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All cars · Chevrolet Malibu

2024 Chevrolet Malibu.

The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu is so far one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 43 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 41, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 31 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.

Early read

41Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Early read: one of the most reliable. 2.4× 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 problemElectrical42% of owner complaintsRecalls2Free fix at any dealerBetter year to buy20222.5× fewer complaints than averageRepair notes from Chevy324Ask a seller if they were done
Owner complaints43first 3 years
Fuel economy31 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 2024 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 43 owner complaints, owners reported:

3crashes
1injuries
0fires
1tows
324 repair notes from Chevy
Early read. The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2024 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2024 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.

electrical42%
backup camera23%
automatic emergency braking14%
transmission & drivetrain14%
brakes9%

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 →

Recalls 2

  • back over prevention 2026

    The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

  • equipment 2024

    The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box.

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 324 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • This service bulletin provides information on the Transport Mode Feature, also known as…

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

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningUnknown
Lane departure warningUnknown
NHTSA front crash test of the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $2050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

Back up Camera has a recall and there has not been a fix for over 3 months. The back up camera shows a black screen

2024 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 11745585
More owner reports

Vehicle will shut off and say shift neutral to start again

NHTSA complaint 11675332

Quick answers

Is the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 2.4× fewer complaints than average per car sold, against other 2024 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 41; 100 is average). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.

What are the most common 2024 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (42%), backup camera (23%) and automatic emergency braking (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu have?

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

What gas mileage does the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu get?

31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 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 2024 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?

About $2050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu have?

1.5L 4-cyl.

What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2024?

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