2014 Chevrolet Malibu Powertrain (other) Problems

Received vehicle at roughly 181,000 miles. Operated fine for about 5,000 miles and then began to show problems. In most cases when pressing down hard on the accelerator pedal, transmission drops into a lower gear and revs up to 5k rpm, cancelling cruise control, and staying there until accelerator is relieved. This makes accelerating more difficult since too much pressure on the accelerator pedal causes the car to get stuck at 5k rpm and stay at the same speed it is already at. This makes passing cars more dangerous as the car gets stuck at 5k rpm and can't pass the other vehicle, increasing the risk of a head on collision. Service engine and ABS lights are on as well as a service Stabilitrak notification in the driver information center. In addition, the outside temperature thermometer is faulty and shows much lower temperatures, such as -14 degrees during an 80 degree day. Vehicle is up to maintenance as far as my knowledge goes. Car has been previously junked twice and has a rebuilt title. There are no fluid leaks, the engine works well when the problem is not encountered, but it gets stuck at 5k rpm under hard acceleration more than it doesn't.

NHTSA ID

11686600

Incident

Sep 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the lights on the gear shifter was flashing, with the power steering assist and parking assist messages displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked violently while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11644493

Incident

Feb 14, 2025

Mileage

130,000 mi

powertrain there is a problem with auto stop restarting then dying. The transmission not engaging after a complete stop like it is neutral this only happens after the car has been driven a bit everything at temp. today stopped for trash service auto stop engaged got ready to go nothing gunning and gunning never died like no power though finally moved no more stops till home a problem sitting in road can not move. have not taken to shop yet money for it now not.

NHTSA ID

11629182

Incident

Dec 6, 2024

The cars automatic start/stop will activate and not restart the car. This has happened at stop signs, stop lights, intersections, hard breaks, etc. There are no warning lights or system failed/malfunction warnings. This has been inspected multiple times with software updates, changing batteries, changing fuses, etc.

NHTSA ID

11613762

Incident

Sep 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while accelerating between 0 to 20 MPH, the transmission hesitated while shifting into first gear. While driving at speeds above 20 MPH the hesitation was more prominent, causing the vehicle almost stall; however, the vehicle would remain running. The contact stated that the “Transmission Failure” warning light was illuminated. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V092000 (Power Train). The dealer had not been contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V092000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ID

11607041

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

Mileage

93,000 mi

The Auto Stop/Start feature is experiencing issues where the vehicle fails to restart, resulting in significant disruptions during driving scenarios such as heavy city traffic, stop-and-go traffic, and maneuvering through busy intersections. These incidents not only cause traffic jams and congestion but also force detours for other drivers. Particularly, when encountering highway traffic from exit offramps, sudden stops due to overcrowding and tailgaters trigger the Malibu to auto stop without restarting, creating considerable challenges, especially during rush hours in cities like Atlanta. In each of these circumstances, attempts to restart the vehicle prove futile as the engine endlessly turns over without success. While resolving these situations required considerable effort and time, further elaboration is beyond the scope of this discussion, given the valuable time already expended on addressing these issues.

NHTSA ID

11576265

Incident

Mar 8, 2024

The automatic start and stop function does not work properly. When the car comes to a stop and auto stops, the vehicle shuts off and does not power up when you hit the gas. My safety is put at risk due to the car shutting off and the possibility of someone hitting me. The vehicle has been inspected countless times. I was told it was an electrical issue. Then told it was the battery. Brand new battery and issue isn’t fixed. The car cut off once and all the lights came on. Now no lights comes on it just cuts off.

NHTSA ID

11535754

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

P2646 diagnostic code - rocker arm control solenoid In June 2020, GM issued "Special Coverage Adjustment N192289160 Rocker Arm Oil Control Valve Inoperative" for the coverage of the repair for rocker arm oil control valve, (OCV) for 10 years after the purchase date, or 120,000 miles for the 2014 Malibu and Impala. However, our vehicle had the failure at 122,000 miles. The Special Coverage should be adjusted, or even transitioned to a full recall since the parameters of the initial bulletin are insufficient.

NHTSA ID

11495688

Incident

Nov 30, 2022

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 contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle would not properly shift into gear, decelerated independently, and stopped. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, upon moving the gear shifter into drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then moved the gear shifter to park(P) however, the vehicle rolled away and struck a tree. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11483580

Incident

Aug 8, 2022

Mileage

120,000 mi

The vehicle will still be running after I turn the engine off and take the key out of ignition.

NHTSA ID

11445653

Incident

Dec 30, 2021

My car is throwing a rocker arm valve code but chevy is saying its not covered under the NHTSA program that was passed. Its a 2014 chevy malibu 2.5 L with 93000 miles on it. It causes the auto stop to malfunction and the car will completely shut down when stopped. It will not restart at all. Have been almost hit 3 times at major intersections.

