Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Rearview Camera May Display Distorted or Blank Image
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
- Consequence
- A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262551720. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
Front Impact Bar Not Welded Properly
- 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.
- Consequence
- An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (70)
70 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The back over prevention is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Back over prevention | 16 | 22.9% |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 20% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 17.1% |
| Engine | 12 | 17.1% |
| Power train | 8 | 11.4% |
| Air bags | 7 | 10% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 8.6% |
| Steering | 5 | 7.1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 7.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 5.7% |
How 2023 compares with other Malibu years
Best and worst Malibu years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 861 | 10 |
| 2017 | 724 | 4 |
| 2018 | 710 | 6 |
| 2019 | 193 | 1 |
| 2020 | 198 | 1 |
| 2021 | 89 | 2 |
| 2022 | 98 | 1 |
| 2023 | 70 | 2 |
| 2024 | 42 | 2 |
| 2025 | 11 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 30 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,250
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 292 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 30 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | $2,250 | 292 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2023 Malibu for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2023 Chevrolet Malibu FAQ
How many recalls does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 26V212000 (rear camera), 22V923000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2023 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
Owners filed 70 complaints with NHTSA. Back over prevention (16), Unknown or other (14), Electrical system (12) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA rates the 1.5 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined mpg.
What safety rating did the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu get?
NHTSA rated the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.3% rollover risk).
How does the 2023 Malibu compare with other years?
Among the 2016–2021 Chevrolet Malibu model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (89) and the 2016 the most (861). The 2023 drew 70. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.