643 of the
29,413 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Malibu
are about the suspension —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the toe links and the suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,500.
NHTSA complaint #11757535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
the trottle body position sensor just started acting up. took it to mechanic. they stated they can try to fix it but it may only work for a month then go back out. may end up paying over 6k and the car isn't worth it
NHTSA complaint #11746422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased this car straight out for 4000 from deans car lot in Winchester ky over a week ago. They didn't tell me I had missing fog lights. Keyfob to far was so beat up and bent I could barely get in my car or lock my car not to mention they sent me home in that car with all 4 different brand tires and 4 different sizes. A couple tires are even plugged !! And no wouldn't help me fix any of them. They ignore me. Wasn't no crash. The car lot has been devious and I'm not happy bc that has to do with MY SAFETY. MY LIFE. MY VEHICLE. IM ROYALLY PISSED
NHTSA complaint #11732005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas, then make a big stutter like power is low gas doesn't seem to be working with the pedal then it makes a huge jerk before it goes into drive. This has become an everyday thing. Car has shut off when auto off is on while at a stop. There's a huge creaking coming from the under body. Almost feels like something is going to fall out from under me. Every turn, bump, speed bump sometimes just at a stop then going into drive will create the loudest sound. Also sometimes it says I need to shift into park when I am in fact in park. When looking up common potential recalls my car checks almost every box that were stated online.
NHTSA complaint #11730300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse(R), there was a loud popping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #11727272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS MY 3RD COMPLAINT (Ref: Previous Reports). THE VEHICLE IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. 1. UNRESOLVED ENGINE/STEERING (Prior Complaints): This 2013 Malibu has a documented history of sudden engine stalling and total loss of power steering at highway speeds. Despite reporting this twice to the NHTSA and to GM, the manufacturer failed to provide a remedy. 2. RECENT SYSTEMIC COLLAPSE: Prior to the car becoming completely undrivable in my driveway, the instrument cluster suffered a total blackout (no speedometer/indicators). This matches GM TSB MC-10181662-9999, proving a known design defect in the electrical system/BCM. 3. RECALL DISCREPANCY: In addition to these engine/steering failures, a mandatory federal recall for the Rear Suspension Toe Link (20V764), which I was notified of in 2020, has 'vanished' from the system without being performed. 4. DENIAL OF SERVICE: The dealer is demanding a $1,900 diagnostic fee to even look at these documented, life-threatening safety defects, including the free federal recall. This is a violation of the Maryland Implied Warranty of Merchantability. On January 6, 2026, the check engine light illuminated, followed by a total instrument cluster blackout and electrical failure. The vehicle has been undrivable in my driveway since this total system collapse. This follows years of stalling and steering issues that the manufacturer failed to remedy."
NHTSA complaint #11726999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH on the highway, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle, and the contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle. The driver was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted afterwards, but became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a rusted toe link and a fractured trailing arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.
NHTSA complaint #11727095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I've taken my car in now 4 times to Chevy dealers just to be told there was nothing wrong. Turnes out that my torque converter (transmission) is going bad. And I can't get a Chevy dealer to honor my almost expired warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11713990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Got this car Oct 16 2025 and check engine lights on the place in Greenbriar dreka passed emmission and the shop explicit auto sold me car for 7500 been having problems with car since owner told me to do what I need to do no refund nothing in writing saying as is this car needs axles ball joint lower arm control and more car not safe for me and my kids this car go get emission passed so when u take title to DMV you can get a tag for a car that not passing emissions also purchase a second car same day Oct 16 2025 and this car need oil pump oil sensor brake sensor brake caliber and more and explicit auto wont fix cars the man that sell these cars are on Instagram and dolufree and explicit auto is the name of both Names if you look you'll see light on in every car he post and sell to people for high price and no results when you bring car back every car sold from them need to be investigated. We need help I have two cases that I cannot drive and I was charged 13,500 for both cars and this is illegal for someone to use someone else access and get these cars and sell them under someone else license the address for business have a old national address but cars being sold at 2263 metropolitan pkwy and I don't know what to do at this point
NHTSA complaint #11711718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission is snatching in drive and reverse. the car has 32,200 miles on it. it was purchased brand new. Need for front struts and rear shocks. Customer is 79 years old and don't understand why warranty want cover any of this.
NHTSA complaint #11691634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I keep hearing a clunking noise in the rear of my car and it gets louder at low speeds and when I turn when stopped. I have been doing research to try to see what it could be and I am seeing that this is a common issue with this car and there's no recall. The parts alone are $200+ and then you have to pay for labor. This is ridiculous for a faulty assembly problem due to GM.
NHTSA complaint #11691397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear knuckles on these cars are constantly going bad and the parts are expensive and so is the labor. So we have to pay a fortune to fix a common issue that GM should be recalling and fixing for the people who buy these vehicles. It's crazy how common this issue is and it's still not recalled. If you hear a clunking/rattling noise coming from the back of your car then it's almost certainly a knuckle problem.
NHTSA complaint #11691400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle will display on dashboard “Shift to park” while the vehicle is placed in “P”. The engine will turn off, but the power remains on until the battery is disconnected from the vehicle. Codes have been verified by the Chevrolet dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11654899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear end of the vehicle made an abnormal popping and clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to TSB Number: 18-NA-136. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair, but the contact declined to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer had confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 75,633.
NHTSA complaint #11616663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the stabili-trak warning light illuminated. While attempting to move the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, the vehicle began to shake with smoke coming from the passenger’s side rear suspension. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the shock, an alignment, brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced and a new tire needed to be installed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #11581141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.