2014 Chevrolet Malibu: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 129 owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11686600 (filed 09/11/2025): “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 i…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11675623 (filed 07/23/2025): “Automatic start/stop feature is faulty! when it activates, it prevents the engine from restarting for several minutes. this puts myself and others in my car at a major risk of getting in an accident. i have so far been lucky and avoided any accidents. several thousand has ben spent to try and fix th…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11670354 (filed 06/30/2025): “The headlights burn out frequently the air conditioner does not work the ignition had to be replaced there's always a code of p0171 the start/stop feature does not work the brakes make the car shake. when does stuff takes place i have to pull the vehicle over cousin me to put others in danger by bei…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .