How the 2023 compares
Too new to judge fully
It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Malibu year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the driver assist systems, which half of owners reported by about 66,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Malibu years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The most reported problem area is the driver assist systems (22, 30% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 12th of 13 Malibu years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 2 recalls.
Complaints73filed with NHTSA
Recalls2for this model year
Crashes58 injuries reported
Fires1reported in complaints
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu before you buy.
Driver assist systems
22 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blue or black image. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were ordered for the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 88,000 miles
Engine and cooling
18 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was constantly illuminated, and the message "Engine Reduced Power" was displayed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo charger assembly had failed and…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 70,000 miles
Electrical system
12 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Back up camera quit working. Stated intermittently not working for about 2 days then completely stopped working. No warning lightsOwner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start when the Push-to-Start button was pressed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, but the diagnosis was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 31,000 miles
Fuel system
8 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The fuel line to the engine is leaking an 2 gallons leaked onto my driveway. Also, the vehicle cabin was consumed with fuel fumes which was a hazard and dangerous. The was danger of the vehicle exploding or catching fire. No warning lights appeared. The incident occurred on [XXX]. The fleet vehicle has been taken to Belle Tire for…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop or while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the used car dealer where the vehicle was purchased, but the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to turn off. The “Shift to Park” message was displayed. Additionally, after the vehicle was parked and the engine was turned off, the vehicle independently started. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop or while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the used car dealer where the vehicle was purchased, but the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
8 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
When I was in a car accident I was hit on the rear passenger side of my vehicle, right near where my side air bags are supposed to be located. I was hit at 50 mph and the airbags did not deploy.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, another vehicle collided with her vehicle on the rear end of the vehicle as well as the rear passenger side. The contact mentioned that the seat belt did retract during the impact. The air bags on the front driver and passenger sides deployed…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 29,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
5 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The brake pedal on my vehicle intermittently becomes stuck in the fully raised position and will not depress when I attempt to apply the brakes. When this occurs, I am unable to slow down or stop the vehicle, creating an immediate and serious safety hazard. The problem happens without warning and has occurred multiple times while driving…Owner complaint, filed 2026
October 7, 2026 this vehicle hydroplaned and I lost control of the vehicle. To the best of my knowledge, the steering wheel locked and when attempted to step on the brakes, no braking occurred. The vehicle slid into grass which then hit the guard railing on the interstate. After being inspected by collision shop techs, they have reason…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
5 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the hard skin material on the steering wheel was crumbling. The contact stated that the right and left hands were severely peeled. The contact inspected the steering wheel and placed a white glove on each hand and…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 58,000 miles
I own a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu with an open safety recall. General Motors/dealership has refused to repair the recall. The vehicle has also had multiple safety-related problems, including Service ESC warnings, jerking/poor acceleration, Service Safety Restraint System and airbag warnings, and a “Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
5 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am writing to log an official safety complaint regarding my 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. This vehicle is included under active NHTSA Campaign Number 26V212000 (GM Internal Recall Number N262551720) for a defective rearview camera housing that allows moisture intrusion, causing the backup display to go blank.My vehicle has experienced a…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My rear view camera is fuzzy and today it went out completely and the screen was black. Sometimes it shows what’s behind the car when I’m backing and then suddenly the screen goes black and I’m unable to see anything. It just started today 6/15/26z . I believe this is a safety hazard and could cause an accident while backing up putting…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
4 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Pro Contact, Tire Size: 245/40/R19, DOT Number: 6Y66WBR27. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at highway speeds, there was a blowout of the front driver's side tire. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The tire was replaced.…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 11,000 miles
October 7, 2026 this vehicle hydroplaned and I lost control of the vehicle. To the best of my knowledge, the steering wheel locked and when attempted to step on the brakes, no braking occurred. The vehicle slid into grass which then hit the guard railing on the interstate. After being inspected by collision shop techs, they have reason…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
2 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact rented a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The rental agency was contacted and made…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 38,706 miles
This all started when i had my car serviced for an oil change and began to hear some clicking sounds when I would start my vehicle. The fuel sealant is defective, the fuel caps were corroded, leaks oil, and causes the turbo on the engine to lag. I found this out as I was driving and tried to make a turn. When pressing the accelerator the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
2 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
On December 24, 2025, the contact's 2023 Chevrolet Malibu was involved in a severe side-impact collision. The vehicle was struck on the rear passenger side by a full-size pickup truck traveling at high speed (est. 60 mph) that failed to stop at a red light. The impact caused the contact's vehicle to spin approximately 180 degrees and…Owner complaint, filed 2025
When I’m driving straight sometimes my lane assist will make the car swerve while my steering wheel is straight and even almost made me wreck into another car beside me trying to force the car to go right. Also the front crash assist goes off when I’m not even near a car. The front end of my car is rattling and I don’t know why.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Suspension
1 complaintClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was inquiring about the front suspension and frame work is there a recall. My car is unstable in the front like frame is unbalancedOwner complaint, filed 2026
Chevrolet Malibu complaints by year
Compare the 2023 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2023 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Chevrolet Malibu | Too new to judge | 2 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | Too new to judge | 2 |
| 2023 Honda Accord | Too new to judge | 5 |
| 2023 Hyundai Sonata | Too new to judge | 2 |
2023 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.
Backup camera
- Risk
- A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Body and structure Frame and members
- Risk
- An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld.
Full recall summary
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.
2023 Chevrolet Malibu questions
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most reported problem areas on the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu are the driver assist systems (22 complaints), the engine and cooling (18 complaints) and the electrical system (12 complaints).
Is the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu a good year to buy?
Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Malibu year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the driver assist systems, which half of owners reported by about 66,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Malibu years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recent, from Apr 2026, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2023 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the driver assist systems gave a mileage of about 66,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 69,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Malibu years should I avoid?
The Malibu years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model