Research · 29 model years

Chevrolet MalibuEvery model year, 1997–2025

Across the 29 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 130 recall campaigns and 20,951 owner complaints for the Chevrolet Malibu. The 2004 model year has the most complaints (1,698).

01 —Model years

Chevrolet Malibu years compared

Recalls, complaints, NCAP overall and EPA combined MPG per year
YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesNCAP overallMPG comb.
202511215 of 531
202424435 of 531
202327355 of 530
202219944 of 529
202129004 of 529
20201200104 of 529
2019119384 of 529
20186700235 of 528
20174727175 of 528
20169865245 of 528
20153270185 of 527
20146363195 of 528
201310924385 of 526
20123907504 of 526
20114978404 of 526
201041,36541Not rated25
200961,51141Not rated23
200851,01733Not rated24
2007699237Not rated23
200691,38954Not rated23
200561,39365Not rated23
200491,69881Not rated23
2003361137Not rated21
2002459620Not rated21
2001473937Not rated21
2000594447Not rated22
1999380045Not rated22
1998599939Not rated23
1997645222Not rated21
Data from NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP; EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026
02 —Complaints by year

NHTSA complaints per model year

Newer years have had less time on the road
View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997452
1998999
1999800
2000944
2001739
2002596
2003611
20041,698
20051,393
20061,389
2007992
20081,017
20091,511
20101,365
2011978
2012907
2013924
2014363
2015270
2016865
2017727
2018700
2019193
2020200
202190
202299
202373
202444
202512

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026
03 —Recent recalls

Latest recalls for the 2025 Malibu

1 campaign

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

Back over preventionReported Apr 2, 2026NHTSA 26V212000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026