2021 Chevrolet Malibu other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Failure - B000A-00 Body Control Module Error code - Shift Lever Position not plausible . Safety - This causes the car to upon attempting to turn off the car say "Shift into Park" on the dashboard and the car refuses to turn fully off. This can cause the battery to drain excessively from repeated constant start/stop attempts and leaves the car in an impossible state. You cannot safely leave the car in this state but you have no choice until you get lucky enough to hope an attempt is recognized as parked and shut off normally. This could jeopardize safety in situations you need to turn your car off Official Bulletin Number: GM TSB 23-NA-119 There is no warning prior to failure, and no way to override it

NHTSA complaint #11757048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I purchased this vehicle in April of 2026, 4 days after bringing it home it began displaying a “Shift To Park” message in the dash, essentially making it so the vehicle will not shut off even when the vehicle is in park. Took it to a shop and they diagnosed it as a common issue across the 2021 Malibus and stated the entire shifter assembly needed replaced. Have not had it replaced yet due to not having the funds to replace the entire assembly, but was informed eventually the problem will progress to a total loss of being able to turn the vehicle off resulting in the vehicle essentially dying and requiring a jump start where the issue will display on the dashboard again until the internal micro switch is replaced. I believe this issue should be brought to GMs attention and a recall should be issued, seeing as they are aware it’s a known issue in malibus. A chevy dealership specifically told me that replacing the entire assembly may likely not even repair the issue itself.

NHTSA complaint #11756187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am reporting a safety concern with my 2021 Chevrolet Malibu that is experiencing a “Shift to Park” failure.The vehicle displays a “Shift to Park” warning message even when the gear selector is fully placed in Park. Because the vehicle incorrectly detects that it is not in Park, it will not allow me to properly turn the vehicle off. This creates a concern because the vehicle may remain powered on when it should be shut down, potentially draining the battery and leaving the vehicle unable to start when needed.This issue appears to be a known problem affecting multiple Chevrolet vehicles, yet owners are still being required to pay out-of-pocket for repairs. My vehicle has just over 54,000 miles, and the repair estimate from Chevrolet is approximately $853.A gear position detection failure is concerning because the vehicle’s ability to recognize Park is an important safety function. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this issue represents a safety defect and whether additional action is needed to protect vehicle owners.

NHTSA complaint #11753858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car states shift to park when vehicle is already in park. It took multiple times to start car again and wiggling of shifter to get car to turn off. Car was repaired by a mechanic by replacing the transmission control and transmission shifter. Chevy is aware of the problem (which can drain the battery if not caught) but has not issued a recall only a Technical Service Bulletin. Cost to me was $569.00 for repair.

NHTSA complaint #11753429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car states shift to park when vehicle is already in park. It took multiple times to start car again and wiggling of shifter to get car to turn off. Car was repaired by a mechanic by replacing the transmission control and transmission shifter. Chevy is aware of the problem (which can drain the battery if not caught) but has not issued a recall only a Technical Service Bulletin. Cost to me was $569.00 for repair.

NHTSA complaint #11753430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A screen popped up saying “reduced engine power” I was already Omw to the shop to get one thing fixed. When they tried to pull my car in they say they he car wouldn’t drive and it was hard to accelerate and they had to put it in Neutral to get it in the shop. They said they fixed the problem but when I left to go into the main road, my car wouldn’t accelerate to the speed I needed and cars were coming. They were beeping and thank God they were able to slow down because they’ve would’ve hit me. The car does not accelerate and the manias can’t figure out why. Upon doing my research there are 100’s of folks saying the same thing. Right now I am out of a car, I literally just moved on 6/30 and not only do I work DoorDash, I have a day job and an overnight job. My car is how I make my money and this issue is putting a lot of stress and frustration on me because I need to get to and from work to pay bills. I am waiting to hear back from another mechanic which is even more stressful. Waiting, trying to figure out who can fix this issue and what the issue is.

NHTSA complaint #11749779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle has a repeated issue recognizing that it is in park when trying to turn vehicle off. This causes concern that the vehicle may not actually be in park, will not fully power down therefore draining the battery and leaving driver stranded, or lead to other body control module/shifting problems. This is a known issue with GM spanning multiple years and multiple models. The only official fix is to replace the entire shifter assembly with an updated version which can be a couple of thousand dollars. GM refuses to cover the cost knowing that they installed a faulty part during assembly.

