Equipment Problems of Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

Chevrolet Malibu owners have reported 1,277 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 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?.

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2 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.

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3 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.

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4 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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5 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.

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6 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.

7 Equipment problem of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/16/2025

Shift to parking message came up on dashboard.

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8 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.

9 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.

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10 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/11/2025

Shift to park issue. While is in park after driving. I turn vehicle off and action required message pops up on dash stating shift to park but it’s in park.

11 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/08/2025

The car is saying “shift to park” on the dash panel as if the car is not in park. Sometimes this continues to read to the point it will not let you shut the car off and then you can’t get out of the car. This is a safety concern as well as an issue with the car wanting to continuously run.

12 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 08/01/2025

The dashboard displays “shift to park” when I try to turn off my car even though it’s in park.

13 Equipment problem of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/24/2025

Power steering went out and water pump.

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14 Equipment problem of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/21/2025

After shifting into park and turning vehicle off -warning beep "place vehicle into park" comes on. It takes several "jerks" of gear shift to turn off. I'm scared its not in park and may roll.

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15 Equipment problem of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/20/2025

When you put my 2022 chevy Malibu in park and turn the engine off the display states the vehicle is not in park. This does not go away and power stays on to the car.

16 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/13/2025

When you put it in park it tells you to shift to park, even if it is already in park.

17 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/13/2025

I shift the car in park I then turn off the car and then an alert comes up on the dash saying shift to park I then shift it back and forth nothing happens and then it automatically goes off after I wait awhile with it in park. This has occurred several times in the past year. I’m not sure if it is in park it does roll slightly then catches.

18 Equipment problem of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/12/2025

My vehicle will not sense that it is in park when it is in park and therefore will not allow me to shut off the vehicle. This is become a problem multiple times and does it consistently enough that it could be a danger. What if I needed to exit the vehicle quickly and it will not allow me to.

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19 Equipment problem of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/10/2025

Gm has issued a known defect for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. My VIN is not on the recall list for the shift to park issue. The chevy dealer will not fix the defect for free. I would like to add my VIN to the recall list.

20 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/03/2025

I was informed the vacuum pump went bad and rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle would lose acceleration, shut off during auto stop and caused me to block traffic. The brakes also locked up, which almost caused me to crash in a residential neighborhood. I tried to see if there was a recall on this but I was told the recalls were handled in January of 2020 but I started driving the vehicle between July and August of 2020. This incident I'm reporting just happend 3 weeks ago. I realized there are many other issues regarding this matter and need this addressed because this almost caused bodily harm. The dealership wants me to pay for repairs on a vehicle that seem to have defective parts that jeopardise customer safety and is not being rectified.

21 Equipment problem of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 07/01/2025

Cant pass smog due to code p2646.

22 Equipment problem of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/30/2025

This car will start and as you are driving, the car shuts off. No power, no steering. . . Nothing. I was out driving to work and the car died right in the middle of the road in rush hour traffic. I have takent he car to the shop and they had it for over a month, changed the fuel pump and it was still doing the same thing. The mechanic said he can not fix it, that it is an electrical issue. Several people have posted online that this is a manufacture issue and the year of the car is known to have this problem. I own three chevy vehicles and there is something wrong with all three. Absolutely ridiculous! no one stands behind their work. You pay money for a vehicle and the makers want spend a dime to recall something that can kill someone.

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23 Equipment problem of the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/25/2025

The engine power reduced light came on twice. I have been feeling a slight hesitation when driving for a couple of months but this is the first time that light came on. It happened on i65n about 140 miles from montgomery. I got off the interstate at montgomery so I could drive slower and made it home to centre, al. But now I'm afraid to drive it far.

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24 Equipment problem of the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/18/2025

I was driving on the interstate and the engine power reduced light came on twice. It was driveable but I got off the interstate to state roads so I could drive slower. It acts like it wants to stop. I have been afraid to drive it again.

