2025 CHEVROLET MALIBU

1 recalls, 16 complaints - 5/5 safety rating

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Defect Description

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

Consequence

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

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... Read more

276,879 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

Complaint Statistics

16 total complaints 1 crashes

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
POWER TRAIN	3
STEERING	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	1
ENGINE	1
BACK OVER PREVENTION	1

Incident date: Aug 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable... Read more

Incident date: Aug 6, 2026

The steering system stopped working suddenly. Sounds exactly like the recall but my VIN is not included in the recall. I had to replace the steering system at the local deal shop and I paid 100% of the cost. It only has 12,000 miles.

Incident date: Aug 6, 2026

Vehicle experiences a severe, abrupt jerk/jolt during deceleration around the 5th-to-4th gear downshift. The issue occurs consistently when slowing down. Dealership verified the condition on Repair Order #1906625 and confirmed a transmission flaw. Dealer stated software is required from the manufact... Read more

Incident date: Aug 6, 2026

Description: The vehicle suffers from an intermittent and dangerous "no-restart" defect involving the Auto-Idle Stop (AIS) system. When the vehicle comes to a complete stop and the automated stop-start system shuts off the engine to conserve fuel, the engine frequently fails to automatically restart... Read more

Incident date: Jul 30, 2026

First time it was the middle of the night I was leaving a party and the car cut off in the middle of the street in the intersection. I had to wait for hours for the car to start back up … a couple weeks later the car cut off 2 on the highway going 70/80 and I told the man at the car lot about it t... Read more

Incident date: Jul 30, 2026

Incident date: Jul 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2026

Unknown, 2016 Honda Civic, Sticky Steering on the highway

Incident date: Jun 30, 2026

While Driving on the 110 north freeway, glass panaramic roof glass shattered randomly.

Incident date: Apr 9, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

Incident date: Mar 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact contin... Read more

Incident date: Oct 17, 2025

I had storm damage to my vehicle and needed the front headlight replaced. This was a insurance claim and it went to a local body shop as well as a GM Dealership trying to fix the problem. My vehicle is equipped with Adaptive Forwarding Headlights that turn with my steering wheel. Once my headligh... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Oct 17, 2025

Year: 2024 Make & Model: Jeep Wrangler 4-door 4xe Body Style: Sahara 4x4 VIN: [XXX] On October 14, 2025, I began to drive my car home. After the use of the brakes, while I was pulling out of a large parking lot, the car functionally went into neutral, the “D” on PRNDL display began to blink. T... Read more

Incident date: Oct 17, 2025

Incident date: Aug 15, 2025

There are clearly many design flaws on my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. One issue I am having with this car is the Daytime Running Lights. These are expensive LED lights that should function for the life of the vehicle. Unfortunately, I believe there is a problem with the control module on the L... Read more

Incident date: Feb 28, 2025

While driving or stopped at a light, car will switch drivings modes to “mud and sand” turning off the vehicle stability control and pre-collision system warning light will illuminate. After pressing desired mode, car will switch back to “mud and sand” at varying intervals resulting in me pre... Read more

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2025 CHEVROLET MALIBU

2025 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD

Category	Rating
Overall Rating	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash, Passenger	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Passenger	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover Risk	10.3%

Safety Technology

Feature	Status
Electronic Stability Control	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	Standard & Optional
Lane Departure Warning	Standard & Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

EPA Fuel Economy, 2025 CHEVROLET MALIBU

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios) (Front-Wheel Drive)	28.0	36.0	31.0	Regular	$2,000

CO2 Emissions: 283.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, CHEVROLET MALIBU

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Open , Model Year: 2020

DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has become aware of eight vehicle crashes in which a rupture of a Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN) air bag inflator occurred during the deployment of the driver side air bag. All eight drivers in these crashes sustained serio... us or fatal injuries that appear linked to the ruptures. Six of those drivers sustained fatal injuries and two sustained severe injuries. In all eight incidents, the subject inflators had been installed as replacement equipment after the vehicle was involved in a previous crash. Information gathered during NHTSA’s initial analysis of these incidents indicates that the inflators were potentially imported illegally into the United States. In conjunction with this safety investigation, NHTSA is also working with appropriate authorities to address any illegal activities associated with the importation of these inflators. As a result of the significant safety concerns relating to these inflators, as well as extensive information already obtained by ODI relating to their field ruptures, ODI is moving directly to the Engineering Analysis (EA) stage of its investigative process rather than first opening a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA has taken a variety of actions to address the risks posed by the importation of substandard or counterfeit air bag components. However, until recently, these risks appeared spread across a variety of components and manufacturers. As part of ODI’s continuous monitoring of this issue, the agency has obtained information to suggest that at least eight incidents involve ruptures of inflators manufactured by DTN. In parallel with this dedicated investigation into DTN inflators, ODI will continue to monitor reports of field incidents to evaluate risks from other substandard imported air bag components. In 2012, ODI first became aware of substandard or counterfeit air bag modules sold through online marketplaces, such as auction sites. NHTSA obtained examples of these air bag modules and conducted testing. None of the inflators equipped in these modules were manufactured by DTN. This testing revealed that the inflators consistently malfunctioned during deployments, such as by failing to deploy the air bag or expelling metal shrapnel due to a rupture. This led NHTSA to release a consumer advisory in October 2012 to alert the public and repair professionals to the potential dangers of substandard or counterfeit air bag modules. ODI also worked with major vehicle manufacturers, who released advisories and notifications concerning the use of such air bag modules. Since then, NHTSA has continuously monitored for reports of malfunctioning air bags that may be associated with substandard or counterfeit components. These monitoring efforts have been supported by the increased visibility the advisories have brought to the issue, and by several standing general orders in place as part of separate investigations into Takata and ARC inflators, which require certain manufacturers to report any alleged or suspected inflator field ruptures to NHTSA. Until 2017, ODI was not aware of any field incidents involving an abnormal deployment of an imported substandard or counterfeit air bag module. In September 2017, ODI became aware of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2009 Honda Civic where the air bag ruptured during deployment, killing the driver. After inspecting the vehicle and air bag parts, ODI determined that the air bag inflator was not original equipment and that the air bag module was likely a substandard import. Insufficient information existed to determine the manufacturer of the inflator in this incident, however, it does not appear to resemble those manufactured by DTN. On June 16, 2023, ODI received a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ #11527380) alleging that the rupture of a driver side air bag caused fatal injuries to the driver of a MY 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. ODI’s assessment of the rupture indicated that the air bag inflator was not original equipment but was instead manufactured by DTN, a Chinese company (also known as Yoshibayashi Toku theanol Automotive Safety Systems Co. Ltd.). From June 2023 to July 2024, ODI became aware of four additional ruptures involving substandard air bag modules equipped on Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. At the time, insufficient information existed for these crashes to determine who manufactured the ruptured inflators. As a result, NHTSA released a consumer advisory on July 10, 2024, alerting car buyers and owners to be aware of cheap, substandard replacement air bag inflators that can cause death or serious injury in a crash. The advisory urged consumers who own or are considering the purchase of a used vehicle to learn the vehicle’s history and ensure the vehicle has genuine air bag inflators. In March 2025, NHTSA learned about another rupture involving a suspected substandard, aftermarket inflator that was equipped in a MY 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The driver of this vehicle sustained fatal injuries that appeared related to the rupture. In August 2025, NHTSA received a similar report of a fatal air bag rupture in a MY 2019 Hyundai Sonata. Most recently, in October 2025, ODI received a report of a fatal air bag rupture in a MY 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. Photographs of the air bag components in these three crashes indicated that the ruptures all involved inflators manufactured by DTN. Further investigation of the inflator fragments in three of the prior incidents confirmed that they also involved DTN inflators. Photographs of the components involved in one of the other incidents also strongly suggest that the ruptured inflator was manufactured by DTN. This opening resume exceeded space limitations and is continued in an attachment uploaded to the investigation.Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2004

Turn Signal Lamps

GM designed the MY 2004 and 2005 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles with a daytime running lamp (DRL) system that uses the same filament (the high power filament of a dual filament bulb) as the front turn signals.The high power filament operates at full battery voltage when functioning as a D... RL.The DRL is illuminated whenever the headlamps are off, increasing the duty cycle of the front turn signal bulb.The MY 2003 and earlier Malibu vehicles (Malibu Maxx was not manufactured for sale in the U.S. prior to MY 2004) used a headlamp based design, operated at a reduced voltage, for the DRL function; GM reverted back to this design on the MY 2006 and later Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles. Filament based bulbs have a finite life (hours of illumination) for any given operating voltage.As a result, increasing the duty cycle of a bulb typically decreases the life span of the bulb.GM identified and addressed two front turn signal/DRL and rear turn signal bulb quality issues early in MY 2004 production, however vehicle warranty claims for failed bulbs continued to occur.To address the high warranty levels of bulb failures (90% of the warranty claims submitted to ODI by GM were bulb failures and 10% were socket failures), GM issued a technical service bulletin in March 2006 advising dealers to use a new specification of bulb when addressing service failures, and to also inspect the electrical sockets for thermal damage and replace if necessary.In June 2006 (after subject vehicle production ended) GM changed the turn signal bulb specification to that of the TSB bulb in vehicle production also.To date, ODI has not identified any allegations of crash, injury, or fire related to the alleged defect even though the subject vehicles have experienced 5 - 6 years of field exposure.ODI's analysis of consumer complaints, both VOQ and manufacturer, shows a declining trend.The warranty rate for turn signal bulb replacement is high however statistical analysis of the warranty data suggests that the majority of the original equipment bulbs have already been replaced.GM conducted a safety recall (06V-263) for MY 2004-2005 Cadillac XLR to replace the front turn signal/DRL bulbs and the electrical sockets.However GM advised that the turn signal/DRL bulbs/sockets on the subject vehicles differ from those on the recalled XLRs in several respects, including using bulb sockets with four electrical terminals as opposed to three, which improves the electrical connection, allows the bulb to operate at a lower temperature, and adds stability to the bulb in the socket; operating at a lower voltage, which increases vehicle bulb life; using vented headlamps, which allows bulbs to run cooler than those installed in a non-vented XLR headlamp; and using a clear bulb, which runs cooler than the amber bulbs installed on the XLR.Additionally, the warranty claim level related to subject vehicle sockets is unremarkable compared to other defect investigations into defective socket assemblies.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.Further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.See attached report for further information.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2004

