2014 Malibu Stop-Start System

I would really like to buy a 2014 Malibu but, for a variety of reasons, I am not thrilled with the stop-start system. I would buy it anyway if it had an "off" switch like most other stop-start cars, but for some odd reason, GM chose not to include one. Does anyone know if there is a way to disable the system without having the car throw all kinds of codes and/or warning lights? The most obvious way I could see to disable it would be to cut the front hood status switch, but that would activate a warning light or message. Unless there is some clean/easy way to fully disable this system, there is simply no way I am buying one. Anyone have any ideas or knowledge on the subject?

Then don't buy one....the whole purpose of the start/stop system is to increase fuel economy.....if you disable it, your fuel economy will drop.....

There is some variable control:

The system monitors vehicle speed, climate control system operation and other factors to determine whether it is efficient to shut off the engine. In some cases, such as heavy stop-and-go traffic, the engine will not shut down. The engine-stop function is not indefinite. The engine automatically restarts after approximately two minutes if the driver hasn’t removed his or her foot from the brake pedal. Additionally, a driver-selectable mode for the climate system allows the driver to choose between maximum stop/start efficiency and maximum air conditioning performance.

So if you choose max A/C efficiency, the start/stop feature will tend to be activated less....

This system uses two different kinds of batteries.....one for the engine, and one to supply electrical power for when the engine shuts off...now GM was not previously warrantying their batteries for the full 5 years(they were prorated).......will they be fully covered under the powertrain warranty for 5 years/100K?

Erica? Erica?

Also wonder if the average cost of repair rises dramatically with this system, after the 5 year warranty goes, and you buy this car on a used car lot, 5-6 years down the road? How long is that tandem starter going to last? What is it's cost compared to a regular starter? More and more modules are used in these cars....what will those costs be? The cost of fuel efficiency, is way more than the end result, when it comes to repairs of these cars.....

I understand the purpose of the system is to improve fuel economy. That is no reason not to give the owner the option of turning it off. Such is the logic of selling the same vehicle models with different engine options, which every manufacturer does. I was afraid this thread would devolve into a lecture on my wanting to turn it off in the first place -- like "don't you want to save the planet dude...." My wife and I have no choice but to drive our vehicles in areas of the city where the last thing we want is the engine shutting off at a red light. I see no reason to increase the chances of the vehicle failing with a stop-start system in such locations in order to save a few cents worth of gas. Among the many problems I see is the virtual guarantee with such a system is that when the starter motor eventually does fail, it will happen while stopped at a red light in the city instead of in my own driveway or a parking spot at work as happens with cars that do not have start-stop. And the fact is, if it can't be effectively disabled I will not buy the car (as I stated in my original post).

I didn't intend this as a lecture......

However, GM does "claim" a 15% increase in city gas mileage with this system, so we are talking more than a few cents....

Like you, I question the life of this tandem starter.....will it make it through the 5 year warranty? How soon will it die after that? Because they have two batteries, now they need a special module, to keeps them charged independently....

They do everything in the world to get gas mileage higher.....make the car and drivetrain lighter.....more aerodynamic....kill cylinders......now they are turning the engine off at stop lights......

Duh! How about just designing a more efficient engine? They don't have the technology?

Now they have direct injection.....but how much of an increase in gas mileage has that produced? What is the cost of replacing an injector that won't come out of the head? And when you take apart that high pressure fuel system, those parts have to be replaced, not reused.....the cost of repair is going out of sight on these engines.....the cost of making that perfect mouse trap, just becomes more costlier to maintain, and yet that old trap still does the job....

I agree. Not buying one either. Way too many sensors that could act up. Not going to be a GM guinea pig (again). And 2 batteries to worry about..

Most early adopters are saying that it's a half-baked system.

For example, Nissan has better fuel economy in the Altima than the Malibu does. With none of the complexity. No DI, no start-stop, no turbo, etc. etc.

I must admit, I never heard of this system........and then I went for a ride with a friend of mine who happens to own one.......to tell you the truth, with the radio on and the blower motor running, I didn't even notice the car restarting.....

But I do question, the lifetime of that starter.....it definitely has to be more heavy duty than the average starter......and what about the emissions that are created from a restart? And like you said, two batteries....one is high voltage, in the rear of the car.....

There is no doubt, that these cars are becoming more complicated to repair and diagnose, and more costly to repair....but it's not just GM.....all manufacturers are module happy, and to repair electronic problems will include programming to some extent....something a DIY'er can't do.....

One of the biggest repairs I have seen, is the BCM......it practically controls all electrical circuits in one unit.......one circuit goes out, and the BCM has to not only be replaced, but programmed specifically for that car....

Years ago, your wipers failed, it was the wiper switch, the printed circuit in the cover to the motor, or the motor......now it could be the BCM, and that costs more than all three of those parts together....

I absolutely love the styling and really want to buy a used 2014 or 2015 , but what prevents that, is the stop start feature, is there a Malibu model for those years that I can buy without stop start, what about 2016/17 ?

Your only option is a '14-'15 with the 2.0L turbo. All 2.5s had stop/start. Same with the '16s; the 1.5L turbo has stop/start with no choice. Sit in a '16 first; I found it nearly impossible to see out of and VERY claustrophobic. Beltline is WAY too high. The one on the dealers showroom floor also felt shoddily built compared to the competition. I did not get this impression with the '14/'15s.

The 2.0L turbo does not get great fuel economy.

Edit: To clarify, I'm talking about the new-generation '16 above. There is a '16 Malibu Limited, which is a rehash of the '14s/'15s, still on showroom floors. I don't think they're being made anymore, so the '16 MLs should be the last of that body style. The new-generation '16 probably feels shoddily built because it's much lighter. The sound of the door close was not a pleasant sound...and parts of the interior definitely shouted "cost cutting".

Your only option is a '14-'15 with the 2.0L turbo. All 2.5s had stop/start. Same with the '16s; the 1.5L turbo has stop/start with no choice. Sit in a '16 first; I found it nearly impossible to see out of and VERY claustrophobic. Beltline is WAY too high. The one on the dealers showroom floor also felt shoddily built compared to the competition. I did not get this impression with the '14/'15s.

The 2.0L turbo does not get great fuel economy.

Edit: To clarify, I'm talking about the new-generation '16 above. There is a '16 Malibu Limited, which is a rehash of the '14s/'15s, still on showroom floors. I don't think they're being made anymore, so the '16 MLs should be the last of that body style. The new-generation '16 probably feels shoddily built because it's much lighter. The sound of the door close was not a pleasant sound...and parts of the interior definitely shouted "cost cutting".

Thanks for the good info, not sure I want a turbo, but may still check it out, visibility is getting terrible everywhere with the new cars it seems.
I'm not crazy about elect power steering assist from what I read, but
it might be livable. Looking at Malibu, Optima, 350 370z's (lol, worse visibility yet), Sedona, Dodge Caravan....I'm either going to get lots of cargo area and visibility or decent mileage.
Back to the Malibu; It's very hard to find an interior that isn't two tone, I just want a dark (shows less dirt/stain) simple , and for the motor, just a good 2.4 or 2.5 sounded great, though I love performance, in a car like this
I just figured with a decent trunk and back seat , I could put lots of stuff in
there when needed, and get great mileage. Also not crazy about the
steering wheel, would prefer the Impala 'simple' .

Ford Fusion still has the 2.5 w/o stop/start. I think that's where I'm headed over the summer ('16).

use the L gear. press the + button to the highest number. drive normally.

I was under the impression at least some vehicles have a off or bypass option, shutting off the feature.


Yes, I agree, I can't wait until all of the vehicles start having their starter motors die after a few years, especially if the vehicles are mostly used in start-stop actual city driving.

Some do, if you jump the hood open sensor, the system thinks the hood is open and no shutoff, but the hood lite on the dash will come on.

I could live with that. Good to know.

I picked up a '23 Traverse about 6 months ago. There is a switch to defeat the "Auto-Stop" feature, but the driver has to actuate it every start because the system defaults to the active mode on startup. After a while, it just becomes an automatic part of the start routine, like releasing the parking brake.

I'd bet there is a way around that. :wink: