The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Malibu · 2021
2021 Chevrolet Malibu. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 2
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 29 / 36 / 32 | Regular | $1,950 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto 9-spd | FWD | 22 / 33 / 26 | Regular | $2,400 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 7,200 and 97,300 miles. Median 54,000, from 17 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 60,000 | 19,500–102,400 | 10 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 32% |
| Electrical | 30% |
| Engine | 16% |
| Body structure | 5% |
| Backup camera | 5% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
22V359000 May 2022 Seats
Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
Risk. An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy. Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212356050.
21V649000 Aug 2021 Seat Belts / Critical Fasteners
Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Risk. An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy. Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Manufacturer communications 697
Chevy filed 697 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- 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…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
YouTube repair topics
100 videos about the 2016–2024 Chevy Malibu, 15.1M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 7 | 1.3M |
| Transmission & shifter | 3 | 726K |
| Intake, EGR & engine sensors | 5 | 686K |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 5 | 584K |
| Heat, A/C & blend door | 2 | 240K |
| No-start: theft light, key & ignition | 3 | 212K |
| Brakes & ABS | 2 | 141K |
| Cooling system | 1 | 84K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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