NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
351 reports16,350 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTRACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTRACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,350.
NHTSA ODI #10662042
1,500 miles · Dec 2, 2014
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VISION WAS OBSCURED BY THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTING ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. UPDATED 01/12/15*LJ UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10662769
17,400 miles · Nov 21, 2014
Steering
THE STEERING JERKS TO THE LEFT AND WHEN CORRECTING IT BACK THE STEERING HITS A STICKY SPOT. THERE IS NO VIBRATING OR ADVANCE WARNING, IT IS JUST A QUICK PULL AND THEN A STICKY SPOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659989
20,000 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A TWO LANE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE STEERING DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT IN THE LANE TO A SMALL DEGREE SO WHEN CORRECTING TO STAY STRAIGHT WOULD FEEL A STICKING POINT AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO OVERCOME IT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER. IN MY INSTANCE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO TURN INTO A SEMI TRUCK. THE TEMPERATURE WAS…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A TWO LANE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE STEERING DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT IN THE LANE TO A SMALL DEGREE SO WHEN CORRECTING TO STAY STRAIGHT WOULD FEEL A STICKING POINT AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO OVERCOME IT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER. IN MY INSTANCE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO TURN INTO A SEMI TRUCK. THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 35 DEGREES WITH DRY STRAIGHT ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654121
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure
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
NHTSA ODI #10651539
4,089 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK VIRGINIA DEALER SERVICE FOUND GM HISTORY CODE DTC U0121 FOR THIS FAILURE. MY 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU SUDDENLY AND FULLY CEASED OPERATING WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC RED LIGHT IN DOWNTOWN NORFOLK VA; EVEN LOST ALL ELECTRICAL INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY / HAZARD LIGHT NOT OPERATING. THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DE…
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HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK VIRGINIA DEALER SERVICE FOUND GM HISTORY CODE DTC U0121 FOR THIS FAILURE. MY 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU SUDDENLY AND FULLY CEASED OPERATING WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC RED LIGHT IN DOWNTOWN NORFOLK VA; EVEN LOST ALL ELECTRICAL INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY / HAZARD LIGHT NOT OPERATING. THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WHILE TAKING FOOT OFF OF BRAKE AND PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN; ALL DASHBOARD DISPLAYS WENT DARK. IT TOOK 3 ATTEMPTS TO RE-START THE CAR OVER A PERIOD OF 11 MINUTES (PAUSED FOR SOME TIME AFTER 2ND TRY). VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING DURING THIS INCIDENT! WE THEN BROUGHT THIS CAR TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK SERVICE DEPT. WHO FOUND CODE DTC U0121 INDICATING "LOSS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE EBCM" ON OUR CAR COMPUTER HISTORY FOR OCT. 27 2014 CORRESPONDING TO THE DATE AND TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. THIS DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY SEEN ONE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF THIS SAME TYPE FOR ANOTHER OWNER OF 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU, WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS DEALERSHIP HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK VIRGINIA. THIS DEALER SERVICE VISIT IS DOCUMENTED ON THEIR INVOICE NO. [XXX]1 DATED 10/27/2014. MY WIFE AND I ARE NOW EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR WHICH HAS THE CHEVROLET STOP-START ENGINE TECHNOLOGY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAVE NO FIX FOR THIS AT THIS TIME AND THAT I SHOULD DIRECTLY REPORT IT TO CHEVROLET / GM WHICH I HAVE NOW ALSO DONE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650651
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
I PULLED TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE CAR WENT INTO AUTO STOP. AS I TRY TO NAVIGATE RIGHT THE STEERING LOCK UP ON ME. THIS MADE THE CAR START CLIMBING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT THE WALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650157
9,694 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Visibility/wiper
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HVAC FAN CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE POWER INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO BLOWING REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE KNOB WAS POSITIONED. THIS PREVENTED THE DEFROST FUNCTION TO ENGAGE, AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS POOR VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND …
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WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HVAC FAN CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE POWER INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO BLOWING REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE KNOB WAS POSITIONED. THIS PREVENTED THE DEFROST FUNCTION TO ENGAGE, AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS POOR VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, AND THE HVAC FAN WOULD STILL NOT FUNCTION. I CHECKED THE FUSE BOX, AND THE FUSE WAS NOT BLOWN. LATER IN THE DAY, I STARTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND THE FAN WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS MALIBU DOES FALL INTO THE PRODUCTION DATES OF THE NOV 2013 VISIBILITY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10648878
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2014
Tires
2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE USE OF TIRE/COMPRESSOR KIT AND SAFETY ISSUES. *TGW THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS SPARE TIRE AND JACK IN THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE/COMPRESSOR KIT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THE KIT WAS ONLY USEFUL FOR A FLAT TIRE. IT WASN'T USEFUL FOR …
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2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE USE OF TIRE/COMPRESSOR KIT AND SAFETY ISSUES. *TGW THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS SPARE TIRE AND JACK IN THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE/COMPRESSOR KIT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THE KIT WAS ONLY USEFUL FOR A FLAT TIRE. IT WASN'T USEFUL FOR SIDEWALL FAILURE OR A BENT RIM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10644076
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2014
Power TrainSeat Belts
THIS AUTO JERKS WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL,THEN WHILE GOING 60 MPH UP A HILL DOWN SHIFTS FOR MORE SPEED,THEN I REACH THE TOP OF HILL CRUISE STAYS IN LOWER GEAR AND PICKS UP SPEED. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639235
Official recalls
6Jul 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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