Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1981 Chevrolet Malibu, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1981 Chevrolet Malibu failed the safety check 0.29% of the time — 60% less often than the average 1981 passenger car (0.73%). Median odometer at inspection: 63,145 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
1 1981 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1981 Chevrolet Malibu.
| 1986056 28 May 1986 | Brakes On certain vehicles, excessive enlargement of a pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate possibly leading to loss of … |
| 1985007 10 Jan 1985 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the rear brake backing plates may develop a corrosion condition which could result in loss of rear brake fluid and loss of rear braking cap… |
| 1981027 24 Feb 1981 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the lower rear control arm to frame bolts may fracture causing lower control arm to drop free. If this happens vehicle damage or crash with… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ACCELERATOR PUMP LEVER RETAINING PIN MAY LOOSEN AFTER REPEATED HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
NHTSA investigations
BRAKE BACKING PLATE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation