Electrical System Problems of Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

The esc light came on, air conditioner fan speed went high then low and my screen flickered out momentarily. The esc light came on three more times, 10-15 seconds each time with no lights remaining on after and no other changes. The next time I drove, when turning the esc light came on and the steering locked up for about 5 seconds.

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Unknown, I parked the vehicle, got out of it, left car running for ac, locked the doors. The car was in park. Locks unlocked door, rear view camera display cut off, ac still running. I am viewing a house, so I walk around house and car still in park, 0-5min. I go in the house, 10-15 later, out of habit hit the lock buttons on car again, because I couldn't see it. When we exit the house the car is gone. Went in reverse and rolled across a road into a fence. When I arrived at the car, the doors were locked and the car was in reverse.

My 2020 Chevrolet Malibu experienced a sudden and severe electrical failure after driving through normal roadway water. Immediately afterward, the vehicle displayed multiple safety?critical warnings including loss of power steering assist, electronic stability control (esc) faults, brake control faults, and reduced propulsion. A gm dealership inspected the vehicle, scanned the modules, and found more than a dozen network and chassis?related diagnostic trouble codes, including: b3979, u0164, b1325, b3122, u0121, c0196, c0460, b1011, b097b, b3205, c056e, c056d, u0420, u1510, c0545, u0422. These codes indicate failures in the steering system, brake control module, stability control system, body control module, and multiple can?bus communication networks. The dealership confirmed: – no physical damage – no evidence of collision or impact – no evidence of flood damage – the suspected failed component is the electric power steering rack (gm part 85621696) – the part is not available, meaning the vehicle cannot be repaired – I would be responsible for diagnostic and repair costs this is a major safety concern. The vehicle can lose steering assist, stability control, and braking support without warning. The inability to obtain the required steering component makes the vehicle unrepairable and unsafe to operate. I am reporting this because this appears to be a systemic electrical/network failure affecting critical safety systems. I believe this defect poses a significant risk to drivers, passengers, and other motorists. The attached photo is a is a picture of the printout the Chevrolet dealership service manager provided to me.

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Electrical system problems that create unsafe driving conditions!! vehicle has electrical glitches. Internal warning lights flicker on and off. Battery drains. Car randomly will not start. Multiple incidents. Car stalled on roadway without warning and would not crank. Luckily I was in a residential neighborhood with little to no traffic when this happened. I have had crank sensors replaced, fuel pump module replaced, fuses replaced and still problems occur. If this is a common issue with the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, could you please issue a safety recall? thank you.

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“steering assist is reduced, drive with care” is showing up for a couple second and disappearing. When that happens my car seems to shut off and the steering wheel stiffens and pull to either the left of right side. All this happens while driving. After the 3rd time of it happening within 10min, my gas fuel level dropped but when back up to the “original” level.

See all problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Just bought the car and the car is receiving error: "shift to park". This appear to be a know issue for 2018 chevy Malibu hybrid. Car cut off in middle of traffic.

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The backup camera is failing to shut down when the vehicle is put into drive. The camera will stay on for 30 seconds to five minutes when the car is moving forward. The issue was reported to the local gm dealer and the vehicle was brought in for service. They were unable to replicate the problem, so nothing was repaired by the dealership. The problem used to occur once or twice a month. Its frequency has increased. In the last two weeks, while driving on vacation, the backup camera failed to shut off three or four times each day. Sometimes it lasted only 30 seconds and was mainly inconvenient. Several times it lasted longer. In one instance the camera stayed on for five minutes while driven down the interstate at night. When the camera stays on, it is very distracting, especially at night. Also, you can use the touch screen to access any other vehicle features while the camera is on. There are no dashboard error lights associated with this issue. No codes are generated in the vehicle that can be scanned for. All the dealership that told us about the vehicle issue is that they can't replicate the stuck-on camera problem and won't do any diagnostic work. The car is still under warranty.

