2014 Chevrolet MALIBU

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2014 Chevrolet MALIBU has 561 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 7.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: as i was driving and come to a stop light, my vehicle cut off and once i let off the brake, to go, the car started back without me doing anything. when i was at the drive thru window, my foot was on the brake and i was still in drive mode, the car cut off, and when i let of the brake slightly . ⚠️ 11 fire reports filed.

11 fire reports 17 crash reports 9 injuries

561

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

7.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

128 complaints

23%

• AS I WAS DRIVING AND COME TO A STOP LIGHT, MY VEHICLE CUT OFF AND ONCE I LET OFF THE BRAKE, TO GO, THE CAR STARTED BACK WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING. WHEN I WAS AT THE DRIVE THRU WINDOW, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE, THE CAR CUT OFF, AND WHEN I LET OF THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO SLEEP MODE. ONCE THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOWLY REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AD
• THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 6 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“AS I WAS DRIVING AND COME TO A STOP LIGHT, MY VEHICLE CUT OFF AND ONCE I LET OFF THE BRAKE, TO GO, THE CAR STARTED BACK WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING. WHEN I WAS AT THE DRIVE THRU WINDOW, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE, THE CAR CUT OFF, AND WHEN I LET OF THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

86 complaints

15%

• 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 OPERATI
• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE CONTROL START FAILED AND THE ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE FUNCTION BUTTON TO RESET THE ALARM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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 OPERATI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

54 complaints

10%

• A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED MY CHEVY MALIBU ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS I WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HEAD SLAMMED IN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE DRIVEN. I HAVE A CONCUSSION THA
• THE "AUTO STOP" HAS STOPPED WORKING. IT IS SUPPOSE TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP TO CONSERVE FUEL HOWEVER THE TACHOMETER INDICATES THAT THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING AND DOES NOT DROP TO "AUTO STOP" AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TACHOMETER. THIS DOES NOT SAVE ANY FUEL AND IT COMPLETELY WORTHLES
• WHEN CAR IS ROLING ,THE STERING HAS TO BE IN A WORD [ YANKED] TO REDIRECT YOUR CENTER OF YOUR [ ONE] LANE !!!!!! 80%ON HIGHWAY DRIVING...NOTE,ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND RECHECKED THREE TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED MY CHEVY MALIBU ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS I WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HEAD SLAMMED IN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE DRIVEN. I HAVE A CONCUSSION THA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

52 complaints

• 1ST INCIDENT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD DO A EXTREME PULL TO THE RIGHT. 2ND INCIDENT 2/24/14 MILE 2940 - TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY. *TR
• I JUST PURCHASED A 2014 MALIBU ON 04- 22 FOR MY DAUGHTER. DUE TO MY DAUGHTER TELLING ME THAT THE BRAKES FELT MUSHY IN HER CAR I DECIDED TO TEST DRIVE IT MYSELF. WHILE DRIVING DOWN MY STREET AT APPROX. 25MPH WITH THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE ENGINE SEEM
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“1ST INCIDENT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD DO A EXTREME PULL TO THE RIGHT. 2ND INCIDENT 2/24/14 MILE 2940 - TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

46 complaints

• 1ST INCIDENT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD DO A EXTREME PULL TO THE RIGHT. 2ND INCIDENT 2/24/14 MILE 2940 - TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY. *TR
• THE BRAKES FELT LOW AND THEN THE LOW BRAKE FLUID WARNING LIGHT AND ALSO STABILITY TRACK ALARM AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE LIT UP. I DROVE A FEW MILES MORE AND THE ALARMS WOULD SOUND EVERY TIME I HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR HAD TO BE FLAT BEDDED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TRUCK DRIVER LOOKED FOR B
• TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 5 crashes

“1ST INCIDENT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD DO A EXTREME PULL TO THE RIGHT. 2ND INCIDENT 2/24/14 MILE 2940 - TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 561 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: AS I WAS DRIVING AND COME TO A STOP LIGHT, MY VEHICLE CUT OFF AND ONCE I LET OFF THE BRAKE, TO GO, THE CAR STARTED BACK WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING. WHEN I WAS AT THE DRIVE THRU WINDOW, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE, THE CAR CUT OFF, AND WHEN I LET OF THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 OPERATI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED MY CHEVY MALIBU ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS I WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HEAD SLAMMED IN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE DRIVEN. I HAVE A CONCUSSION THA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 1ST INCIDENT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD DO A EXTREME PULL TO THE RIGHT. 2ND INCIDENT 2/24/14 MILE 2940 - TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)