IllustrationTHE CAR SET ON FIRE AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WITHIN MINUTES THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. GM REPORTEDLY INVESTIGATED THE CHARRED REMAINS WEEKS AFTER THE FIRE AND DECLINED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON THE INVESTIGATION OR COMPENSATION FOR THE VEHICLE.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER FAILED TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER FAILED TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TRANS DOESN'T SHIFT RIGHT. TOOK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL MANY TIMES. THEY BLEW ME OFF. NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS POS?? ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK. IS A DANGEROUS CAR IN TRAFFIC . BUYERS BEWARE......
THE VEHICLE HAS A AUTO/STOP FEATURE WHICH IS EXTREMELY FAULTY. THE FEATURE IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONICS RUNNING WHILE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AFTER CERTAIN CRITERIA BEFORE STOPPING IS MET. HOWEVER, THE AUTO/STOP FEATURE ON MY CAR WHEN ACTIVATED CAUSES THE SYSTEM TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND ALL ELECTRONICS GO BLACK U…
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THE VEHICLE HAS A AUTO/STOP FEATURE WHICH IS EXTREMELY FAULTY. THE FEATURE IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONICS RUNNING WHILE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AFTER CERTAIN CRITERIA BEFORE STOPPING IS MET. HOWEVER, THE AUTO/STOP FEATURE ON MY CAR WHEN ACTIVATED CAUSES THE SYSTEM TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND ALL ELECTRONICS GO BLACK UPON STARTING BACK UP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALSO COME ON BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. AFTER RESEARCHING, THERE IS NO WAY I CAN DISABLE THE FEATURE AND THERE IS NO WAY TO REALLY FIX THE ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT SOMETHING ELECTRICAL COULD HAPPEN AND THE CAR COULD BE RUINED AS A RESULT.
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FATALITY CRASH DURING WHICH THE DRIVER HEADREST INCLUDING ANCHORS CAME OUT OF THE SEAT BACK AND WAS OBSERVED IN THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY (DISABLED - OUT OF GAS) PARTIALLY IN A MOVING LANE OF TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND STRUCK BY A MOVING VEHICLE.
MY CAR STARTED MAKING THIS LOUD ROARING NOISE AT 75,000 MILES. IT GOT WORSE THE LONGER I DROVE IT. I ENDED UP GETTING WHEE BEARING REPLACED. LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND OUT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH 2014 MALIBU'S. MOST ARE GOING OUT BEFORE 50,000 MILES OR LOWER. I THINK CHEVROLET NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS…
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MY CAR STARTED MAKING THIS LOUD ROARING NOISE AT 75,000 MILES. IT GOT WORSE THE LONGER I DROVE IT. I ENDED UP GETTING WHEE BEARING REPLACED. LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND OUT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH 2014 MALIBU'S. MOST ARE GOING OUT BEFORE 50,000 MILES OR LOWER. I THINK CHEVROLET NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
ON 1/2/2019 I WAS DRIVING IN MY CAR AND TWO WARNING MESSAGES SUDDENLY POPPED UP ON MY CONSOLE WARNING ABOUT THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS. THERE IS A SENSOR THAT READS A "SPEED RING" ON THE REAR OF THE WHEEL HUBS. IT SEEMS CHEVY CARS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE THIS RING CRACK AND SECTIONS BREAK OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE SENSOR C…
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ON 1/2/2019 I WAS DRIVING IN MY CAR AND TWO WARNING MESSAGES SUDDENLY POPPED UP ON MY CONSOLE WARNING ABOUT THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS. THERE IS A SENSOR THAT READS A "SPEED RING" ON THE REAR OF THE WHEEL HUBS. IT SEEMS CHEVY CARS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE THIS RING CRACK AND SECTIONS BREAK OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE SENSOR CAN NO LONGER READ IT AND YOUR STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS WILL IMMEDIATELY STOP WORKING. THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HUB. NOT ONLY IS THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BUT A CONSIDERABLE DESIGN FLAW. YOU SHOULD ONLY EVER HAVE TO REPLACE A HUB IF THE BEARING WEAR OUT BECAUSE IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE OTHER REAR HUB ON MY CAR IS SHOWING CRACKS IN THIS RING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. CHEVY IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I TRIED TO CONTACT CHEVY ABOUT THIS ON JAN 5 AND GOT A CALL FROM THEM JAN 14 FROM A VERY RUDE AND CONDESCENDING PERSON WHO WAS MORE CONCERNED THAT I DIDNT PAY CHEVY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SAFETY ISSUE. CHEVY NEEDS TO COVER THE COST OF THESE REPAIRS FOR ME AND EVERYONE AFFECTED AND NEEDS TO DO A RECALL.
