IllustrationI HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES WOULD NOT BRAKE AND POWER CUT OFF AND CUT BACK ON
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
What owners actually said
351 reportsTATATA RECALL CAR FILLS WITH WATER, TRUNK AND FLOOR BOARDS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER FAILED TO DEFROST. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER FAILED TO DEFROST. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
ACTUATOR LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES, STEERING SOMETHING WAS DIAGNOSED BY PEP BOYS, WINSHEILD WIPER ISSUES, BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND REQUIRES COOLANT SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. SOME ISSUES STILL OCCURRING, SOME PROBLEMS WHERE FIXED BY RICK HENDRICKS CHEVROLET IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2017.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JACK TAYLOR TOYOTA (3750 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22305), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED OR DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JACK TAYLOR TOYOTA (3750 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22305), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED OR DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RADLEY CHEVROLET (3670 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HUB BEARING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WORKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO RADLEY CHEVROLET WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN ABOVE 20 MPH WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. ALSO, THE "PLEASE SERVICE STEERING" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN ABOVE 20 MPH WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. ALSO, THE "PLEASE SERVICE STEERING" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3897166123. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,731.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED, BUT THE GEAR INDICATOR LETTERS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER (JIMMY GRAY CHEVROLET IN SOUTH HAVEN, MISSISSIPPI) WHERE IT WAS DI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED, BUT THE GEAR INDICATOR LETTERS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER (JIMMY GRAY CHEVROLET IN SOUTH HAVEN, MISSISSIPPI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TCM CAUSED THE GEARS TO GO INTO DEFAULT MODE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ACCELERATION. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: 83794508813 WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,780.
IN 2016 I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL WORKING SOMETIMES & SOMETIMES NOT. AFTER A YEAR OR SO WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ABS LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON (OCT.2017) AFTER TAKEN IT TO AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALER IT WAS FOUND THAT MY LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB UNIT BEARING BROKE, A LITTLE OVER A MONTH LATER, THE ABS & THE STA…
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IN 2016 I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL WORKING SOMETIMES & SOMETIMES NOT. AFTER A YEAR OR SO WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ABS LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON (OCT.2017) AFTER TAKEN IT TO AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALER IT WAS FOUND THAT MY LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB UNIT BEARING BROKE, A LITTLE OVER A MONTH LATER, THE ABS & THE STABILITY TRAC LIGHT CAME ON. THIS TIME IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB UNIT BEARING BROKE. IT CONTROLS ALL THAT TAKES PLACE WITH STOPPING, CRUISE CONTROL,SKIDDING, BREAKING,ETC.... EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE PER TIRE & NOT SAFE! AFTER QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH THE MALIBU & IMPALAS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE.I WAS DRIVING BOTH TIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I WAS TRAVELING DOWN AN EXPRESSWAY(I-75)!
SIDE VIEW MIRRORS KEEP FALLING OFF. TABS HOLDING MIRRORS IN PLACE ALWAYS BREAK WHICH CAUSES MIRRORS TO FALL OUT OF SOCKETS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH MIRRORS ON VEHICLE AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE.
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.