Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% | 45,000 miles |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% | 58,000 miles |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% | 38,000 miles |
| 2021 | 28 | 31% | 66,000 miles |
| 2020 | 58 | 29% | 75,000 miles |
| 2019 | 68 | 35% | 48,000 miles |
| 2018 | 171 | 24% | 43,000 miles |
| 2017 | 139 | 20% | 49,000 miles |
| 2016 | 166 | 20% | 42,000 miles |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% | 86,000 miles |
| 2014 | 52 | 15% | 54,000 miles |
| 2013 | 54 | 6% | 68,000 miles |
| 2012 | 49 | 5% | 81,000 miles |
| 2011 | 112 | 11% | 78,000 miles |
| 2010 | 133 | 10% | 74,000 miles |
| 2009 | 121 | 8% | 88,000 miles |
| 2008 | 86 | 9% | 88,000 miles |
| 2007 | 47 | 5% | 91,000 miles |
| 2006 | 43 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 65 | 7% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 64 | 6% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 13 | 2% | 59,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% | 128,000 miles |
| 2001 | 18 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 50 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% | 58,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and turned off in front of the hotel lobby. Moments after entering the hotel, the contact informed that the vehicle had rolled down the hotel driveway and crashed into two parked vehicles located in the hotel parking area. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed at the scene, and the vehicle was driven away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 45,000.
My 2024 Chevy Malibu has lost power and is not shifting properly yet it's not displaying any codes. It shifts and jerks very hard when on a cold start but also will not get up and go when I pull into traffic. This has caused me to almost get hit numerous times. It's like it freezes and won't go! The dealership could not recreate the problem (shocker), and since no codes they sent me away. Said last time it was due to the battery so I paid to replace that yet that did nothing to the engine/transmission problem. In addition to this issue, I think there's an electrical issue. My rear view camera will often be distorted like I'm looking through a fish bowl and it has also come on while I'm driving on the freeway. I often lose my infotainment system too. It loses connection all the time and the screen goes black and disconnects from CarPlay. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally with several unknown warning lights illuminated and unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, there was a white fuel warning light illuminated with the message "Low Fuel" displayed after refueling the vehicle. The white exclamation warning icon with the "Shift to Park" message, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the "Engine Power Reduced message was displayed. Additionally, the power train and ESC warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure was not replicated; an aftermarket tracker was disconnected. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to turn off. The "Shift to Park" message was displayed. Additionally, after the vehicle was parked and the engine was turned off, the vehicle independently started. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer as per the manufacturer's request. However, the vehicle was not inspected. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where the portable diagnostic tester was attached to the vehicle. The diagnostic machine retrieved DTC: U0073, P0700, P25A2, U0101,U0129,U0146, U18D5, U18D7, U2413, U0073-00, U0100-00, U0140-00, U0151-00, U026A-00, U0420-00 and U0100. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the transmission. Later while operating the vehicle, the message "Engine Overheating" was displayed, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the turbocharger was faulty and needed to be replaced. The turbocharger was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Recently, while driving, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the gear shifter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission had been shifted to park(P), preventing the contact from being able to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that the message "Shift to Park" was displayed; however, there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the gear shifter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,619.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate after a stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted before slamming into gear. The contact stated that when the vehicle slammed into gear, the contact was violently pushed into the back of the seat. No warning lights were illuminated, but the message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that during the failure, the brake pedal was depressed to reboot, and the contact had to manually move the leather cover on the shift lever to move the lever. The contact stated that whenever the temperature on the transmission was at 180 degrees, the transmission would downshift. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed; however, the RPM was extremely elevated. The vehicle then lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode, and the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on three separate occasions. After the first failure, the dealer stated that the failure was caused by an inoperable sensor, and the fuel pump was reprogrammed. The contact stated that after the second failure, which was associated with the turbo, the powertrain module was reprogrammed. The third failure was associated with the turbo seals. The failure reoccurred after all three repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,035.
Related recalls (6)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the console transmission gear selection indicator may not illuminate the shift position selected.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the transmission gear selection control module, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012.
Show 1 more recall
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (171), 2016 (166), 2017 (139), 2010 (133) and 2009 (121) model years. Transmission complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 20V-668 (automatic transmission, Oct 29, 2020); 15V-245 (gear position indication (prndl), Apr 24, 2015); 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (137 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (25).
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.