Chevrolet Malibu reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 7,644 complaints about the Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA since 2010, most often about electrical system and engine. Chevrolet has filed 19 warranty extensions and 40 service campaigns for it, and there are 35 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Chevrolet Malibu? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Malibu a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 7,644
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 19
- Filed by Chevrolet
- Service campaigns
- 40
- Filed by Chevrolet
- Safety recalls
- 35
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Malibu with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | Backup camera and rear sensors (45%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2024 | 42 | Electrical system (43%) | 2 | 5 |
| 2023 | 70 | Backup camera and rear sensors (23%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2022 | 98 | Electrical system (34%) | 1 | 17 |
| 2021 | 89 | Other or unspecified (35%) | 2 | 5 |
| 2020 | 198 | Engine (30%) | 1 | 5 |
| 2019 | 192 | Transmission and drivetrain (35%) | 1 | 7 |
| 2018 | 700 | Engine (40%) | 6 | 9 |
| 2017 | 703 | Engine (36%) | 4 | 7 |
| 2016 | 837 | Engine (36%) | 9 | 11 |
| 2015 | 270 | Engine (26%) | 3 | 5 |
| 2014 | 351 | Engine (36%) | 6 | 8 |
| 2013 | 836 | Electrical system (45%) | 10 | 12 |
| 2012 | 907 | Electrical system (32%) | 2 | 8 |
| 2011 | 978 | Electrical system (24%) | 3 | 8 |
| 2010 | 1,362 | Steering (33%) | 3 | 9 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Malibu model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Chevrolet
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Chevrolet filed with NHTSA for the Malibu, in its own words. A warranty extension means Chevrolet pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionNov 2025· Engine· model years 2022
Special Coverage. Certain vehicles listed above may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail.
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Body and structure· model years 2017–2024
This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- Warranty extensionAug 2020· Electrical system· model years 2016
Special Coverage. In certain vehicles an electrical connection may fail in the hybrid battery cooling blower motor.
- Warranty extensionJun 2020· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2016–2018
Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Malibu, 2017-2018 model year Buick LaCrosse, and 2018 model year Buick Regal vehicles may have a condition which affects the electrical connection to one of the vehicle?s accelerator pedal position sensors.
- Warranty extensionJun 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2014
Special Coverage - In certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Impala and Malibu vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine, the rocker arm oil control valve, (OCV), may malfunction.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Mobility equipment· model years 2016–2017
N192210570 - Special Coverage Adjustment . Certain vehicles there may be a water leak through the center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL).
- Warranty extensionMar 2019· Seat belts· model years 2011–2012
N182194790 - Special Coverage. In certain ehicles, if a driver repeatedly sits on the seat belt cable cover located at the base of the driver?s seat when entering the vehicle, it may cause the seat belt pretensioner to bend sharply over the seat side shield.
- Warranty extensionNov 2018· Exterior lights· model years 2014
Special Coverage. Some vehicles equipped with a 2.0L turbo engine, may have a condition where a wire within the exhaust camshaft position actuator solenoid valve may break.
- Warranty extensionMar 2018· Airbags· model years 2010
18055 - Special Coverage. Certain Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, may have a condition where the front seat side impact airbag (SIAB) connectors under the seat may experience small relative movement between the pins and sockets.
- Warranty extensionMar 2017· Brakes· model years 2010–2012
16188 Special Coverage. Some vehicles may have a condition where increased resistance in the body control module (BCM) connection system can result in voltage fluctuations or intermittency in the brake apply sensor (BAS) circuit that can cause brake lamp malfunction.
- Warranty extensionAug 2016· Engine and cooling· model years 2013
15824-01 - Special Coverage (warranty information revised). Some vehicles (Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid Valve Control Circuit) or P0013 (Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid Valve Control Circuit) diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may set as a result of an…
- Warranty extensionJun 2016· Engine and cooling· model years 2013
15824 - special coverage. On some 2013 Model year cadillac ats and chevrolet malibu vehicles, equipped with a 2.0L or 2.5L engine (rpos ltg, lcv), a P0010 (intake camshaft position actuator solenoid valve control circuit) or P0013 (exhaust camshaft position actuator solenoid…
- Warranty extensionOct 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2012
14582A - Special Coverage (2012 model year Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, Regal; Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles have been removed).
- Warranty extensionSep 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2012
14582 - Special Coverage. On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac CTS, Cadillac…
- Warranty extensionAug 2015· Steering· model years 2010–2012
15356 - special coverage. On some 2007-2012 Model year chevrolet malibu, pontiac G6, and saturn aura vehicles equipped with electric power steering assist (EPS), the steering column torque sensor or the EPS motor/controller may cause the vehicle to suddenly lose EPS.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Steering· model years 2013–2014
14232A - special coverage (warranty transaction information revised).
- Warranty extensionMar 2015· Engine· model years 2013
14882 - special coverage. Certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (laf, lea or luk) that have experienced high oil consumption may also experience a frozen and/or plugged pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) system during cold weather operation.
- Warranty extensionNov 2014· Steering· model years 2013–2014
14232 - special coverage. Some vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system.
- Warranty extensionNov 2014· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2013–2014
Special Coverage Adjustment ? Power Steering Stick-Slip
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2025
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2025
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2010–2024
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
- Service campaignMay 2024· Steering· model years 2024
Service Update. On certain 2024 vehicles, the driver’s side outer tie rod nut to steering knuckle may be under-torqued. Dealers are to retorque the driver’s side outer tie rod nut.
- Service campaignJan 2023· Seats· model years 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program. Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats are not functional on certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles listed above, built beginning November 15, 2021.
- Service campaignDec 2022· Seats· model years 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program. Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats are not functional on certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles listed above, built beginning November 15, 2021.
- Service campaignDec 2022· Seats· model years 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program. Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats are not functional on certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles listed above, built beginning November 15, 2021.
- Service campaignDec 2022· Seats· model years 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program. Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats are not functional on certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles listed above, built beginning November 15, 2021.
- Service campaignNov 2022· Seats· model years 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program. Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats are not functional on certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles listed above, built beginning November 15, 2021.
- Service campaignNov 2022· Seats· model years 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program. Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats are not functional on certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles listed above, built beginning November 15, 2021.
- Service campaignNov 2022· Seats· model years 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program. Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats are not functional on certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles listed above, built beginning November 15, 2021.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Malibu model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Electrical system2,140 (28%)
- Engine1,675 (22%)
- Steering1,130 (15%)
- Transmission and drivetrain1,049 (14%)
- Other or unspecified817 (11%)
- Stability control778 (10%)
- Cruise control and speed control714 (9%)
- Brakes588 (8%)
Safety recalls
35 recalls cover at least one Malibu model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
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.
The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.
The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type.
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
The right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold may have insufficient welds.
And 20 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA25005Engineering analysis· opened Oct 2025, still open· Airbags· model years 2020
DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA's own page for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 7,644 owner complaints, 19 warranty extensions and 40 service campaigns Chevrolet filed, and 35 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (1,362), 2011 (978), 2012 (907). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet Malibu?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name electrical system (28%), engine (22%), steering (15%). Chevrolet has filed 19 warranty extensions covering the Malibu, listed on this page.
Which Malibu model years have the most complaints?
2010 (1,362), 2011 (978), 2012 (907). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Malibu with each other rather than with other models.
Has Chevrolet extended the warranty on the Malibu?
Yes: engine (model years 2022); body and structure (model years 2017–2024); electrical system (model years 2016), and 16 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Malibu?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 35 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.