Chevrolet Malibu Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2010-2013 Chevrolet Malibu, led by 2010 with a complaint index of 100 and 3 recalls. The best years are 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025, which show complaint indexes of 7, 20, 13, and 0 with far fewer reported problems.
Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Best 2021Best 2022Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 7,628
- Recall campaigns
- 35
- Crashes reported
- 292
- Fires reported
- 84
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Malibu Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Malibu problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 1,359 | 41 | 14 | 3 | Steering | 25 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 93 | 978 | 40 | 17 | 3 | Electrical System | 26 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 87 | 906 | 50 | 13 | 2 | Electrical System | 26 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 835 | 33 | 10 | 10 | Electrical System | 26 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 53 | 351 | 19 | 8 | 6 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 47 | 270 | 18 | 9 | 3 | Engine | 26.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 73 | 837 | 23 | 2 | 9 | Engine | 27 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 60 | 702 | 16 | 4 | 4 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 67 | 697 | 23 | 4 | 6 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 33 | 190 | 8 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 29 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 40 | 198 | 10 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 29 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Best | 7 | 89 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 29 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 20 | 97 | 4 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 29 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Good | 27 | 69 | 3 | 1 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 30 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 13 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 31 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 0 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 31 | 5★ |
Malibu years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Chevrolet Malibu Index 100 · 1,359 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2010 Malibu ranks worst of all years with a complaint index of 100 and 1,359 complaints. Steering issues lead at 33% share with a median failure mileage of 100,000, followed by electrical system problems (31%, median 85,250 miles) and brakes (27%, median 80,000 miles). Owners reported delayed braking response and steering wheel lock-ups leading to crashes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns, including an airbag inflator recall covering 2010-2011 models and a 4-speed transmission shift cable recall. Reports include engine compartment fires and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes.
2010 steering problems →2010 electrical system problems →2010 brakes problems →
2011 Chevrolet Malibu Index 93 · 978 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2011 Malibu ranks second worst with a complaint index of 93 and 978 complaints. Electrical system problems dominate at 33% share with a median failure mileage of 88,129, followed by engine issues (23%, median 73,000 miles) and steering (22%, median 89,500 miles). Owners reported airbags that failed to deploy during crashes and fuel pump connectors burning inside the fuel tank. NHTSA lists 3 recalls, including the shared airbag inflator recall and a seat belt cable recall covering 2011-2012 models.
2011 electrical system problems →2011 engine problems →2011 steering problems →
2012 Chevrolet Malibu Index 87 · 906 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2012 Malibu carries a complaint index of 87 with 906 complaints. Electrical system issues make up 45% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 93,000, and steering problems follow at 21% (median 103,794 miles). Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, unintended acceleration leading to a crash into a house, and seat belts that failed to lock during a collision. NHTSA lists 2 recalls, including the seat belt cable recall shared with the 2011 model year.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 steering problems →2012 brakes problems →
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Index 80 · 835 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2013 Malibu has a complaint index of 80 with 835 complaints, the lowest of the avoid years but still well above later model years. Electrical system complaints lead at 45% share with a median failure mileage of 77,452, followed by engine problems (27%, median 77,226 miles). Owners reported vehicle fires starting in tail lights and engine compartments, plus airbag and seat belt sensor failures during collisions. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this year, including three separate rear suspension toe link recalls.
2013 electrical system problems →2013 engine problems →2013 steering problems →
Most common Chevrolet Malibu problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System2,514 (33%)
- Engine2,274 (30%)
- Brakes1,433 (19%)
- Steering1,233 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,093 (14%)
- Other1,004 (13%)
- Airbags534 (7%)
- Fuel System490 (6%)
- Structure & Body371 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires312 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Chevrolet Malibu years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 as the years to avoid, with 2010 ranking worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 1,359 complaints.
- What are the best Chevrolet Malibu model years?
- 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 7, 20, 13, and 0 respectively, far below the 2010-2013 range.
- What is the most common problem area for the Chevrolet Malibu overall?
- Across all 16 model years with data, the Electrical System accounts for 33% of the 7,628 total complaints (2,514 complaints), followed by Engine at 30%.
- Does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2013 Malibu, including three separate recalls for the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners.
- Are the 2014-2018 Chevrolet Malibu years safe to buy?
- NHTSA rates 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018 as Caution years, with complaint indexes between 53 and 73, better than the avoid years but not as strong as 2015 or the years from 2019 onward.