Equipment Problems of Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

Chevrolet Malibu owners have reported 1,316 problems related to equipment (under the equipment category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the Malibu.

1 Equipment problem of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 01/09/2026

When car in park and I turn engine off I get a notification - !shift to park I turn car back on put in reverse and back to park turn engine off and get the same message , I do this repeatedly 3x.

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2 Equipment problem of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 01/08/2026

Transmission got metal pieces in transmission fluid and blew the transmission.

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3 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/30/2025

The reduce power to engine keeps happening. It shuts my car down and lights up the traction control light, check engine light and its a serious hazard because I travel highway to and from work and its very dangerous when you loose power to your vehicle at high rates of speed. Also my emissions is bad due to a supposed fixed recall for the catalytic converter.

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4 Equipment problem of the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/22/2025

Water is pooling in the trunk of my car. I took it to the chevy dealership for a diagnostic and today, they told me water is leaking into the car because of a faulty seal. I just did some research online and have learned that this has been a common issue. I read that warranties have been extended to cover this defect. I would like chevy to extend my warranty to cover this defect, which they've known about for quite some time. As they know, water pooling in a car can lead to other problems.

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5 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/16/2025

I have had experience with the "shift to park" error and I have had the "reduced engine power" error message resulting in an uneeded $2200 dollar repair only for it to break down 2 months later, same message this time with fuel spraying under the hood. I nearly blew myself up trying to start my car! how is it that I cant find this dangerous defect on the recall list when I easily found the recurrent problem online? help.

6 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/11/2025

Lose power while driving.

7 Equipment problem of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/09/2025

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.

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8 Equipment problem of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/08/2025

Unknown fuel leak needs added to recall list . It is currently at the chevy dealership in van buren arkansas getting looked at on the fuel leakage. I'm going to upload some documents for y'all to look at and consider. Everything that has been stated in these recall is exactly what my car is doing and has wrong with it. I'm just asking for it to be added on this recall list because it needs to be y'all will be able to get all the information at the chevy dealership on the fuel leakage it is currently up there right now getting looked at in van buren arkansas. I appreciate y'all and everything y'all do.

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9 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/05/2025

Was driving on highway and starting to exit and my engine light came on and it alerted reduced engine power. I had to slam on my brakes but they were very hard to press and almost non existent and steering was also difficult. Managed to get car to side of road but due to very hard to non existent brakes I did graze a truck and damaged my rear drivers side fender. I am very lucky I didn’t get injured and was able to mostly miss the cars stopped in front of me. I also have the shift to park issue happen at least 4 times a week.

10 Equipment problem of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/03/2025

While the vehicle was in motion, it unexpectedly shut down, resulting in a sudden loss of power. No warning lights, alerts, or malfunction indicators were displayed prior to or during the shutdown. Additionally, no crash detection or safety alert was activated. This sudden failure caused the vehicle to be rear-ended.

11 Equipment problem of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 12/02/2025

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.

12 Equipment problem of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 11/01/2025

The vehicle intermittently shows shift to park error message. It takes several tries of moving the shifter for the notice to disappear. This has been an ongoing issue since I purchased the vehicle and since the dealership couldn’t replicate it at the time, they did not fix it.

13 Equipment problem of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 10/30/2025

I was traveling down I-25 at 75 mph because that is what the speed limit here in colorado. I was traveling south heading to colorado springs to visit family and I was entering near castle rock and my vechile would not go at all forward and it seemed as if I lost power to acceleration and I believe it was 2 or 3 lanes to exit off an off ramp as cars pasted me by honking their horns it was very scary as I pulled over to the side of the road letting it glide or coast to a stop very slowly I finally came to a stop. . As I have been reading some recalls due too a transmission issues for these types of vechiles I really hope I'm going about it right and someone reaches out to me about what it is that might be going on because even though my car does not have it listed by a VIN number I still believe that my 2019 chevy Malibu has been subject to recalls for issues including a faulty rear seat belt retractor and a transmission problem that could lead to a loss of propulsion. The rear seat belt recall involves improperly secured retractors, and the transmission recall is due to a start-stop accumulator endcap with missing bolts, which could cause a leak and a loss of propulsion or a fire risk. And would like to have this addressed and or hits the right people concerning this not only for myself but safety for other people traveling at high speeds like myself that night. . . I was 5 days past my dealership warranty when I purchased the vechile from them and made it 6 days because I could get ahold of anyone on the 5 day when this incident occurred and then I called gm because I believe it would of fell under a drive train warranty but they said which was only 5 years warranty on this vechile from the day it was purchased its first time my vechile only has 82000 miles on it and I got it from a dealership here in colorado with 64 or 62000 miles and since then I'm paying on a vechile that is no longer in service parked sincerely and hopefully this reaches the right person. . .

