Electrical System Problems of Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

Power steering went out.

See all problems of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The rear camera comes “loose” and does not register all the time. It seems to be a simple electric issue; possibly an electrical short. I believe it can be easily “fixed” (temporarily) by opening the trunk and running fingers over the camera, it should not happen. I purchased my Malibu new and seldomly drive, approximately 25k miles. I maintain proper maintenance and ensure cleanliness to avoid dust or particles inside the camera or electric components. This should not happen. The wiring should not become loose nor cause the camera to turn off. Chevy dealerships do not acknowledge the issue and expect the car owners to repair the entire electrical system. Definitely should be a recall item!.

See all problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

I have not been involved in no incident or accident with anybody but my vehicle is installing up and dying in the middle of the road the power steering is locking up the battery is draining and the car is cutting off I had the battery replaced and I'm still losing power in my battery and I can't figure out why I'm not too long after the battery dying and the vehicle starting up and dying it started overheating for no known reason at all shortly after sorting the overheat my navigational system and my radio has started to fail I took it to several places to have it put on machines they can figure out why the check engine light is on or why the battery is dying because it's showing that it has battery the battery life they don't know why it's falling up and down I'm checking till not sound but other than that they're not getting no read out on the machine they put it off of I'll contact the dealership because on certain 2013 chevy Malibu equals they have a recall on the general control module system burger is being defensive but I'm on my specific then there's not a recall online but everything that happens with the defective general control module it sounds like what's going on with my car I'll contact it the dealership and they told me that although they had the recalls on the defective funeral control module if I was to take it to a dealership and it proved to be an effective general control module that I was still going to be liable for out-of-pocket expenses because my car is not covered under the van recall and I'm not understanding how that right or how that's legal when they have all these defects of recalls on these cars and if that's what's going on with mine how is it not the same thing.

See all problems of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Several things have been going wrong with this car. I have only had it for about 7 months. Minimal driving. Got the car with 84,000 miles and it now has 88,000 miles. About 2 months ago the check engine light came on. Got it into a shop and they said an oil change may possibly help with this. Got the oil change, cleared the code, drove it around and check engine light came back on. Brought it back to the shop and now the entire valve cover needs replaced. It’s been about 2 weeks since then haven’t had it fixed due to low funds. A couple days ago I was driving with two [xxx] olds in the car and was at a stop light. After about a minute the cars engine turned completely off lost all power including the center screen that displays your settings and radio, all lights, and the screen behind the wheel all with my foot on the break at a stop light. Due to this situation I was unable to turn my hazards on to alert the cars coming up being me at a green light absolutely panicked that we were going to get into an accident. A little while after the car turned back on, but unfortunately when trying to push down on the gas pedal nothing was happening. No revving sound and no movement of the car. Car still in drive. A police officer pulled up behind me to check if we were okay. He stayed to keep us safe until people came to push the car off to the side. During the push the wheel was almost completely locked up as well as the breaks. This is not the first time the breaks have locked up on me. Next day we got the car to a safe area to be parked. A couple days later went to try and turn the car on and immediately the car is shaking violently and making horrible noises. The car is unsafe for me to drive and unsafe for people on the road. This car is completely unable to be driven now also due to the horrible shaking. No recalls were found under my VIN, but all of these signs seem to be a problem for other people. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

My 2023 chevy Malibu has a missing turbocharger screw that randomly came off from under a metal plate on its own, GMC has a recall on 2022 -2023 chey Malibu with turbo charger issues but they wont cover mines because it didnt come from a certian factory although they know a hell of alot of chevy Malibu owners have turbo charger issues and that factories share parts with other factories they say they wont do a recall on all the Malibus unless alot of people report and NHTSA makes GMC reall all chevy Malibus turbocharger ( gm launched a special coverage program for 2022-2023 models with 1. 5l engines due to turbocharger failures leading to "reduced engine power". The program covers, or potentially reimburses, repairs up to 15 years/150,000 miles)but my vehicle VIN isnt covered.

See all problems of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

My car caught on fire under the hood. As I was driving on road I heard a sound and my car started slowing down and smoke started coming from under the hood got out the car not a minute later flames of smoke engulfed the car.

See all problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Driving down the interstate I noticed the steering wheel lightly jumping intermittently like it wanted to take control and turn itself. A few minutes later the power steering completely went out and the dash board display esc off, power steering. I had no control of the vehicle. After turning the car off and then back on it would go away but happen later. Tried the recommended disconnect of the battery and hard restart and it would be fine for a little bit but happen again. Fast forward 2 weeks later and now completely out. This is extremely dangerous and a recall was already conducted for this year, make and model, but not on all vins associated. This recall needs to be reinstated covering all vins of this year before someone is seriously hurt or possibly killed.

Gradual battery charge loss, check engine light (mil) illumination, and engine stall or failure to start. Burning/melting odor. Warning lights: "service charging system" or battery light on dash. Electrical failure: vehicle stalled, won't start, has a dead battery. Noise/smell: burning odor, smoke from the trunk, or rattling/squealing noises. Specific eco model issues: the 2013 eco model (eassist) has a known recall for a failing generator control module but for some reason doesn't include my VIN number in the recall even tho I've experienced these same issues.

The power steering went out on the car as I was driving down the highway going 65 mph.

See all problems of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The vehicle shut off in the middle of the street. I had to get it jumped to start again. There was a fuel leak. Car is still smelling like fuel after getting it repaired. The vehicle doesn't alert if your close to a car or anything.

Generator control module, I seen there was recalls on 2013 chevy Malibu eco equipped with eassist. That is what my car is and the gcm is out of it.

My vehicle sometimes will not start when I press the start button and press the brakes at the same time. The dashboard will light up with a message that says “service esc” followed by “engine power is reduced”. When it does start, I can drive the vehicle for a moment before it does the engine power reduced mode where the car feels like its pulling more. It has done this several times while I’m driving on the highway which often times causes me to have to pull over to the side of the road, or make my way to the slow lane so I can pull into a gas station or somewhere public at the next exit. When the dashboard lights up with “service esc”, all of the hands on my dashboard (I. E the hands for the speedometer, gas, the car temp and the rpm) move radically back and forth while the car is driving. Sometimes the speedometer will say 0mph even tho the car is moving. Sometimes I am able to pull over and turn my car off and back on and the lights will go away, but often times this doesn’t solve the problem. In fact, it feels like it only exacerbates the problem because when I shift it into park and then attempt to turn off the vehicle, it says “shift to park” even though it is parked. In fact, this morning when the vehicle wouldn’t start after I tried to start it with the button, I attempted to turn the vehicle off (because the radio would come on and I can see lights on the dashboard, but the vehicle itself won’t start) and it said “shift to park” even though it is parked and has been since last night. I contacted the nearest chevy dealership and they informed me that they have dealt with plenty of these complaints lately. I have not had an inspection completed by the dealership because my extended warranty is up and I do not have the funds to pay for a diagnostic inspection.

See all problems of the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that under previous vehicle ownership, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control (esc); however, the recall repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the rear brake light failed to illuminate as intended; however, when the brake pedal was released, the brake lights would illuminate. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

See all problems of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

So just recently I was on my way home from my parents house, and I take a highway to get there from my home. It’s a direct shot, fastest way to get to and from. I was merging right to get in the turn lane to the highway I take, and I heard a click, and my steering wheel felt like it locked up. I look at the dash, and see it says “power steering” and then “esc off”. The turn to merge onto the highway is a pretty sharp turn over a very steep hill. I had to force the steering wheel to the right, and crush on the brakes to get on the side of the road, where I could stop and inspect. I inevitably ended up giving up, because it’s freezing outside and I am not a mechanic. But it didn’t happen the rest of the way to my home. Since then though, it happens every time I drive the car. Turning the car off and on, while moving the steering wheel from left/right seems to temporarily fix the issue. Until the cars is idling again, and then it clicks off. I have a video of my steering wheel shaking and moving on its own, but this website only lets you upload pics or files. This started the next time I drove the car. Which was the day after the incident. I have not had any service done to it, as I can’t afford it. It is available for servicing upon request. I have had an check engine light and abs light on for sometime. But I think that’s because the warning lights weren’t reset after my dad changed my oil, and my brake pads.

Car started shaking in the middle of driving it about 30 mph and all the electrical like door locks were going up and down car wasn’t accelerating and an alert came up for stabilizing wheels I believe. It happened for about a couple seconds and then everything went back to normal and randomly happens while I’m driving. Check engine appeared and went to the mechanic shop I usually go to and found out I had ebcm and ecm modules bad. Do some research on the car and noticed it had a recall back in 2014 for ebcm. The problem has resurfaced.

See all problems of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

When shifting my car into park the vehicle did not recognize that the gear was indeed in park. I would get a message saying “shift to park” and I could not fully turn my car off. This problem made me feel unsafe as I didn’t know what to do when it wouldn’t turn off. My battery could have run down and I would be stranded. In researching this problem gm was sued for the very same problem in earlier models so I am incredulous that they have not fixed this issue or initiated a product recall. I had to have an internal switch replaced at a gm dealer service center at my expense and the car only had 15263 miles on it.

