Chevrolet Malibu Complaints

293 consumer complaints on file.

#11673687July 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am experiencing an ongoing issue with the gear shifter in my 2022 Chevy Malibu. The car frequently fails to recognize when it is in Park, even when the shifter is visibly and physically in the Park position. This results in the vehicle not shutting off properly, and I often receive a “Shift to Park” warning message. At times, it takes me several minutes of wiggling or moving the shifter back and forth just to get the car to recognize it is in Park so I can shut off the engine. I am becoming increasingly concerned that at some point it will completely fail and I will be unable to shut off the vehicle, which could leave me stranded or cause a safety issue if the car rolls or remains in an active state. This is not an isolated issue — many other 2022 Malibu owners have reported similar problems online, and I am aware that this issue has affected prior model years as well. Despite this, there has not been a recall. I believe this is a defect in the gear shifter assembly or sensor, and it poses both a reliability and potential safety concern. I urge NHTSA to investigate this issue and push for appropriate action from GM before it worsens or causes a more serious incident. The car is available for inspection. I haven't brought it to the dealership because I don't believe I should bear the repair costs. The shifter malfunctioned without any prior indication.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673320July 14, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Around 37,000 miles, I intermittently started getting a Shift to Park error while the car was already in park. Whenever it happened, I had to turn the car off an on many times and jiggle the shifter until it went away. I brought it to Bomnin Chevrolet in Manassas, but it wasn't happening that day. I was then forced to come back, around 40,000 miles, when the error/beeping became persistent. I could not shut the car off, because it was beeping and would drain the battery. They said that because I was over 36,000 miles, it was no longer a warranty item. I will add that I am an Uber driver, and I reached the 36,000 miles while the car was still very young. The dealership refused to reimburse or give a goodwill adjustment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673295July 14, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:THROTTLEBODY/MANIFOLD
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where DTC: P1101 (Throttle body failure). The contact was informed that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The part was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where DTC: P1101 was retrieved, and the dealer informed the contact that the throttle body needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was serviced; however, the failure recurred less than a month later. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the Manufacturer's warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672836July 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon arriving to her destination and shifting the vehicle into park, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed with the gear shifter already in park(P). The contact was able to turn off the vehicle however, the electrical features remained operable. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672718July 11, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
At 40,000 miles, check engine light illuminated. Code reader stated P023F fuel pump secondary circuit open. When trying to take 2023 Malibu to dealership for repairs car would not start. Had to have car towed to dealership. Dealership confirmed same fuel pump error code. Confirmed no recall. Car is currently being repaired by dealership at my expense as dealership & GM says fuel pump is not covered by powertrain warranty. Cost is over $1500! Fuel pump should last longer than 40,000 miles! Please research this faulty fuel pump!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668574June 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My "shift to Park" switch is malfunctioned. While in park, after I shut the engine, I am getting the "shift To Park" message on my dash with a beeping sound. It takes several tries of starting the car and putting the car back in drive, neutral or reverse and shifting back to park to to them message.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667714June 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667165June 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Shift to Park notification. The car would show this light when it actually is in park already. Would not allow the car to shut off. Appears to be fixed after paying the extended warranty deductible at the dealership. I looked for a recall, but the 2022 Malibu LT is not included in the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666441June 11, 2025
AIR BAGS
I brought in my used vehicle to the dealership the same dealership that I purchased my car from due to another issue i was having with the car. Upon inspection from the dealership a diagnostic test was done on the vehicle, the dealership gave me a invoice stating "airbag malfunction needs the airbag on horn". I purchased this used vehicle from this dealership 4-4-25,. 6-10-25 i returned for the issue I was having and the dealership gave me this invoice with the information concerning the airbag. Yes it is available for inspection. My safety is in jeopardy if no airbag deploys for the driver if im in any type of accident. I was not made aware by the dealership of not having a airbag. No the vehicle has not been inspected by police, insurance representative. No, there was no warning lamps, messages before finding out this information at the dealership . I did receive a acknowledgement of vehicle accident history stating " This vehicle is a used vehicle that has had prior structural body repair work, indicating that the vehicle has previously been in an accident. " No further information. I have no information as towhen this accident took place.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666419June 11, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle is in park but getting shift to park error
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665440June 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
The service ESC and service power steering light stays on, the MPH hands flicker back and forth, brakes are applied without me pressing the brakes, shift to park when the car is already in park. I have taken it to dealership for service and they say nothing is wrong with car when clearly something is. Clearly there's and electrical issue going on with this car. Had testing ran on car and it listed 2 pages of different codes that popped up and it shows engine failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665083June 5, 2025
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662242May 20, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
It says that my engine had a problem. It told me to press my brake to start my car. But then it just kept shaking like it was trying to start. I have also had a notification saying to put my car in park when it already was. Today my car just stopped in the middle of the road in heavy traffic. We could have been hit getting out of the car or someone could have hit my car. It was towed to the local Chevrolet dealership to get checked out to see if it could be a recall. I don’t know what is wrong with it yet. There were no warning lamps prior to the failure. They appeared right when it happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662036May 20, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into park(P), the message “Shift to Park” was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that during the failure, the contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661162May 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We just purchased a 2022 Malibu from a GMC dealer that had 43,000 miles on it, we've had it about 4 months and put less than 1,000 miles on it and when we park the car, we get a message stating "shift to park" this has happened 3 times in the last week and it won't allow the electrical system to shut off. Took it to the dealer and they said the shifter needs to be changed and that it would be over $600 and was told because its past warranty it was my responsibility even though GM has had a few class action lawsuits against it over the last several years, this is not what I want when buying a somewhat new car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659472May 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
SHIFTER ERROR - SCREEN READS SHIFT TO PARK ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF ALREADY THE CAR TAKES TIME TO TURN OFF EVEN WHEN ITS OFF. IN AN EMERGENCY YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF YOUR CAR TO LOCK IT NO NO THE CHECK ENGIN LIGHT IS ON BUT IT READS FOR A FILTER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659062May 5, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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 failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657591April 29, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Chevy sold me a vehicle knowing that the radio was faulty and known to glitching out. I took it to the dealer and they replicated the problem. GM has known about the issue since 9/2024 when the issued the bulletin about the problem. They sold me the vehicle knowing that the problem existed and did not disclose that to me. That is a violation of CA law.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654833April 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the "Shift to Park" message was intermittently displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle intermittently failed to completely shut off or lock. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647548March 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
When you put the car in park and shut the car off a message displays on the dash saying place vehicle in park. You have to wiggle the gear shifter for the message to disappear. It appears the gear shifter has a bad sensor
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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