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14 Equipment problem of the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 10/17/2025

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.

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15 Equipment problem of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 10/10/2025

Was on my way to work at stoplight and my 2019 Chevrolet Malibu lost all power and started back up and the next day I was about to leave for work and it wouldn’t start low battery came across screen then the check engine light came on and a few hrs later it started up but all interior lights would not go off and I went to auto zone to check codes and its one of the codes for recall I will be taking it to the chevy dealership.

16 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 10/04/2025

I get a engine power reduced warning and check engine light is on for 3 start cycles and goes away. Auto start/stop after stopping, lights flicker and power is slow to come back on upon auto start and I get a power steering reduced warning. ,.

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17 Equipment problem of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 10/02/2025

Took my car to the dealer for a "shift to park" problem. Vehicle would not turn off and twice it restarted itself without the button being pushed. I checked my VIN number and there was no recall regarding this but chevy stated that they were aware of the problem since the 2018 Malibu cars. Mine is a 2021. Apparently there was also a class action regarding this but I was never notified on one. I have not had to pay $481. 86 to have this safety feature repaired and don't feel that this is my responsibility since chevy was aware of the problem prior to me buying this care new. I'm asking to be reimbursed for the cost of this repair. Please assist me as to how I can make this happen as there was not even any warning light on the dash to notify me of this problem. Thank you, [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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18 Equipment problem of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 10/02/2025

I own a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. Recently upon arriving at my destination and shifting the vehicle into park, the message "shift to park" was displayed with the gear shifter already in park(p). The primary engine was off but the electrical features remain on/operating. After abruptly jerking the vehicle into park a few times, I was able to turn off the vehicle. The most recent time, after several attempts to have the car read that the car was in park, I was unable to disengage. I searched the internet and read that this is a common issue with the Malibu and instructed how to open the center console to work with the wires and a button to force it to turn off. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer for repair. They agreed that this is not an unusual occurrence, but confirmed there was no recall for the issue. I will also be contacting gm/Chevrolet for further assistance/complaint. The failure mileage was 40,000.

19 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 09/24/2025

I tried to shift the car from drive to park but a message appeared saying I needed to put the car in park. The lights and radio were still on and I could not get the message to disappear even after several attempts to start/restart the car and moving through the gear shift. I will be taking the car to a dealership ASAP. There wasn’t any prior error or problem before this message started appearing. After numerous attempts “park” is recognized and the car shuts off completely.

20 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 09/23/2025

Multiple components and/or system failures/malfunctions, exact cause is unknown. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risks include engine power reduction issues that result in unexpected deceleration, and/or sudden/dangerous loss of power/acceleration. Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Vehicle component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, representatives, or any others other than diagnostic trouble code testing at o’reilly auto parts due to illuminated check engine light. Vehicle displays error messages “engine power reduced,” while driving and/or idle, and “shift to park” when vehicle has already been shifted into park. No obvious symptoms of the problem prior to failure, unknown when first appeared. Vehicle-2018 Chevrolet Malibu lt l4-1. 5l 1490cc 91ci gas di turbocharged VIN t lfv-4 valve dohc (mileage-145000). Primary powertrain diagnostic trouble code “p0014 - exhaust camshaft position system performance (code p0014 indicates that the bank 1 exhaust camshaft position timing was advanced beyond limits for a predetermined period of time),” with additional powertrain diagnostic trouble codes “p0011 - intake camshaft position system performance,” and “p1101 - intake air flow system performance. ” also receiving abs diagnostic trouble code “u0422-71 - invalid data received from body control module - invalid data. ” suggested solutions included “replace variable camshaft timing (vct) solenoid,” and “replace variable valve timing (vvt) solenoid. ” believed to be related to NHTSA id numbers 11643630, 11586483, 11581989, 11569471, 11568501, 11565871, 11564692, 11635526, 11457416, 11420146, 11416774, 11325303, 11561528, 11559451, 11555493, and approximately 30 other related NHTSA id numbers for same error message(s), and/or problem code(s), NHTSA campaign number 19v642, NHTSA campaign number 19v642000, gm special coverage number n182188250, and gm recall number n192221960.

