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2014 Chevrolet Malibu: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, most recently filed July 2016. Owners have filed 363 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 6campaigns 2 electrical · 2 brake · 1 visibility Source: NHTSA Complaints 363filed Owner reports, 2010–2019 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 29mpg combined $2,252/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.5 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic 3 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (6)

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V502000 Filed Jul 5, 2016

Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
97.9% repairedof 8,367 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V502000
Listed for 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V164000 Filed Mar 23, 2015

Roof Panel May Inadvertently Auto Close/FMVSS 118

Visibility · sun/moon roof assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
88.6% repairedof 87,063 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V164000
Listed for 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V247000 Filed May 14, 2014

Loss of Brake Vacuum Assist/FMVSS 135

Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist · vacuum
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
95.8% repairedof 140,067 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V247000
Listed for 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V240000 Filed May 8, 2014

Incorrect Brake Rotors may be Installed

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
98.1% repairedof 8,208 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V240000
Listed for 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V092000 Filed Feb 21, 2014

Broken Transmission Adjuster Cable/FMVSS 102/114

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
98.9% repairedof 355 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V092000
Listed for 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V567000 Filed Nov 13, 2013

Windshield Defrost Inoperative/FMVSS 103

Visibility · defroster/defogger/hvac system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
97.4% repairedof 42,696 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V567000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Malibu years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet MalibuAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (363)

363 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

19involved a crash
8involved a fire
17injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 363.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2014 compares with other Malibu years

Best and worst Malibu years →
1,363 978 907 923 363 270 861 724 710 193
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
This year (2014)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 11.1%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2014 Chevrolet Malibu 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined

29
mpg combined
25
city
36
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,300
CO₂ tailpipe
310 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year

Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2014 Chevrolet Malibu configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive25 / 36 / 29$2,300310
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 35 / 28$2,400312
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800373

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2014 Malibu for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Malibu years

Where to next

Which Malibu years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2015 Chevrolet Malibu report270 complaints · 3 campaigns →2013 Chevrolet Malibu report923 complaints · 11 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2014 Chevrolet Malibu FAQ

How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 16V502000 (electrical), 15V164000 (visibility), 14V247000 (brake), 14V240000 (brake), 14V092000 (power train), 13V567000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2014 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 363 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (127), Electrical system (88), Unknown or other (57) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 25 city, 36 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu get?

NHTSA rated the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (11.1% rollover risk).

How does the 2014 Malibu compare with other years?

Among the 2010–2019 Chevrolet Malibu model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (193) and the 2010 the most (1,363). The 2014 drew 363. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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