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Chevrolet Malibu: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Chevrolet Malibu problems by model year, from 7,743 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2019 (66%, 122 drivetrain complaints), 2018 (64%, 438 drivetrain complaints) and 2022 (58%, 54 drivetrain complaints). 12 of the 14 Chevrolet Malibu years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 2 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2010 (25%) and 2012 (30%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2010 (25%) to 2011 (40%), up 15 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2016 drew the most drivetrain complaints (456 of 2,941 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Malibu | no elevated signal | 25% | 262 | 1,363 | 14/14 | 4 |
| 2011 Malibu | elevated | 40% | 289 | 978 | 10/14 | 4 |
| 2012 Malibu | no elevated signal | 30% | 176 | 907 | 13/14 | 3 |
| 2013 Malibu | elevated | 35% | 291 | 922 | 11/14 | 10 |
| 2014 Malibu | high | 51% | 173 | 363 | 7/14 | 6 |
| 2015 Malibu | high | 50% | 107 | 270 | 9/14 | 3 |
| 2016 Malibu | high | 55% | 456 | 861 | 6/14 | 9 |
| 2017 Malibu | high | 58% | 399 | 724 | 4/14 | 4 |
| 2018 Malibu | very high | 64% | 438 | 709 | 2/14 | 6 |
| 2019 Malibu | very high | 66% | 122 | 191 | 1/14 | 1 |
| 2020 Malibu | high | 58% | 111 | 198 | 5/14 | 1 |
| 2021 Malibu | high | 51% | 42 | 89 | 8/14 | 2 |
| 2022 Malibu | high | 58% | 54 | 98 | 3/14 | 1 |
| 2023 Malibu | elevated | 34% | 21 | 70 | 12/14 | 2 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Chevrolet Malibu years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Chevrolet Malibu transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Malibu involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 35 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2012 | 12V460000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2010 |
| Feb 2014 | 14V092000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2014 |
| Apr 2015 | 15V245000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2013 |
| May 2018 | 18V358000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2016–2018 |
| Oct 2020 | 20V668000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2018 |
30 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2012 | 12V224000 | electrical system: software | 2013 |
| Oct 2012 | 12V484000 | exterior lighting: turn signal | 2013 |
| Jan 2013 | 13V024000 | suspension: rear | 2013 |
| Nov 2013 | 13V566000 | electrical system: wiring | 2013 |
| Nov 2013 | 13V567000 | visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system | 2014 |
| May 2014 | 14V240000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc | 2014 |
| May 2014 | 14V247000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum | 2014 |
| May 2014 | 14V252000 | electrical system: wiring | 2010–2012 |
| Jul 2014 | 14E044000 | steering | 2010–2012 |
| Mar 2015 | 15V164000 | visibility: sun/moon roof assembly | 2013–2015 |
| May 2015 | 15V269000 | seat belts | 2011–2012 |
| Oct 2015 | 15V666000 | air bags: side/window | 2015 |
| Feb 2016 | 16V084000 | electrical system: software | 2016 |
| Mar 2016 | 16V125000 | air bags: frontal | 2016 |
| Mar 2016 | 16V151000 | air bags: side/window | 2016 |
| May 2016 | 16V272000 | electronic stability control (esc) | 2016 |
| Jul 2016 | 16V502000 | electrical system: ignition | 2013–2016 |
| Oct 2016 | 16V781000 | air bags: side/window | 2016 |
| Dec 2016 | 16V870000 | air bags: side/window | 2017 |
| Jun 2018 | 18V400000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification | 2016–2018 |
| Aug 2018 | 18V576000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2018 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V019000 | air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Sep 2019 | 19V642000 | electrical system: software | 2018 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V764000 | suspension: rear | 2013 |
| Aug 2021 | 21V633000 | suspension: rear | 2013 |
| Aug 2021 | 21V649000 | seat belts: critical fasteners | 2016–2021 |
| Dec 2021 | 21V00F000 | suspension: rear | 2013 |
| May 2022 | 22V359000 | seats | 2021 |
| Dec 2022 | 22V923000 | structure: frame and members | 2022–2023 |
| Apr 2026 | 26V212000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2023 |
What the free pages leave out on the Chevrolet Malibu
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Chevrolet Malibu
What are the worst years for the Chevrolet Malibu?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Chevrolet Malibu years are the 2019 (66% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2018 (64% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2022 (58% of relevant complaints, high). 12 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Chevrolet Malibu?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Chevrolet Malibu years are the 2010 (25%) and the 2012 (30%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Chevrolet Malibu have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 2,941 of 6,583 relevant NHTSA complaints (45%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Is the Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 12 of 14 Chevrolet Malibu years we score have an elevated complaint share and 2 do not. Pooled across those years, 45% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Chevrolet Malibu years we track, out of 35 in total: 15V245000 (Apr 2015, 2013), 18V358000 (May 2018, 2016–2018), 20V668000 (Oct 2020, 2018), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.