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Model year record

2014 Chevrolet Malibu recalls & problems

The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu has 6 safety recalls and 351 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (125 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints351filed by owners
Crashes · fires19 · 8reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2014 Chevrolet Malibu in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 5, 2016

Ignition

Recall 16V5020008,367 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Components: Electrical system › Ignition; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

VisibilityMar 23, 2015

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 15V16400087,063 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk
The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.
Service brakes, hydraulicMay 14, 2014

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 14V247000140,067 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2.5L engine with the auto stop/start option. The affected vehicles may experience a complete loss of brake vacuum assist, disabling the hydraulic boost assist. As such, these vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk
If the hydraulic boost assist is disabled, slowing or stopping the vehicle will require additional brake pedal effort and a lengthened stopping distance. Both of these effects increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic brake control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020. General Motors number for this recall is 14201.
Service brakes, hydraulicMay 8, 2014

Foundation components › Disc

Recall 14V2400008,208 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured February 7, 2014, through March 31, 2014, and equipped with 17 inch front brake rotors. The affected vehicles may have had brake rotors intended for the rear of the car accidentally installed on the front. The rear rotors, while the same diameter, are thinner and may result in a front brake pad detaching from the caliper.
Risk
If a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake rotors, and install the correct rotors with new brake pads, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14128.
Power trainFeb 21, 2014

Automatic transmission

Recall 14V092000355 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
VisibilityNov 13, 2013

Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element

Recall 13V56700042,696 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Risk
The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.

Components: Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element; Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2014 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk11.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2014 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2014 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Malibu

29mpg combined
City / highway25 / 36 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Malibu eAssist Hybrid

28mpg combined
City / highway24 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Malibu

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine12516075,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring; 12v/24v/48v battery8615064,550 mi
Unknown or other5430165,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)5210051,890 mi
Service brakes4240352,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)3130268,500 mi
Steering2630236,731 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2400082,500 mi
Wheels1820153,891 mi
Vehicle speed control1710145,000 mi
Air bags16701474,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Trunk lid1121120,250 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.