The Lemon Index
2024Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,026 in the U.S. in 2025 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 26V212000 (back over prevention) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 11 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
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 →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Chevrolet Malibu (2023–2026) name most: U0151 Lost Communication With Restraints Control Module · P0299 Turbocharger/Supercharger A Underboost Condition · P0700 Transmission Control System Malfunction · U0140 Lost Communication With Body Control Module · P25A2 · U0420 Invalid Data Received From Power Steering Control Module. Look up any code →
Recalls 1
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Malibu recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,050 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2025 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (1997–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 27 Chevrolet Malibu years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2025 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-malibu/?y=2025" title="Chevrolet Malibu reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="790" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-malibu/2025/">Lemon Index</a> (2025 Chevrolet Malibu reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,026 were sold in the U.S. in 2025 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2025 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are backup camera (45%), electrical (36%) and transmission & drivetrain (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1 safety recall (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 2025 Chevrolet Malibu get?
31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2025 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 2025 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2,050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2025?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works