2021 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 22% of complaints. After that come drivetrain & axles (20%) and engine (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 138 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 34,000 miles 23 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 9 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 23 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 34,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a fire; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 94% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2021 ranks 26th most-complained-about out of 28 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu with enough data (138 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
In the case of a hard brake while in motion, the vehicles seats both front and rear un-latch and become free in motion. The front seats un-latch from the base, moving the seat forward and the rear seats un-latch and fall forward opening the trunk from the inside.
Blower motor area caught fire while sitting in the driveway. Car door was opened about 20 minutes prior to my security camera catching smoke billowing from the vehicle
Driving through a sandstorm at 45MPH( slow lane and speed sure to visibility) on interstate 10 from rancho mirage to desert hot springs, california, the vehicle windshield cracked nearly a foot. I was charged $400 by enterprise rentals since this was a rental vehicle. A small chip could be seen, size of a ball point pen tip, at beginning of crack. Enterprise has the photos and this was repaired by caliber auto glass in tustin, ca. Rental vehicle unit # 7t1dm2.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate after a stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted before slamming into gear. The contact stated that when the vehicle slammed into gear, the contact was violently pushed into the back of the seat.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, all the lights on the instrument panel illuminated, and the engine started to choke. The Service Vehicle light remained illuminated after the other lights turned off. The engine started choking again and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with an inoperable fuel pump power control module.