Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2025 problems by year and mileage
9th generation · GM E2XX
NHTSA data through 18 October 20263,006 complaints, 1,430 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 201650k†median
- 201747k†median
- 201845k†median
- 201942k†median
- 202068kmedian
- 2021—too few
- 2022—too few
- 2023—too few
- 2024—too few
- 2025—too few
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 864
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Engine311 reports · median 51,000 mi
- Electrical system233 reports · median 49,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise181 reports · median 45,000 mi
Recall areas Seat belts — rear/other · Air bags — sensor · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- 47,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 725
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Engine256 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Electrical system172 reports · median 48,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise150 reports · median 36,000 mi
Recall areas Seat belts — rear/other · Air bags — sensor · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- 45,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 711
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Engine284 reports · median 50,000 mi
- Electrical system196 reports · median 46,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline175 reports · median 43,000 mi
Recall areas Seat belts — rear/other · Power train — automatic transmission · Engine
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- 42,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 194
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Transmission and driveline67 reports
- Engine65 reports
- Electrical system63 reports
Recall areas Seat belts — rear/other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- 68,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 198
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2020
- Engine59 reports
- Transmission and driveline58 reports
- Electrical system57 reports
Recall areas Seat belts — rear/other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 90
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2021
- Problems owners could not categorise31 reports
- Electrical system30 reports
- Transmission and driveline28 reports
Recall areas Seats · Seat belts — rear/other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 99
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2022
- Electrical system33 reports
- Engine29 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise29 reports
Recall areas Structure — frame and members
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 71
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2023
- Reversing camera and sensors16 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise14 reports
- Engine13 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Structure — frame and members
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 43
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2024
- Electrical system18 reports
- Reversing camera and sensors10 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise9 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 11
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2025
- Reversing camera and sensors5 reports
- Electrical system4 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise4 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2020; earliest: the 2019, and the 2019 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age). 5 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 49,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 97,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,430
- Recalls
- 18
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Engine34.4% of complaints · median 52,000 mi
- Electrical system27.2% of complaints · median 46,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline22.8% of complaints · median 45,000 mi
Owners filed 3,006 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu; the engine leads with 34.4% of them, and half of the 1,430 that record an odometer reading came by 49,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 28,000 to 70,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu last?
The newest model years (2024–2025) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
On the 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu, half of the 1,430 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 49,000 miles and 90% by 97,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
34 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 5 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Malibu reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2025 · 1,430 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 100 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (0.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 28,000
- Median
- 49,000
- 75%
- 70,000
- 90%
- 97,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 93 | 6.5% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 52 | 3.6% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 48 | 3.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 57 | 4.0% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 69 | 4.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 71 | 5.0% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 64 | 4.5% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 100 | 7.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 91 | 6.4% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 80 | 5.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 99 | 6.9% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 70 | 4.9% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 95 | 6.6% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 65 | 4.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 62 | 4.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 56 | 3.9% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 51 | 3.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 28 | 2.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 26 | 1.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 24 | 1.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 22 | 1.5% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 16 | 1.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 16 | 1.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 15 | 1.0% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Malibu problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2025
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Problems owners could not categorise652 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 21,000–55,000
- Fuel and propulsion system252 reportsmedian 42,000middle half 14,000–60,000
- Transmission and driveline685 reportsmedian 45,000middle half 27,000–66,000
- Electrical system818 reportsmedian 46,000middle half 29,000–66,000
- Engine1,035 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 30,000–74,000
- Brakes306 reportsmedian 54,000middle half 25,000–76,000
- Throttle and speed control448 reportsmedian 55,000middle half 39,000–70,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,035 | 34.4% | 52,000 | 30,000–74,000 |
| Electrical system | 818 | 27.2% | 46,000 | 29,000–66,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 685 | 22.8% | 45,000 | 27,000–66,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 652 | 21.7% | 38,000 | 21,000–55,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 448 | 14.9% | 55,000 | 39,000–70,000 |
| Brakes | 306 | 10.2% | 54,000 | 25,000–76,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 252 | 8.4% | 42,000 | 14,000–60,000 |
| Steering | 160 | 5.3% | 52,000 | 18,000–71,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 156 | 5.2% | 52,000 | 32,000–69,000 |
| Body structure | 79 | 2.6% | 38,000 | 22,000–60,000 |
Known problems with the 2016–2025 Malibu
Transmission 2019–2025
VT40 CVT loss of forward drive or slipping, commonly with DTC P2714, caused by the clutch regulator valve sticking in the valve body.
Engine 2016–2025
1.5L LFV turbo oil consumption, PCV diaphragm failure and intake-valve carbon buildup typical of the direct-injection design.
Engine 2018–2019
Missing or improperly torqued start/stop accumulator end cap bolts allowing an oil leak onto hot components (fire risk); NHTSA recall 20V-668.
