Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% | 39,000 miles |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2020 | 18 | 9% | 80,000 miles |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% | 26,000 miles |
| 2018 | 114 | 16% | 52,000 miles |
| 2017 | 135 | 19% | 58,000 miles |
| 2016 | 152 | 18% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 28 | 10% | 85,000 miles |
| 2014 | 17 | 5% | 45,000 miles |
| 2013 | 28 | 3% | 72,000 miles |
| 2012 | 52 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 87 | 9% | 72,000 miles |
| 2010 | 116 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 73 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 2008 | 42 | 4% | 93,000 miles |
| 2007 | 31 | 3% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 35 | 3% | 101,000 miles |
| 2005 | 27 | 3% | 150,000 miles |
| 2004 | 27 | 2% | 91,000 miles |
| 2003 | 85 | 15% | 70,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 1% | 84,000 miles |
| 2001 | 25 | 3% | 82,000 miles |
| 2000 | 21 | 2% | 78,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 1% | 92,000 miles |
| 1998 | 22 | 2% | 61,000 miles |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the reduced power warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed accelerator position sensor. The contact was informed that the accelerator position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer five times due to the failure. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal had been replaced two times within eight months. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure,e and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed, and the vehicle decelerated unexpectedly. The driver pulled over and was informed to turn off the vehicle and restart the vehicle with the assistance of a Police Officer. The vehicle was restarted but failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with turbocharger failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no coverage for the repair and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
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 …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the RPM was unexpectedly elevated while driving, and the vehicle was hesitating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be cleaned. While driving approximately 35-40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered with white smoke coming from the tailpipe. The contact stated that the engine warning light was flashing with the reduced power message displayed. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: PIP5812. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who associated the failure with the turbocharger. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle was slow to respond. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,713.
The first problem with my car was the tire pressure monitor. The location of each tire was wrong on the informant section. Soon after purchasing the car when ever I would park the car would not shut off and the DIC would display Shift to park message. Around 6 months after the purchase the brake pedal was getting harder the press down on and within a week from that while driving home from work the car completely shut off in the middle of traffic. It wouldn't start leaving me stuck on a busy street with heavy traffic blocking use of the lane. After 10 minutes it started back up and I barely made it into a parking lot of a shopping center with it shutting off again before I can park. I had to get a tow. I didnt go to an authorized dealer. I took it to a certified mechanic and had to replace the brake vacuum booster. The motor had to be cleaned out due to broken metal that got inside. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving very slowly into a parking space, the brake pedal was pressed to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and suddenly accelerated forward at a very high rate of speed and crashed into a furniture store showroom window. During the incident, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that a "shift to park turn the vehicle off" message was displayed while the vehicle was in the park position. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. The steering wheel was tight. After slowing down, the driver depressed the start/stop button, and the vehicle shut off and restarted. The vehicle was randomly shut down. After waiting, the vehicle restarted. While depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal, unidentifiable noise detected, and the vehicle came to a sudden halt. While driving at 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly stopped, and she hit her head on the steering wheel but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was pulsating while driving. There was a sound of water going through the vehicle. The vehicle was slow to accelerate and then moved violently. …
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake…
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' in hot ambient conditions, the accelerator pedal arm May stick at the attachment to the bracket and not return to the engine idle position when the operator lifts his foot from the…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the accelerator pedal arm and replace the accelerator and brake pedal assembly with a new assembly, if necessary. The recall began on December 20, 2004.
NHTSA investigations
Erratic fuel gauge
There is no summary currently available
Accelerator cable detaches from throttle
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (152), 2017 (135), 2010 (116), 2018 (114) and 2011 (87) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 14V-252 (cruise control, May 14, 2014); 04V-528 (accelerator pedal, Nov 1, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (49 mentions), followed by the cruise control (28).
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.