NHTSA ID

11424948

Incident

Jul 15, 2021

SINCE WE PURCHASED 02/2016 CHEVY MALIBU THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF AND THE DEALER HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM MANY TIMES AND STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM . I NOTICED THE GEAR IS WEAK SPECIALLY WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY

NHTSA ID

11405094

Incident

Dec 5, 2020

THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, ONCE FOR MY WIFE AND THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING. BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE DISPLAY SHOWED REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE VEHICLE DE-RATED AND SLOWED AUTOMATICALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED AND AFTER CONNECTING A CODE READER TO THE OBD AND CODE P2138 WAS LOGGED WHICH IS POTENTIALLY A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR/ FOOT GAS PEDAL. I REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CLEARED THE STORED CODE AND A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE AGAIN WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND DE-RATED ON HIGHWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SAME CODE P2138 WAS LOGGED INDICATING VOLTAGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN APP SENSOR 1 AND APP SENSOR 2 OF THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH ON LINE I FOUND THAT A GM SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR POTENTIAL MOISTURE INTRUSION OF THE CONNECTORS FROM THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR TO THE ECM. (SEE ATTACHED) IT SEEMS LIKE MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING MOISTURE IN THE CONNECTORS AS BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN MINUTES OF TAKING THE VEHICLE THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE TO DE-RATE AND SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CARS FOLLOWING BEHIND AND HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE BY GM AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ISSUED.

NHTSA ID

11377431

Incident

Nov 3, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A CHIME THEN ENGINE SEEMS TO DOWNSHIFT BUT IT ACTUALLY REDUCED SPEED QUICKLY. I LOOK UP AT DASH AND SEE THAT IT SAYS, 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. I THEN NOTICE TO THE LEFT OF DASH THAT THE ENGINE PIC IS LIT UP. I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND EXIT THE FREEWAY RIGHT AWAY. WHAT I WOULD NORMALLY DO IS OPEN UP THE OWNERS MANUEL AND FIND OUT A LITTLE MORE TO WHAT'S GOING ON. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T COME WITH ONE. I DECIDED TO TAKE SIDE STREETS THE REST OF WAY HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME I SHUT CAR OFF THEN STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND IT STILL HAD THE SAME MESSAGE.

NHTSA ID

11341531

Incident

Jul 25, 2020

Mileage

109,000 mi

ON 7/5/20 THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP MOUNTED ON THE ENGINE BROKE LOSE, DROPPED INTO THE ENGINE AND TORE APART THE ENGINE. WAS TOWED AND FIXED BY CLOSEST GM DEALERSHIP (DEERY BROTHERS, WEST BURLINGTON, IA). THERE IS A RECALL FOR A BAD WELD ON THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR 2016-2018 MALIBU'S RESULTING IN THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD ON MY 2014. THE DEALERSHIP SAID GM, CHEVROLET AND THE DEALERSHIP (WHICH IS A GM CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN 2018) SAID THEY ALL BARED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. I PAID $3,128 FOR THE REPAIR ON 7/17/20. TWO DAYS AFTER BRINGING MY CAR HOME, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK THAT WAS NEVER THERE BEFORE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN, AND AGAIN IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR IN FULL TO BE FIXED. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET ON 7/16/20 SAYING THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY VIN # FOR AN OIL PRESSURE VALVE. INCORRECT OIL PRESSURE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP TO EXPLODE CAUSING THE ISSUE ON 7/9/20. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT BETWEEN THE TWO RECALLS ISSUED BY CHEVROLET FOR MY CAR MODEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE REPAIRS ON A CAR THAT WAS PURCHASED CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WITH A WARRANTY TWO YEARS PRIOR, NOT TO MENTION I'VE HAD ALL REGULAR SERVICES DONE IN A TIMELY MATTER AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP, THAT HAS UNDER 90,000 MILES AND IS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD. THERE IS NO REASON FOR SUCH EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE TO SUCH A NEW CAR WITH NO PREVIOUS ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11340433

Incident

Jul 17, 2020

Mileage

88,000 mi

THIS CAR ALLOWS YOU TO SHIFT TO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, ETC. WITHOUT PUTTING YOUR FOOT ON THE BREAK. YOU CAN SHIFT TO PARK WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329189

Incident

Jan 8, 2017

Mileage

42,000 mi

MECHANIC STATED MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. AT 93,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR. MY CAR NEEDS REPAIR ALMOST EVERY MONTH. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN MY TRANSMISSION. THEN WAS CALLED BACK STATED I DONT. NOW ANOTHER MECHANIC STATED MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT

NHTSA ID

11319629

Incident

Mar 28, 2020

HAVE BEEN NEEDING A REPAIR BUT THE PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. WE NEED THE OIL CONTROL VALVE AND PART NUMBER 12633613. GM DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE, SO NO WAY FOR THE CAR TO BE FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11308767

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

85,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS HAD FAILED OIL ARM ROCKER VALVE (PART# 12633613) SINCE OCTOBER 2019. GM HAS ADVISED THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THIS PART WILL BE AVAILABLE, AND HAS NO OTHER RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE EXCEPT TO WAIT AND THAT THEY ARE SORRY FOR INCONVENIENCE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED MEANS IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS TESTING IN CT (OR STATE INSPECTIONS IN A LOT OF OTHER STATES). CAR IS NOT USABLE BECAUSE OF THIS, SOME POWER LOSS ISSUES BEING EXPERIENCED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. GM HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RESOLUTION OTHER THAN $2500 OFF A NEW GM VEHICLE. WILL NOT ASSIST FURTHER AND STATE THAT THERE IS NO ETA FOR REPLACEMENT PART. CAR NOT SERVICEABLE AND GM WILL NOT RESOLVE.

