2021 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu.

20202022
Complaints
107
per 10K Sold
27.2
US Sales
39,376
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#124 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:52,262 mi
#223 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:34,200 mi
#312 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:36,500 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu.

Transmission / Drivetrain
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,262
Electrical Faults
23
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
34,200
Engine Problems
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,500
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Throttlebody/Manifold
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~623 vehicles.

22V359000Seats
~221 affected

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.

21V649000Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
~402 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Malibu Years

2021 Chevrolet Malibu — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has 107 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 24 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (24 complaints, avg 52,262 mi); Electrical Faults (23 complaints, avg 34,200 mi); Engine Problems (12 complaints, avg 36,500 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 42,015 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu include 0 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 1 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 623 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Malibu reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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