See all problems of the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

I was told the bcm on my vehicle is bad. It cause my car to go all out of wack. Multiple warning lights come on (esc, abs, power steering, check engine), the gauge controls flutter, my gear shift clicks on and off, the car has even shut down on me in the middle of traffic, wouldn’t start, wouldn’t shift, basically wouldn’t move at all even when it did start. How would a bcm shut down my whole vehicle?.

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The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the electrical system failed inside the vehicle, causing the air conditioning system to fail to operate, and the window control buttons failed to roll the window down. The battery saver active warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the positive battery cable needed to be replaced. The battery cable was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

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Transmission misfiring.

My back up camera stopped working it’s just a black screen now.

See all problems of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

3 times during rainy weather my backup camera would display an odd view. The screen would malfunction and turn off. The radio wouldn't work. Climate control wouldn't work. The first time I pulled the fuse and put it back. Other times I turned off the screen for a while. It has returned to working all 3 times.

Randomly when I press the brakes the brake lights don't turn on. Other times they work fine. All of the light bulbs are good. All three brake light don't turn on randomly. I have almost been rear-ended on numerous occasions. No dash lights came on. And I have not had it inspected yet just my girlfriend pushing the brake pedal to test the lights. One day they work another they don't then another day they work again.

See all problems of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

When the vehicle is shifted into park and the ignition button is pressed, the vehicle fails to shut down. The dashboard displays a "shift to park" warning message, indicating the vehicle does not recognize that the gear selector is physically in the park position. To shut the engine off, the driver must repeatedly wiggle, slam, or cycle the gear shifter back and forth into park until the electrical sensor finally registers the connection. This creates a severe safety hazard, as the vehicle can roll away if left unsecured, drains the car battery, and prevents the doors from locking properly. Crucially, this defect traps drivers inside an operational vehicle for extended periods while they repeatedly struggle to force it to shut down. This poses an immediate risk of heat-related illness or death (hyperthermia), especially in high-temperature environments, during heatwaves, or for vulnerable occupants like children and the elderly who cannot exit the vehicle safely until it is off.

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the esc and traction control warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, while the cruise control was activated and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was able to be moved without the brake pedal being depressed. The cause of the failures were not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control (esc). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 122,000.

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I went to put my car in park and it was saying "shift to park" on my dashboard even though I was already in park. I know that there was a lawsuit that was won for this very defect but my car is not recalled for this and I feel every Malibu should be especially if almost every Malibu is experiencing the same issue nationwide. It cannot be a coincidence. Also I have been having issues with a knocking noise on the back of the car when I am driving and I'm being told it's also another common issue with Malibu's known as the knuckles that need replaced which are not cheap. If these are common issues on every Malibu then every Malibu needs to be recalled for the issue to be fixed not just certain ones. My Malibu has not had one recall but has had the same issues that other Malibu's had with multiple recalls done.

There have been numerous days that I press brake to start car in which it does not start. I wait until it will. The trunk seems unaligned as there's more gap on right side. Carpet in front floor is not correct as I have to tuck under trim by door constantly. Backup camera seems distorted and has been not correct in lines to park but remains distorted by the unclear view and awkward angle. While driving at times it feels like going into another gear and it's an automatic. The breaking at times is very hard and pushing passengers forward.

Back up camera quit working. Stated intermittently not working for about 2 days then completely stopped working. No warning lights.

Blower motor area caught fire while sitting in the driveway. Car door was opened about 20 minutes prior to my security camera catching smoke billowing from the vehicle.

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On several occasions in [xxx] and while traveling to [xxx] my vehicle has reported esc codes after starting the vehicle. The ignition light, esc light, parking brake lights come on and do not go off while operating the car until I turn the car off and restart it. When I am at a stop light and try to accelerate on numerous occasions the parking brake release light comes on and it will not release and the car will not accelerate in drive or reverse. It has happened while driving and at stop lights on major highways. Once I shut the car off I have to wait for 10 minutes to reset by restarting it. The whole electric system screen a/c steering lighting has blacked out while I am driving on the interstate and residential streets. I brought it to two dealerships and they state number one they cannot remedy the open camera recall because there is no remedy at this time and number two the esc light is related to a wheel sensor which makes no sense to remedy the parking brake accelerator issue. Can you please help me find a dealership to remedy these serious recall issues and provide me a loaner while they are repaired? I am paying $600 per month for a vehicle with major safety issues. I am attaching the two dealership invoices. God bless, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Reduced engine light came on ticking noise stopped 2 times on the highway repair lot ran a diagnostic unable to find the issue car is not working found many codes stillunable to fix the issue.

Turned ignition off car computer read car not in park. All lights were on yellow ignition light on and door chime kept ringing. Started car moved car forward then backed up. Shut car off car still not working properly in park same problem. Moved shifter to park and bumped it a few times. Message went off. Tires make a grinder noise.

The check engine light keeps coming on and off with a warning that the engine power is being reduced. The dealership's service center can't locate the issue. The car's traction warning went off and the car's speed was reduced while driving. This happened twice in the same day. When you shut the car off and turn it back on the warning goes away and the car drives normal. This is very unsafe. Had this happened on the highway there could have been a serious accident.

Hi my name is [xxx] . Jd byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. The car has had electrical problems since ive had it. Every other day different lights appear on the dashboard service airbags ,service abs and traction esc off are some of the few. The car has been to their service department 14 times since ive owned it each time they said its fixed then its right back in their shop again. I have one daughter with sickle cell disease and one with autism. My kids are afraid to ride in the car and im afraid to drive it. Last Monday while bringing my kids to school every light on the dash board came on then the car shut down on me on the highway. If the car behind me wouldnt have swerved around me and the one behind it didnt jam their brakes my kids and I would have been seriously hurt or possibly killed. I got the car pulled to byrider they claim it was the alternator said it was fixed but soon as I started the car those same lights were on again. So I brought it back and the guy told me that was another problem and I would have to make another appointment. I cant keep putting myself and my kids in danger. I am returning byrider their vehicle today. Please help us. Byrider cant keep taking advantage of poor people like myself. I am surrendering that car today. Please do not let them put that car back on the road. Someone is going to be seriously injured or killed. My name is [xxx] and my phone number is [xxx] . Thank you information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I keep having the shift to park issue. I had it repaired January 2022 and is beginning to have this issue again.

So while I was driving my car going 60 on the highway it seemed to be having electrical issues all the lights on my dash popped on then popped off and only a few lights actually stayed on I can't remember exactly but the check engine and my abs stayed on and then on my screen it read to me warning power steering fault my headlights were dimming on and off like my car was going to die, so I had to pull over for my safety and other drivers safety, so after I pulled over safely I shut my car completely off and waited about 5 minutes and turned it back on when it turned back on the only light that popped on my dash was the check engine light, but the check engine light had actually been on the dash for a while after I replaced the 21 fuses that were missing that I didn't know were missing when I purchased the vehicle as is from a dealership the only thing that made me decide to check my fuses was because my check engine light was popping on and off and would stay off for a while then come back on a code reader said it was something to do with my turbo that code it was just very odd and the car was shifting weird 3 or 4 months after the purchase date 12/13/2025 also after I put all the fuses back in a ton of codes popped up others safety and mine were at risk as I didn't really have control of my vehicle when it was doing that and it started breaking itself when I wasn't even hitting the break it was like jolting it's self and stopping slightly. I took my car to aamco total car care for a free diagnostic test, and then I had recently took my car to a chevy dealership in nampa idaho off garrity boulevard because online it had told me there was recalls for my car and that recall was exactly what I was thinking had started off as the original problem originally leading into the other problems I got told to bring my car in then the fed me information saying pretty much it was a bust and that specific Malibu has no recall I think they just didn't want to work on it.

