2014 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 561 complaints
561
Total Complaints
60,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
32
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
31,000
25th Percentile
60,000
Median Mileage
88,875
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
125
Electrical System
82
Unknown Or Other
54
Power Train
49
Service Brakes
42
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
31
Steering
25
Fuel/Propulsion System
24
Wheels
18
Vehicle Speed Control
17
Severity Assessment
32
Crashes
12
Fires
33
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65-70 MPH) ON STRAIGHT AND LEVEL HIGHWAY, STEERING WOULD DEVELOP A "STICKY, OR DEAD SPOT" ON CENTER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SLIGHT CORRECTION, IT REQUIRED INCREASED EFFORT TO OVERCOME THE "STICKY" SPOT; I COULD FEEL THE INCREASED RESISTANCE, AND THEN SUDDENLY THE..."
"1ST INCIDENT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD DO A EXTREME PULL TO THE RIGHT. 2ND INCIDENT 2/24/14 MILE 2940 - TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY. *TR"
"1ST INCIDENT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD DO A EXTREME PULL TO THE RIGHT. 2ND INCIDENT 2/24/14 MILE 2940 - TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY. *TR"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
125 complaints
25th: 41,065 mi
Median: 75,000 mi
75th: 103,218 mi
Electrical System
82 complaints
25th: 47,400 mi
Median: 65,000 mi
75th: 106,500 mi
Unknown Or Other
54 complaints
25th: 40,000 mi
Median: 65,000 mi
75th: 90,000 mi
Power Train
49 complaints
25th: 14,375 mi
Median: 51,890 mi
75th: 89,500 mi
Service Brakes
42 complaints
25th: 14,000 mi
Median: 52,000 mi
75th: 85,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 47
FL: 37
OH: 32
MI: 32
CA: 29
IL: 26
GA: 24
IN: 21
NY: 21
MO: 19
Who Files Complaints?
1.6%
Original Owners
98.4%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (6)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Ignition
Campaign 16V502000 | 05/07/2016
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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
Disc
Campaign 14V240000 | 08/05/2014
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.
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).
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Campaign 15V164000 | 23/03/2015
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.
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.
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 14V092000 | 21/02/2014
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 sto
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 1-800-462-87
Vacuum
Campaign 14V247000 | 14/05/2014
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.
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.
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Campaign 13V567000 | 13/11/2013
The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28