Chevrolet Malibu Recalls

The Chevrolet Malibu has 36 recalls spanning 2004 through 2025, with the most serious recent issue being a structural weld defect on 2022-2023 models where the front impact bar may not be properly attached to the frame rail, preventing crash sensors from functioning correctly in a collision.

On the most recent end of the production run, 2023-2025 models have a rearview camera that can display a distorted or blank image while backing up, including a moisture-intrusion variant on 2023 models. The 2024 model year also has a wrong owner's manual issue that may provide inaccurate child restraint and safety information.

The 2016-2021 model years carry a rear seatbelt retractor recall where loose or missing fasteners can prevent the belt from holding an occupant in a crash. The 2021 model year has a driver's seat cushion frame with an improperly welded power tilt mechanism that may not restrain the driver adequately. On 2016-2018 vehicles, an incorrectly calibrated passenger seat sensor installed during a prior service visit can cause improper airbag deployment. The 2016 model year has multiple airbag concerns: side-impact inflator welds that can fracture and send debris into the cabin, a side-impact cushion that can tear during deployment, front inflators that may not inflate correctly, and weld studs that can break and allow the side airbag to shift out of position. A 2016 brake control module memory chip failure can knock out both anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, and a park lock defect allows the ignition key to be removed while the transmission is not in Park, risking a rollaway.

The 2018 model year has a start-stop accumulator with potentially missing bolts that can cause transmission fluid loss and loss of drive power, an engine control module software error that can disable fuel injectors and stall the engine, and rear brake caliper pistons that can develop gas pockets and reduce braking performance. Across 2016-2018 models, the high-pressure fuel pump can detach from its flange, damage the fuel line, and create a fire risk.

The 2015 model year has front seat-mounted side-impact airbag inflators that can rupture in a crash. The 2014 model year has rear brake rotors that may have been mistakenly installed on the front axle, risking brake pad detachment and sharply reduced stopping power, and a separate loss of vacuum-assisted braking on 2.5L auto stop/start models requiring much greater pedal effort to stop. The 2013 model year has rear suspension toe links that can fracture on vehicles registered in northern and mid-Atlantic states, suspension bolts that may not have been properly torqued, and an airbag diagnostic module that can reset after hard braking and unexpectedly deploy the roof rail airbag.

The 2010-2011 model years have a driver frontal airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin. The 2011-2012 models have seatbelt anchor cables that can bend and break, leaving occupants unrestrained. Going back further, 2006-2007 models can lose electric power steering assist without warning, and 2004-2012 models have an electronic stability control defect that can increase crash risk across a wide range of driving conditions.