Owners have filed 5,313 complaints with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Malibu from 2012 to 2024. Across every year, the most reported problem areas are the electrical system, the engine and cooling and the brakes and stability control. The years with the most complaints are 2012, 2016 and 2013.
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Start my car searchComplaints by year
Tap a year to see its most reported problems, its recalls and what to check before you buy. Newer years have had less time on the road, so they always look better here. Red marks the worst years, orange years worse than most, and green the better ones.
Every year at a glance
| Year | Vs. other years | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Malibu | Among the worst years | 907 | 3 |
| 2013 Malibu | Worse than most years | 837 | 10 |
| 2014 Malibu | One of the better years | 351 | 6 |
| 2015 Malibu | One of the better years | 270 | 3 |
| 2016 Malibu | Worse than most years | 841 | 9 |
| 2017 Malibu | Worse than most years | 705 | 4 |
| 2018 Malibu | Worse than most years | 700 | 6 |
| 2019 Malibu | One of the better years | 193 | 1 |
| 2020 Malibu | One of the better years | 202 | 1 |
| 2021 Malibu | One of the better years | 90 | 2 |
| 2022 Malibu | Too new to judge | 99 | 1 |
| 2023 Malibu | Too new to judge | 73 | 2 |
| 2024 Malibu | Too new to judge | 45 | 2 |
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Chevrolet Malibu questions
What are the worst Chevrolet Malibu years?
Compared with its other years, the Malibu years with the most owner complaints to NHTSA are 2012. The most reported problem area across all years is the electrical system.
What are the best Chevrolet Malibu years?
The Malibu years with clearly fewer complaints than a typical year are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly, since complaints keep coming in as cars age.
What are the most common Chevrolet Malibu problems?
Across 2012 to 2024, owners report problems with the electrical system, the engine and cooling and the brakes and stability control most often. Each model year has its own pattern, so check the year you are looking at.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 50 recalls across the 2012 to 2024 Malibu, counted per model year. A recall can cover several years.
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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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