NHTSA ID

11302990

Incident

Oct 16, 2019

Mileage

58,000 mi

WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH ON A STATE ROAD, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH IN GIVING GAS THE ENGINE RAMPED UP BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. TURNED OFF THE IGNITION WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING TRANSMISSION WORK. IT IS AT THE DEALER NOW 12/13/19. THE CAR HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2014.

NHTSA ID

11288899

Incident

Dec 11, 2019

Mileage

92,000 mi

IT'S MAKING A UNKNOWN SOUND

NHTSA ID

11281127

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

59,000 mi

MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 70 MILES CAR LOST POWER AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 35 MILES ON HER WAY TO WORK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALMOST GOT HIT BY SEVERAL CARS THAT WERE DOING 70 MILES DUE TO THE CAR WILL ONLY GO 35 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I CAME AND BROUGHT A BLUETOOTH SCAN TOOL THE SCAN TOOL CAME BACK WITH THESE TWO CODES P0700 P0776 WHICH WERE TRANSMISSION CODES AND JUST LIKE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM THE OTHER COMMENTS MY MOM ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS AND FROM WHAT I'VE YOUTUBE AND SEE ON THIS SITE THAT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON ISSUE WITH THOSE CARS AND THEIR TRANSMISSIONS THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED MY MOTHER HAD TO PAY $4,000 TO GET HER TRANSMISSION REBUILT WE BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND IT WAS SHIFTING ROUGH JUST LIKE THE OTHER COMPLAINTS WERE TALKING ABOUT ON THIS SITE WE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD US IT WAS NORMAL BUT THAT'S WHAT ALL OF THOSE CARS DO IS SHIFT ROUGH I TOLD THEM THAT DIDN'T SOUND NORMAL TO ME AND IF THEY COULD PLEASE CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THEY SAID IT WASN'T TIME YET THE CAR ONLY HAD 20,000 MILES DURING THAT TIME FRAMEWE STILL ARGUE WITH THE GUY HE TOLD US FIND WILL CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT I'M TELLING YOU IT'S NORMAL WE GOT OUR RECEIPT BACK AND ALL THEY DID WAS OIL CHANGE NEVER EVEN TOUCHED THE TRANSMISSION WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THEY TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT THE FLUID WAS BLACK THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD US IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN READ WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IT HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT THEN PLEASE DO AN INVESTIGATION ON THE 2014 CHEVY MALIBU TRANSMISSIONS THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE THERE THAT I BELIEVED COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID

11279230

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

MY WIFE WAS DOING 70 DOWN ONE OF OUR BUSIER COUNTRY ROADS IN MICHIGAN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE CAUSING THE CAR TO DECELERATE DOWN TO 30MPH CAUSING CARS TO SWERVE AND GO AROUND US. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND EXTREMELY HURT BECUASE OF THIS.

NHTSA ID

11258558

Incident

Sep 27, 2019

Mileage

34,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE GEAR SELECTOR FLASHED, AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO COX CHEVROLET (2900 CORTEX RD W, BRADENTON, FL 34207) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. *BF*JB*JB

NHTSA ID

11254622

Incident

Sep 10, 2019

Mileage

54,000 mi

THIS CAR HAS THE AUTO STOP FEATURE WHICH CANNOT BE DISABLED. WHEN I'M STOPPED AND THE AUTO STOP ENGAGES, THE CAR WILL NO LONGER AUTOMATICALLY RESTART. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK, WAIT UP TO A MINUTE OR TWO, SOMETIMES MORE AND THEN IT WILL START. HAVE TALKED TO CHEVY DEALER SERVICE, GOT NO HELP. WENT TO 3 INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, RAN CODES BUT NOTHING SHOWED UP. ONE TIME I DID GET A CHECK BATTERY CHARGE SYSTEM WARNING. BATTERY IS FAIRLY NEW AND CHECKS OUT FINE. A CODE CAME UP TO REPLACE THE VALVE TIMING SOLENOID WHICH WE DID BUT STILL THIS AUTOSTOP PROBLEM PERSISTS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I COULD GET REAR ENDED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I GET TEMPORARILY STRANDED AT INTERSECTIONS AND PEOPLE BEHIND ME ARE NOT ALWAYS UNDERSTANDING. . CALLED GM HEADQUARTERS TODAY- WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. I CALLED A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT COULD BE WRONG. I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING IT IN TO SHOPS AND GET NO ANSWERS. ONE SHOP SAID THEY'VE SEEN SEVERAL CARS WITH THIS ISSUE, THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE IT. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT STALLS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA ID

11246373

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

85,000 mi