See all problems of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

On December 24, 2025, the contact's 2023 Chevrolet Malibu was involved in a severe side-impact collision. The vehicle was struck on the rear passenger side by a full-size pickup truck traveling at high speed (est. 60 mph) that failed to stop at a red light. The impact caused the contact's vehicle to spin approximately 180 degrees and strike a concrete median sideways, generating high lateral g-forces. Failure 1: airbag non-deployment. Despite the severity of the impact and the violent spin into a curb (rollover trip point), the side curtain airbags and front seat-mounted side impact airbags failed to deploy. The failure of the restraint system caused the driver to be thrown against the driver-side door structure, striking their head on the window and b-pillar. The driver sustained a concussion, cervical strain, and lumbar strain. Medical records confirm the injuries are consistent with impact against the vehicle interior due to non-deployment. Failure 2: emergency telematics malfunction. Immediately post-collision, the driver attempted to manually activate the onstar/sos emergency buttons. The system failed to connect to an advisor. Instead, the vehicle's infotainment screen malfunctioned, opening a voice-to-text transcription application. The system then bypassed the vehicle's internal telematics module and attempted to route the emergency call to the owner's personal cell phone, indicating a complete failure of the vehicle's emergency communication hardware. This resulted in a 34-minute delay in coordinating professional assistance. Contact notes; while this vehicle currently shows 0 open recalls, the failure mechanism (sensor non-response during side impact) mimics the defect described in NHTSA campaign 22v923000 (gm recall n222392300), where improper welding of the front impact bar causes crash sensors to fail. The vehicle is available for inspection. Police and medical reports confirm the incident details. No warning lights were illuminated prior to crash.

The vehicle went into shift to park and will not turn off. This is a known problem with all gm vehicles that hasn’t been fixed or offered a warranty for. It’s dangerous and causes the car not to move shut off in traffic and drains the battery. My car currently isn’t working due to this issue and the repair to fix is too much with no assistance from gm for a known defect. My car was almost hit because of the car had to be towed because it’s unable to be moved.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked under a carport in her driveway, she had been warned by neighbors that the rear end of the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that she saw that flames were issuing from both rear light housings. The contact stated that by the time her husband and a neighbor attempted to extinguish the flames with garden hoses, the light housings and the rear bumper were on fire and melting. The fire department and the police were called. The contact stated that by the time emergency services arrived, the flames had been extinguished. The contact stated that the fire department opened the trunk, and the interior of the trunk and the matting were not damaged. The only damage was to the rear light housings and the rear bumper. The fire department had not issued a report, however the police had. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

See all problems of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

On December 16, 2025 the check engine light and service stabiltrek warning light appeared on my 2016 chevy Malibu hybrid. On December 17, 2015 I took the car the capital cheverolet service dept who has been servicing my car regularly for the past five years. They performed a complete diagnostics on my car that determined I need to "replace the ebcm with brake pressure modulator valve" and said it would cost over $2800. 00. Upon further research I discovered that the same make model and year was recalled under recall #39440. I also learned the my VIN number was not included in this recall. This is a safety defect that has rendered my car not drivable until I get it fixed. As a senior citizen on a fixed income I am unable to fixed. I would like to know why was my car not included in the recall and if its possible to get it on the recall list so it can be fixed.

Hybrid power train issues. Haven't drove the car for more than a week and a half. Apparently was fixed but obviously was not. Could be the gcm or generator.

The engine light came on, later while driving the car shuts down engine reduced speed, engine power reduced. I have to restart the car and sometimes that dont help. Also the (abs) light came on service stabilitrak, my anti brakes went out.

My 2016 Malibu has a severe ebcm-related safety defect causing all four brakes to drag and overheat (reaching 240°f), leading to unstable handling. This condition mirrors the 2016 Malibu ebcm recall (gm recall 39440). I sought help from gm. A gm-certified dealer-monken in centralia, IL performed a “diagnostic scan” which documented the core hydraulic failure: a constant, uncommanded 6. 839 psi residual brake line pressure when the pedal was released. (a healthy system should be near 0 psi) this 6. 839 psi is actively forcing the brakes to drag. The dealer ignored their own scientific data and submitted a fraudulent diagnosis of ("rust buildup") to gm, which gm used to deny the claim based on mileage. “rust buildup” doesn’t create hydraulic pressure. Gm is aware of this specific, documented, quantifiable safety defect (the 6. 839 psi pressure) and is refusing to investigate it further. I stressed to gm that the vehicle wasn’t safe to drive and that I have a small child who has to ride in the car with me. Gm dismissed my concerns by stating the dealership won’t release my car unless its safe to drive. I then had to drive the car 22 miles back home with all 4 brakes dragging. I requested the full diagnostic scan report (that the mechanic confirmed he could provide me with when I dropped my car off there) numerous times and never did I get one. I informed them that I would be filing a complaint hadn’t I received it by a certain time. The new kid in service then did send me screenshots of a generic obdii scanner where I saw the 6. 839 psi. I knew what the issue was prior to taking my car to monken. I had an independent scan done prior. I only took the car there to comply with gm’s protocol to be eligible for assistance. I am requesting NHTSA investigate gm for failure to address a documented hydraulic control safety defect that causes brake dragging and overheating, which is non-compliant with safety standards. I can give further info please call me for further details.

