AC & Heater complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 0% | 36,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 20,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2013 | 12 | 1% | 84,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% | 44,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 0% | 55,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 0% | 193,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 0% | 17,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% | 129,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 0% | 45,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 0% | 85,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 0% | 9,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% | 33,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 1% | 79,000 miles |
| 2001 | 10 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% | 46,000 miles |
| 1999 | 32 | 4% | 35,000 miles |
| 1998 | 26 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 1997 | 7 | 2% | 95,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle a broken white plastic gear part was found on the front driver's side floorboard. The contact later discovered the air condition selector switch was inoperable and the defroster could not be used to defrost the windows. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the air conditioner mode switch actuator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 132,000.
At 8:00 p.m. I started my car to warm up. It was 27 degrees out and when I turned my heat on, no air would blow out. The car was in park. After I let it warm up for about 15 minutes, I noticed the air would still not blow out. I shut my car off and turned it back on and the air still would not blow out. The light on the knob indicating it was on, was not lit up. All other electrical functions were working fine in my vehicle. Once I started driving for about 10 minutes, all of a sudden the air kicked on and started blowing out. And functioned fine for the rest of the drive. My car has 20K miles on it and was purchased about 6 months ago.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving through fog at 65 MPH, the defroster was activated however, failed to operate as needed. The contact was forced to pull off to the side of the roadway and manually wipe the inside of the windshield. The contact placed the heater on the maximum level to keep the windshield from fogging up. The contact called ray skillman Chevrolet (3891 s post rd, indianapolis, in 46239) where she was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V567000 (visibility). The contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was also informed of the failure and informed the contact that an investigation would be opened into the failure. The contact was also informed that she could pay for the repair out of pocket and be reimbursed if the vehicle was placed under recall. …
Upon entering vehicle and starting up to go to work, the heating and ventilation system did not work , turned car on and off multiple times and still would not work. Drove car to work and the heat was stuck on high and the vents were untouchable due to not being able to operate heat/air or any other buttons on the system for that. Started raining on the way and had to use wipers and put windows up and windows started to fog and unable to clear them due to this reason also, will try to take in to the dealership in the morning and hope they can fix this problem. This is about the 3rd time since I had the car that it has done this, but the other 2 times it was only for a shorter time than this.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the defroster gear actuator fractured and had fallen onto the ground, causing the defroster to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the defroster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to turn on the front windshield defroster, the defroster failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the lever for the defrost door was broken and the blower motor was faulty. The dealer replaced the HVAC mode cam and levers however, the failure recurred with air coming out of different vents, not where it was designated. Additionally, the battery was failing causing the interior and exterior lights to dim. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the body control module needed to be flashed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 65 MPH, the driver's seat heater burned a hole in the contact's coat. The consumer stated she was burned on the back under the right shoulder blade. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (lithia Chevrolet of redding, 200 e. Cypress avenue, redding, ca, 96002) advised the contact to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 69,621. The consumer stated the heat module, seat cover, and pad was replaced on 02/13/17.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the rear window defroster failed. While attempting to replace the fuse, it was discovered that the fuse melted into the fuse panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuse panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
GM is recalling 77 my 2009 Chevrolet malibu hybrid vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging system." the heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system May become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the HVAC control head module. The recall is expected to begin on December 17, 2008. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have ac & heater problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (32), 1998 (26), 2000 (25), 2013 (12) and 2001 (10) model years. AC & Heater complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu ac & heater problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 13V-567 (electrical heating element, Nov 13, 2013); 08V-634 (defroster/defogger/hvac system, Dec 2, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu ac & heater problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the appliance › air conditioner (105 mentions), followed by the defroster/defogger/hvac system (36).
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.