2014 Chevrolet Malibu

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

Chevrolet Malibu
Pictured: Chevrolet Malibu LT (IX, Facelift) – f 02112024. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Hybrid
MPG (best)
29 combined · 25 city / 36 hwy
Length
191.7 in
Curb weight
3,572 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 192 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,572 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 36 highway), 13% better than the 2014 midsize car average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 330 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2014

  • Lightest version 179 lb heavier

Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 Malibu →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.5L 4-cyl

Trims

1LTLS2LTLTZFleet/LS

Built in: Kansas City, Kansas

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2014 Malibu configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz191.7 in72.8 in57.5 in107.9 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,572 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Malibu2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 36 / 29+13%$2,300310
Malibu eAssist Hybrid2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 35 / 28+9%$2,400312
Malibu2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24-7%$2,800373
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.7 MPG2014 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu.

Similar 2014 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2014 Chevrolet Malibu (this car)29 MPGNot rated6
2014 Toyota Corolla34 MPGNot rated2
2014 Honda Accord47 MPGNot rated5
2014 Chevrolet Impala28 MPGNot rated12
2014 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated3
2014 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated0
2014 Mazda 333 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (6)

Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · Mar 23, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V164000 · 87,063 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk
The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · May 14, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V247000 · 140,067 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2.5L engine with the auto stop/start option. The affected vehicles may experience a complete loss of brake vacuum assist, disabling the hydraulic boost assist. As such, these vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk
If the hydraulic boost assist is disabled, slowing or stopping the vehicle will require additional brake pedal effort and a lengthened stopping distance. Both of these effects increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic brake control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020. General Motors number for this recall is 14201.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc · May 8, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V240000 · 8,208 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured February 7, 2014, through March 31, 2014, and equipped with 17 inch front brake rotors. The affected vehicles may have had brake rotors intended for the rear of the car accidentally installed on the front. The rear rotors, while the same diameter, are thinner and may result in a front brake pad detaching from the caliper.
Risk
If a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake rotors, and install the correct rotors with new brake pads, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14128.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Feb 21, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V092000 · 355 vehicles

Problem
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. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix
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. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element · Nov 13, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V567000 · 42,696 vehicles

Problem
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 working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Risk
The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2014 Chevrolet Malibu is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

330Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
17Involved a crash
7Involved a fire
14Injuries reported
66,300 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine119
Electrical System82
Unknown Or Other57
Power Train44
Service Brakes38
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)35
Fuel/Propulsion System24
Wheels19
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/12: 124/01: 124/02: 424/03: 124/04: 124/05: 224/06: 524/08: 224/09: 124/10: 124/12: 325/01: 125/02: 425/03: 125/04: 325/06: 325/07: 225/08: 325/09: 426/01: 126/02: 226/03: 126/08: 126/09: 123/1224/0324/0624/1025/0225/0625/0926/03max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2014 Chevrolet Malibu buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 119 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 82 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 44 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 66,300 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Malibu years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 Malibu31193.7 in★★★★★112
2024 Malibu31193.7 in★★★★★244
2023 Malibu30193.7 in★★★★★272
2022 Malibu32193.7 in★★★★★199
2021 Malibu32193.7 in★★★★★290
2020 Malibu32193.7 in★★★★★1199
2019 Malibu46193.7 in★★★★★1195
2018 Malibu46193.7 in★★★★★6711
2017 Malibu46193.7 in★★★★★4726
2016 Malibu46193.7 inNot rated10865
2015 Malibu29191.7 inNot rated3267
2013 Malibu29191.7 inNot rated11811

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →