2015–2025 · 11 model years · 32 recalls
Avoid the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best year to buy is 2015.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $5,888 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $3,573 over 5 years. 6 recalls, 700 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $5,680 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $3,453 over 5 years. 9 recalls, 841 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $5,391 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $3,283 over 5 years. 4 recalls, 705 owner complaints.
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $2,668 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,615 over 5 years. 3 recalls, 270 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8th gen | 2015–2015 | 63/100 | Above average |
| 9th gen | 2016–2024 | 32/100 | Below average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Malibu | Not rated yet | 17 | 1 | 31 |
| 2024 Malibu | 50/100 · About average | 44 | 2 | 31 |
| 2023 Malibu | 43/100 · About average | 72 | 2 | 30 |
| 2022 Malibu | 37/100 · Below average | 99 | 1 | 32 |
| 2021 Malibu | 59/100 · About average | 90 | 2 | 32 |
| 2020 Malibu | 28/100 · Below average | 199 | 1 | 32 |
| 2019 Malibu | 36/100 · Below average | 193 | 1 | 32 |
| 2018 Malibu | 11/100 · Well below average | 700 | 6 | 30 |
| 2017 Malibu | 13/100 · Well below average | 705 | 4 | 30 |
| 2016 Malibu | 12/100 · Well below average | 841 | 9 | 30 |
| 2015 Malibu | 63/100 · Above average | 270 | 3 | 29 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
Avoid the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best year to buy is 2015.
The 2015 scores best for reliability (63/100) of the years we rate.
The 2016, with 9 recalls on record with NHTSA.