Before you buy a 2016–2025 Malibu: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,430 mileage-tagged complaints, 18 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 18 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check transmission on 2019–2025 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine on 2016–2025 cars.
- Check engine on 2018–2019 cars.
- Years differ here: from 11 to 864 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Malibu problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi63% below | At 90k mi87% below | At 120k mi95% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 30,000–74,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 29,000–66,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 27,000–66,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 21,000–55,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 39,000–70,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 25,000–76,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 14,000–60,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2025 · 1,430 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 63% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu recalls (18)
NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the electrical system (2), the reversing camera and sensors (1) (why one area can repeat).
Apr 2026 · 2023–2025 · Back Over PreventionA rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
What can happen. A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Aug 2024 · 2024 · EquipmentThe wrong owner's manual may contain inaccurate information about vehicle functions and other safety relevant…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The wrong owner's manual may contain inaccurate information about vehicle functions and other safety relevant information, which could lead to improper operation of the vehicle and increase the risk…
The free fix. Dealers will provide owners with the correct manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and…
Dec 2022 · 2022–2023 · StructureAn improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. 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. Owner notification letters…
May 2022 · 2021 · SeatsAn improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The free fix. 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service…
Aug 2021 · 2016–2021 · Seat BeltsAn improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
What can happen. An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer…
Oct 2020 · 2018 · Power TrainMissing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress…
The defect. General 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, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC…
What can happen. Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact…
Sep 2019 · 2018 · EngineDisabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.
What can happen. Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this…
Aug 2018 · 2018 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. General 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, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The…
What can happen. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac…
Jun 2018 · 2016–2018 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. General 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 correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…
May 2018 · 2016–2018 · Fuel System, GasolineA damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. General 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, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel…
What can happen. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at…
Dec 2016 · 2017 · Air BagsInsufficient welds could cause the inflator to separate and propel air bag debris into the cabin during a…
The defect. General 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.
What can happen. Insufficient welds could cause the inflator to separate and propel air bag debris into the cabin during a crash. Also, the inflator could fail to inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.…
Oct 2016 · 2016 · Air BagsIf the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
What can happen. If the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…
Jul 2016 · 2016 · Hybrid Propulsion SystemA vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual…
What can happen. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the MSD and correct the installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service…
Jul 2016 · 2016 · Electrical SystemIf the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting…
The defect. General 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 without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011…
What can happen. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer…
May 2016 · 2016 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled…
What can happen. If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number…
Mar 2016 · 2016 · Air BagsFractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such…
What can happen. Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's…
Mar 2016 · 2016 · Air BagsAn improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured…
What can happen. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…
Feb 2016 · 2016 · Electrical SystemAn unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
The defect. Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when…
What can happen. An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 3,006 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 95 (3.2%)
- Fires
- 13
- Injury reports
- 50
- Fatality reports
- 2
Malibu problems by model year
The 2016 drew the most complaints of this generation, 864, most of them about the engine, and the 2024 the fewest among the 9 years with at least 20 complaints, 43. A typical year drew about 194.
That makes the 2016 stand out at roughly 4.5 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 864 | 537 | 50,000† | Engine (311) | 10 |
| 2017 | 725 | 409 | 47,000† | Engine (256) | 4 |
| 2018 | 711 | 312 | 45,000† | Engine (284) | 6 |
| 2019 | 194 | 59 | 42,000† | Transmission and driveline (67) | 1 |
| 2020 | 198 | 45 | 68,000 | Engine (59) | 1 |
| 2021 | 90 | 17 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (31) | 2 |
| 2022 | 99 | 24 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (33) | 1 |
| 2023 | 71 | 21 | under 30 reports | Reversing camera and sensors (16) | 2 |
| 2024 | 43 | 3 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (18) | 2 |
| 2025 | 11 | 3 | under 30 reports | Reversing camera and sensors (5) | 1 |
What Malibu owners reported
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after parking and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to park(P) however, the vehicle failed to recognize that the vehicle was in park(P), and the vehicle failed to turn off. During the failure, the message "Shift to Park"…
2019 · 65,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Malibu equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: FT140, Tire Size: P205/65/R16, DOT Number: 17X849C87. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the inside tread of the…
2024 · 60,000 miles · Tyres
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, the following morning while waiting at the school drop-off line with her foot on the brake pedal, there was an abnormal boom, and several warning lights illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. The occupants inside…
2019 · 105,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while adjusting the front driver's seat, the seat adjuster failed to operate as intended. The front driver's seat failed to move backwards. The contact stated that it was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer…
2022 · 104,000 miles · Seats
Built from 1,430 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Malibu generations
- Malibu 1997–2003 2,351 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Malibu 2004–2007 4,348 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Malibu 2008–2012 4,467 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Malibu 2013–2015 1,080 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system