2014 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Malibu years
The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu has 351 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 53, and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine issues lead at 39% of complaints, with six recalls covering brakes, transmission cables, and electrical systems.
- Complaints
- 351
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 19 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24 city / 35 hwy
Top 2014 Chevrolet Malibu problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine137 (39%)
- Electrical System89 (25%)
- Brakes64 (18%)
- Other54 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain52 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 (9%)
- Fuel System26 (7%)
- Steering26 (7%)
- Structure & Body18 (5%)
- Airbags16 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners describe brakes failing suddenly at low speed, in one case causing a rear-end crash shortly after purchase.
- Engine compartments have caught fire while the vehicle was parked, with the fire department tracing the source to the engine.
- Steering has locked up unexpectedly while turning or pulling into a driveway, sending the car off the road or into a ditch.
- Rear-end collisions have occurred where airbags failed to deploy despite significant impact.
- An auxiliary battery in the rear compartment reportedly caught fire while the car sat parked and powered off, near 99,340 miles.
2014 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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.
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.
- NHTSA 15V164000Mar 23, 2015Visibility & Wipers87,063 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
- NHTSA 14V247000May 14, 2014Brakes140,067 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
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.
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.
2014 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- Compared to other Malibu years, 2014 carries a Caution verdict with a Complaint Index of 53 and ranks 8th worst of 16 model years tracked. It is not the worst year, but engine and electrical complaints are notably common.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Engine problems lead, making up 39% of complaints (137 of 351), with a median failure mileage of 75,000 miles. Electrical system issues follow at 25%.
- Does the 2014 Malibu have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists six recalls for the 2014 Malibu, covering brake rotors, brake control module software, transmission shift cable adjusters, HVAC control software, an electronic park lock lever, and a sunroof switch. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 Malibu compare to other years?
- The 2014 model (Complaint Index 53) is worse than 2015 (47, Good) and much worse than later years like 2021 (7, Best), but better than 2010-2013, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes from 80 to 100.
- Were there any fires or crashes reported for the 2014 Malibu?
- NHTSA logged 8 fire reports, 19 crashes, 17 injuries, and 1 death tied to 2014 Malibu complaints, with engine and electrical systems accounting for most of the fire incidents.