You’ve parked your car. You’ve turned it off. However, the dash indicates that you haven’t. And until you convince it otherwise, you’re stuck. That’s the maddening situation one Chevrolet Malibu driver experienced when her vehicle refused to acknowledge it was in park despite all evidence to the contrary.
The TikTok by Malibu owner Auravee (@auravee_reads) captures the frustration and “What now?” quandary anyone would feel in a similar situation. Thankfully, a follow-up caption notes, “After like 10 minutes and turning it off and on again multiple times, it finally lets me leave.”
‘Shift to Park’ Confusion in Chevys
The “Shift to Park” message might sound like a simple reminder, but for many Chevrolet Malibu owners, it’s become a persistent and maddening glitch. The issue, often reported in 2016 through 2023 model years, stems from a faulty sensor or mechanical switch in the shifter assembly that fails to recognize when the vehicle is actually in park.
Despite the gear lever being fully engaged in the “P” position, the vehicle’s electronics may not detect it, triggering a warning and disabling key functions like turning off the engine or removing the key fob. As one National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaint put it: “Vehicle will not turn off even though it is in park. Dash continues to say ‘Shift to Park.’ Dealer says it needs a new shifter assembly.”
The issue has become so widespread that Chevrolet issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 19-NA-206), outlining the problem and recommending dealership repair procedures. In most cases, the fix involves replacing a microswitch or wiring harness inside the shifter assembly, although a full replacement is sometimes required.
GM has acknowledged the issue internally through service bulletins sent to dealers. In some cases, owners of newer vehicles within warranty have had the problem fixed at no charge.
According to Consumer Reports, a class-action lawsuit was filed in 2020 against General Motors, citing the same issue in the Malibu and other GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. Plaintiffs alleged GM knew about the issue but continued to sell affected vehicles.
If your Malibu is still under bumper-to-bumper warranty, or if you purchased an extended plan, there’s a chance you can have the repair covered. GM owners can check their specific vehicle status through GM’s recall lookup tool or by contacting their local dealership with the vehicle identification number (VIN).
What If Your Chevy Malibu Refuses to Power Down?
For those stuck with this problem, there are a few options:
- Quick workaround: Lightly wiggle the gear shifter after placing it in park. Some drivers report that this tricks the sensor into recognizing the position.
- DIY fix: Mechanically inclined owners can find repair kits online that replace the faulty micro switch—though this may void any remaining warranty.
- Professional repair: A full shifter assembly replacement may cost between $300 and $600 at a dealership, depending on the labor and parts required. Independent shops may be more affordable.
- Document the issue: If you’re out of warranty, consider filing a formal complaint with the NHTSA, which helps build pressure for future recalls.
Owners should also ask their dealer whether GM’s “customer satisfaction programs,” which is a type of behind-the-scenes warranty extension, might apply to their case, even if a recall hasn’t been issued.
A glance at Chevy forums, Reddit threads, and social media comments shows that Auravee is far from alone. In fact, her video sparked an outpouring of TikTok comments, such as, “Is this a 2019 Chevy Malibu? Because same.”
Motor1 reached out to Auravee via direct message. We’ll be sure to update this article if she responds.
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