THE VEHICLE HAS AN AUTO STOP/START FEATURE THAT ENGAGES WHEN AT REDLIGHT. THE FUNCTION HAS STOPPED WORKING. PAID TO HAVE EXPENSIVE AUXILLARY BATTERY REPLACED AND SYSTEM CHECKED. HOWEVER SYSTEM IS STILL INOPERATIONAL AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NO FIX.
THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY REQUIRING A JUMP START DUE TO A LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. WHILE OPERATING MY CAR WHENEVER I COME TO A STOP THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE ACTIVATES AND MY ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. AS I RELEASE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE RESTARTS ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY LOST TEMPORARILY, INCLUDING THE POWER TO…
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THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY REQUIRING A JUMP START DUE TO A LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. WHILE OPERATING MY CAR WHENEVER I COME TO A STOP THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE ACTIVATES AND MY ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. AS I RELEASE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE RESTARTS ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY LOST TEMPORARILY, INCLUDING THE POWER TO MY STEERING WHEEL WHICH INSTANTLY LOCKS UP. IT'S BEEN VERY SCARY AND CONCERNING TO SAY THE VERY LEAST. I'VE ALSO LOST POWER TO OTHER SYSTEMS ON MY CAR LIKE THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM BEING UNRESPONSIVE ENTIRELY, NOT BEING ABLE TO ADJUST IT AT ALL. THE CLIMATE CONTROL SECTION UNDERNEATH THE RADIO CONTROLS WERE COMPLETELY BLACKED OUT AND NON-FUNCTIONING. THERE WAS NO BUTTONS ILLUMINATED NOR WERE THE AMBIENT LIGHTING AROUND IT ILLUMINATED. I TRIED RESTARTING MY VEHICLE AND THAT DIDN'T WORK. THE CLIMATE CONTROL EVENTUALLY WAS FUNCTIONING AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I REGULARLY GET AN ALERT FROM THE INFORMATION SCREEN IN BETWEEN THE GAUGES STATING SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF "SERVICE STABILITRAK". EVERY TIME THE MESSAGE APPEARS I FEEL THAT MY ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION LOSES A BIT OF IT'S SENSE OF FUNCTIONALITY. MY CAR JERKS REGULARLY. I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE THE AUXILIARY BATTERY WHICH I'VE REPLACED AND I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES.
STABILITRACK, ABS, AND BRAKING ASSIST DEACTIVATION AND OR REDUCTION IN FUNCTION CAUSED BY PREMATURE FAILURE OF WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. RESULTS IN LESS CONTROL OR LOSS OF CONTROL IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OR UNDER HARD BRAKE APPLICATION OR EMERGENCY MANEUVERS. CHEVROLET HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLITEN TO DIRECT THEIR DEALERS IN FIX…
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STABILITRACK, ABS, AND BRAKING ASSIST DEACTIVATION AND OR REDUCTION IN FUNCTION CAUSED BY PREMATURE FAILURE OF WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. RESULTS IN LESS CONTROL OR LOSS OF CONTROL IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OR UNDER HARD BRAKE APPLICATION OR EMERGENCY MANEUVERS. CHEVROLET HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLITEN TO DIRECT THEIR DEALERS IN FIXING THIS BUT ONLY UNDER WARANTEE, SHOWING THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM YET TOOK NO ACTION TO ASSIST CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE.
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.