2021 Chevrolet Malibu
Gas Midsize car
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 unknown or other. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu | Gas | FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | 29 | 36 | 32 | $1,950 |
| Malibu | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,400 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
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Recalls (2)
Seats
highProblem: 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.
Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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 for this recall is N212356050.
Seat Belts
highProblem: 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.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 for this recall is N212333380.
Owner complaints
88 complaints filed
0 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2021: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 24 · 2025: 23 · 2026: 28
Most-cited components
- Unknown Or Other — 30
- Electrical System — 29
- Power Train — 28
- Engine — 14
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 8
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
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | 10% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Other Malibu model years
2025 Malibu
1 recalls · 11 complaints
B2024 Malibu
2 recalls · 39 complaints
B2023 Malibu
2 recalls · 68 complaints
A2022 Malibu
1 recalls · 96 complaints
A2020 Malibu
1 recalls · 196 complaints
A2019 Malibu
1 recalls · 191 complaints
F2018 Malibu
6 recalls · 706 complaints
D2017 Malibu
4 recalls · 723 complaints
F2016 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 (ids 42822, 42941). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.