TO GM, AND SO FAR THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE. I TRIED TO BUY IT THROUGH INTERNET AND FRIENDS IN OTHER STATES,…
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MY VEHICLE SHOWS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE DEALER MADE A CHECK AND FOUND PROBLEMS WITH THE ROCKET ARM VALVE PART NUMBER 12633613 (ENGINE VARIABLE TIMING OIL CONTROL VALVE). THAT WAS IN DECEMBER 2019, THEY REQUEST THE PART TO GM, AND SO FAR THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE. I TRIED TO BUY IT THROUGH INTERNET AND FRIENDS IN OTHER STATES, AND NO AUTO PARTS HAVE THIS PART. THIS PART IS NECESSARY BECAUSE CONTROL THE TIMING OF THE ENGINE. MY CAR CAN GET RUIN IF I DO NOT CHANGE THAT PART. GM IS BEING IRRESPONSABLE TO HAVE THIS IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11311607
100,437 miles · Feb 21, 2020
Engine
ENGINE CODE P16D0 CAUSING A VALVE THAT CONTROLS AIR TO OIL INTAKE FOR THE MOTOR IS STUCK OPEN CAUSING IN ACCURATE OIL PRESSURE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION. TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE WOULD MOST LIKELY CAUSE EXTREME ENGINE FAILURE AND IMPROPER GAS MILEAGE. AFTER CHECKING THE CODE AND REPLACING THE "AFFECTED" PARTS, THE LIGHT IS STILL …
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ENGINE CODE P16D0 CAUSING A VALVE THAT CONTROLS AIR TO OIL INTAKE FOR THE MOTOR IS STUCK OPEN CAUSING IN ACCURATE OIL PRESSURE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION. TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE WOULD MOST LIKELY CAUSE EXTREME ENGINE FAILURE AND IMPROPER GAS MILEAGE. AFTER CHECKING THE CODE AND REPLACING THE "AFFECTED" PARTS, THE LIGHT IS STILL NOT CLEARED AS IT CREATES MORE ISSUES WITHIN THE MOTOR. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE AND IS CHARGING AN ABSURD AMOUNT OF MONEY JUST TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH OUT ANY GUARANTEES. THERE ARE ALSO AN ABUNDANCE OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS AND IT ALL OCCURS ONCE THESE VEHICLES GET TO 100,000 MILES. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD CORRECT SUCH AN ISSUE AS MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIANCING THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11310674
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2020
Exterior Lighting
ON INFORMATION PANEL I RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT THE BLINKER LIGHT WAS OUT I'VE CHANGED THE BULB AN NOW NO WORKING HEADLIGHTS OR TAILLIGHT
NHTSA ODI #11309693
85,000 miles · Feb 12, 2020
EnginePower Train
HAVE BEEN NEEDING A REPAIR BUT THE PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. WE NEED THE OIL CONTROL VALVE AND PART NUMBER 12633613. GM DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE, SO NO WAY FOR THE CAR TO BE FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #11308767
45,000 miles · Feb 8, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System
THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND AT TIMES THE CAR LOSES POWER! TRYING TO GET PARTS SINCE OCTOBER 2019 WAS TOLD NO ONE IS CONTRACTED TO MAKE THE PART AND GM HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL !!
NHTSA ODI #11307953
100,000 miles · Feb 8, 2020
Engine
PART NUMBER 12633613 IS FAULTY AND GM DOESN'T HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #11307936
83,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COUGHLIN CHEVROLET OF PATASKALA, 9000 E BROAD ST SW, PATASKALA, OH 43062, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROCKER ARM SOLENOID VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. *DT*JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2014 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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