The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 24 of 73 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 99 in 2022 to 73 in 2023.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 73
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,100
- Combined MPG
- 30
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,400 | 1,950–3,000 | 2,100 | 2,000 | 2,000 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–32 | 26–32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–29 / 33–36 | 22–29 / 33–36 | 27 / 35 | 28 / 36 | 28 / 36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 273–342 | 275–342 | 292 | 282 | 283 | |
| Complaints filed | 90 | 99 | 73 | 46 | 12 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 24 of 73 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA rates it 30 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
EPA estimates $2,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 292 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Defect
- 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 recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- 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.