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2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Gas
Midsize Cars
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA88
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA32 mpg
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Malibu, is EPA-rated at 32 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 88 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MalibuGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo293632$1,950
MalibuGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223326$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42822, 42941.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Seats

N212356050
221 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskAn improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212356050.
NHTSA campaign 22V359000reported May 19, 2022General Motors, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

N212333380
402 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskAn improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
NHTSA campaign 21V649000reported Aug 20, 2021General Motors, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
88complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 24 · 2025: 23 · 2026: 28

Most-cited components

Unspecified30
Electrical System29
Power Train28
Engine14
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Air Bags6

What owners describe

“Upper center brake light leaked allowing moisture and mildew to accumulate. Safety issue in how it affects my severe asthma.”Aug 10, 2024 · Structure · NHTSA owner report
“Car is not registering that is in park. When I put the car in park the message on the dash will ding and say "shift to park" even though it is already in park.”Jul 30, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The computer was not recognizing my car being in the correct gear shift. It did this for a few days until finally, I couldn't drive it. The car would not recognize any part of the gear being in the correct position. The car would not move forward or reverse, resulting in a tow. The mechanic at Reed Lallier Chevrolet in…”Jun 16, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Malibu model years

A

2025 Chevrolet Malibu

1 recalls · 11 complaints

B

2024 Chevrolet Malibu

2 recalls · 39 complaints

B

2023 Chevrolet Malibu

2 recalls · 68 complaints

A

2022 Chevrolet Malibu

1 recalls · 96 complaints

A

2020 Chevrolet Malibu

1 recalls · 196 complaints

A

2019 Chevrolet Malibu

1 recalls · 191 complaints

F

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

6 recalls · 706 complaints

D

2017 Chevrolet Malibu

4 recalls · 723 complaints

F

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

10 recalls · 861 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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