NHTSA complaint #11704551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I own a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. Recently upon arriving at my destination and shifting the vehicle into park, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed with the gear shifter already in park(P). The primary engine was off but the electrical features remain on/operating. After abruptly jerking the vehicle into park a few times, I was able to turn off the vehicle. The most recent time, after several attempts to have the car read that the car was in park, I was unable to disengage. I searched the internet and read that this is a common issue with the Malibu and instructed how to open the center console to work with the wires and a button to force it to turn off. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer for repair. They agreed that this is not an unusual occurrence, but confirmed there was no recall for the issue. I will also be contacting GM/Chevrolet for further assistance/complaint. The failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #11693337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Took my car to the dealer for a "shift to park" problem. Vehicle would not turn off and twice it restarted itself without the button being pushed. I checked my VIN number and there was no recall regarding this but Chevy stated that they were aware of the problem since the 2018 Malibu cars. Mine is a 2021. Apparently there was also a class action regarding this but I was never notified on one. I have not had to pay $481.86 to have this safety feature repaired and don't feel that this is my responsibility since Chevy was aware of the problem prior to me buying this care new. I'm asking to be reimbursed for the cost of this repair. Please assist me as to how I can make this happen as there was not even any warning light on the dash to notify me of this problem. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11691171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

After shifting into park and turning vehicle off -warning beep "place vehicle into park" comes on. It takes several "jerks" of gear shift to turn off. I'm scared its not in park and may roll.

NHTSA complaint #11680910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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!

NHTSA complaint #11667714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle is in park but getting shift to park error

NHTSA complaint #11666419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I own a 2021 Chevy Malibu and I have been having issues with my transmission since November 5,2024. I was driving along at about 30 miles per hour When all of a sudden the car would not accelerate so I put the car in park and put the car back in drive and accelerated but only revved up but still would not move. I called a mechanic to look at my vehicle and he checked that I had transmission fluid and it was full. Upon further inspection he plugged an OBD code reader on my vehicle and came up with a P0700 Transmission Control System Malfunction which is the output shaft speed sensor or the vehicle speed sensor? I spoke to a shop about the problem and they said that that year and model car has a lot of complaints from owners. They said that it could cost up to 3,000 and up to replace the transmission. I think that it should be investigated for that issue?

NHTSA complaint #11645214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I recently purchased this vehicle. Within the first week I was trapped in the vehicle sporadically. When I try to put my car into park, the car keep repeating "shift to park". I have tried to put the car through all gears, backing up and parking repeatedly to attempt to put the car back into park. I have been trapped in my car for hours trying to put it in gear. When I reached out to the dealership they stated that even though there is a recall for most Malibu's; however, my VIN number does not qualify for the recall.

NHTSA complaint #11642067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown. It’s been happening on and off since I took it off the dealership lot. Can’t turn off Malibu because it’s not in park when I have it in park.

NHTSA complaint #11641853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Hello , in January 18,2024 I’ve purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu from Toyota of Dallas on Forest Lane. Within the first 24 hours I got a flat due to a bad tire , but was informed they did a full inspection before giving me the car . I contacted my sales representative she informed me to to bring the vehicle up there once they were open to see if they could resolved the issue due to me paying for a new tire. Once arrived they stated they could not compensate because I bought a tire somewhere else . Within 48 days of having the vehicle , I contacted them sale representative which I still have messages the my vehicle is saying “shift to park” while in park . They stated that it could just be a “sensor” used to bring it . Once I brought it in the car was not doing it & they informed me theirs nothing they can do unless the car does it again when I bring it . The car ends up doing it again I contact them my sale person no longer work there so I disclose this issue with another sales person , which no one documented but I have the messages to prove I informed them. I brought the car up there again & one of the technicians informed me “ just push your gear shift forward a little & it will just turn off”. So I did so & it worked but not for long . My car kept continuously doing it afterwards & they suggested to bring it in for diagnostic , however they way my schedule is at the probation office I work Monday - Friday & that is my only transportation to work or my schedule would not align . So on December 3,2024 my check engine light comes on in the vehicle while driving home . I immediately took my car to the Auto Zone on Buckner which I also have the paperwork for their diagnostic suggest cleaning the throttle bottle & also code P1101. I notice on the paper it stated my car would not pass a inspection with those code & said transmission status - red . I immediately set me appointment for 12/04/24 to take my car to the dealership. I took my car there they stated I arrived

NHTSA complaint #11629390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When I turn off the car it displays a 'shift to park' message and the car tries to roll if I take my foot off of the brake. My [XXX] was beside the car and was almost run over. This is a problem that the car rolls away. I have to restart the car continuously and toggle the gear shift to get it to stop. It will not let the lights turn off and radio and/or the other components in the car and is running the battery down. There is a recall for this problem but it is VIN specific and my car is not included. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11623537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The year and model of my vehicle has a known issue of shift to park and only selected Vin’s they will repair even though there is a recall and known issue. I can not safely park my car as it’s not reflecting it is in the park position

NHTSA complaint #11618275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Upper center brake light leaked allowing moisture and mildew to accumulate. Safety issue in how it affects my severe asthma.

