AutoWarranty.AutosThe HONEST auto warranty comparison site
Menu

Model warranty research

Chevrolet Malibu problems, repairs and warranty value

Review possible repair costs and submitted NHTSA records for the Chevrolet Malibu. Compare documented symptoms and manufacturer repair guidance, then choose your model year for its available records and repair estimates.

11model-year profiles
3,274submitted complaints
20unique vehicle recall campaigns
Gasoline and HybridEPA powertrain choices
Animated diagnostic illustration for the Chevrolet Malibu

Model records

What changes the warranty calculation

The Chevrolet Malibu records contain 3,274 submitted complaints across 11 matched model years. The median is 194 reports per matched year. NHTSA source snapshot: 2026-10-18.

The 2016 record contains 863 complaint reports, the highest raw count among matched years here; other years may tie. Vehicle sales and time on the road differ, so this comparison does not establish a failure rate.

Engine replacement or major internal repair has the highest arithmetic midpoint for parts in the applicable planning estimates, at $8,000 before labor. Confirm the configuration and remaining factory coverage before using this broad estimate to compare a service contract.

33 recall/model-year entries. A campaign can cover several years; the unique campaign count removes that repetition. Missing model-name matches remain unavailable.

Problem research and repair guidance

Chevrolet Malibu: symptoms, affected vehicles and documented fixes

Match the symptom and the exact vehicle scope before arranging work. The imported catalogue is an editorial index of source documents, not an independent safety authority. Recall text is checked against NHTSA; each record links to the evidence that supports its scope and remedy.

5documented issue files
5vehicle systems

5 recall files · 0 other manufacturer files. These are editorial file counts, not distinct campaign totals, failure rates or a complete recall history.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

Official safety recall2023, 2024, 2025Campaign 26V212000

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA: recall 26V212000

A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

Condition in the official record

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

Which vehicles the source covers
  • NHTSA model names: MALIBU. Model years: 2023, 2024, 2025.
  • NHTSA campaign 26V212000
  • The complete campaign lists 276,879 potentially affected units across all listed vehicles.
  • A make, model and year match does not establish VIN eligibility.

Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.

Component in the source: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Published recall remedy

Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262551720. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.

Consequence in the NHTSA record: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Official recall remedyManufacturer or authorized dealer · Confirm with the dealer

Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262551720. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.

Limit: Confirm VIN eligibility and current remedy instructions with the manufacturer.

Check the complete VINVIN lookup · Before arranging repairs

Check the 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and ask the manufacturer whether this campaign remains open for the vehicle.

Limit: The model-year list is not proof that an individual vehicle is affected.

Evidence for this issue
Open this problem file →

Source review: 2026-10-18

SEAT BELTS

Official safety recall2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021Campaign 21V649000

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS: recall 21V649000

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Condition in the official record

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.

Which vehicles the source covers
  • NHTSA model names: MALIBU. Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
  • NHTSA campaign 21V649000
  • The complete campaign lists 402 potentially affected units across all listed vehicles.
  • A make, model and year match does not establish VIN eligibility.

Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.

Component in the source: SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Published recall 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.

Consequence in the NHTSA record: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Official recall remedyManufacturer or authorized dealer · Confirm with the dealer

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.

Limit: Confirm VIN eligibility and current remedy instructions with the manufacturer.

Check the complete VINVIN lookup · Before arranging repairs

Check the 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and ask the manufacturer whether this campaign remains open for the vehicle.

Limit: The model-year list is not proof that an individual vehicle is affected.

Evidence for this issue
Open this problem file →

Source review: 2026-10-18

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Official safety recall2018Campaign 18V576000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER: recall 18V576000

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Condition in the official record

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Which vehicles the source covers
  • NHTSA model names: MALIBU. Model years: 2018.
  • NHTSA campaign 18V576000
  • The complete campaign lists 210,628 potentially affected units across all listed vehicles.
  • A make, model and year match does not establish VIN eligibility.

Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.

Component in the source: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Published recall remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Consequence in the NHTSA record: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Official recall remedyManufacturer or authorized dealer · Confirm with the dealer

GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Limit: Confirm VIN eligibility and current remedy instructions with the manufacturer.

Check the complete VINVIN lookup · Before arranging repairs

Check the 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and ask the manufacturer whether this campaign remains open for the vehicle.

Limit: The model-year list is not proof that an individual vehicle is affected.

Evidence for this issue
Open this problem file →

Source review: 2026-10-18

STRUCTURE

Official safety recall2022, 2023Campaign 22V923000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS: recall 22V923000

An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.

Condition in the official record

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.

Which vehicles the source covers
  • NHTSA model names: MALIBU. Model years: 2022, 2023.
  • NHTSA campaign 22V923000
  • The complete campaign lists 2,108 potentially affected units across all listed vehicles.
  • A make, model and year match does not establish VIN eligibility.

Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.

Component in the source: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Published recall remedy

Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Consequence in the NHTSA record: An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Official recall remedyManufacturer or authorized dealer · Confirm with the dealer

Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Limit: Confirm VIN eligibility and current remedy instructions with the manufacturer.

Check the complete VINVIN lookup · Before arranging repairs

Check the 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and ask the manufacturer whether this campaign remains open for the vehicle.

Limit: The model-year list is not proof that an individual vehicle is affected.

Evidence for this issue
Open this problem file →

Source review: 2026-10-18

VISIBILITY

Official safety recall2013, 2014, 2015Campaign 15V164000

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY: recall 15V164000

The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Condition in the official record

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Which vehicles the source covers
  • NHTSA model names: MALIBU. Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015.
  • NHTSA campaign 15V164000
  • The complete campaign lists 87,063 potentially affected units across all listed vehicles.
  • A make, model and year match does not establish VIN eligibility.

Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.

Component in the source: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Published recall remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

Consequence in the NHTSA record: The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.

Official recall remedyManufacturer or authorized dealer · Confirm with the dealer

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

Limit: Confirm VIN eligibility and current remedy instructions with the manufacturer.

Check the complete VINVIN lookup · Before arranging repairs

Check the 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and ask the manufacturer whether this campaign remains open for the vehicle.

Limit: The model-year list is not proof that an individual vehicle is affected.

Evidence for this issue
Open this problem file →

Source review: 2026-10-18

Confirm who pays before authorizing work

A recall remedy follows the campaign and VIN eligibility. A service bulletin provides diagnosis or repair instructions; it does not by itself promise payment. Manufacturer warranty extensions and support programs have their own conditions.

Compare recalls, bulletins and warranty extensions →

Keep a current problem separate from future coverage

These files do not supply a shop quote. Ask for a diagnosis and written estimate, then check recall remedies or existing coverage. A new vehicle service contract generally excludes pre-existing conditions.

Prepare a useful description for the mechanic →

Each file retains its original source review date. Historical remedy wording can change; check the current manufacturer notice and NHTSA VIN lookup for your vehicle. The separately dated NHTSA counts elsewhere on this page use a different dataset and scope.

Read the evidence for this vehicle

What can the data tell you about Chevrolet Malibu?

No model-specific individual-repair price keys are retained for Chevrolet Malibu in this library. Generic parts and labor estimates, public records and separate annual cost references may still be available.

Individual-repair price scopeGeneric inputs

Model-level range presence is a source-coverage check. It does not confirm that a repair fits every engine or model year.

EPA configuration match24 source rows

The mapped years for this model can include different equipment. Use the VIN and original specifications to identify the actual configuration.

Documented repair pathsCheck the source

Recall and communication counts describe records. They cannot establish a breakdown probability or current VIN status.

Price-key audit reviewed October 18, 2026; EPA source snapshot 2026-08-07. Individual-repair ranges and annual repair-budget references are different datasets.

Campaign-reference audit

One campaign can create many entries

1,200 selected recall files resolve to 780 distinct campaign IDs after compact references are normalized and checked against official NHTSA records. Files and campaigns are different counting units.

1200 selected recall files; normalized references checked against official NHTSA records

See the analysis, charts and method →

EPA configuration facts

Engines and drivetrains sold under this model name

FuelEconomy.gov lists 24 matched Chevrolet Malibu configurations across the model years shown here. Trim, engine and drive layout can change which repairs belong in a warranty comparison.

Vehicle classMidsize car
Fuel choicesGasoline and Hybrid
Drive layoutsFront-wheel drive
Engine range1.5 to 2.5 L; 4 cylinders
EPA efficiency range24 to 46 mpg
Transmission typesAutomatic

These are ranges across EPA configurations, not the specification of every trim. The VIN and original window sticker settle the exact equipment. Source: FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data, dataset updated 2026-08-07.

Possible repair costs

Major repairs for this powertrain

These estimates use parts benchmarks and modeled independent-shop labor rates for 50-metro reference, so you can compare models using the same labor assumptions.

RepairEstimated range
Engine replacement or major internal repair$6,095 to $16,964
Transmission replacement$6,079 to $6,995
Hybrid high voltage battery replacement$4,797 to $5,140
Turbocharger replacement$1,662 to $6,524
Head gasket replacement$2,339 to $3,728
Strut and control arm repair$1,053 to $4,545
Compare a warranty quote with repair costsAll Chevrolet models