2009 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2009 Nissan Altima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2009 Chevrolet Malibu | 2009 Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,509 | 1,547 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,098 | 117 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 41 | 36 |
| Fire reports | 9 | 8 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–29 | 21–34 |
| Median reported mileage | 100,000 mi | 80,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 768 | 859 |
| Electrical System | 368 | 466 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 255 | 26 |
| Power Train | 121 | 95 |
| Exterior Lighting | 172 | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 142 | 32 |
| Engine | 61 | 107 |
| Air Bags | 62 | 91 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 111 | 483 |
| Loss of power | 87 | 16 |
| Vibration / shaking | 64 | 10 |
| Stalling | 45 | 58 |
| Check engine light | 33 | 13 |
| Electrical failures | 20 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 16 | 229 |
| Hesitation / surging | 15 | 11 |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu
2009 Nissan Altima
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.