NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
52 reportsClear category filter17,065 miles · May 26, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND PCM WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND PCM WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,065. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA ODI #10871023
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2015
Air BagsPower Train
2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION JERKING AND SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL A FEW SECONDS LATER, THEN JERK AND TAKE OFF FAST. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10723988
17,000 miles · May 26, 2015
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED WHILE ON A MAJOR ROADWAY AND TRAVELING OVER 45 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND AND THE SPEED WOULD NOT GO PAST 10 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED WHILE ON A MAJOR ROADWAY AND TRAVELING OVER 45 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND AND THE SPEED WOULD NOT GO PAST 10 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA ODI #10721522
15,500 miles · May 12, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE MINUTES AND THEN RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COUL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE MINUTES AND THEN RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500.
NHTSA ODI #10716000
10,000 miles · Apr 2, 2015
Power Train
TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY SHIFTS ERRATICALLY, HARD AT TIMES, HESITATES AND BUCKS .NEVER HAD ANY VEHICLE IN MY LIFE DO THIS, EVEN CARS WITH KNOWN BAD TRANSMISSIONS. THE SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY PROPEL FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN CRUISING TO SLOW DOWN OR WHILE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED, CAUSING AN UNSAFE CHANGE IN VEH…
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TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY SHIFTS ERRATICALLY, HARD AT TIMES, HESITATES AND BUCKS .NEVER HAD ANY VEHICLE IN MY LIFE DO THIS, EVEN CARS WITH KNOWN BAD TRANSMISSIONS. THE SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY PROPEL FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN CRUISING TO SLOW DOWN OR WHILE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED, CAUSING AN UNSAFE CHANGE IN VEHICLE SPEED THAT REQUIRES SUDDEN NEED TO BRAKE OR INCREASE BRAKE PRESSURE TO AVOID STRIKING VEHICLE IN FRONT. TRANSMISSION ALSO AT TIMES HAS AN "ENGINE MISS" TYPE JOLT WHILE AT CRUISING SPEED ON FLAT PAVEMENT 30-45MPH THAT HAS AT ONE TIME REPEATED FOR 3 MINUTES STRAIGHT.. MAJORITY OF TIME TRANSMISSION BEHAVES NORMALLY AND WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THEN SUDDENLY GOES NUTS. DEALER DID ONE POWERTRAIN SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT HELPED A LITTLE BUT WITH NO CODES OR SYMPTOMS WHEN THEY TEST-DRIVE THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703275
21,000 miles · Jan 13, 2015
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND FAILED TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTATED AND JERKED INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND FAILED TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTATED AND JERKED INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
NHTSA ODI #10672258
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
5,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
THE AUTO STOP/START FAIL TWO TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT IN TWO TIME TO GET IT FIXED . WHEN DRIVING IT WILL DOWN SHIFT WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610701
6,800 miles · Jun 26, 2014
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,800 AND THE CURRENT WAS 7,100. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT
NHTSA ODI #10606196
2 miles · May 22, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED FROM ANY SELECTED GEAR, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED FROM ANY SELECTED GEAR, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2.
NHTSA ODI #10593330
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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