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All cars · Chevrolet Malibu

2021 Chevrolet Malibu.

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is better than average by owner complaints: 37 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 62, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 26 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.

62Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.6× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2022 · Worst year 2004

Chevrolet Malibu
Photo shows a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemTransmission & drivetrain32% of owner complaintsRecalls2Free fix at any dealerBetter year to buy20222.5× fewer complaints than averageRepair notes from Chevy697Ask a seller if they were done
Owner complaints37first 3 years
Fuel economy26–32 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★☆NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the 2016–2024 Chevy Malibu, 15.1M views. The 2021 is the same generation.

  1. Infotainment, battery & electrical1.3M views
    Chevrolet Malibu with "Start/Stop" (2016-2024) - New Battery InstallChevrolet Malibu with "Start/Stop" (2016-2024) - New Battery InstallThe Battery Shop · 320K views · 7 videos
  2. Transmission & shifter726K views
    2016 + Chevy Malibu Shifter Error FAST FIX (Shift To Park Message) Traverse Volt Cadillac Buick gm2016 + Chevy Malibu Shifter Error FAST FIX (Shift To Park Message) Traverse Volt Cadillac Buick gmNoNonsenseKnowHow · 470K views · 3 videos
  3. Intake, EGR & engine sensors686K views
    2014 (2013-2016) Chevrolet Malibu LS 2.5 Code P16D0 (P16D1) Intake Solenoid Valve Replacement2014 (2013-2016) Chevrolet Malibu LS 2.5 Code P16D0 (P16D1) Intake Solenoid Valve ReplacementFixIT · 261K views · 5 videos
  4. Gauges, lights & wiring584K views
    👉 AT NIGHT 2016 Chevrolet Malibu - Interior and Exterior Lighting👉 AT NIGHT 2016 Chevrolet Malibu - Interior and Exterior LightingMikesCarInfo · 175K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Heat, A/C & blend door240K views
    Chevy Malibu AC Recharge 2016- 2023Chevy Malibu AC Recharge 2016- 2023Flashback502 · 127K views · 2 videos
  2. No-start: theft light, key & ignition212K views
    2018 CHEVY MALIBU NO CRANK/ NO START UP ISSUE...DIY DIAGNOSIS -FIXED...2018 CHEVY MALIBU NO CRANK/ NO START UP ISSUE...DIY DIAGNOSIS -FIXED...Peter L · 73K views · 3 videos
  3. Brakes & ABS141K views
    2022 HARD Brake Pedal On Chevy Malibu, Equinox FIX2022 HARD Brake Pedal On Chevy Malibu, Equinox FIXMenjicar · 74K views · 2 videos
  4. Cooling system84K views
    Chevy Malibu Thermostat Change! 2013-2016Chevy Malibu Thermostat Change! 2013-2016Flashback502 · 84K views

Before you buy, watch

Chevy Malibu 9th Gen 2016-2022 common problems, issues, defects, recalls and complaintsChevy Malibu 9th Gen 2016-2022 common problems, issues, defects, recalls and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 172K views2016-2022 Chevy Malibu 9 Problems and Issues Before You Buy2016-2022 Chevy Malibu 9 Problems and Issues Before You BuyFixIT · 79K views2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier - Exterior and Interior Walk Around2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier - Exterior and Interior Walk AroundFrontSeatReviews · 1.1M views

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

How serious. Out of 90 owner complaints, owners reported:

0crashes
1injuries
1fires
1tows
697 repair notes from Chevy

Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.

20001651.6× the complaints20011251.2× the complaints2002821.2× fewer complaints2003101about average20042212.2× the complaints20051511.5× the complaints20061351.4× the complaints2007811.2× fewer complaints2008105about average200992about average2010821.2× fewer complaints2011761.3× fewer complaints2012871.1× fewer complaints201393about average2014432.3× fewer complaints2015462.2× fewer complaints20161561.6× the complaints20171691.7× the complaints20182172.2× the complaints2019571.8× fewer complaints2020811.2× fewer complaints2021621.6× fewer complaints2022402.5× fewer complaints202346early read · 2.2× fewer complaints202441early read · 2.4× fewer complaints

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

transmission & drivetrain32%
electrical30%
engine16%
body structure5%
backup camera5%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Chevrolet Malibu year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 54K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 97K miles on the car (17 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 2

  • seats 2022

    The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.

  • seat belts 2021

    The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Chevy told dealers about

Chevy sent dealers 697 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and…
  • This service bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of an in-tank fuel…
  • This informational bulletin provides information to the tech to discard the PCV drain tube…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
NHTSA front crash test of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $2000–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

Car is not registering that is in park. When I put the car in park the message on the dash will ding and say "shift to park" even though it is already in park.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 11605483
More owner reports

The transmission is not working in first gear. The dealership says it needs to be replaced and they have at least 2 other cars with the same problem of the same model and year. This problem has stranded us multiple times.

NHTSA complaint 11608850

When I move my car to park and shut off the vehicle it shows a "shift to park" message. This keeps my car from shutting off on a regular basis.

NHTSA complaint 11543689

Quick answers

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.

What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (32%), electrical (30%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have?

2 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu get?

26 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu safe?

NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 32% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?

About $2000 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have?

1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.

What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2021?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data