Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid
The Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2004, 2011, 2008, 1998, 2006, 2012, 2016, 2005, 2013, 2000, 2007, 1999, 2018, 2017, 2001, 2003, 2002, 2020 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1977 is the cleanest year on record.
29,276
Total complaints
72
Recall campaigns
1964–2025
Years covered
20
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Malibu years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 2,356 | |
| 2010 | High complaint rate | 2,200 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 1,639 | |
| 2011 | High complaint rate | 1,526 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 1,489 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 1,480 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 1,475 | |
| 2012 | High complaint rate | 1,471 | |
| 2016 | High complaint rate | 1,439 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 1,386 | |
| 2013 | High complaint rate | 1,382 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 1,379 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 1,253 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 1,227 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 1,199 | |
| 2017 | High complaint rate | 1,165 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 1,005 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 773 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 754 | |
| 2020 | Open safety investigation | 320 |
Every Malibu year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 37 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 80 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 138 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 114 | 2 | |
| 2020avoid | 320 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 306 | 1 | |
| 2018avoid | 1,199 | 6 | |
| 2017avoid | 1,165 | 4 | |
| 2016avoid | 1,439 | 9 | |
| 2015 | 395 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 561 | 6 | |
| 2013avoid | 1,382 | 10 | |
| 2012avoid | 1,471 | 3 | |
| 2011avoid | 1,526 | 4 | |
| 2010avoid | 2,200 | 4 | |
| 2009avoid | 2,356 | 6 | |
| 2008avoid | 1,489 | 5 | |
| 2007avoid | 1,253 | 6 | |
| 2006avoid | 1,475 | 9 | |
| 2005avoid | 1,386 | 6 | |
| 2004avoid | 1,639 | 9 | |
| 2003avoid | 773 | 3 | |
| 2002avoid | 754 | 4 | |
| 2001avoid | 1,005 | 4 | |
| 2000avoid | 1,379 | 5 | |
| 1999avoid | 1,227 | 3 | |
| 1998avoid | 1,480 | 5 | |
| 1997 | 693 | 6 | |
| 1989 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1983 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1982 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1981 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1980 | 6 | 6 | |
| 1979 | 4 | 6 | |
| 1978 | 2 | 8 | |
| 1977 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1975 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1974 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1964 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Chevrolet Malibu years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Malibu years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2004, 2011, 2008, 1998, 2006, 2012, 2016, 2005, 2013, 2000, 2007, 1999, 2018, 2017, 2001, 2003, 2002, 2020. The cleanest year on record is 1977.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
By complaint volume, 1977 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Malibu years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu have?
Across all model years, the Malibu has 72 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 29,276 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.