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

- 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
Trims
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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz | 191.7 in | 72.8 in | 57.5 in | 107.9 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 3,572 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 36 / 29 | +13% | $2,300 | 310 |
| Malibu eAssist Hybrid | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 35 / 28 | +9% | $2,400 | 312 |
| Malibu | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | -7% | $2,800 | 373 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Chevrolet Malibu (this car) | 29 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2014 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2014 Honda Accord | 47 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2014 Chevrolet Impala | 28 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2014 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2014 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2014 Mazda 3 | 33 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
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.
Not every 2014 Chevrolet Malibu is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2014 Chevrolet Malibu buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 119 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 82 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 44 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 66,300 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Malibu | 31 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 12 |
| 2024 Malibu | 31 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 44 |
| 2023 Malibu | 30 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 72 |
| 2022 Malibu | 32 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 99 |
| 2021 Malibu | 32 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 90 |
| 2020 Malibu | 32 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 199 |
| 2019 Malibu | 46 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 195 |
| 2018 Malibu | 46 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 711 |
| 2017 Malibu | 46 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 726 |
| 2016 Malibu | 46 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 10 | 865 |
| 2015 Malibu | 29 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 267 |
| 2013 Malibu | 29 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 11 | 811 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →