Vehicles / Chevrolet / Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu

19,307 federal complaints across 34 model years (1981-2025) · 57 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Chevrolet Malibu, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.

2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years

Model years compared

Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.

Highest complaint totals

  1. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu - 981 complaints in its first 8 years (1,359 to date)
  2. 1998 Chevrolet Malibu - 874 complaints in its first 8 years (976 to date)
  3. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu - 850 complaints in its first 8 years (1,509 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.

Lowest totals among mature years

  1. 2015 Chevrolet Malibu - 241 complaints in its first 8 years (270 to date)
  2. 2003 Chevrolet Malibu - 289 complaints in its first 8 years (569 to date)
  3. 2014 Chevrolet Malibu - 289 complaints in its first 8 years (350 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.

What owners report, all years combined

Steering
5,714
Electrical system
4,816
Engine & cooling
3,161
Brakes
2,807
Lighting
2,060
Power train
1,682

Every model year

Model yearComplaints to dateWithin 8 yearsRecalls
2025 Chevrolet Malibu10101
2024 Chevrolet Malibu38382
2023 Chevrolet Malibu66662
2022 Chevrolet Malibu92921
2021 Chevrolet Malibu87872
2020 Chevrolet Malibu1951951
2019 Chevrolet Malibu1881881
2018 Chevrolet Malibu6946946
2017 Chevrolet Malibu7006844
2016 Chevrolet Malibu8357739
2015 Chevrolet Malibu2702413
2014 Chevrolet Malibu3502896
2013 Chevrolet Malibu83571410
2012 Chevrolet Malibu9057612
2011 Chevrolet Malibu9767713
2010 Chevrolet Malibu1,3599813
2009 Chevrolet Malibu1,5098505
2008 Chevrolet Malibu9876714
2007 Chevrolet Malibu9776583
2006 Chevrolet Malibu1,1156876
2005 Chevrolet Malibu9754953
2004 Chevrolet Malibu1,1476706
2003 Chevrolet Malibu5692892
2002 Chevrolet Malibu5673822
2001 Chevrolet Malibu7214952
2000 Chevrolet Malibu9227263
1999 Chevrolet Malibu7896621
1998 Chevrolet Malibu9768743
1997 Chevrolet Malibu4433894
1989 Chevrolet Malibu300
1986 Chevrolet Malibu100
1983 Chevrolet Malibu102
1982 Chevrolet Malibu202
1981 Chevrolet Malibu302

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
26V2120002023-2025Back Over PreventionGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
24V5750002024EquipmentGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box.
22V9230002022-2023StructureGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.
22V3590002021SeatsGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles.
21V00F0002013SuspensionGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware,...
21V6490002016-2021Seat BeltsGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles.
21V6330002013SuspensionGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of...
20V7640002013SuspensionGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware,...
20V6680002018Power TrainGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu,...
19V6420002018Fuel System, GasolineGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines.
19V0190002010-2011Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag...
18V5760002018Service Brakes, HydraulicGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles,...
18V4000002016-2018Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not...
18V3580002016-2018Fuel System, GasolineGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse,...
16V8700002017Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Malibu vehicles manufactured on November 10, 2016. The right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold may have insufficient welds.
16V7810002016Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016.
16V5020002013-2016Power TrainGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed...
16V2720002016Electronic Stability Control (Esc)General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016.
16V1510002016Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016.
16V1250002016Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured...
16V0840002016Electrical SystemGenera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles.
15V6660002015Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles.
15V2690002011-2012Seat BeltsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012.
15V2450002013Power TrainGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012.
15V1640002013-2015VisibilityGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015.
15V0640002006-2007SteeringGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6...
14V4000001997-2003Electrical SystemThis defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition...
14V2520002004-2012Vehicle Speed ControlGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles...
14V2470002014Service Brakes, HydraulicGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2.5L engine with the...
14V2400002014Service Brakes, HydraulicGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles...