AI DamageChevrolet Malibu: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Chevrolet Malibu across 10 model years: 2,218 owner complaints and 1,615 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 34% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 23% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 750 complaints (34% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 621.
- Electrical system: 607 complaints (27% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1,523.
- Powertrain: 520 complaints (23% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 713.
- Vehicle speed control: 301 complaints (14% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Service brakes: 258 complaints (12% of all), 19 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 152.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2016–2025named in 10 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2013–2022
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2004–2007
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1998–2012
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2013–2016
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1997–2003
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2004–2010
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2008–2012
- 3.9 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2006–2007
- 1.8 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2016–2019named in 1 complaints
- 2.4 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2008–2014
- automatic, 4-speed 1997–2010
- automatic, 6-speed 2008–2018
- automatic, 8-speed 2016
- automatic, 9-speed 2017–2022
- CVT 2016–2025named in 8 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 2,218 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 750 | 9 | 621 |
| Electrical system | 607 | 10 | 1,523 |
| Powertrain | 520 | 6 | 713 |
| Vehicle speed control | 301 | 6 | 29 |
| Service brakes | 258 | 19 | 152 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 207 | 1 | 64 |
| Steering | 121 | 6 | 127 |
| Electronic stability control | 82 | 2 | 3 |
| Air bags | 59 | 33 | 30 |
| Backover prevention | 46 | 0 | 51 |
| Structure | 41 | 3 | 251 |
| Exterior lighting | 40 | 2 | 79 |
| Fuel system | 32 | 2 | 180 |
| Suspension | 30 | 1 | 114 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
To the best of my knowledge, the steering wheel locked and when attempted to step on the brakes, no braking occurred. The vehicle slid into grass which then hit the guard railing on the interstate.
The vehicle has also had multiple safety-related problems, including Service ESC warnings, jerking/poor acceleration, Service Safety Restraint System and airbag warnings, and a “Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with Care” warning.
The steering wheel air bag struck the contact, and she was knocked unconscious. The vehicle drove across the street and crashed into a divider. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact sustained minor bruises on the nose. Medical attention was provided by the emergency personnel on the ambulance.
Unknown, I parked the vehicle, got out of it, left car running for AC, locked the doors. The car was in park. Locks unlocked door, rear view camera display cut off, AC still running. I am viewing a house, so I walk around house and car still in park, 0-5min.
Moments after entering the hotel, the contact informed that the vehicle had rolled down the hotel driveway and crashed into two parked vehicles located in the hotel parking area. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed at the scene, and the vehicle was driven away.
The contact stated that while driving approximately at 55 MPH in a rain storm and making a right turn, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights had illuminated, and the driver suddenly lost control of the steering and crashed into a tree.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- PI created to guide technicians through radio restriction process
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This Preliminary information communicates to the technicians a diagnostic tip if a technician loses…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an…
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians that GM is placing the B174W Front View Camera…
- This PI addresses leaks from the case half and provides repair direction to dealer technicians
- PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.