Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2025
9th generation · GM E2XX
NHTSA data through 12 August 20264,907 complaints, 2,277 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 28,844 and 70,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 9 complaints (0.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 28,844
- Median
- 50,000
- 75%
- 70,000
- 90%
- 93,400
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 145 | 6.4% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 81 | 3.6% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 65 | 2.9% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 85 | 3.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 112 | 4.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 123 | 5.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 101 | 4.4% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 146 | 6.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 139 | 6.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 121 | 5.3% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 172 | 7.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 122 | 5.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 154 | 6.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 111 | 4.9% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 105 | 4.6% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 92 | 4.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 92 | 4.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 47 | 2.1% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 42 | 1.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 33 | 1.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 31 | 1.4% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 26 | 1.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 23 | 1.0% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 20 | 0.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 11 | 0.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 9 | 0.4% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 10 | 0.4% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 6 | 0.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 8 | 0.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 6 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 200,000+ | 9 | 0.4% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,907 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2,277 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 28,844 and 70,000 miles. The median is 50,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (20.5% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles), the electrical system (15.9% of complaints, typically around 46,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (13.4% of complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
17 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine52,000median 52,000 miles, middle half 30,000 to 74,000
- Electrical system46,000median 46,483 miles, middle half 30,000 to 67,000
- Transmission and driveline45,000median 45,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 65,000
- Problems owners could not categorise38,000median 38,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 55,000
- Throttle and speed control56,000median 56,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 70,000
- Brakes54,000median 54,500 miles, middle half 25,000 to 76,000
- Fuel and propulsion system44,000median 43,500 miles, middle half 14,000 to 60,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,006 | 20.5% | 52,000 | 30,000–74,000 |
| Electrical system | 779 | 15.9% | 46,000 | 30,000–67,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 659 | 13.4% | 45,000 | 27,000–65,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 626 | 12.8% | 38,000 | 22,000–55,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 435 | 8.9% | 56,000 | 40,000–70,000 |
| Brakes | 291 | 5.9% | 54,000 | 25,000–76,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 243 | 5.0% | 44,000 | 14,000–60,000 |
| Steering | 154 | 3.1% | 51,000 | 18,000–71,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 154 | 3.1% | 52,000 | 34,000–70,000 |
| Body structure | 75 | 1.5% | 38,000 | 24,000–60,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 50,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 20.5% of complaints (1,006 reports, 492 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 74,500 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 15.9% of complaints (779 reports, 286 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 46,483 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 29,901 and 66,700 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 13.4% of complaints (659 reports, 319 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,000 and 65,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 12.8% of complaints (626 reports, 209 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 38,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,593 and 55,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 8.9% of complaints (435 reports, 249 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 56,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,980 and 70,200 miles.
The brakes account for 5.9% of complaints (291 reports, 100 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 54,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,078 and 76,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2016 model year drew the most — 1,443 complaints — while 2024 drew the fewest at 55. The median year sits at 307.
That makes 2016 an outlier: roughly 4.7 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 17 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the electrical system (2), the reversing camera and sensors (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 4,907 complaints filed against this generation, 148 reported a crash; 19 reported a fire; 111 reported an injury; 4 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 3.0% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 28,844 and 70,000 miles, with a median of 50,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 46,483, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,443 | 889 |
| 2017 | 1,173 | 652 |
| 2018 | 1,215 | 516 |
| 2019 | 307 | 82 |
| 2020 | 331 | 61 |
| 2021 | 124 | 22 |
| 2022 | 149 | 32 |
| 2023 | 95 | 19 |
| 2024 | 55 | 1 |
| 2025 | 15 | 3 |
Recalls (17)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V212000 | 2026-05-20 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 24V575000 | 2024-08-26 | Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual |
| 22V923000 | 2023-01-20 | Structure:frame and Members |
| 22V359000 | 2022-06-23 | Seats |
| 21V649000 | 2021-09-17 | Seat Belts:rear/Other:retractor |
| 20V668000 | 2020-12-15 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 19V642000 | 2019-10-16 | Engine |
| 18V576000 | 2018-10-11 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper |
| 18V400000 | 2018-08-07 | Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification |
| 18V358000 | 2018-07-02 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 16V870000 | 2017-01-25 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 16V781000 | 2016-10-27 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 16V502000 | 2016-10-14 | Electrical System:ignition |
| 16V272000 | 2016-06-17 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) |
| 16V151000 | 2016-04-14 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 16V125000 | 2016-04-14 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 16V084000 | 2016-03-14 | Electrical System:software |
What owners reported
I own a 2016 chevy Malibu premier i bout it on the same year with 3 thousand miles in it ever since i been having problems with the car in 2017 the car had over 10 thousand miles in it n water was getting inside the vehicle so i took it to dealership n they sed it was a weather strip of the back window second time…
2016 · Engine
I got in my vehicle after a month and drove for about 15 minutes and i notice it was not getting cool. So i took it to the dealer and i was told it was my condenser and a foreign object hit and damaged it an it was not covered under warranty. So i called gm customers i was informed that the dealer said there was a…
2016 · 3 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
When placing the car in the park position an error message appears after turning off the ignition 'shift to park'. You will have to turn the car back on and make sure that your foot is on the brake just in case it rolls. Then shift the car into drive or reverse in to shift it back to the park position. This has to…
2016 · 5 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
I own a 2016 chevy Malibu and one of its features is an auto stop/start feature in the car. When this car enters this mode when i take my foot off of the break it is supposed to start again but when i take my foot off of the break it will just completely shut down, when i try to start the car again it will just stall.…
2016 · 5 miles · Electrical system
Built from 2,277 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page