2021 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2021 Nissan Kicks
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2021 Chevrolet Malibu | 2021 Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 88 | 76 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 695 | 102 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 6 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–32 | 33 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 29 | 11 |
| Power Train | 28 | 9 |
| Structure | 2 | 24 |
| Engine | 14 | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 0 | 15 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 8 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 23 |
2021 Chevrolet Malibu
2021 Nissan Kicks
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Kicks 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.