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2021 Chevrolet Malibu Other Problems

13 owner-reported other complaints from NHTSA data

13
Complaints
Jan 2024Dec 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (13)

highUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2025

Your car displays a "Shift to Park" message even though your gear shifter is already in park, preventing you from turning off the engine. You may need to jerk the shifter multiple times or manually access the center console to force the vehicle off. This issue has been reported by other Malibu owners and may require the dealer to repair the shift interlock system or electrical connections related to the park position sensor.

NHTSA #: 11693337
highUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2025

Your car won't turn off completely and has restarted itself twice without you pressing the start button. Chevrolet acknowledged they've known about this "shift to park" problem since 2018 models, but you weren't notified of a recall or class action lawsuit even though your 2021 Malibu is affected. You paid $481.86 out of pocket to have the dealer repair this safety feature. Fixing this issue typically involves replacing or reprogramming the ignition switch and transmission shift-to-park control module.

NHTSA #: 11691171
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2025

Your car is already in park, but the dashboard is showing a 'shift to park' error message. This suggests the transmission position sensor or shifter mechanism may not be communicating properly with the vehicle's computer. You should have a technician scan the transmission control module to identify the exact cause and determine if the shifter assembly or sensors need adjustment or replacement.

NHTSA #: 11666419
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2025

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 #: 11641853
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Dec 2024

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 #: 11629390
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2024

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 #: 11618275
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2024

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 #: 11596537
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2024

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 #: 11592750
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2024

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 #: 11590830
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2024

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 #: 11565480
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2023

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 #: 11550058
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2023

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 #: 11530779
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2023

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 #: 11529828

Other 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Issues