NHTSA complaint #11607714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car is not registering that is in park. When I put the car in park the message on the dash will ding and say "shift to park" even though it is already in park.

NHTSA complaint #11605483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Parked car and it was dinging. Looked at dash and had shift to park warning. Car has 15000 miles. Had to hit shifter to get dash to turn off.

NHTSA complaint #11596537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While the car is in park after the button is pushed to shut the car off, I get a warning on my dash stating that the car is not in park and it is beeping to let me know that there is an issue. Even though the car is in park and it says it is in park.

NHTSA complaint #11592750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When I put my car in park, the park light comes on. I’ve had to forced the car in park AND the gear button get stuck. The park warning light is still on. It takes about 5 minutes or more before the light goes off After I’ve forced it in park several times. I can’t leave the light on because my battery will die.

NHTSA complaint #11590830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

“Shift to Park” message appears in the car's Driver Information Center, even when it is already in Park. It doesn't recognize that the vehicle is in park. I have to wiggle the gear several times before the message clears. It doesn't allow me to lock my vehicle when this happens, I believe the vehicle stays on while this message is on the DIC, making it very unsafe. I see that there are several complaints about this issue but no recall has been made. The dealer refuses to do a free diagnostic test knowing that these vehicles have had issues. My vehicle is no longer under warranty at 54,000 miles, I will be out of pocket the expense but it's definitely unfair that this has not been an issue recalled by GM.

NHTSA complaint #11574930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was parking and when I parked my dashboard popped up saying shift to park when it’s in park. My car won’t turn off .. tired to turn it off but it can’t I moved the car back and forth and put on park and nothing.. I know this is an ongoing issue because on my other Malibu that I purchased had that problem and now on my 2021 Chevy Malibu has that issue now. Thank god I wasn’t somewhere else stranded because it was below 0 in Chicago.

NHTSA complaint #11565480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When I parked my car and tried to turn off the ignition, a warning buzzer kept beeping and a warning on the dash was telling me to “shift to park”. I moved the shifter numerous times to make sure it was in park, but the warning continued. This happened several times now. A few times the warning went off after I wiggled the shifter knob numerous times, but not always.

NHTSA complaint #11550058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Every time I parked the car, the dashboard will light up and give me a message to " SHIFT TO PARK" I have read that this can means a malfunction in my transmission or it could be a sensor. I have also read that this type of cars have a recalls on 2016-2019. I just purchased this car Aug of 2022

NHTSA complaint #11530779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car is constantly displaying the shift to park display on the dash after the car is placed in park. Can turn the car off with the display but the prompt stays on the display and the electrical power does not shut off resulting in battery drain unless you constantly mess with the shifter until it removes the shift to park display. My first encounter with the dealer is Monday and was told they can't work on it if they can not replicate the issue. Sometimes it goes a week without doing it so who knows. Been doing this about 3 weeks now.

NHTSA complaint #11529828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVING THROUGH A SANDSTORM AT 45MPH( SLOW LANE AND SPEED SURE TO VISIBILITY) ON INTERSTATE 10 FROM RANCHO MIRAGE TO DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD CRACKED NEARLY A FOOT. I WAS CHARGED $400 BY ENTERPRISE RENTALS SINCE THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. A SMALL CHIP COULD BE SEEN, SIZE OF A BALL POINT PEN TIP, AT BEGINNING OF CRACK. ENTERPRISE HAS THE PHOTOS AND THIS WAS REPAIRED BY CALIBER AUTO GLASS IN TUSTIN, CA. RENTAL VEHICLE UNIT # 7T1DM2. 2021 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 5,360 MILES ON ODOMETER AT THE TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, A DEFECT IN THIS WINDSHIELD AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR 32UA 78385 VARNER RD. SUITE D PALM DESERT, CA 92211

NHTSA complaint #11408253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.