What 361 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

When I stop my auto stop kicks in and when I take my foot off the brake my car rolls up a little and ends up dying. I have to turn it off and start it up giving it gas to get it going. There have been a couple instances when making a left turn I have almost gotten hit. I am no longer comfortable driving my car. There are several people posting about it online but no reason or fix for it as far as I know of. I have called the dealer and if course they want me to bring it in but I have no money for someone to go on a wild goose chase with my car. I think this should be something Chevrolet needs to figure out.

NHTSA ODI 11545855

The automatic start and stop function does not work properly. When the car comes to a stop and auto stops, the vehicle shuts off and does not power up when you hit the gas. My safety is put at risk due to the car shutting off and the possibility of someone hitting me. The vehicle has been inspected countless times. I was told it was an electrical issue. Then told it was the battery. Brand new battery and issue isn’t fixed. The car cut off once and all the lights came on. Now no lights comes on it just cuts off.

NHTSA ODI 11535754

Auto Start Stop Function (ASSF) malfunction. When releasing foot off brake when (ASSF) was engaged, engine failed to restart. After putting car in park and restarting the engine, it took multiple attempts for car to restart. This has happened numerous times, all of which have been while city driving (i.e. stopping at stop lights, waiting to turn in turn lane, stopped at stop sign) High safety concern for me and for other drivers on roadway. vehicle has been looked at by automotive shop, no definitive answer for the cause. no warning lights or messages appear before/during/ or after malfunction.

NHTSA ODI 11523461

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after returning to the parked vehicle, it was discovered that the rear trunk lid had erroneously opened. The contacted indicated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 31,000.

NHTSA ODI 11522710

THE AUTO STOP SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS SHUTS OFF AT RED LIGHTS AND DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE RELEASED AND GAS PEDAL PUSHED. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY AND HAS TO BE PUT IN PARK AND RESTARTED IN TRAFFIC WHICH CAN BE DEADLY. THERE'S NO WAY TO DISENGAGE THIS IS NOT A GOOD FEATURE.

NHTSA ODI 11522260

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and started jerking. The contact stated that on one occasion the contact veered to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure persisted and self-corrected while driving. The check engine warning light illuminated on one occasion but independently reset before taking the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was not able to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11513053

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the intake cam shift solenoid control circuit and the variable valve solenoid intake and the variable valve solenoid exhaust were faulty and needed to be replaced. The intake cam shift solenoid control circuit, variable valve solenoid intake, and variable valve solenoid exhaust were replaced but the failure recurred with the cold start engine rattling noise and loss of power failure persisting. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11512123

My 2014 Chevrolet Malibu has been shutting off quite frequently in traffic. Causing danger to my family and to other motorist by this malfunction. I have taken it to my local GM dealership for this to be resolve but to no success and charge for the service. I have also spoken with GM corporation but to no avail. I have researched this problem with compliance with this make and model this seem like an issue that GM should investigate. But I would like to keep driving my vehicle. Who can help me with this problem this is our transportation for now until we can afford another. Thanking you in advance. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11507165

The AutoStop/Start feature malfunctioned while at a busy intersection. The AutoStop engaged but failed to start the engine, once pressure was released from the brake pedal. This has been an issue for about a year now. I have replaced both batteries, both VVT sensors, and the oil pressure sensor in the last year, thinking this would solve the issue. This vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic, just scanned with a handheld scanner at a parts store, every time there is a check engine indicator light on. There are no dash indicators when this malfunctions, I just have to turn the vehicle completely off, or pump the accelerator in order for it to start.

NHTSA ODI 11505218

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign, the contact felt as if the vehicle was shutting off without any warning. The contact stated he released his foot off the brake pedal and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the electrical brake traction needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts were discontinued. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that no further assistance was available due to the parts being discontinued. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11500543

P2646 diagnostic code - rocker arm control solenoid In June 2020, GM issued "Special Coverage Adjustment N192289160 Rocker Arm Oil Control Valve Inoperative" for the coverage of the repair for rocker arm oil control valve, (OCV) for 10 years after the purchase date, or 120,000 miles for the 2014 Malibu and Impala. However, our vehicle had the failure at 122,000 miles. The Special Coverage should be adjusted, or even transitioned to a full recall since the parameters of the initial bulletin are insufficient.

NHTSA ODI 11495688

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when they started the vehicle all its lights illuminated however it only turned on the vehicle not start the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger-side wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact was unable to specify which wiring harness. The vehicle had not been repaired due to parts any longer being in production. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the matter. The parts no longer being in production were confirmed. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11492259

It did not cause a wreck/collision but almost has in several instances. The Start/Stop function will activate but then when it's time for the car to start again it will not and my car will go into traffic and then completely turn off to the point I have to hard start my vehicle. This is making the cars engine light stay illuminated and I've replaced several parts and nothing seems to fix the problem. Every person I've spoke with that has the same year vehicle is having the same issue.08

NHTSA ODI 11488410

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with the battery. However, the battery was not replaced. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle would not properly shift into gear, decelerated independently, and stopped. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, upon moving the gear shifter into drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then moved the gear shifter to park(P) however, the vehicle rolled away and struck a tree. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11483580

Stop/Start doesn’t work at least 20% of the time, leaving me stalled in the middle of the road, until *hopefully* it starts again, usually after a few tries.

NHTSA ODI 11482509

I have owned this car for a little over 3 years and it suddenly started giving me a "Shift to Park" message after I physically put the car in "Park" and turn the car off. The car will not turn off completely because the car does not think that it is in "Park". It is gradually getting worse as time goes on. There were two instances where I thought the car was turned off and when I came back to my vehicle, the car was dead. All within 15 minutes. The car does not shut off after turning it off because it thinks that the car is not in park so the radio, lights, and everything electrical stays on. This issue causes the battery to drain quickly. This issue can easily leave someone stranded with a dead car. I took it to the dealership to get a diagnostic test on it in June 2022 and they could not replicate the issue. I am taking it back again this month (August 2022). I have read a lot of discussion forums about this issue. There was only a recall for the same model for the production years of 2016-2019 I believe. This issue is pretty common among Chevrolet and I think that it's crazy that there is a huge problem with their shifter assembly and they never fixed it!

NHTSA ODI 11478876

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, the vehicle was in manual mode while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle failed to shift into gear as needed. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, and the contact explained that her vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V092000 (Power Train). The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and informed her that she was responsible for the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was contacted, and they also stated that the vehicle was not under recall and advised to contact the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 214,000.

NHTSA ODI 11476882

The vehicles "Auto Off" feature, which shuts the engine off when stopped at red-lights, fails to restart the engine when removing your foot from the brake pedal. The engine stalls out, and much be parked, shut off and then restarted. Sometimes it takes multiple times to restart the vehicle. This is very unsafe considering the car could stall out in an intersection or cause another vehicle to collide with mine if they were behind my vehicle, expecting it to begin moving. I have take my car in for multiple repairs and nobody can figure out the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11474085

My car only has 54,000 mile and my transmission is already going out and it happened out of nowhere literally I just started getting stuck at lights like the cat didn’t want to go so mechanic told me it had to be something the dealership could do cause it’s no way I keep up my fluids and all and my brakes just keep wearing

NHTSA ODI 11473379

My auto start/stop feature failed to engage properly. The safety of myself and my family have been put at risk on multiple occasions because the vehicle would not start back up leaving us stranded in the road amongst traffic. The problem has not been diagnosed or inspected. There were no warnings as to when the auto start/stop would fail, it just happens! At the moment this is the only vehicle my family has so we have to take risks any time we drive this vehicle! I purchased this car 4/26/2022 and this has happened at least 10 times since purchasing!!! Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11473025

There seems to be problems with the auto stop that can’t be fixed and is not being addressed by Chevy. When your car gets over 100,000 the problems starts. When your car auto stops when it try’s to switch back to running the car shuts off. You have to turn your car off and restart it. Sometimes it takes more than one try to get your car started. Just recently my car stopped and would not restart til the next day. Luckily I was just at a drive thru and the workers had to push me out. I been doing research and this seems to be happening to a lot of people. It’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt. This problem needs to be fixed. Chevy needs to look into this and find a fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11470805

The Auto Stop would engage and then when I put my foot on the accelerator, it stalled out. I would turn the vehicle off and restart it. I took it to countless mechanics who could not figure out what was causing the problem because the Check Engine light did not come on and no codes were triggered. The problem became worse over time and once the vehicle stalled, it would not immediately restart. I took it to my Chevy Dealer and they can’t figure it out .

NHTSA ODI 11468039

I have a 2014 Malibu with 80,000 miles. It started stalling in traffic intersections and at stop signs, which is a dangerous safety issue. The Auto Stop would engage and then when I put my foot on the accelerator, it stalled out. I would turn the vehicle off and restart it. Engine light comes on, but no code stored. The problem became worse over time and once the vehicle stalled, it would not immediately restart. No one has come up with a workable solution. I am shifting into neutral at all traffic signals and stop signs, so that the Auto Stop function does not engage, but that seems like a poor fix to the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11466498

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, she saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed oil leaking on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rocker arm oil control valve was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact became aware of Chevrolet Special Coverage Adjustment Number: N192289160, which she associated to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,605.

NHTSA ODI 11464885

It started off with just a little jerking when I would be in stop and go traffic then it progressed to whenever I was driving below 35mph, the car would completely cut off and the doors would unlock. The check engine light came on and I took it to be repaired. They stated there was a hole in my exhaust which a GM service employee repaired. Two days later the check engine light came on again and this time they stated I needed a new transmission. So I took it to a transmission company, who installed a rebuilt transmission. A few days after getting my car back, the same issue happened again. The transmission company did a diagnostic and stated it wasn't the transmission so I took it back to a GM service place and they stated it was my manifold. I paid for the repairs and the vehicle worked fine until the beginning of April 2022. Now the vehicle is doing the exact same thing expect this time the doors are not unlocking when the car cuts off. A new thing has started where the car shakes when I sit with my foot on the break for too long such as at a traffic light, once I take my foot off the break to accelerate it will jerk or turn completely off. Today, I was trying to do a U-turn and the car just stopped working almost like it was in neutral then the steering wheel locked up.

NHTSA ODI 11462629