TURN SIGNAL LAMPS

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF FUNCTION OF ONE OR MORE OF THE PARK, TURN, STOP OR DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (DRL).FAILURE OF THE BULB MAY ALSO INCLUDE DISCOLORATION (HEAT DAMAGE) TO THE BULB SOCKET.GENERAL MOTORS (GM) TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) NUMBER 06-08-42-004C INSTRUCTS TECHNICIA... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2002

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD... Read more

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1997

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE W... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2004

LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING

IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES O... Read more

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1999

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).OD... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2004

LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING

ODI OPENED PE04-031 BASED ON EIGHT REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER STEERING FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE DRIVER SUDDENLY LOST ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE UTILIZES AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERI... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1999

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFO... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2000

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1... Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1999

ENGINE COOLANT BOILS OVER

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2000

TURN SIGNAL FAILURE

ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION BASED ON 9 COMPLAINTS OF TURN SIGNALS OPERATING SPORADICALLY ON THE 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU.THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL.GM IDENTIFIED THE HAZARD SWITCH AS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.E... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1997

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1997

STEERING RACK AND PINION

ODI HAS RECEIVED 200 COMPLAINTS FROMT CONSUMERS AND 1,238 FROM GM ALLEGING FAILURE OR LOCKUP OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT (R&P).THIS ALLEGED CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH CAN RESULT.GM HAS REPORTED SIX CRASHES IN WHICH EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE SUSTA... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1997

WINDSHIELD WIPER

ON FEBRUARY 22, 2000, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) INITIATED PE00-009 BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 & 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU & OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO EA00-019 ON JULY 12, 2000.DURING THE COURSE OF... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1997

STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY OVERHEAT

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1997

WINDSHIELD WIPER

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1998

STOP LAMP

There is no summary currently available

CHEVROLET MALIBU - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the CHEVROLET MALIBU across all model years (1973, 2025).

164 Total Recalls

29,470 Total Complaints

19 Investigations

1,250 Reported Crashes

274 Reported Fires

41 Reported Deaths

CHEVROLET MALIBU - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2025 (current)	1	16
2024	2	62	View
2023	2	106	View
2022	1	156	View
2021	2	134	View
2020	1	336	View
2019	1	309	View
2018	6	1,215	View
2017	4	1,179	View
2016	9	1,448	View
2015	3	402	View
2014	6	564	View
2013	10	1,383	View
2012	3	1,473	View
2011	4	1,529	View
2010	4	2,205	View
2009	6	2,356	View
2008	5	1,489	View
2007	6	1,253	View
2006	9	1,475	View
2005	6	1,386	View
2004	9	1,639	View
2003	3	773	View
2002	4	755	View
2001	4	1,005	View
2000	5	1,379	View
1999	3	1,227	View
1998	5	1,480	View
1997	6	693	View
1989	0	3	View
1986	0	1	View
1983	3	1	View
1982	3	3	View
1981	3	3	View
1980	6	6	View
1979	6	4	View
1978	8	2	View
1977	2	0	View
1975	1	2	View
1974	1	1	View
1973	1	0	View
1964	0	1	View

Other CHEVROLET Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
SUBURBAN	246	10,458	View
TAHOE	240	12,622	View
SILVERADO 1500	200	22,534	View
CORVETTE	187	6,308	View
CAMARO	179	4,298	View
SILVERADO	159	10,964	View
SILVERADO 3500	152	1,409	View
EXPRESS	151	838	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2025 CHEVROLET MALIBU

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2025 CHEVROLET MALIBU

Safety Technology

EPA Fuel Economy, 2025 CHEVROLET MALIBU

NHTSA Safety Investigations, CHEVROLET MALIBU

CHEVROLET MALIBU - All Years Overview

CHEVROLET MALIBU - Year by Year

Other CHEVROLET Models