Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | 29,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% | 29,000 miles |
| 2017 | 19 | 3% | 54,000 miles |
| 2016 | 40 | 5% | 40,000 miles |
| 2015 | 13 | 5% | 47,000 miles |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% | 26,000 miles |
| 2013 | 25 | 3% | 49,000 miles |
| 2012 | 16 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2011 | 19 | 2% | 58,000 miles |
| 2010 | 44 | 3% | 72,000 miles |
| 2009 | 31 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% | 68,000 miles |
| 2005 | 12 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% | 83,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% | 107,000 miles |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% | 108,000 miles |
| 1999 | 20 | 3% | 84,000 miles |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% | 88,000 miles |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% | 158,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that his daughter informed him that she had noticed moisture on the inside of the windows and the front and rear windshields. Additionally, the contact stated that the third brake light was not properly secured in place. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the third brake light needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that there was water leaking into the trunk. The contact stated that upon investigating the cause of the failure, he determined that the water leak might have originated from the third brake light. The contact stated that the failure had caused mold to develop inside the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for the tire rotation however, the mechanic informed the contact that the front driver's side subframe was cracked. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be inspected and was informed that there was a cost to perform the inspection. The inspection was not performed, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. The VIN was invalid.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that water was leaking into the vehicle from the headliner by the rear third brake light. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure, and the dealer stated that the warranty had expired on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 92,000.
On March 18, 2024, I noticed that water began to enter the car when it was in the carwash. I opened a claim with the insurance company and an investigation was carried out that lasted approximately 3 months. On June 11, the body shop received my car to diagnose and provide a quote to the insurance company for the necessary repairs due to this water damage. The workshop considered it to be a problem in the upper rear brake light and mentioned that this is a Chevrolet recall on these cars. The insurance company called me and told me that I had to go directly to the dealer to have the necessary repairs made to my car that were caused by this water problem. However, I cannot find information about this recall online.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated as the vehicle was being washed at the car wash, he noticed that there was water leaking into the rear passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the windows of the vehicle would become foggy while driving in all seasons of the year, affecting his visibility of the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was water leaking through the panel housing of the third brake light onto the headliner and the rear seats and trunk of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the third brake light panel housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
My 2015 Chevrolet Malibu doesn't have a key hole to lock it manually so I can't close my trunk of my car. The latch assembly isn't working properly so when I push the button it doesn't lock. So I'm complaining about not having a key to lock the trunk of my vehicle.
Error message came on about power steering, at that point steering malfunctioned. The result my daughters car struck guard rail on bridge causing excessive damage to front end. This occurred as vehicle was going through curve onto bridge at approximately 55 MPH. Location was on la hwy 163 south of doyline, la at lake bistineau
Related recalls (1)
Structure › Frame and members
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (44), 2016 (40), 2009 (31), 2000 (25) and 2013 (25) model years. Body complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu body problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 22V-923 (frame and members, Dec 14, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (245 mentions), followed by the body › door (46).
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.