MAF Sensor Warning Signs: Stalling & Smoke Signals

Had the exact same symptoms on my 2013 Chevy Malibu last month, rough idle, check engine light, and terrible fuel economy. The MAF sensor failure was causing the engine to run too rich, leading to that smoke you mentioned. After cleaning didn't help, had to replace the sensor completely. The repair itself wasn't too complex, took about an hour at the shop. It was definitely worth fixing since a faulty MAF sensor can lead to bigger engine problems if ignored. Quick tip: While you're at it, have them check the air filter too. A clogged filter can cause similar symptoms and sometimes damages the MAF sensor. Mine was pretty dirty and needed replacement during the same service. The symptoms you described match classic MAF sensor failure. Given your previous experience with that mechanic, suggest finding a certified Chevy specialist who can properly diagnose and fix it.

Thanks for your detailed response about the MAF sensor issue. Really helpful to hear about a similar case. After reading your reply, I went ahead and had it checked. You were spot on, it was throwing off the air-fuel ratio completely. Had the MAF sensor replaced and they also found a completely clogged air filter that definitely wasn't helping. The check engine light finally went off and the performance is back to normal. Would you mind sharing what you paid for your repair? Also curious if you've had any other sensor issues pop up since then? My mechanic mentioned something about the oxygen sensor potentially needing attention down the line.

Just saw your follow-up about costs, happy to share my experience. The MAF sensor repair on my Malibu set me back 365 for the complete fix, including labor. It's been running perfectly since then, no stalling, better fuel economy, and zero smoke issues. The air-fuel ratio is now spot on and that stubborn check engine light hasn't come back. Haven't had any other sensor problems since the repair, and it's been several months now. Your mechanic's heads-up about the oxygen sensor is good preventive advice, but I wouldn't worry too much unless you start seeing actual symptoms. Quick note on maintenance, been making sure to keep the air filter clean since the repair. A dirty filter can definitely mess with the MAF sensor readings and cause similar performance decline issues again. It's much cheaper to replace a filter than another sensor!

Thanks everyone for the input! Just wanted to share how this all turned out. Finally took it to a different mechanic, a certified specialist this time. Much better experience than my previous repair attempts. The whole MAF sensor replacement plus new air filter came to around 400 Euro. Bit more than expected, but the improvement in performance was instant. No more stalling, smoke's gone, and fuel economy is way better. The engine's running smoother than it has in months. The new mechanic took time explaining everything and even showed me the gunked-up old air filter, it was way past due for replacement. The whole job took about 90 minutes, and they did a thorough check of the air intake system while they were at it. Best part is the check engine light's finally off and staying off. Definitely learned my lesson about regular maintenance and not putting off these kinds of repairs. Planning to keep a closer eye on the air filter from now on to avoid similar issues.