Home · 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 361 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (361)Crash / fire / injury (28)Engine (127)Electrical system (88)Transmission & drivetrain (53)Brakes (49)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (36)Fuel system (26)Steering (25)Visibility & wipers (21)Wheels (19)Speed control (17)

88 of 361 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 2 of 4

Apr 28, 2022Electrical system

2014 Malibu will turn to auto stop then off while reversing or getting out of a parking spot in general. Rarely, it will stop in traffic when waiting at a red light, but 99% of the time when coming out of a parking spot. It will also bounce and/or rock when stopped in drive. This has been going on since about January 2022 as far as I realize.

NHTSA ODI 11462652

Apr 21, 2022Electrical systemEngineFuel system

Reduced Engine Power

NHTSA ODI 11461733

Apr 19, 2022SuspensionElectrical system

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power while coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions. The dealer replaced the auxiliary battery and the timing intake bracket arm; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 11461316

Jan 8, 2022Electrical systemEngine

2014 Malibu lt with the auto stop issues. My auxiliary batter was replaced and everything was good until my engine light came on can’t even remember exactly but the code was for the rocker arm control valve and oil pressure sensor. I replaced vvt solenoid also the intake and exhaust solenoid. Shortly after that, maybe 2 months or so after was when the auto stop started having issues. After the suto stop is engaged and my foot comes off the brake, it fails to restart after two failed attempts. I’ll manually restart it and it might start right away but sometimes wont start until the 2nd or 3rd try

NHTSA ODI 11446745

Dec 30, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

The vehicle will still be running after I turn the engine off and take the key out of ignition.

NHTSA ODI 11445653

Nov 29, 2021Electrical system

The HVAC system is not functioning. In July of 2021, the air conditioner would not turn off at all. The car cannot be driven at all if it is cold outside and the windows frost over as you cannot turn on the heater to defrost them. Even if they aren't frosted over, it's too cold now to drive with the air conditioner on. There was a recall with other 2014 Chevy Malibu's, but not for my car, but it is the same problem as the other recall. It is available for inspection. I called GM and they were not helpful at all. No warning lamps or messages prior to the problem. Can take to a dealership when the weather is warm enough. Had to disengage the blower motor.

NHTSA ODI 11441967

Nov 3, 2021Electrical systemEngine

THIS CAR HAS THE AUTO/STOP FUNCTION. THERE IS NO WAY TO CUT THIS OFF ACCORDING THE THE OWNERS MANUAL OR ONLINE RESEARCH. NOT EVERYTIME BUT IT HAPPENS ALOT. BE DRIVING STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE AUTO STOP KICKS IN. WHEN THE LIGHT TURN GREEN, STEP ON GAS CAR IS SUPPOSE TO START, DOES NOT START. YOU HAVE TO PUT IN PARK, TURN KEY OFF, ATTEMPT TO CRANK AGAIN BEFORE YOU CAN GO. MEANWHILE PEOPLE ARE AVOIDING HITTING YOU IN THE REAR NOT KNOWING YOU ARE NOT MOVING ETC. ON THE MALIBU FORUM YOU WILL SEE MULIPLE COMPLIANTS FROM MALIBU OWNERS 2014-2016 WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT! I CALLED GM NO RESPONSE . ITS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED OR INJURED FOR GM TO DO A RECALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE- PEOPLE COULD REAR END ME , SITTING IN MIDDLE OF A ROAD NOT MOVING!! THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THERE IS NOTHING IN OWNERS MANUAL TELLING HOW TO DISABLE THIS FUNCTION.. ITS USELESS.. DEATH TRAP! PLEASE FORCE GM TO HAVE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE THERE ARE LAWSUITS INVOLVING DEATHS!!! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT!!

NHTSA ODI 11439287

Jul 15, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

My car is throwing a rocker arm valve code but chevy is saying its not covered under the NHTSA program that was passed. Its a 2014 chevy malibu 2.5 L with 93000 miles on it. It causes the auto stop to malfunction and the car will completely shut down when stopped. It will not restart at all. Have been almost hit 3 times at major intersections.

NHTSA ODI 11424948

Jun 16, 2021Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

GOV vehicle was traveling north on the Baltimore Washington Parkway near Interstate 695. The steering and brakes failed, and the driver moved the vehicle safely to the shoulder and exited the vehicle. The vehicle began to smoke and caught fire. The Traction control , steering, brake and ABS warning lamps appeared.

NHTSA ODI 11421170

Jun 7, 2021Electrical systemAirbagsSeats

Whenever a passenger rides in the front seat all electrical components lose proper function. Heating/air-conditioning does not work, multiple warning sensors go off, radio does not work, gas gauge does not work, speedometer does not work, blinkers do not work.

NHTSA ODI 11420001

Apr 27, 2021Electrical systemEngineFire

BATTERY OR ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. SEE ATTACHMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11414087

Mar 23, 2021Electrical systemCrash

WHEN THE AUTO STOP KICKS IT AT LIGHT THE CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY AND TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART WITH MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY. THIS IS A ACCIDENT HAZARD AND THE 2014 MALIBU HAVE NO OPTION TO TURN OFF THE AUTO STOP LIKE THE NEWER CARS.. BEEN HAPPENING FOR A YEAR

NHTSA ODI 11404586

Feb 6, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

WHEN START STOP WAS ENGAGED AT LIGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF EVERYTHING ON THE DASH AND RADIO WENT BLANK. IT AUTO STARTED AND AC WAS NO LONGER WORKING. AFTERWARDS I SMELLED A SLIGHT BURNING SCENT (IN LOUISIANA TRAFFIC, I WAS UNSURE IT WAS ME) BUT CAR RAN FINE. WHEN START STOP ENGAGED THERE WAS A LONGER THAN NORMAL PAUSE BEFORE WOULD AUTO START WOULD ENGAGE. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO CRANK ON OCCASION FOR A FEW KEY TURNS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TRUNK WOULD MYSTERIOUSLY POP OPEN. STARTED DISPLAYING TWO KEY FOBS PROGRAMMED, ABS STABLE TRACK, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, LOW BATTERY AND ANOTHER THING I CAN'T REMEMBER AT START UP. I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WITH NEW ONES AND THE NEXT DAY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED AS WELL AS HEAD LIGHTS. AND WHEN I WAS TO TAKE IT IN TO DEALERSHIP IT HAD COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE FUSE BLOCK AND REPLACED IT. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND HAS A PAUSE BEFORE IT START. WILL NOT SEND DIAGNOSTICS TO MY CHEVY APP. REMOTE START IS NOT WORKING WITH ENG LIGHT ON. I TOLD THEM I THOUGHT IS WAS BATTERY CONTROL MODULE BUT HE INSISTED THAT IT WAS JUST THE ENGINE FUSE BLOCK. I CANNOT EXPLAIN THE ANXIETY. AND HAVE TOLD MY FAMILY THAT IF I DIE IN THAT CAR TO SUE GM. THERE SHOULD BE NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR AT 6 YEARS OLD. 53000 MILES AND IS DRIVEN LESS THAN 50 MILES A WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 11394952

Jan 14, 2021Electrical system

MY BLOWER STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR AND NOTICED IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, SO I'M GUESSING THEY CAUGHT A RECALL BEFORE THEY SOLD TO ME. AFTER I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR, IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, AND THEN STOPPED AGAIN. I'VE NOTICED PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF SIMILAR ISSUES IN ONLINE FORUMS AND AM WONDERING IF IT'S COVERED UNDER SOME SORT OF RECALL OR SOMETHING. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11388146

Jan 14, 2021Electrical systemAirbagsSeats

WHILE SOMEONE IS IN MY PASSENGER SEAT, ALLY GAGES WILL GO TO 0, (INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING) THE SEAT WARMS WILL TURN OFF, ALSO MY STEREO SHUTS DOWN. I GET A NOTIFICATION SAYING "SERVICE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM", "SERVICE THIEF DETERRENT SYSTEM" ALSO SOMETHING ABOUT THE AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ODI 11388153

Nov 25, 2020SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

THE CAR WILL NOT START AND MESSAGES POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD STATING BATTERY SAVER ASSIST, POWER STEERING CARE, STABILOCK CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI 11376308

Nov 13, 2020SteeringElectrical system

POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING THEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON DASH AND CAR STOPS ACCELERATING. SHUT CAR OFF AND ALL LIGHTS TURN OFF AND CAR DRIVES FINE AND THEN RANDOMLY COMES ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK NEARLY GOT IN AN ACCIDENT . AFTER READING MANY FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY CHEVY !! VERY VERY UNSAFE STILL CAN'T SOLVE HOW TO FIX THE ISSUES AND HAVE TO DRIVE CHILDREN AROUND!

NHTSA ODI 11374599

Oct 15, 2020Electrical system

KEY CONSISTING BECOMES STUCK IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER OF MY 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS PREVENTS THE DOORS FROM BEING LOCKED AND INCREASING THE CHANCE OF THE VEHICLE BEING STOLEN. THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF VIDEOS FOR THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND ALL ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CHEVROLET VEHICLES. THIS IS A REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11364435

Oct 5, 2020Electrical systemEngineFuel system

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF AND THERE'S ONLY 78000 MILES. THE AUTO STOP ISN'T WORKING. THE TRACKING LIGHT WON'T GO OF AND THE ABS LIGHT WONT GO OFF

NHTSA ODI 11362932

Sep 11, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

SERVICE ENGINE SIGNAL WON'T COME OFF AND MY CAR WON'T CUT OFF

NHTSA ODI 11354406

Jul 4, 2020Electrical system

THE CARS STOP START FUNCTION IS MALFUNCTIONING AND WILL COMPLETELY TURN THE CAR OFF WHEN ENGAGED. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS DUE TO THIS. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME THE FUNCTION IS ENGAGED. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR MARCH 17,2020

NHTSA ODI 11337429

Jun 28, 2020Electrical systemEngine

THE VEHICLE STOPS WHILE IN MOTION AND IN DRIVING GEAR THEN WHEEL LOCK UP. MAKING IT UNABLE TO PROCEED TO TURN OR DRIVE. THIS DOES NOT MATTER IF ON HIGHWAY OR PUBLIC STREET. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO COTTMANS AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN AND WAS COVERED BY MANUFACTURERS UNDER CODES P0011 AND P2646. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED WITH RESOLVING THIS MATTER AS MY CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11331349

Jun 17, 2020Electrical systemLightsAirbags

MY PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG ISN'T WORKING AND MY ELECTRICAL TO MY EMC ISN'T WORKING AND WHEN BATTERY IS UNHOOKED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON I'VE HAD SEVERAL SENSORS TO GO BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329438

Apr 2, 2020Electrical system

AC AND RADIO COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. NO POWER WHATSOEVER.

NHTSA ODI 11320044

Mar 17, 2020Electrical systemEngine

WHEN I COME TO A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, WHEN MY CAR TRIES TO USE THE AUTO STOP FEATURE THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT FAILS TO START BACK ON WHICH CAUSES IT TO FULLY TURN OFF WHILE THE KEY IS STILL TURNED AND THE CAR IS IN DRIVE AS IF THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOR DO I KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING IT. I CHANGED MY SPARK PLUGS THINKING THAT MIGHT OF BEEN THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME MALFUNCTION. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11318510

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Working with the data? Download all 361 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Eco verdict →