2025 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#16 most-complained of 16 Malibu years
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu ranks best of 16 model years with a complaint index of 0 and only 11 complaints logged. Its main issue is the rearview camera showing a blank or distorted image, covered under recall 26V212000.
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31
- 28 city / 36 hwy
Top 2025 Chevrolet Malibu problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (45%)
- Electrical System4 (36%)
- Other4 (36%)
- Brakes1 (9%)
- Steering1 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)
What owners report
- Rearview camera shows a blank image when shifting into reverse, tied to recall 26V212000.
- Rearview camera unexpectedly turns on while driving and displays a blank screen with a "Service Camera" message.
- Owners report the electronic stability control light coming on repeatedly along with the steering locking up briefly.
- Radio glitches and screen flickers were reported, with one owner saying GM knew about the issue before the sale.
- One vehicle rolled forward on its own while parked with the key out, ending in a crash into a field.
2025 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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.
2025 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 31 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,100
- 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.
2025 compared with other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 Malibu ranks best of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 0 and only 11 complaints filed.
- Does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu have a recall?
- Yes. Recall 26V212000 covers 2023-2025 Malibus where the rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the top problem area for the 2025 Malibu?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras is the top problem area, accounting for 5 of 11 complaints, or 45% of the total, mostly tied to the rearview camera recall.
- At what mileage do 2025 Malibu problems appear?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 21,000 miles, based on NHTSA data.
- How does the 2025 Malibu compare to other years?
- The 2025 Malibu has a complaint index of 0, the lowest recorded, and is rated Best, compared to years like 2010 and 2011 which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 100 and 93.