2021 Chevrolet Malibu: Car will not shut off while in park
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2021 Malibu report: car will not shut off while in park. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 34,000 miles.
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints for the 2021 Malibu in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770501 (filed 10/12/2026): “This car has the same issues even after you get it replaced . this car is not a good car i have spent so much money replacing the oz sensor .the radio, and the turbo keeps going out . this car has a lot of recall that should be handle to make sure that this ca…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11758225 (filed 08/20/2026): “The chevy malibu is displaying a “shift to park” message even when the gear selector is physically in the park position. this indicates that the vehicle’s computer may not be recognizing that the vehicle has been placed in park, which is commonly associated wi…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace electric control button under shifter (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range: get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Car will not shut off while in park (2021 Malibu)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2021 Malibu
Page last updated .