VehicleVerdict

2025 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

7

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other Malibu years?

Malibu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted2,356 complaints1964: 1 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1975: 2 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 4 complaints1980: 6 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 3 complaints1983: 1 complaints1986: 1 complaints1989: 3 complaints1997: 693 complaints1998: 1,480 complaints1999: 1,227 complaints2000: 1,379 complaints2001: 1,005 complaints2002: 754 complaints2003: 773 complaints2004: 1,639 complaints2005: 1,386 complaints2006: 1,475 complaints2007: 1,253 complaints2008: 1,489 complaints2009: 2,356 complaints2010: 2,200 complaints2011: 1,526 complaints2012: 1,471 complaints2013: 1,382 complaints2014: 561 complaints2015: 395 complaints2016: 1,439 complaints2017: 1,165 complaints2018: 1,199 complaints2019: 306 complaints2020: 320 complaints2021: 114 complaints2022: 138 complaints2023: 80 complaints2024: 37 complaints2025: 7 complaints
Malibu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Malibu years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance229%
Electrical System229%
Other229%
Transmission114%

Does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V212000Driver AssistanceApril 2, 2026 · 276,879 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 9, 2026

“Chevy sold me a vehicle knowing that the radio was faulty and known to glitching out. I took it to the dealer and they replicated the problem. GM has known about the issue since 9/2024 when the issued the bulletin about the problem. They sold me the vehicle knowing that the problem existed and did…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 28, 2025

“Vehicle was parked, all windows and doors closed. Key remained out of the vehicle. Car parked for several hours without being touched, when suddenly it began to roll forward on its own. The car continued forward and quickly went down a short hill into a rocky area of a field before coming to a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 17, 2025

“Vehicle was parked, all windows and doors closed. Key remained out of the vehicle. Car parked for several hours without being touched, when suddenly it began to roll forward on its own. The car continued forward and quickly went down a short hill into a rocky area of a field before coming to a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 17, 2025

2025 Chevrolet Malibu — common questions

Is the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Malibu years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Malibu years belongs to 1977.

How safe is the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.