YearToAvoid

2021 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 19th of 21 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 10 and a "Best" verdict. It has 89 complaints and 2 recalls, well below older Malibu years like 2009 and 2010.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
10/100
#19 of 21 Malibu years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
89
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
25.5 city / 34.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2021 Chevy Malibu problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other31 (35%)
  2. Electrical System29 (33%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain28 (31%)
  4. Engine14 (16%)
  5. Fuel System10 (11%)
  6. Airbags6 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (3%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (3%)
  10. Brakes2 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report a "SHIFT TO PARK" message appearing even when the vehicle is already in park, keeping the electrical system and battery active.
  • Drivers describe the vehicle stalling or losing power while in gear or in motion, including at intersections and while backing out of parking spots.
  • One owner reported the vehicle rolling after being shifted into park, along with a shift-to-park warning light.
  • A blower motor area reportedly caught fire while the car was parked in a driveway, with smoke seen billowing from the vehicle.
  • Owners describe losing communication between the transmission, brakes, and engine along with a check engine light after the vehicle lost power.
2021 Chevrolet Malibu complaints: complaints filed per month10Apr 2021Jul 2023Jan 2024Jul 2024Jan 2025Jun 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026
89 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2026 (10).

2021 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V359000May 19, 2022Structure & Body221 vehicles

    Seats

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.

    Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212356050.

  2. NHTSA 21V649000Aug 20, 2021Seat Belts402 vehicles

    Seat belts:rear/other:retractor

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

    Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25.5 MPG
Highway
34.5 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,275
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Malibu years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good25190129
2020Good35198129
2021Best1089229
2022Best1597129
2023Best2069230

All Chevrolet Malibu years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Malibu ranks 19th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 10, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other Malibu years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?
The Electrical System accounts for 33% of complaints (29 total), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 31% (28 complaints) and Engine issues at 16% (14 complaints).
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a seat cushion frame weld issue and one for rear seat belt retractors that may be improperly secured. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
At what mileage do 2021 Malibu problems typically show up?
Median mileage at failure varies by system: Electrical System issues appear around 53,100 miles, Transmission & Powertrain around 60,000 miles, and Engine issues around 36,500 miles.
How does the 2021 Malibu compare to other years like 2009 or 2010?
The 2009 and 2010 Malibu are rated "Avoid" with complaint indexes of 100 and 95, far higher than the 2021 model's index of 10.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.