6.2
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $450
- Average Mileage:
- 47,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 23 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace wheel bearing (23 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
constant whine noise from rear end and sure sounds like a wheel bearing issue after google.
- diymi, Rochester Hills, US
Bought the 2014 Malibu in fall of 2016 with about 20,000 miles on it. In May of 2017, a friend said the road noise was not normal, so I took it to a shop. The guy said the rear wheel bearings were bad. Seems pretty unusual to me, seeing how the 3 year warranty just expired, and it had less that 25,000 miles on it. He tried to blame it on the Michigan roads and pot holes. This is the first time for me after 35 plus years of driving. I suspect defective parts, although the dealer I got it from was no help. I'm not happy about the $800 repair bill, and think if enough people have the same problem, maybe something can be done.
- Karlyn W., Dewitt, MI, US
I recommended a Chevrolet to my son after leasing three cars from Chevrolet. He has had this car for less than 2 years, and had to replace the rear bearings twice, the last one I had made a jig and puller to do myself, as the last dealership used the wrong threadlock I had to borrow a larger compressor and impact gun to remove the bolts holding the hub. He aso has an engine oil leak from the oilpan. Now the engine has a problem with the VVT, (variabler valve train ) solenoid. This has all the signs of a lemon. I will contact Chevy and see how they want to proceed.
- gms58, Livonia, MI, US
Car is 3 years old. Front-right wheel bearing wore out (vibrating), had to be replaced. Not covered by warranty even if it had happened earlier. Replacement part only has a 1-year warranty, and it's the same shoddy part.
Front-left bearing is making annoying noise too, but holding off on that due to the expense.
Beyond ridiculous. Outrageous! Owned much older & cheaper cars, never had a bearing go before.
- maliboo, Charleston, SC, US
We purchased two 2014 Malibu's one had 31,000 miles when a bearing went out and was covered under warranty. The other had 64,000 miles when it lost a wheel bearing also. Unfortunately this was not covered and cost us $450.00 to have repaired. The dealer agrees this seems to be a chronic problem as they see allot of this type of failure with the Malibu. Chevy is not doing anything about the problem.
- George B., Kalispell, MT, US
This is the 3rd. Wheel Bearing that has been replaced on this vehicle. I bought it new. 1st. one was replaced under warrenty of vehicle. (Left Front); 2nd. Bearing replaced @ 34,000 miles. Right rear. 3rd. Bearing replaced 11/10/16 @ 51,000 miles. Chevrolet appears to be using cheap Bearings. Should not have to have 3 Bearing replaced within 51,000 miles.
- Robert F., Rome, NY, US
Like everyone else.. This should not occur at 57,000 miles. I was driving on an expressway with my dog in 90degree temps. When a loud whining noise happened and my tire blew. I did notice a slight noise few days earlier and had it checked at the dealer. They said both rear bearing were bad. We ordered the parts and they came in that very day.. But it was to late. I now had to replace the tires too. I am very disappointed in this car.
- Debbie D., Harvard, IL, US
Basically, 2nd hub bearing went. Started getting whinning noise again at around 55,000 miles, replaced at 64,000. It slow creeps up louder and louder. They are unserviceable and can not be greased so need to be replaced completely. This time was Left Rear, first time was Right rear.
- Josh H., Drums, PA, US
I thought I was hearing a humming noise about 2,500 miles ago. Then this morning it was snap, crackle, pop from underneath the car. Took it to Tires Plus and they just called and said my wheel bearing went out on my left rear tire and it's $329 to fix it.
- Mark O., White Bear Lake, MN, US
Highly disappointed that I'm having to replace wheel bearings on a car that I've only had for 2 years. They are throwing these cars together now-a-days and then ripping us off to fix the problems that could have and should have been avoided if the cars were built like the old days. Granted, we know anything manmade is going to need attention at some point but wheel bearings at just 43K miles is simply ridiculous. Chevy should be ashamed of themselves as this is NOT covered under warranty. I'm usually a HUGE fan of Chevrolet products as 2 of our 3 vehicles are Chevy's, but this has me second guessing EVER buying another car from them especially when you get shafted like this. I'm thoroughly disgusted with them and to think, client loyalty gets you NOWHERE....
- Kiaa P., Shreveport, LA, US
About 2 weeks after buying the 2014 Malibu (used with 42k miles) we noticed that we hardly had any traction at all. Thought it unusual, but thought we needed snow tires. At the tire place - they noticed that the rear driver's side control arm's bolt was sticking out about an inch and the tire was loose - you could move it with one hand. Took it to the dealer where they tightened and torqued the bolt back for us - very unusual problem, they said. A couple weeks later - grinding noise from same area when braking. Now we have bad wheel bearing. Repair shop said that's unusual for such a new car. Getting it fixed as I write this.
- mnmalibu, Esko, MN, US
ABS, brake and stabilitrack lights came on at 54,400 miles. Had it checked out at the local Chevrolet dealer where I bought it brand new, Northland Chevrolet, Superior, WI. Service tech found both rear wheel bearings bad causing a false sensor signal. The dealer quoted me $795.00 to replace both wheel bearings which I thought was unusual for both to go out a the same time. On the wheel bearing part diagram it shows a $3.54 dirt deflector cover that bolts over the wheel bearing opening with 3 bolts. Service tech stated that they were probably never installed at the factory and if they were installed it may have prevented the bearings from going out.
Sounds like Chevy used defective wheel bearings or should have installed the dirt deflector cover at the factory to prevent possible issues with the wheel bearings. As of yet I have not had them replaced, I did open up a complaint case with Chevrolet but have not heard anything back yet.
- Thomas W., South Range, WI, US
Very disapponted to hear GM does not cover under warranty. I bought my car brand new and it's hard to beleive that this is not covered. This is an expense I would expect in later years, not less than 2.
- Nancy H., Raytown, MO, US
Started to hear a "whining" noises around 40k miles. Thought it was just tires going bad. Took into local mechanic, now it was wheel hub. Said it was seized up and needed replace.
- Josh H., Drums, PA, US
ABS light and Traction Control light came on with a warning to Service Stabilitrak System. Technician noted speed sensor ring was broken and the hub tone wheel was damaged. Replaced hub and bearing. This was the first of 2 hubs to go, both rear hubs failed around 60000km
- Kyle B., Brooks, AB, Canada
This was the second bearing GM replaced in the last month, both of the rear bearings failed.
- Kyle B., Brooks, AB, Canada
I took my car in once I heard a humming coming from the back of my car, I figured it was a wheel bearing issue. The dealership determined that one of them was noisy and the other side had some play in it so they ended up replacing both back wheel bearings. This was very surprising considering my car just turned over 25k miles and is only a 2014. I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come from Chevy, but I appreciate that the dealership handled it professionally and took care of it for me.
- wimalibu14, Stoughton, WI, US
46K miles and the right rear wheel bearing is toast! I guess I'll just wait for the left one to go shortly.
- Dan M., Epping, NH, US
$45,000 miles on the car and the rear passenger side wheel bearing goes bad. It was rusted and corroded, real pain in the ass. Five hours later were finally able to replace it. Didn't take it to a shop but on our on so it only cost for the part.
- Patti W., Stoneham, MA, US
3rd one replaced at 120,000 miles. 1st went at 30,000 and 2nd went at 50,000. Guess I should be grateful this one lasted so long?
- Patti W., Stoneham, MA, US