Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with the battery. However, the battery was not replaced. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle would not properly shift into gear, decelerated independently, and stopped. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, upon moving the gear shifter into drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then moved the gear shifter to park(P) however, the vehicle rolled away and struck a tree. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. …
The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after he replaced his radiator, his vehicle caught fire. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and no injuries were reported. The contact was not certain if a police/fire report was filed. The vehicle had yet to be towed and remained in the possession of the contact. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the intake cam shift solenoid control circuit and the variable valve solenoid intake and the variable valve solenoid exhaust were faulty and needed to be replaced. The intake cam shift solenoid control circuit, variable valve solenoid intake, and variable valve solenoid exhaust were replaced but the failure recurred with the cold start engine rattling noise and loss of power failure persisting. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon driving four miles at approximately 35 MPH, the engine overheated. The message "Engine Overheating" was displayed. The temperature gauge increased to Hot. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact added water to the vehicle, but the water drained out. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the heater coil had failed. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,670.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, she saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed oil leaking on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rocker arm oil control valve was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact became aware of Chevrolet Special Coverage Adjustment Number: N192289160, which she associated to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,605.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when they started the vehicle all its lights illuminated however it only turned on the vehicle not start the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger-side wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact was unable to specify which wiring harness. The vehicle had not been repaired due to parts any longer being in production. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the matter. The parts no longer being in production were confirmed. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and jerked with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 213,310. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the engine replaced; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the engine was shaking, and the vehicle stalled while driving at an undisclosed speed, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested that the contact file a complaint with the NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.
While driving 60 MPH on the highway my car started stuttering then lost all power. It threw 3 codes P0131, P2097 and P0171. I have spent over $1,000.00 and a month later they tell me it was my intake bolts that were loose. They replaced every part PCV valve, MAF sensor, O2 sensor and car still wouldn't run right. PLEASE address this issue as that is UNSAFE for a car to just stop on the highway.
Engine complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 127 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, 36% of the model year's 351 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › gas recirculation valve (egr valve) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.