Chevrolet Malibu problems by year
19,310 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 33 Chevrolet Malibu model years. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Limited reporting history | 11 | 1 | — | |
| 2024 Limited reporting history | 39 | 2 | Electrical System | |
| 2023 Limited reporting history | 69 | 2 | Back Over Prevention | |
| 2022 | 96 | 1 | Electrical System | |
| 2021 | 88 | 2 | Unknown / Other | |
| 2020 Fewer complaints | 198 | 1 | Engine | |
| 2019 Fewer complaints | 190 | 1 | Power Train | |
| 2018 | 695 | 6 | Engine | |
| 2017 | 702 | 4 | Engine | |
| 2016 | 837 | 9 | Engine | |
| 2015 | 270 | 3 | Engine | |
| 2014 | 351 | 6 | Engine | |
| 2013 | 835 | 10 | Electrical System | |
| 2012 | 906 | 2 | Electrical System | |
| 2011 | 977 | 3 | Electrical System | |
| 2010 | 1,360 | 3 | Steering | |
| 2009 | 1,509 | 5 | Steering | |
| 2008 | 987 | 4 | Steering | |
| 2007 | 977 | 3 | Steering | |
| 2006 | 1,115 | 6 | Steering | |
| 2005 | 975 | 3 | Steering | |
| 2004 | 1,147 | 6 | Steering | |
| 2003 | 569 | 2 | Electrical System | |
| 2002 | 567 | 2 | Electrical System | |
| 2001 | 721 | 2 | Electrical System | |
| 2000 | 922 | 2 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1999 | 789 | 1 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1998 | 976 | 3 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1997 | 443 | 3 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1989 | 3 | 0 | — | |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 | — | |
| 1980 | 5 | 0 | — | |
| 1979 | 4 | 0 | — |
How to read this. Complaints are unverified reports owners file with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, counted once per case number. Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, and recent model years have had less time on the road. “Most complained” flags years well above the model’s median; treat it as a signal for deeper research, not a verdict. This page is not affiliated with Chevrolet.