Urgent complaint: no response to demand for rescission - odometer fraud, deceptive practices - banner Ford of monroe, la.

Shift to park light remains on and car will not shut down when it is in park already. This is an existing issue with chevy Malibu but no recall yet.

My 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is experiencing the known “shift to park” defect and an “air induction system” fault. The vehicle repeatedly refuses to recognize the park position even after moving the shifter into park. This causes the vehicle to stay powered on, prevents it from shutting off, and forces me to shift back and forth multiple times to get the car to register park. This is unsafe because the vehicle could roll, fail to secure, and I cannot legally leave or lock the car when this happens. This issue is widely documented on Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. Gm has an established technical bulletin and extended coverage programs for this problem (example: TSB 19-na-206 and related bulletins), but my VIN does not show access to these programs even though I am under 60,000 miles and still within the 5-year powertrain warranty window. When I contacted gm and the dealership, they admitted the defect exists but refused warranty repair unless I pay $370 out-of-pocket diagnostic fees first. This defeats the purpose of warranty and prevents consumers from getting confirmed major safety defects repaired. The warning randomly appears at different times while the car is stationary, parked, or driving. The issue has been happening consistently and appears to be worsening. I am reporting this because it is a safety concern involving the transmission and electrical controls of the vehicle, and Chevrolet is refusing to cover or recognize it under their known defect programs.

The car continues to die when I come to a stop. The error code for the engine light is p305f. I have changed both batteries along with several different sensors and spent thousands of dollars in repairs at a couple different shops and still can’t find the problem with this error code. I have fixed everything that this error code points to. The car will not pass inspection with the check engine code on. This should have been recalled as this is a very common problem.

See all problems of the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Last year I started getting the dreaded shift to park issue. Takes usually about 30 seconds to realize its in park, even though the dashboard days its in park. Why is there no recall? I see hundreds of thousands of complaints for this. Plus im constantly getting the p1101 code. I know this is a common issue with this car for the dirty throttle body or maf sensor. Why isnt this under recall? I dont have the money to pay for repairs that the dealership should be recalling. The shift to park issue is so common. This is getting ridiculous. Plus the code. Please fix this ASAP.

See all problems of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Power steering randomly goes off taking the traction control with it. Terrible for the snow roads to have. Have to life the steering wheel slightly when starting to the car get it to work. Steering angle sensor or torque position sensor maybe??.

My power steering goes in and out as I'm driving depending on the speed. I have trouble swerving if needed because the power steering is not working correctly all the time.

Transmission failed to engage gear properly after backing up. Grinding sounds heard when vehicle was in drive. Problem has been confirmed and inspected by Chevrolet dealership. Vehicle is available for inspection. Occupants safety was at risk because gears could have locked up during commute causing vehicle to be undriveable, leaving driver and passengers stranded. Blind spot feature is unavailable randomly, which can cause a possible side swipe crash. When radio is playing suddenly switches to bluetooth randomly.

See all problems of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

I lost power steering while driving, making the wheel hard to turn. While the car is idle, the steering wheel shakes. Also “esc” pops on on the dashboard.

Vehicle was parked, all windows and doors closed. Key remained out of the vehicle. Car parked for several hours without being touched, when suddenly it began to roll forward on its own. The car continued forward and quickly went down a short hill into a rocky area of a field before coming to a stop.

See all problems of the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Got this car oct 16 2025 and check engine lights on the place in greenbriar dreka passed emmission and the shop explicit auto sold me car for 7500 been having problems with car since owner told me to do what I need to do no refund nothing in writing saying as is this car needs axles ball joint lower arm control and more car not safe for me and my kids this car go get emission passed so when u take title to dmv you can get a tag for a car that not passing emissions also purchase a second car same day oct 16 2025 and this car need oil pump oil sensor brake sensor brake caliber and more and explicit auto wont fix cars the man that sell these cars are on instagram and dolufree and explicit auto is the name of both names if you look you'll see light on in every car he post and sell to people for high price and no results when you bring car back every car sold from them need to be investigated. We need help I have two cases that I cannot drive and I was charged 13,500 for both cars and this is illegal for someone to use someone else access and get these cars and sell them under someone else license the address for business have a old national address but cars being sold at 2263 metropolitan pkwy and I don't know what to do at this point.

Was driving on the freeway maneuvered over to exit vehicle lost power and engine completely shut off while in motion. Same incident occurred while on surface street as I was approaching a red light vehicle completely shut off while in drive and in motion.

See all problems of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.