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 13 of 15

Mar 14, 2016Engine

TAKATA RECALL. STARTED MY MALIBU TO RUN SOME ERRANDS AND THE STABILITRK LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THIS IS A 2014 MALIBU LT. AFTER DRIVING IT , THE STABILITRK LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE LIGHT FOR THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER IS STILL ON. THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING THE WAY IT SHOULD. I HAVE IT SCHEDULED FOR A DIAGNOSTICS. SEEMS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH GM. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND THIS HAPPENED ON THE FIRST START OF THE MORNING.

NHTSA ODI 10846495

Feb 18, 2016Electrical system

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, ALL GAUGES AND THE RADIO GOES BLACK, EXCEPT FOR THE MIDDLE SCREEN WHICH THEN FLASHED "SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM, SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, SERVICE PASSENGER MONITORING SYSTEM." I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING OR ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO INTERRUPTION OF POWER OR ANY AFFECT TO THE ENGINE. IF THE PASSENGER LIFTS THEMSELVES OFF THE SEAT, THE SYSTEM THEN RESETS AND EVERYTHING RUNS PERFECTLY. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS ALOT, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FOR DAYS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE 6 PAGES OR ERROR CODES SHOWING A LOSS IN COMMUNICATION. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS POSSIBLY SOMETHING LOOSE OR THAT A SENSOR IS GOING BAD, HOWEVER, THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10836869

Feb 1, 2016Wheels

THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE GOING OUT WITH LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT AND IT IS A WELL DOCUMENTED AND REGULARLY OCCURRING PROBLEM. ON THE MALIBU FORUM THERE ARE OVER 7 PAGES OF PEOPLE STATING THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS WITH AS FEW AS 19K MILES ON THEM. I AM A FEW THOUSAND MILES OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY SO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BUT I THINK ITS RIDICULOUS THAT OEM PARTS, THAT THE GM SERVICE MANAGERS ADMIT ARE FAULTY, HAVE TO BE PAID FOR BY THE CONSUMER. IF MY WHEEL BEARING FAILED I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PUT MY WHOLE FAMILY AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI 10823463

Feb 1, 2016Wheels

WHILE ON A TRIP TO FLORIDA THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS WENT BAD WITH LESS THAN 21000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS NOISY AND SLIGHT SHIMMY N THE REAR WHILE DRIVING ON ALL TYPE OF ROADS AND AT ALL SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI 10823567

Jan 17, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING APPX 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY A "SERVICE STABILTRACK, REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE" MESSAGE CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY THE CAR BEGAN A RAPID DECELERATION UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY WE WERE BARELY ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE ACROSS 3 LANES OF 70 MPH TRAFFIC & ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE WE BECAME STRANDED. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 10 MIN WE WERE ABLE TO START THE CAR AND SLOWLY MAKE IT ABOUT A MILE TO A FREEWAY EXIT WHERE THE SAME EVENT REPEATED ITSELF EXCEPT THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. A CHEVY DEALER HAD CLAIMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AS THE SITUATION WAS SIMILAR TO SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND BOTH OCCURRENCES RESULTED IN US BEING AT A DEAD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD NEEDING TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI 10820721

Jan 11, 2016LightsBody & structure

DRIVING 12/18 BELTLINE EAST BOUND. BETWEEN SOUTH TOWN EXIT AND MONONA DRIVE EXIT. DEBIS IN ROAD HIT BY TRUCK LIC#DG93483 THAT CAME UP AND HIT THE RIGHT FRONT END PASSANGER SIDE OF VECHILE. CRACKED HEADLINE AND FRONT BUMPER DENTED AS WELL AS PAINT ALL SCRATCHED! CALLED NON EMERGENCY POILE AND THEY TOLD ME TO FILL OUT THIS FORM TO REPORT.

NHTSA ODI 10819419

Dec 29, 2015SteeringBrakesCrash

DRIVING CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY HIT A PUDDLE ABS LIGHT ALONG WITH CHECK STABIL TRAK AND CHECK BREAK ASSIST SYSTEM COME ON, FEW MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD ATTEMPT TO BREAK AND TURN WHEEL NEITHER WORK, HIT GUARD RAIL L, AFTER HITTING GUARD RAIL ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE APPEARS, TOOK TO DEALER FILED CLAIM WITH GM TO FIX BODY DAMAGE FOR MANUFACTURES DEFECT. GM DID NOTHING, BLAMED ISSUE ON WHEE BEARING.

NHTSA ODI 10816899

Dec 13, 2015Steering

STEERING GETS STUCK IN THE CENTER POSITION WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHTAWAYS AND REQUIRES FORCE TO CORRECT IT WHICH CAUSES OVER STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT AND DIDN'T DO IT WHEN NEW. IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR AS YOU ARE CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 10809905

Nov 3, 2015Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE SEIZING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.

NHTSA ODI 10787938

Oct 20, 2015Engine

2014 MALIBU HAS THE 2.5L ECOTEC ENGINE EQUIPPED WITH START/STOP TECHNOLOGY WHEN I STOP/BRAKE THE ENGINE ONLY SHUT LEST THAN 10% OF TIME. HAVE HAD INTO THE DEALER TWO TIMES FOR THIS THEY SAID ALL IN SPEC. THE MALIBU STOPS/STARTS SO INFREQUENTLY THAT IT SURPRISES ME WHEN IT DOES SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI 10783657

Sep 28, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE HEAVILY AND THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE CUT OFF (AUTO START/ STOP FEATURE) AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS, CAME BACK ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 10778224

Sep 2, 2015AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE AT A STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO YIELD FOR AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR CENTER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10760922

Jun 10, 2015Transmission & drivetrainAirbags

2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION JERKING AND SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL A FEW SECONDS LATER, THEN JERK AND TAKE OFF FAST. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10723988

May 26, 2015Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED WHILE ON A MAJOR ROADWAY AND TRAVELING OVER 45 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND AND THE SPEED WOULD NOT GO PAST 10 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI 10721522

May 15, 2015Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI 10716660

May 12, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE MINUTES AND THEN RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500.

NHTSA ODI 10716000

May 6, 2015Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX TIRES, SIZE: P225/55R17. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION PRESENT AND THEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN POP SOUND ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND SPLIT THREE WAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE THREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE THREE SEPARATE WAYS. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,875.

NHTSA ODI 10715030

Apr 13, 2015Seats

THE WELDS ON THE FRONT CROSS-BAR AND THE REAR CROSS BAR ARE SEPARATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND LOWER ADJUSTMENT FRAME, THIS CAUSE THE DRIVERS SEAT TO LEAN TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IN TURN MAKES THE SEAT TOGGLE BACK AND FORTH. UPON FIRST EXAMINATION I THOUGHT THE WELDS HAD BROKEN, BUT ON CLOSER EXAMINATION IT APPEARS THAT THE WELD DID NOT PENETRATE THE METAL FAR ENOUGH AS THE WELD AND BAR WERE BOTH INTACT, EXCEPT FOR SCARING ON THE TUBING. THIS RESULTS IN A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT. I SEE ONLINE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON CHEVY MAILBU'S 2004. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10705290

Apr 11, 2015Visibility & wipers

UPON ENTERING VEHICLE AND STARTING UP TO GO TO WORK, THE HEATING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM DID NOT WORK , TURNED CAR ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES AND STILL WOULD NOT WORK. DROVE CAR TO WORK AND THE HEAT WAS STUCK ON HIGH AND THE VENTS WERE UNTOUCHABLE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO OPERATE HEAT/AIR OR ANY OTHER BUTTONS ON THE SYSTEM FOR THAT. STARTED RAINING ON THE WAY AND HAD TO USE WIPERS AND PUT WINDOWS UP AND WINDOWS STARTED TO FOG AND UNABLE TO CLEAR THEM DUE TO THIS REASON ALSO, WILL TRY TO TAKE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING AND HOPE THEY CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS ABOUT THE 3RD TIME SINCE I HAD THE CAR THAT IT HAS DONE THIS, BUT THE OTHER 2 TIMES IT WAS ONLY FOR A SHORTER TIME THAN THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10705069

Apr 2, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY SHIFTS ERRATICALLY, HARD AT TIMES, HESITATES AND BUCKS .NEVER HAD ANY VEHICLE IN MY LIFE DO THIS, EVEN CARS WITH KNOWN BAD TRANSMISSIONS. THE SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY PROPEL FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN CRUISING TO SLOW DOWN OR WHILE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED, CAUSING AN UNSAFE CHANGE IN VEHICLE SPEED THAT REQUIRES SUDDEN NEED TO BRAKE OR INCREASE BRAKE PRESSURE TO AVOID STRIKING VEHICLE IN FRONT. TRANSMISSION ALSO AT TIMES HAS AN "ENGINE MISS" TYPE JOLT WHILE AT CRUISING SPEED ON FLAT PAVEMENT 30-45MPH THAT HAS AT ONE TIME REPEATED FOR 3 MINUTES STRAIGHT.. MAJORITY OF TIME TRANSMISSION BEHAVES NORMALLY AND WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THEN SUDDENLY GOES NUTS. DEALER DID ONE POWERTRAIN SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT HELPED A LITTLE BUT WITH NO CODES OR SYMPTOMS WHEN THEY TEST-DRIVE THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10703275

Mar 9, 2015Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 10692912

Feb 22, 2015Body & structure

THE TRUNK OF MY MALIBU OPENS BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE I OR MY CHILDREN ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON ON THE REMOTE KEY. BUT THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THIS COULD NOT BE THE CASE. I SAW ON FORUMS THAT THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10689810

Feb 13, 2015Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V240000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 10683178

Feb 12, 2015Electrical system

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 REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 10683080

Feb 10, 2015Fuel system

I BOUGHT THE NEW MALIBU WITH ONLY 3 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED UP AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE GAS GAUGE SHOWS IT'S ONLY 7/8 FILLED. MY DEALER HAS CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND BULLETINS AND SAID THEY EVEN CHECKED IT AND FIND NOTHING WRONG. I WAS TOLD WHEN I FILL THE TANK TO NOT LEAVE THE HANDLE ON AUTO FILL BUT TO HOLD THE HANDLE TO FILL IT AND THAT SHOULD HELP BUT IT DOESN'T! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10682446

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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 →