2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
97
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
31
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU
The 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU has received a total of 97 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEATS, SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR, SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS. 31 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (23 complaints), Unknown Or Other (23 complaints), and Electrical System (21 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU, potentially affecting up to 1,025 vehicles.
Recall 22V359000 — SEATS
| 221 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers 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...
View full details →Recall 21V649000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
| 402 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers 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...
View full details →Recall 21V649000 — SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
| 402 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU
97 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Warnings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systemthrottlebodymanifold | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a recall repair related to the fuel pump control module. After the repair was completed, the contact experienced a new failure. While attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle became inoperable and could not be turned off. The message “Shift to Park” was displayed while the vehicle was shifted to park. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly turned off after the contact exited the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the shift lever had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.
Vehicle has a repeated issue recognizing that it is in park when trying to turn vehicle off. This causes concern that the vehicle may not actually be in park, will not fully power down therefore draining the battery and leaving driver stranded, or lead to other body control module/shifting problems. This is a known issue with GM spanning multiple years and multiple models. The only official fix is to replace the entire shifter assembly with an updated version which can be a couple of thousand dollars. GM refuses to cover the cost knowing that they installed a faulty part during assembly.
Vehicle has a repeated issue recognizing that it is in park when trying to turn vehicle off. This causes concern that the vehicle may not actually be in park, will not fully power down therefore draining the battery and leaving driver stranded, or lead to other body control module/shifting problems. This is a known issue with GM spanning multiple years and multiple models. The only official fix is to replace the entire shifter assembly with an updated version which can be a couple of thousand dollars. GM refuses to cover the cost knowing that they installed a faulty part during assembly.
Transmission failed to engage gear properly after backing up. Grinding sounds heard when vehicle was in drive. Problem has been confirmed and inspected by Chevrolet dealership. Vehicle is available for inspection. Occupants safety was at risk because gears could have locked up during commute causing vehicle to be undriveable, leaving driver and passengers stranded. Blind spot feature is unavailable randomly, which can cause a possible side swipe crash. When radio is playing suddenly switches to bluetooth randomly.
Transmission failed to engage gear properly after backing up. Grinding sounds heard when vehicle was in drive. Problem has been confirmed and inspected by Chevrolet dealership. Vehicle is available for inspection. Occupants safety was at risk because gears could have locked up during commute causing vehicle to be undriveable, leaving driver and passengers stranded. Blind spot feature is unavailable randomly, which can cause a possible side swipe crash. When radio is playing suddenly switches to bluetooth randomly.
Safety Rating for the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU
The 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU
General Motors, LLC has issued 31 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIP5958B — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This Preliminary information communicates the process for recording transmission noises using the PicoScope For review.
21-NA-186 — ENGINE
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Service Engine Soon Illuminated in DIC and/or a Malfunctioning Fuel Gauge with DTC U0076/U18A2/P1001/P1434 or Other Message Counter Incorrect Codes Set.
24-NA-009 — POWER TRAIN
This service bulletin advises the technician to replace valve body first to determine if that is the issue for and if not, to inspect internal parts of transmission for any signs of abnormal wear to correct customer concerns of Loss of Forward gear, slipping, MIL.
23-NA-119 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the shifter if the park switch has been found with bad pins, causing the customers concern.
23-NA-165 — EQUIPMENT
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Not Lock and Unlock (Loss of Active Functions) Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions) with DTC P0513 Set.
23-NA-165 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Not Lock and Unlock (Loss of Active Functions) Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions) with DTC P0513 Set.
19-NA-200 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of start/stop inoperative, MIL illuminated w/DTC P2797.
PIE0741A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regard to having Loss of Power, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated, Gauges Inoperative and/or multiple warning lights/messages Displayed on Driver Information Center (DIC) and having multiple DTCs set.
PIE0741A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regard to having Loss of Power, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated, Gauges Inoperative and/or multiple warning lights/messages Displayed on Driver Information Center (DIC) and having multiple DTCs set.
20-NA-132 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
Showing 10 of 31 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET MALIBU
- 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,419 complaints
- 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,156 complaints
- 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,155 complaints
- 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 285 complaints
- 2020 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 304 complaints
- 2021 CHEVROLET MALIBU (current)
- 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 111 complaints
- 2023 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 46 complaints
- 2024 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 15 complaints
- 2025 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 5 complaints
Other CHEVROLET Models
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 — 22,175 total complaints
- CHEVROLET IMPALA — 15,197 total complaints
- CHEVROLET TAHOE — 12,511 total complaints
- CHEVROLET EQUINOX — 12,135 total complaints
- CHEVROLET BLAZER — 11,032 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO — 10,928 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 10,375 total complaints
- CHEVROLET COBALT — 10,106 total complaints