Research · Midsize Cars

2024 Chevrolet MalibuRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu. Most complaints involve electrical system (18) and back over prevention (10). The EPA rates it 31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
31mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2026
Owner complaints
44
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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

Equipment: owners

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

EquipmentReported Aug 1, 2024NHTSA 24V575000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

44 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2024 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system18
  2. Back over prevention10
  3. Power train6
  4. Service brakes4
  5. Engine3
  6. Forward collision avoidance3
  7. Steering2
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Fuel/propulsion system2

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

By model year

Complaints for each Malibu model year we’ve synced.

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
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

18 reports
“I have brought my vehicle to Preston Hood Chevrolet on two occasions for two major issues. Failed breaking system started as when I am at a stop light the car won’t move and the brake light and ignition light comes on and it won’t move when I press the gas! I almost had an 4 car pile up. Now it is stalling when I am driving on the street! See the uploads. The first time they said it was a speed sensor and the second time they said it was the wrong tire size.. My Onstar diagnostic report says failed braking system. It also says critical oil level and yet they said they performed a multi point oil inspection. Look at the uploads. Does GM want a fatal accident lawsuit? Why doesn’t a dealership know how to repair my vehicle? I was told by 2 dealerships there is NO remedy for the GM back up camera. They would not fix my broken back up camera.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11767706

Back over prevention

10 reports
“The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026Back over preventionODI 11756955

Power train

6 reports1 crash
“was stopped at a red light. When the traffic light turned green, I pressed the accelerator to proceed through the intersection, but my vehicle did not respond or accelerate immediately. After several seconds, the vehicle finally began to move. This unexpected delay created a safety concern because I was unable to accelerate when traffic began moving.Which caused built up traffic and an almost wreck behind me”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11751301
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Malibu
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283631$2,050282
  • Malibu
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    28 city · 36 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 18968
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2024 Malibu questions

How many recalls does the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2024 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (18), back over prevention (10), power train (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu get?

The EPA rates the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu at 31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026