Home · 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Hev · Complaints

What 361 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Hev

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)

Newest first · 361 complaints · page 10 of 15

Feb 12, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

NHTSA ODI 11176631

Feb 9, 2019SeatsCrash1 death

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.

NHTSA ODI 11175809

Jan 29, 2019Wheels

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.

NHTSA ODI 11172957

Jan 16, 2019WheelsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI 11170440

Jan 10, 2019Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11166293

Jan 5, 2019SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

NHTSA ODI 11165377

Jan 4, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI 11165250

Dec 19, 2018

WHEN DRIVING CAR STARTS TO JERK. SOMETIME IT FEELS LIKE A MAJOR JOLT AND OTHER TIMES IT A SLIGHT JERKING FEELING. I'VE COMPLAINED THE 1ST YEAR I GOT THE VEHICLE AND THEN 2 YEARS LATER I ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED NOR ANY INDICATION OF OF ISSUES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP. NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATING VEHICLE ISSUE ARE PRESENT. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT WHATS GOING ON. THIS REALLY NEED TO BE RESOLVED ASAP.

NHTSA ODI 11162385

Dec 4, 2018Wheels

WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. MY CAR, AS WELL AS OH SO MANY OTHERS, HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE MAGNETIC RING ON THE BEARING ASSEMBLY BREAKING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT CAUSES THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, STABLITRAK AND BRAKE ASSIST TO ALL SHUT DOWN. THESE FAILURES HAPPEN FREQUENTLY AND REPEATEDLY. IT'S ESTIMATED TO BE A $400 FIX...FOR EACH ONE. CONSIDERING NOT EVERY OWNER CAN JUST RUN TO A DEALER ON A MOMENTS NOTICE TO HAVE ONE OR MULTIPLE BEARING REPLACED, IT LEAVES US WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE A CAR WITH ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS DISABLED UNTIL THE REPAIR CAN BE MADE. IT MIGHT NOT BE A PROBLEM IN PLACES LIKE CALIFORNIA OR FLORIDA WHERE THEY DON'T DEAL WITH SNOW AND ICE, BUT HERE IN IOWA, IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN TO NOT HAVE THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE ASSIST AND STABLITRAK FUNCTIONING. THE WORSE PART IS, I CAN FIX ONE AND HAVE OTHERS GO BAD OR FIX THEM AND THEY GO BAD AGAIN DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11156039

Nov 29, 2018AirbagsCrash2 injuries

CAR WAS SITTING STILL AND IT WAS REAR ENDED HARD AND SENT MY CAR FORWARD INTO THE CAR WITH B FRONT OF ME MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. IT WAS A HIGH IMPACT CRASH AND THEY SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF I WAS SEEN IN EMERGENCY ROOM WITH POSSIBLE FRACTURES TO MY STERNUM AND THIRD RIB. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COMPENSATED AND THE CAR MAKER NEEDS TO BE AWARE IN THE EVENT OTHER CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MY CONTACT IS (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11154733

Nov 10, 2018Electrical systemEngine

I STARTED MY CAR AND DROVE ABOUT 1/4 OF A MILE AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME UP ON MY CAR STATING ENGINE POWER REDUCED. PULLED OVER PUT CAR IN PARK TURNED CAR OFF THEN ON THEN DRIVE. CAR DID FINE FOR ABOUT A MILE. THEN CAR SHOWED REDUCED ENGINE POWER AGAIN AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF ROAD AND WOULD NOT START BACK. WAS IN MIDDLE OF CURVE GOING UP HILL. CAR WOULD NOT EVEN ROLL WHEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL SO THAT I COULD GET IT OUT OF ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11150664

Nov 2, 2018

MY VEHICLE AT HIGH REVS WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS IT THEN BEGINS TO STALL AND LOSE SPEED. I HAD THE ISSUE INSPECTED BY MY DEALERS AUTO SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A BLOCKAGE IN MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. NO CODE HAS APPEARED FOR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11145029

Oct 21, 2018Speed controlEngineFuel system

MY CAR CUTS OFF AT LIGHTS . THESE PROBLEMS ARE IN THE DRIVE SHAFT . THE VVT THING.

NHTSA ODI 11141671

Oct 11, 2018Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11139672

Sep 17, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN COLD GOING UP HILL AND SOME TIMES ON LEVEL GROUND IT JERKS HARD , LIKE IT'S TRYING TO GO INTO ANOTHER GEAR TILL WARMS UP . GOING UP HILL EVERY DAY I DRIVE IT , IT DOES IT. IT'S BEEN TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FINE ANYTHING WHAT IS CAUSING IT. NO, CODES IS COMING UP . DRIVING UP HILLS IS MAINLY WHEN IT DOES IT , FIRST STARTING OUT FROM MY HOUSE GOING UP THE MOUNTAINS WHERE I LIVE THEN IT WARMS UP AND DON'T DO IT BUT ONCE AND AWHILE. IT'S LIKE IT TRYING TO GO INTO ANOTHER GEAR AND HITS HARD WITH A JERK . WHEN IAM TURNING THE CURVES AND SLOW DOWN THEN ACCELERATE AGAIN IS WHEN IT DOES IT. AROUND 30 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA ODI 11129908

Sep 11, 2018Electrical system

AUTO START DOES NOT WORK. IT KEEPS GIVING ME A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE. I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET A DIAGNOSTICS TEST. THE CODE CAME BACK WITH P305F DTC DEFINITION.