21 Equipment problem of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 09/16/2025

Intermittent shift to park message displayed while vehicle in park. Two states have sued and won to have this safety problem taken care of by gm. (ohio and tenn. ) should be a recall item. Why not. Gm service bulletin 19-na-206, march2024.

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22 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 09/14/2025

The car smells strongly of gas. And has a problem accelerating. Check engine light came on and I got a code p1101 which is a code for the maf sensor. This is not the first time that this has happened. It happened less than a year ago maybe 9-10 months ago. I don’t drive the car in fear of it catching a fire. The car has stalled before in the middle of a turn. I had to turn the car off and turn it back on. I called onstar who have no idea what was wrong with it.

23 Equipment problem of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 09/10/2025

Unknown, the ignition switch turns on when off position or restart engine when in off selection on ignition switch and the radio is powered back on if key left in the ignition switch powered off when u leave vehicle.

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24 Equipment problem of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 09/08/2025

I receive a message on my screen stated to shift to park when it is already in park. I have to wiggle the shifter as well as try multiple times before the screen clears. I looked at information stating this is a problem but not to the level of recall but fixed by the dealership. I was told my vehicle did not qualify for the free repair. Wondering why?.

25 Equipment problem of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/31/2025

When putting the vehicle in park, the vehicle states please shift to park but the vehicle is already parked.

26 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/28/2025

Steering asst warning came on. This happened in 2022 when I got the vehicle and it’s now happening again. When stopped with foot on brake and auto stop engaged , you take foot off brake steering wheel jerks and steering asst warning comes on. There is also a problem with shift to park. Vehicle shifted into park vehicle doesn’t recognize that it in park and vehicle can’t be shut off until it recognizes that it’s actually in park. Chevy knows this is an issue and will cover it under bumper to bumper warranty but will not fix it under a recall or outside of bumper to bumper warranty. Vehicle has a p1101 code that comes and goes. Engine filter has been replaced, throttle body has been cleaned, maf sensor has been replaced, and the issue continues to persist. There is no know way to fix this. Rear seat belt doesn’t work. Vehicle came like that. Vehicle has had multiple issues. Contacted chevy they want me to pay for a diagnostic out of pocket and submit to them and possibly they will then help. These are all known issues that they are not addressing.

27 Equipment problem of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/28/2025

Vehicle is registering multiple keys from surrounding like vehicles which causes the anti theft system to activate, disabling the vehicle and/or involuntarily draining battery.

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28 Equipment problem of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/27/2025

My car is in park but it keeps saying shift into park.

29 Equipment problem of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/25/2025

2016 chevy Malibu is experiencing a “shift to park” issue, where the car does not recognize it is in park even after shifting correctly. This prevents the vehicle from turning off, leaving lights and electronics running, which can drain the battery. A service advisor at autonation Chevrolet orlando confirmed this is a common problem in gm vehicles like the traverse and silverado. She explained the repair—replacing the faulty sensor/shifter assembly—typically costs around $800. Beyond battery drain, there are safety concerns, since the system’s failure to recognize park could risk the car rolling if the brakes disengage. The issue first appeared about four months ago, went away, and has now reoccurred.

30 Equipment problem of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/18/2025

Vehicle isn’t recognizing that it’s in park, shift to park keeps coming on dashboard which is also causing my vehicle not to change gears correctly.

31 Equipment problem of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/16/2025

Shift to parking message came up on dashboard.

32 Equipment problem of the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/15/2025

Backup camera has blurred vision when in r, the view on the dashboard is extremely blurry and seems to be condensed/ wet. Please check and advise.

33 Equipment problem of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/14/2025

The shifter will not read when the vehicle has been placed in park.

34 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/11/2025

Currently I am having issues putting my car in park. Even when it shows that it is parked there is an “action required” that pops up saying “shift to park”. This has been happening all week and as I am able to toggle the shift stick it is no longer allowing me to which leaves my car somewhat on when I leave. I’ve contacted the dealership for repairs since I’ve seen this is a common recall issue with my model vehicle. However, they informed me that it would be an out of pocket expense even though research shows that this should be an expense paid by the dealership since they’ve had many complaints on this issue and can cause certain safety issues for members. I’m getting ready to pcs soon and need to pay out of pocket expenses for my move so trying to pay for something that the dealership should pay for is truly inconvenient.

35 Equipment problem of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/11/2025

The telematics module is having an issue where the onstar safety system in the car does not work this will automatically call emergency services in the case of an accident it also controls wireless carplay and the microphone connected to the radio so you can’t make hand free calls.



Malibu Service Bulletins
Malibu Safety Recalls
Malibu Defect Investigations