25 Equipment problem of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/15/2025

When car is shifted into park the info system reads “shift to park” and the car continues to ding.

26 Equipment problem of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/13/2025

I was driving the car on the highway and “service esc” popped up on my dash. Engine power reduction kicked in which caused me to have to erratically pull over to the shoulder. Brakes did not engage properly. When the “service esc” warning comes on the dash, the engine, transmission, and brakes stop functioning properly. The gauges start fluctuating up and down and the gps goes out of whack. Transmission won’t shift gears and the car will sometimes shut off all together. This is a very common problem with the chevy Malibu from 2017 to present. I did my research and there is a lot of disgruntled owners that have experienced this problem. Type in “service esc chevy Malibu” on google, reddit, or youtube and you will see. I personally know two other Malibu owners with the same issue different years and mileage on there Malibu. I honestly can’t believe with all the information out there on these Malibus having the same issue there has not been a recall yet!.

27 Equipment problem of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/12/2025

Car rolls backwards when stopped on an incline until the brakes are pumped two to three times.

28 Equipment problem of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/11/2025

Vehicle is in park but getting shift to park error.

29 Equipment problem of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/10/2025

The blinker level does not automatically shut off after the turn is preformed. It never has. Yes it can be inspected if asked. Because of this fault, people driving behind me have thought I am turning and have attempted to go around my vehicle, almost causing collision on several occasions. This puts myself, my passengers, and the other vehicle in immediate danger. As well as the vehicle behind the one attempting to go around my vehicle. Yes it has been reproduced by multiple car repair shops. There is never a time that the turn lever has worked properly. When talking to the previous owner, he indicated that he also had the same problem since he purchased the vehicle. Many online vehicle specific forums have owners who talk about having the same problem and the accidents they've gotten in due to it. There are no warning lights. The blinker stays active as well as the dash light indicating the blinker is still on. The date indicated was the most recent it happened and almost caused an accident.

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30 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/04/2025

Ever since 2020 I’ve that shift to park issue. Luckily my car was under warranty the first time and was resolved only for the problem to reoccur again within 2 years. I then I got it fixed again in 2023 only for it to occur again less than a year later. I’ve had to buy a new battery because of this issue. What happens is I turn my car from the drive shift to park shift and push the shut off engine button. A message pops up on my screen stating “shift to park” the is in park. After 2-4 minutes of me waiting for he message to go off my battery is being drained. I refuse to pay hundreds of dollars again to get this fixed a third time only for it to return again. Please fix this issue. Myself and others with issue are seeking lawsuits for this defect.

31 Equipment problem of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/02/2025

There is a recall on the brake booster on the 2014 Malibu manufactured in 2013 my car is a 2013 and I have the same issue. I have had multiple things wrong. I was driving and had no brakes at all I had to push hard and it finally stopped. Hazardous to drive now until fixed. I feel it should be covered as it is the same issue on the 2014.

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32 Equipment problem of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 06/01/2025

Car is not recognizing that is in park and displays a "shift to park message". Chevy has yet to address this well known issue and expects consumers to pay $700-$1000 for something they should be required to fix. This is a major safety issue.

33 Equipment problem of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 05/30/2025

I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern with my 2018 chevy Malibu related to the brake booster vacuum pump. My vehicle has exhibited dangerous symptoms, including a hard brake pedal and reduced braking power, which I’ve now learned may be connected to a known defect affecting 2013–2022 Malibu models. These issues have significantly compromised my safety and that of others on the road. I’ve had to deal with sudden braking difficulties, and the repairs have caused financial stress I was not prepared for. I am now aware of the pending class action lawsuit (johnson v. General motors llc) that details this same problem.

34 Equipment problem of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 05/28/2025

I have to change sensor for the oil every year. Small battery in the back I have to replace it every year.

35 Equipment problem of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Failure Date: 05/19/2025

The shift to park won't turn off but allowing vehicle to turn off it killed our family.



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