YearToAvoid

2023 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

27/100

#12 most-complained of 16 Malibu years

The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu has a Complaint Index of 27, ranking 12th out of 16 model years, with a 'Good' verdict. It has 69 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with top issues in collision avoidance/cameras and engine.

Complaints
69
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
3 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 35 hwy

Top 2023 Chevrolet Malibu problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Rearview camera and collision-avoidance systems have triggered false warnings, with dash alerts for inoperable crash avoidance systems even when no other vehicles were nearby.
  • Some owners describe electrical failures including vehicles shutting off while driving, dash displays going dark, key fob detection errors, and radio malfunctions.
  • A push-to-start failure left one vehicle unable to start at 31,000 miles, requiring a tow to a dealer.
  • Steering has been reported to oscillate unexpectedly after evasive maneuvers, with the car swerving on its own before the driver regained control.
  • Owners report the fuel system causing surging and near-stalling during driving despite no check engine light and dealers unable to duplicate the issue.
  • Lane-assist has reportedly pulled the steering wheel sideways during straight-line driving even though the wheel itself remained straight.
2023 Chevrolet Malibu complaints: complaints filed per month13May 2023Nov 2023Aug 2024Jul 2025Dec 2025Apr 2026Jul 2026
107 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2026 (13).

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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Best789229
2022Best2097129
2023Good2769230
2024Best1339231
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 has a Complaint Index of 27 and a 'Good' verdict, ranking 12th out of 16 model years for reported problems.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
The top reported problem area is Collision Avoidance & Cameras, accounting for 28% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 26% and Electrical System issues at 17%.
Does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2023 Malibu: one for a distorted or blank rearview camera image and one for a front impact bar that may not be properly welded to the frame rail. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2023 Malibu compare to other model years?
The 2023 Malibu's Complaint Index of 27 is lower than earlier years like 2010 (100) and 2013 (80), but higher than the 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 model years, which rank as 'Best'.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
The EPA rates the 2023 Malibu 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.