Chevrolet Malibu: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 26 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu on record, 2024 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (42, most often about electrical system). 2013 has the most recall campaigns (10). 2019 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (4).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 11 | 1 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | 31 MPG |
| 2024 | 2 | 42 | 3 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 31 MPG |
| 2023 | 2 | 41 | 1 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | 30 MPG |
| 2022 | 1 | 40 | 0 | ENGINE | 32 MPG |
| 2021 | 2 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 32 MPG |
| 2020 | 1 | 40 | 2 | SERVICE BRAKES | 32 MPG |
| 2019 | 1 | 40 | 4 | ENGINE | 32 MPG |
| 2018 | 6 | 40 | 2 | ENGINE | 30 MPG |
| 2017 | 4 | 40 | 2 | ENGINE | 30 MPG |
| 2016 | 9 | 40 | 2 | ENGINE | 30 MPG |
| 2015 | 3 | 40 | 3 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 24 MPG |
| 2014 | 6 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 24 MPG |
| 2013 | 10 | 40 | 2 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 24 MPG |
| 2012 | 3 | 40 | 4 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 26 MPG |
| 2011 | 4 | 40 | 3 | STEERING | 26 MPG |
| 2010 | 4 | 40 | 0 | STEERING | 26 MPG |
| 2009 | 6 | 40 | 1 | STEERING | 26 MPG |
| 2008 | 5 | 40 | 2 | STEERING | 25 MPG |
| 2007 | 6 | 40 | 1 | STEERING | 25 MPG |
| 2006 | 9 | 40 | 1 | STEERING | 24 MPG |
| 2005 | 6 | 40 | 2 | STEERING | 25 MPG |
| 2004 | 9 | 40 | 4 | STEERING | 25 MPG |
| 2003 | 3 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 21 MPG |
| 2002 | 4 | 40 | 2 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 21 MPG |
| 2001 | 4 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 21 MPG |
| 2000 | 5 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23 MPG |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the Chevrolet MalibuQuestions
- Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most complaints?
- Of 26 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu on record, 2024 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (42, most often about electrical system).
- Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most recalls?
- 2013 has the most recall campaigns (10).
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.