Chevrolet Malibu Problems by Year

We compared every Chevrolet Malibu model year from 1997–2025 using 19,357 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 53 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2010, which drew far more complaints than other Malibu years at the same age. The best years are 2025, 2021 and 2019.

29model years
19,357complaints
53recalls
2010worst years
2025, 2021best years

Complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’254439767899227215675691.1k9751.1k9779891.5k1.4k9789078373512708417037001931999099714311
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Malibu. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202511−80%1Collision AvoidanceGood
202443−65%2ElectricalGood
202371−60%2Collision AvoidanceGood
202299−62%1EngineGood
202190−76%2ElectricalGood
2020199−55%1EngineGood
2019193−67%1TransmissionGood
2018700typical6EngineAverage
2017703typical4EngineAverage
2016841typical9EngineAverage
2015270−65%3EngineGood
2014351−58%6EngineGood
2013837typical10ElectricalAverage
2012907typical2ElectricalAverage
20119781.2×3ElectricalAverage
20101,3631.5×3SteeringCaution
20091,5091.3×5SteeringAverage
2008989typical4SteeringAverage
2007977typical3SteeringAverage
20061,117typical6SteeringAverage
2005975−21%3SteeringAverage
20041,147typical6SteeringAverage
2003569−57%2ElectricalGood
2002567−45%2ElectricalGood
2001721−29%2ElectricalAverage
2000922typical3BrakeAverage
1999789typical1BrakeAverage
19989761.3×3BrakeAverage
1997443−45%4BrakeGood

* Complaints compared with the median Malibu year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Chevrolet Malibu problems

Latest Chevrolet Malibu recalls

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 26V-212 · Apr 2, 2026 · 276,879 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 24V-575 · Aug 1, 2024 · 22 vehicles

General 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Remedy: Dealers will provide owners with the correct manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 26, 2024.

Structure › Frame and members

NHTSA recall 22V-923 · Dec 14, 2022 · 2,108 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM.

Seats

NHTSA recall 22V-359 · May 19, 2022 · 221 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022.

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 21V00F000 · Dec 22, 2021 · 4,271 vehicles

General 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, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022.

All 53 Chevrolet Malibu recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Malibu should you avoid?

2010 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Malibu years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2010.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Malibu?

2025 has the fewest complaints compared with other Malibu years at the same age, followed by 2021 and 2019. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (5,556), electrical system (4,721) and engine & cooling (3,091). Steering complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Malibu had?

53 recalls across 1997–2025. The model year with the most is 2013. See all Chevrolet Malibu recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.