YearToAvoid

2023 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 17th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 20 and a Best verdict. It has 69 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, making it one of the stronger years for this model.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
20/100
#17 of 21 Malibu years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
69
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Top issue
Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Best nearby year
2024
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 35 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2023 Chevy Malibu problems

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

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras19 (28%)
  2. Engine18 (26%)
  3. Other14 (20%)
  4. Electrical System12 (17%)
  5. Fuel System8 (12%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain8 (12%)
  7. Airbags6 (9%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers5 (7%)
  9. Lane Departure4 (6%)
  10. Steering4 (6%)

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

What owners report

  • Rearview camera and collision avoidance systems sometimes show false warnings or go inoperable with no vehicles nearby.
  • Some owners report the lane-keep assist steers the car unexpectedly while driving straight, nearly causing a collision.
  • Electrical faults have caused the dash and radio to shut off mid-drive, along with false key fob detection and push-to-start failures.
  • Owners describe engine power reduction warnings and check engine lights appearing shortly after purchase, sometimes recurring after sensor replacements.
  • One owner reported the fuel system caused surging and near-stalling that the dealer could not duplicate.
  • A steering complaint described the car oscillating side to side after an evasive maneuver at highway speed before regaining control.
2023 Chevrolet Malibu complaints: complaints filed per month11May 2023Nov 2023Aug 2024Jul 2025Dec 2025Apr 2026Jul 2026
69 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2026 (11).

2023 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V212000Apr 2, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras276,879 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

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

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262551720. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 22V923000Dec 14, 2022Structure & Body2,108 vehicles

    Structure:frame and members

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.

    Risk: An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

2023 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
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.

2023 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
2021Best1089229
2022Best1597129
2023Best2069230
2024Best539231
2025Best011131

All Chevrolet Malibu years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Malibu carries a Best verdict, with a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest among the 21 model years covered.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA complaints most often cite Collision Avoidance & Cameras (28% of complaints) and the Engine (26%), followed by Electrical System issues (17%).
Does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a rearview camera that may show a distorted or blank image, and one for a front impact bar that may not be properly welded. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2023 Malibu compare to other Malibu years?
It ranks 17th worst out of 21 years tracked, well below higher-complaint years like 2009 (complaint index 100) and 2010 (95), which carry Avoid verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
EPA rates it at 30 mpg combined (27 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.

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.