The Lemon Index

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Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Sentra: which has fewer problems?

Chevrolet MalibuNissan Sentra

Photos: Kevauto · Mr.choppers (Wikimedia Commons)

Winner

Nissan Sentra

About 40% fewer owner complaints per car sold than the Chevrolet Malibu, and fewer in 16 of 24 model years both were sold.

Head to head

Lemon Index
100 = average, lower is better
99
59
Years with fewer complaints
2000–2024
8 of 24
16 of 24
Recalls
2000–2024
109
105
MPG
latest year
31
33–34
Crash test
best, latest year
★★★★★
★★★★★
Best year to buy

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. Green check = the better of the two on that line.

Year by year

Shorter bar = fewer complaints per car sold. Tap a year for its full report.

Every Chevrolet Malibu year · Every Nissan Sentra year · How the index works