My battery warning light on the dash is illuminated with the notification saying "service battery charging system. " I've researched online and found out that more vehicles of the same year make and model of my vehicle have been recalled for the same issue, but when putting in my VIN number my vehicle does not show up. This issue poses a high risk of danger if not fixed and I would like it to be fixed at dealership for free because I'm a single mother of 2 and can not afford it at the time.

There is a frequency coming from the front of the driver's seat, steering wheel, and under the instrument panel that sends a electrical shock as you drive. If you have aluminum foil or any type of material that blocks electrical signals in the driver's seat it will shock you as well. This could definitely cause an accident while driving . This happens daily. It started in April 2026.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving and stopped at a traffic light, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that five minutes after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 19v642000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, engine); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

The rear camera frequently does not work when the vehicle is put into reverse. This creates a major safety concern and makes it difficult for me, especially as an older driver, to safely back out of parking spaces and avoid hitting someone or something. The rear camera is an important safety feature that I rely on daily. I am requesting that the vehicle be properly repaired, or bought back if the issue cannot be permanently fixed.

My 2018 Malibu is stalling, it is covered under recall n192221960, and the dealer is refusing to properly scan or fix the issue. They did the recall and the car is still doing the same thing but worse.

The vehicle was purchased on 04/07 and represented with a mileage of 167,334 at the time of sale. No issues with the odometer or mileage accuracy were disclosed prior to purchase. On 04/08, the vehicle was taken to walmart auto care center for routine service, where it was identified and documented that the odometer/instrument cluster is not functioning and does not display or track mileage. Because the odometer is inoperative, the stated mileage cannot be verified, and the condition existed at the time of sale but was not disclosed. The vehicle was sold in a condition where accurate mileage could not be determined, despite a specific mileage being provided. The failure of the odometer creates a safety concern, as it prevents proper tracking of maintenance intervals, including oil changes, brake servicing, and other critical upkeep. This increases the risk of operating the vehicle with worn or unsafe components, which could lead to mechanical failure while driving. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center, and documentation is available. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. No prior warnings, indicator lights, or disclosures were provided before purchase, and the defect was identified within one day of ownership.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? yes how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the car stalls and/or shuts down while in use has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? yes were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem before the failure, and when did they first appear? use purchase date 3/31/2026. First sign of issues 4/3/2026.

I was driving and car suddenly reduced speed,engine light came on and message came across dash “engine power reduced” and a text was sent to tell me I have a transmission issue. Now car won’t drive past 25-30mph dealership indicated this is a faulty gas pedal which cost over $600 to repair. Did my research and this is apparently a “known” problem common in 2016-2022. Vehicles but is not an official recall. Also dealership said only “certain” VIN numbers with this problem are covered. I have a 2021 and I am not one of them. Not fair. It’s a known problem it should be fixed.

Subject: safety complaint and request for assistance – 2023 Chevrolet Malibu backup camera recall to whom it may concern, I am the owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu that has been affected by the backup camera recall. The malfunctioning backup camera creates a serious safety hazard for me, my passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. The backup camera intermittently fails to display properly when the vehicle is placed in reverse. When this occurs, I am unable to clearly see objects, vehicles, or people behind my vehicle as intended by the safety system. This significantly increases the risk of an accident, especially in parking lots, residential areas, and other locations where pedestrians may be present. I purchased this vehicle with the expectation that all safety systems would function reliably. The ongoing issue has caused me concern and has reduced my confidence in the vehicle’s ability to operate safely. A backup camera is an important safety feature, and any failure of this system places drivers and the public at unnecessary risk. Given the seriousness of this recall and the inconvenience and safety concerns it has caused, I respectfully request that Chevrolet review my situation and consider available remedies, including replacement of the vehicle, a vehicle trade-in assistance program, or another appropriate resolution that ensures my safety and restores my confidence in the product. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a prompt response regarding the options available to address this safety concern. Sincerely, [xxx] [xxx] 2023 Chevrolet Malibu information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).