Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% | 126,000 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 | 13 | 2% | 76,000 miles |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% | 53,000 miles |
| 2016 | 19 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 3% | 51,000 miles |
| 2013 | 65 | 8% | 100,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 1% | 94,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2010 | 13 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 2% | 69,000 miles |
| 2007 | 22 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 15 | 1% | 68,000 miles |
| 2005 | 21 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2004 | 31 | 3% | 36,000 miles |
| 2003 | 23 | 4% | 45,000 miles |
| 2002 | 14 | 2% | 58,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 3% | 53,000 miles |
| 2000 | 33 | 4% | 89,000 miles |
| 1999 | 82 | 10% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 108 | 11% | 85,000 miles |
| 1997 | 55 | 12% | 50,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse(R), there was a loud popping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas, then make a big stutter like power is low gas doesn't seem to be working with the pedal then it makes a huge jerk before it goes into drive. This has become an everyday thing. Car has shut off when auto off is on while at a stop. There's a huge creaking coming from the under body. Almost feels like something is going to fall out from under me. Every turn, bump, speed bump sometimes just at a stop then going into drive will create the loudest sound. Also sometimes it says I need to shift into park when I am in fact in park. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear end of the vehicle made an abnormal popping and clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to TSB Number: 18-NA-136. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair, but the contact declined to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer had confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 75,633.
"Engine power reduced" shows on dash after I've taken it to the dealership. I've been on the highway where the speed slow down drastically cars coming behind me! Very dangerous! Also "shift to park" displays when it is already in park! Have to either wiggle the gear shift or, turn car off/on several times for the message to go away. Also when backing up, there's a popping noise in the rear. Dealership acknowledged I want the only customer with this issue. Claimed they didn't find anything wrong. I purchased this vehicle in 2019 and it was only a year old. Issues started almost simultaneously at the end of 2019...Too new for all of these issues.
I have a 2017 Malibu and have gotten a message on my MFD (Multi-Function Display) screen on the dash that said Steering Assist Reduce, drive with care. It happens while driving city streets and at a complete stop. Now the doors are unlocking when the message pops up at stops. Also the care is losing power at the stops now and coming back on. It does not allow me to accelerate. This is very dangerous. I took my car into the dealership a couple months ago for the same error message but they blew it off saying I needed some type of fluid (if I remember correctly). Now, I have the same issue amplified. It wrecks lemon! I filed another complaint months ago, but I'm filing again due to scheduling yet another service appointment at the Chevrolet dealership. (Hence why I put todays date of the incident).
Unknown. Anytime I go in reverse, then put it in drive, hit the breaks, let off the breaks and turn you can hear this popping noise coming from the rear. A lot of group forums for 2016-2019 Malibu's are complaining about this. I have 3 kids and was told this is a safety issue and should be a recall as there are a lot of them out there with same problems! Could possibly get in an accident from this. A lot of forums are saying ball joints, axles, rear arm bushings, suspension knuckles and other things. Chevrolet should really look into this and make it as a recall as someone's life could be in danger from these issues.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was a popping noise in the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear shock absorber outer housing was coming into contact with the shock. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
Every month my car will randomly say engine power reduced and will go no higher than 30mph. Which has happened on the highway and is super dangerous! I have seen many reports of the same problem but nothing being done about it. I took it to the dealership I got it from and I paid $100 dollars for diagnostics and the mechanic said the car computer needed updated...alright, the next day the message came back up and car couldn't go higher than 30. I haven't had this car for a year, and the shocks have popping noises, and whenever I put the car in park a message will appear saying shift car to park. And I have to literally roughly giggle the lever for it to read it's in park or my car won't turn off. I truly love this car but it has to many issues that shouldn't be happening.
Related recalls (4)
Suspension › Rear
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.
Suspension › Rear
General 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 Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022.
Suspension › Rear
General 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, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available.
Suspension › Rear
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, manufactured December 6, 2011, through January 15, 2013. One or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and retighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications have already begun and will be completed shortly.
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension coil spring fracture
The subject vehicles are equipped with a coil spring-over-strut front suspension with the spring itself resting in compression between two polymer isolators.pe03-031 was opened to investigate reports of fracture of this spring.the fractures occur in the first active coil above the lower isolator and apparently originate in corrosion pits found beneath regions of damaged epoxy coating.consumer complaints and warranty…
Front suspension coil spring fracture
The failure rate of the subject vehicles is low relative to past odi investigations.the engineering analysis is therefore closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (108), 1999 (82), 2013 (65), 1997 (55) and 2000 (33) model years. Suspension complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu suspension problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 21V00F000 (rear, Dec 22, 2021); 21V-633 (rear, Aug 12, 2021); 20V-764 (rear, Dec 21, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (99 mentions), followed by the front › springs › coil springs (61).
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.