NHTSA ODI 11128633

Sep 8, 2018AirbagsSeat beltsCrash4 injuries

THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED AT A FAST SPEED AS IT WAS PROCEEDING AT A SLOW PACE AS TRAFFIC WAS STARTING TO TAKE OFF FROM BEING AT A STAND STILL. THE PERSON DRIVING WAS SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE SAME TIME THE SEAT BELT FLEW OFF AND THE BUCKLE STRUCK THE DRIVER ON THE ARM CAUSING INJURY THE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT BACK INTO PLACE AND ALSO THE DRIVER'S KNEE HIT THE STEERING CAUSING THE KEY TO BREAK OFF INTO THE IGNITION CAUSING INJURY TO THE KNEE AND LEG. THE CAR ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE TOP OF THE BRIDGE LEADING TO THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS MOVING AT A SLOW PACE BECAUSE TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED THEN PROCEEDED TO GO. IT DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO GO FULL SPEED BEFORE BEING STRUCK. I BELIEVE THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT CAUSED THE SEATBELT TO MALFUNCTION I DON'T KNOW WHY THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 11128277

Aug 30, 2018Wheels

REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUBS REPLACED AT 22,790 MILES AT 37,00 MILES LEFT REAR AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD AGAIN

NHTSA ODI 11123426

Aug 29, 2018Seat belts

WE HAVE A FAMILY MALIBU, PURCHASED BRAND NEW. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER GOT OUT AT ONE STOP, AND GOT IN ON THE NEXT STOP. THE BACK SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS FREEZE FOR NO APPEARENT REASON, NOT ALLOWING THE SEATBELT TO COME BACK OUT PAST A FEW INCHES. IT IS NOT FOLDED,ECT AND IS STILL NEARLY NEW. A TRUCK DID PULL OUT IN FRONT OF US IN NOVEMBER 2017 WHILE THE FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR, WE HIT IT GOING ABOUT 15 MPH, BUT THAT WAS 8 MONTHS BACK AND LIKELY ISN'T RELATED. (AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF DUE TO LOWER SPEED).

NHTSA ODI 11123369

Aug 26, 2018Brakes

AT TIMES, WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL STICK IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION AND IT WILL MAKE A GROANING SOUND. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT AND RETURN THE BRAKE PEDAL TO IT'S ORIGINAL POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, WITH PASSENGERS TO ASSURE ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE, IN DEED, MAKING THIS NOISE AND CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK AT TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. VERY INTERESTED IN WHETHER THERE IS A RECALL, BECAUSE MY HUSBAND'S SILVERADO DOES THE SAME THING AND IT WAS RECALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS TIMES AND IS ALWAYS IN A POSITION OF GOING DOWN HILL AND IN A CURVE. IT HAS HAPPENED ANY WHERE FROM 24 MPH TO 40 MPH. IN MY COMMENTS, I TRIED TO REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, BUT IT IS AN ESTIMATE ONLY.

NHTSA ODI 11122433

Aug 22, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND AN ABNORMAL RINGING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT CALLED KELLER CHEVROLET (3600 GENESEE ST, BUFFALO, NY 14225, (716) 650-4589) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11121709

Aug 14, 2018Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET, 2315 STATE RTE 60, VERMILION, OH 44089, (888) 392-1095) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,614. **TR SENSOR, BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON CONSUMER STATED I PURCHASED THIS 2014 MALIBU FROM MY SON KEN WHO LIVES IN MCCARDSVILLE, IN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED IN THE ON POSITION AND WERE ONLY NOTICED WHEN OUR SON KEVIN WAS FOLLOWING US ON A TRIP THIS PAST JUNE. SINCE THER WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW LONG THIS DEFECT EXISTED. I AM ENCLOSING THE COPY OF REPAIR THIS PAST JUNE. UPDATED 10/22/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11119868

Aug 3, 2018SteeringElectrical system

WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE WARNING SIGNS COMES ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN WONT ALLOW ME TO TURN ALL THE WAY LEFT OR RIGHT SO I BASICALLY GET STUCK ON THE STREETS INTERSECTIONS PARKING LOTS STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF THE WARNING SIGN WOULD COME OFF EVERY TIME I WOULD HIT A BUMP BUT NOW ITS SO HARD AND STIFF TO TURN I HAVE TO USE FULL FORCE JUST TO MAKE A TURN. I TAKE IT IN AN D THEY SAID THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY VERY FRUSTRATED AND VERY SCARY.

NHTSA ODI 11115563

Jul 28, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

AUTO STOP START MALFUNCTIONS WHEN STOPPING AT STOP LIGHT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND RESTART. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH CODE P305F COMING UP.

NHTSA ODI 11114307

Jul 27, 2018Visibility & wipers

IF I CHANGE THE SETTINGS OF MY DEFROST OR HEAT/AC AT ALL, THE BLOWER STOPS WORKING. IT WILL THEN COME BACK ON RANDOMLY IN 10 MINS OR AN HOUR OR DAYS. WHILE DRIVING I WON'T BE ABLE TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD AT ALL. MY DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER (MARCH) AND IT WAS FINE BUT NOW HAS STARTED AGAIN. NOW IT IS BACK TO JUST NOT TURNING ON RANDOMLY. MY VIN IS NOT APART OF THE RECALL?

NHTSA ODI 11114084

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Working with the data? Download all 361 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 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 Hev verdict →