What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Typical pattern

8.3% of complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2021 vehicle — around the middle of the 159 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is other (30 complaints), typically at 4.2 yr or about 5,300 miles.

Complaints
133
Median age at failure
4.1 yr
Median mileage
34,200 n=23
Crash / fire / tow
3% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Other
30 reports · 5,300 mi
4.2 yr
0%
Electrical system
29 reports · 72,000 mi
4.2 yr
3.4%
Power train
28 reports · 66,000 mi
4.1 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V359000 2022-05-19
Seats

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.

An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

21V649000 2021-08-20
Seat belts:critical fasteners

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Other mileage not reported 2.8 yr in service
The car is constantly displaying the shift to park display on the dash after the car is placed in park. Can turn the car off with the display but the prompt stays on the display and the electrical power does not shut off resulting in battery drain unless you constantly mess with the shifter until it removes the shift to park display. My first encounter with the dealer is Monday and was told they can't work on it if they can not replicate the issue. Sometimes it goes a week without doing it so who knows. Been doing this about 3 weeks now.
Other mileage not reported 2.8 yr in service
Every time I parked the car, the dashboard will light up and give me a message to " SHIFT TO PARK" I have read that this can means a malfunction in my transmission or it could be a sensor. I have also read that this type of cars have a recalls on 2016-2019. I just purchased this car Aug of 2022
Other mileage not reported 3.1 yr in service
When I parked my car and tried to turn off the ignition, a warning buzzer kept beeping and a warning on the dash was telling me to “shift to park”. I moved the shifter numerous times to make sure it was in park, but the warning continued. This happened several times now. A few times the warning went off after I wiggled the shifter knob numerous times, but not always.
Electrical system mileage not reported 7 mo in service
THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR, EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC KEY FOB AND A STARTER/TURN ENGINE-OFF BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE COULD BE LOCKED REMOTELY FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHILE IT CONTINUED TO RUN. ADDITIONALLY, IT APPERED THAT AN OCCUPANT OF THE LOCKED VEHICLE WHO DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRONIC KEYFOB IN HIS POSSESSION COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. THUS, ADULTS OR CHILDREN COULD BE ASPHYXIATED UNDER CERTAIN NOT-TOO-HARD-TO-IMAGINE SITUATIONS.

Other Malibu model years

202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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