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Chevrolet Malibu — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet Malibu model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
62
Years to Avoid
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
Best Years
1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1984, 1976, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965
2025
5 complaints0 recalls125 TSBs
2024
15 complaints1 recalls299 TSBs
2023
46 complaints1 recalls410 TSBs
2022
111 complaints1 recalls614 TSBs
2021
97 complaints2 recalls682 TSBs
2020
304 complaints1 recalls1 invest.762 TSBs
2019
285 complaints1 recalls876 TSBs
2018Avoid
1,154 complaints6 recalls1059 TSBs
2017Avoid
1,156 complaints4 recalls1324 TSBs
2016Avoid
1,419 complaints9 recalls1541 TSBs
2015Avoid
388 complaints3 recalls1476 TSBs
2014Avoid
560 complaints6 recalls1721 TSBs
2013Avoid
1,358 complaints10 recalls1924 TSBs
2012Avoid
1,462 complaints3 recalls1334 TSBs
2011Avoid
1,512 complaints4 recalls1300 TSBs
2010Avoid
2,195 complaints4 recalls1250 TSBs
2009Avoid
2,349 complaints6 recalls1 invest.1098 TSBs
2008Avoid
1,483 complaints5 recalls1074 TSBs
2007Avoid
1,252 complaints6 recalls879 TSBs
2006Avoid
1,474 complaints9 recalls762 TSBs
2005Avoid
1,385 complaints6 recalls1 invest.630 TSBs
2004Avoid
1,639 complaints9 recalls4 invest.630 TSBs
2003
772 complaints3 recalls409 TSBs
2002
754 complaints4 recalls1 invest.391 TSBs
2001
1,005 complaints4 recalls4 invest.377 TSBs
2000
1,379 complaints5 recalls7 invest.333 TSBs
1999
1,227 complaints3 recalls5 invest.132 TSBs
1998
1,480 complaints5 recalls6 invest.115 TSBs
1997
693 complaints6 recalls7 invest.119 TSBs
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989
3 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986
1 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983
1 complaints3 recalls
1982
3 complaints3 recalls
1981
3 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1980
6 complaints6 recalls1 invest.
1979
4 complaints6 recalls1 invest.
1978
2 complaints8 recalls1 invest.
1977
0 complaints2 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975
2 complaints1 recalls
1974
1 complaints1 recalls
1973
0 complaints1 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1967Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1966Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1965Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1964
1 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet Malibu Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 Chevrolet Malibu are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet Malibu, consider the 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1984, 1976, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

62 model years analyzed