Chevrolet Malibu sudden acceleration problems

Filed Apr 10, 2026 · Acceleration · 80,000 miles · MI · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving very slowly into a parking space, the brake pedal was pressed to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and suddenly accelerated forward at a very high rate of speed and crashed into a furniture store showroom window. During the incident, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Acceleration · ID

Vehicle accelerated on its own. Only able to stop by turning off the ignition. It was cold at the time 8-15degrees F.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

My 2019 Chevrolet Malibu has severe safety defects involving the engine, powertrain, and speed control. The vehicle will sometimes accelerate on its own with my foot off the gas, and other times it loses all power while pulling into traffic. This creates an immediate risk of a crash. Multiple diagnostic codes appear repeatedly, including P0299 (turbo underboost), P0101 (mass air flow performance), P1101 (intake airflow performance), and P0506 (idle control RPM too low). The charge-air hose repeatedly blows off the throttle body while driving, causing sudden loss of power. The vehicle was sold to me by a dealer as safe and reliable, but these defects appeared shortly after purchase. The unintended acceleration and sudden loss of power make the car dangerous to drive. This appears to be a serious mechanical and safety-related defect that could cause an accident.

Filed Jul 11, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · CA

My brake vacuum pump seized while driving in the far left lane on the freeway. My car began to lose power and my rpms dropped and rose back up quickly making my car lunge forward and back quickly multiple times. My check engine light came on and a warning saying my engine was losing power flashed across the dash.I exited the freeway and pulled over to a safe location, when attempting to stop my car I noticed that the breakes were stiff and would not move and I had to push the emergency break to stop the car completely. I had my car full of family members and all of us were extremely sacred and worried for our safety and those of others around us as the speed was no longer under my control.

Filed Aug 30, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · 100,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in inclement weather, the vehicle displayed DCT: P2138, causing the vehicle to lunge forward, then remain idle for several seconds, before accelerating forward. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that water was intruding into the throttle wiring. The contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure; however, the failure was related to service bulletin the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10139090 (Electrical System, Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 100,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2021 · Fuel system · TN

My 2015 Malibu continues to have problems. I have a constant P Code (P2635) that refers to the fuel pump (Low Performance). The Malibu has the auto stop but at times the vehicle wants to lunge forward. It also at a stop not only goes to the auto stop (engine ) but cut off all the way . Which this result in having to place the car back in park to re-start. I have seen a youtube video of a hotspot (wear) on the wiring harness that is located in the right rear fender well that this blue and white wire was worn and broken possible causing this problem. Other that this issue the vehicle is good and still gets around 35mpg.

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · CA · crash

While I was pulling into a parking spot, my 2016 Chevrolet Malibu suddenly accelerated without any prior warning. The sudden unintended acceleration caused the vehicle to somehow jump the curb, hit a sign, and go airborne landing on two park cars which, resulted in damage to the front end and passenger side fender, front grill, left tire and other parts. The car was leaning to one side and I had to pry open the driver side door to get out. One of the other cars was totaled and the other had hood damage. It took two tow trucks to remove the car off of the other cars, it was towed to a repair shop and repaired by my insurance company but I no longer have possession of it. I was too terrified of it to keep it. It is still unknown what caused the vehicle to malfunction.

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · Suspension · VA · crash · 1 injury

2013 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to suspension rod failure. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle was involved in an accident. The driver stated the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The consumer was not informed of the recall until after the accident. *js (recall related incident) ts

Filed Nov 13, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 56,453 miles · TX

Bought car brand new from the chevy dealership in 2015. The check engine light comes on within a year. Code 305f. Replaced aux battery. 1 year later, code 305f, again. Replaced aux battery under warranty. Another code popped up..this was a sensor; replaced under warranty. Nov 2018, again, code 305f. Another aux battery replaced. Here we are, dec 2019, code 305f. Dealership states since we've replaced with a gel battery and both batteries are reading good but recharge, that it is the computer module on top of the battery which controls the auto stop/start and the remote start. In the almost 5 years I have had my car, it has been in the shop for this problem more than 3 times now and 2 times for hub assembly that should not have gone out at the low mileage of 42k. There is a clear problem with this 305f and the hub assembly as chevy has a service bulletin on the 305f and many chevy malibu owners have made several hundred complaints according to online sources. This is a safety issue because the car will "die"(shut off completely) while at a stop sign or light which could result in a rear end.this car, along with the other 2014-2015 are being treated as though there is no problem. I'm sick of spending $140.00 on an aux battery and wasting time for something that they know is worthy of a recall but are to cheap or just don't care about the buyer. As I write this, I am sitting at sterling mccall chevrolet in houston for the wonderful 305f code. Do something about it! I was sitting at a light when the auto shut off/start kicked off and back on which caused the car to lunge forward. That's when the check engine light illuminated the first time. I drive my car because I have to and still paying it off, but I no longer feel safe in it and it puts me and my family along with other drivers at risk. I have about 2 years left on my payments.

Filed Sep 22, 2019 · Driver assistance · 155,670 miles · GA

2 weeks ago my car was idling and started shaking and ESC notification came up and car cut off. Would not crank up until later. Today was driving in cvs parking lot and car accelerated on its own and I stepped on the break and then it started shaking and dinging and ESC lights came on again. Car kind of sounded like a lawn mower when it was shaking and jerking. Car would not crank again for a while.