VehicleVerdict

2014 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu sits mid-pack among Malibu years: 561 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 479, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 33 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (128), electrical system (117), and other (54), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

561

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

32

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

33

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Malibu years?

See all Malibu years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine12823%
Electrical System11721%
Other5410%
Transmission529%
Brakes468%
Fuel System265%
Steering254%
Visibility & Wipers214%
Tires & Wheels214%
Speed Control173%
Airbags163%
Body & Structure112%
Suspension81%
Seat Belts71%
Seats61%
Lighting51%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

15V164000Visibility & WipersMarch 23, 2015 · 87,063 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V247000BrakesMay 14, 2014 · 140,067 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V240000BrakesMay 8, 2014 · 8,208 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V092000TransmissionFebruary 21, 2014 · 355 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

13V567000Visibility & WipersNovember 13, 2013 · 42,696 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 15, 2021 · fire

THE CAR SET ON FIRE AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WITHIN MINUTES THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. GM REPORTEDLY INVESTIGATED THE CHARRED REMAINS WEEKS AFTER THE FIRE AND DECLINED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON THE INVESTIGATION OR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 11, 2019 · fire

A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED MY CHEVY MALIBU ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS I WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HEAD SLAMMED IN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE DRIVEN. I HAVE A CONCUSSION…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 25, 2016 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 8, 2022 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 18, 2015 · crash

2014 Chevrolet Malibu — common questions

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

It is close to typical for the Malibu: 561 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2014 Malibu problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (128 complaints), electrical system (117 complaints), other (54 complaints).

Does the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Malibu years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Malibu years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2004, 2011, 2008, 1998, 2006, 2012, 2016, 2005, 2013, 2000, 2007, 1999, 2018, 2017, 2001, 2003, 2002, 2020. The cleanest record among Malibu years belongs to 1977.

How safe is the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.