Chevrolet Malibu Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Malibu model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (89) and the 2009 the most (1,534).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
11 | 1 | Back over prevention | 5★ | 31 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
42 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 31 |
| 2023 | 70 | 2 | Back over prevention | 5★ | 30 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
89 | 2 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 26–32 |
| 2022 | 98 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 26–32 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
193 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 26–46 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
198 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 26–32 |
| 2015 | 270 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 24–29 |
| 2014 | 363 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 24–29 |
| 2018 | 710 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 26–46 |
| 2017 | 724 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 26–46 |
| 2016 | 861 | 10 | Engine | 5★ | 26–46 |
| 2012 | 907 | 2 | Electrical system | 4★ | 20–26 |
| 2013 | 923 | 11 | Electrical system | 5★ | 24–29 |
| 2007 | 977 | 3 | Steering | — | 19–25 |
| 2011 | 978 | 3 | Electrical system | 4★ | 20–26 |
| 2008 | 994 | 4 | Steering | — | 20–27 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
1,116 | 6 | Steering | — | 19–24 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
1,363 | 3 | Steering | — | 20–29 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
1,534 | 5 | Steering | — | 20–29 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Malibu years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2009 Chevrolet Malibu: 1,534 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 774 (50%); Electrical system 373 (24%); Electronic stability control 261 (17%).
Reports mention 42 crashes, 9 fires, 45 injuries, 3 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 100,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Chevrolet Malibu: 1,363 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 455 (33%); Electrical system 294 (22%); Electronic stability control 227 (17%).
Reports mention 41 crashes, 14 fires, 47 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 82,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu: 1,116 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 811 (73%); Electrical system 142 (13%); Service brakes 69 (6%).
Reports mention 41 crashes, 6 fires, 26 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 85,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Malibu years with the fewest complaints
2021 Chevrolet Malibu: 89 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 29 (33%); Power train 28 (31%); Engine 14 (16%).
Reports mention 1 fire, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 54,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu: 193 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 66 (34%); Engine 65 (34%); Electrical system 63 (33%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 1 fire, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 41,750 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Chevrolet Malibu: 198 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 59 (30%); Power train 58 (29%); Electrical system 57 (29%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 7 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Malibu owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 70 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 66,000 |
| 2022 | 98 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 67,506 |
| 2021 | 89 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2020 | 198 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 68,000 |
| 2019 | 193 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 41,750 |
| 2018 | 710 | 24 | 4 | 17 | 0 | 45,780 |
| 2017 | 724 | 17 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 48,000 |
| 2016 | 861 | 24 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 50,000 |
| 2015 | 270 | 18 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 50,000 |
| 2014 | 363 | 19 | 8 | 17 | 1 | 60,000 |
| 2013 | 923 | 38 | 11 | 34 | 0 | 69,900 |
| 2012 | 907 | 50 | 13 | 35 | 0 | 86,000 |
| 2011 | 978 | 40 | 17 | 41 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2010 | 1,363 | 41 | 14 | 47 | 0 | 82,000 |
| 2009 | 1,534 | 42 | 9 | 45 | 3 | 100,000 |
| 2008 | 994 | 31 | 5 | 19 | 2 | 80,000 |
| 2007 | 977 | 37 | 2 | 34 | 0 | 100,000 |
| 2006 | 1,116 | 41 | 6 | 26 | 0 | 85,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Malibu recalls
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (1997–2003 model years; 5,877,718 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V400000)
- SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:CONTROL ARM (1981 model year; 5,821,160 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 1981; 81V025000)
- Brake Lights may or may not Randomly Illuminate (2004–2012 model years; 2,440,524 vehicles across all models; filed May 2014; 14V252000)
- Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering (2004–2009 model years; 1,373,177 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V153000)
- Transmission Shift Cable may Fracture/Rollaway (2004–2008 model years; 1,131,113 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V224000)
All 59 Chevrolet Malibu recall campaigns · Chevrolet Malibu problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Malibu years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (89). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2009, 2010 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Malibu problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (3,966 of 12,421 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 59 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Malibu. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Malibu recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.