Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 1981.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Malibu | 11 | 1 |
| 2024 Malibu | 43 | 2 |
| 2023 Malibu | 72 | 2 |
| 2022 Malibu | 99 | 1 |
| 2021 Malibu | 90 | 2 |
| 2020 Malibu | 199 | 1 |
| 2019 Malibu | 193 | 1 |
| 2018 Malibu | 700 | 6 |
| 2017 Malibu | 703 | 4 |
| 2016 Malibu | 841 | 9 |
| 2015 Malibu | 270 | 3 |
| 2014 Malibu | 351 | 6 |
| 2013 Malibu | 837 | 10 |
| 2012 Malibu | 907 | 2 |
| 2011 Malibu | 978 | 3 |
| 2010 Malibu | 1,363 | 3 |
| 2009 Malibu | 1,509 | 5 |
| 2008 Malibu | 989 | 4 |
| 2007 Malibu | 977 | 3 |
| 2006 Malibu | 1,117 | 6 |
| 2005 Malibu | 975 | 3 |
| 2004 Malibu | 1,147 | 6 |
| 2003 Malibu | 569 | 2 |
| 2002 Malibu | 567 | 2 |
| 2001 Malibu | 721 | 2 |
| 2000 Malibu | 922 | 3 |
| 1999 Malibu | 789 | 1 |
| 1998 Malibu | 976 | 3 |
| 1997 Malibu | 443 | 4 |
| 1989 | 3 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 | 2 |
| 1982 | 2 | 2 |
| 1981 Malibu | 3 | 2 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Steering5,556
- Electrical system4,722
- Engine2,170
- Exterior lighting1,924
- Power train1,668
- Service brakes, hydraulic1,318
- Unknown or other1,300
- Electronic stability control (esc)1,236
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 2,378 Malibu vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 1,476 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 28 | 20 |
| 2022 | 43 | 16 |
| 2021 | 49 | 37 |
| 2020 | 139 | 83 |
| 2019 | 74 | 31 |
| 2018 | 167 | 91 |
| 2017 | 168 | 98 |
| 2016 | 193 | 111 |
| 2015 | 141 | 66 |
| 2014 | 89 | 43 |
| 2013 | 164 | 78 |
| 2012 | 165 | 96 |
| 2011 | 155 | 94 |
| 2010 | 114 | 77 |
| 2009 | 106 | 66 |
| 2008 | 95 | 63 |
| 2007 | 79 | 69 |
| 2006 | 104 | 86 |
| 2005 | 96 | 75 |
| 2004 | 64 | 59 |
| 2003 | 40 | 31 |
| 2002 | 25 | 19 |
| 2001 | 26 | 23 |
| 2000 | 20 | 18 |
| 1999 | 14 | 11 |
| 1998 | 11 | 9 |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 |
| 1980 | 1 | 1 |
| 1979 | 1 | 1 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 15 model-year variants; 9 of 15 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.3 % |
| 2024 | 2024 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.3 % |
| 2023 | 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.3 % |
| 2022 | 2022 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.3 % |
| 2021 | 2021 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.3 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.3 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.3 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.2 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.2 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.2 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 11.1 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 11.1 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 11.1 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.9 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.9 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 29 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 7.5–11.4 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.5 | 6.8 | 7.7 |
| 2024 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.4 | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| 2023 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.6 | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| 2022 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.2 | 6.6 | 7.5 |
| 2021 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.2 | 6.6 | 7.5 |
| 2020 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.2 | 6.6 | 7.5 |
| 2019 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.2 | 6.6 | 7.5 |
| 2018 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 6.5 | 7.8 |
| 2017 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 6.5 | 7.8 |
| 2016 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.7 | 6.3 | 7.6 |
| 2015 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 6.4 | 8.0 |
| 2014 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 6.4 | 8.0 |
| 2013 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.5 | 6.8 | 8.9 |
| 2012 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 7.1 | 9.1 |
| 2011 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 7.1 | 9.1 |
| 2010 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 7.1 | 9.1 |
| 2009 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 7.1 | 9.1 |
| 2008 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.9 | 7.3 | 9.3 |
| 2007 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 7.5 | 9.4 |
| 2006 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 8.1 | 9.9 |
| 2005 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 7.9 | 9.7 |
| 2004 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 7.9 | 9.8 |
| 2003 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.0 | 9.0 | 11.2 |
| 2002 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.1 | 9.0 | 11.3 |
| 2001 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.0 | 9.0 | 11.2 |
| 2000 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.1 | 8.7 | 11.1 |
| 1999 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.6 | 8.9 | 10.9 |
| 1998 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.8 | 8.6 | 10.9 |
| 1997 | Malibu · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.4 | 8.9 | 11.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
68 Malibu cars are on the New Zealand register; 68% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1981 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1976 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1975 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1972 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1970 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 1969 | 7 | 2 | 5 |
| 1968 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| 1967 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 1966 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 1965 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1964 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In Finland
160 Malibu cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 86% petrol, 14% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 21 | 187,000 km |
| 2013 | 127 | 180,000 km |
| 2012 | 12 | 201,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
New registrations in Europe
2,918 new Chevrolet Malibu cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (4).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 140 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 138 (NEDC) |
| 2019 | 2 | 163 (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1 | — |
| 2014 | 282 | — |
| 2013 | 1,981 | — |
| 2012 | 644 | — |
| 2010 | 1 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Recalls
57 campaigns cover the Malibu; the latest 12 are below.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
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 Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
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.
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.
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 Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
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.
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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
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 Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
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 Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
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 rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
NHTSA recalls