With 2 recalls and 61 complaints, the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu rates as moderate on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

21V6490002021-20-08

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

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.

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

22V3590002022-19-05

SEATS

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.

An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu's biggest weak point? POWER TRAIN. It leads 61 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Power Train13

02Unknown Or Other13

03Electrical System6

04Electrical System,unknown Or Other5

05Electrical System,unknown Or Other,engine2

61 total across 1 model years (2021–2021)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Chevrolet Malibu Fuel Economy

26–32mpg combined

22-29city

33-36hwy

$2,100-$2,600/yr

Fuel economy for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu ranges from 26 to 32 MPG combined across 2 setups. The table below breaks it down by trim so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

By Trim

Malibu - Automatic (variable gear ratios)

32mpg

1.5L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

29 city36 hwy~$2,100/yr7/10 Clean

Malibu - Automatic 9-spd

26mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

22 city33 hwy~$2,600/yr5/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

39States

21%in top 3

The biggest cluster of inventory is in Texas (8%), but the remaining listings are spread across 38 other states nationwide.

TXTexas

4918%

FLFlorida

3766%

MIMichigan

3366%

ILIllinois

3256%

MOMissouri

2755%

CACalifornia

2604%

DCWashington DC

2484%

NCNorth Carolina

2304%

INIndiana

2234%

PAPennsylvania

2164%

AZArizona

2154%

MDMaryland

2074%

GAGeorgia

1833%

OHOhio

1623%

DEDelaware

1573%

OKOklahoma

1412%

TNTennessee

1182%

WIWisconsin

1142%

WAWashington

1052%

NY101

MN93

VA92

AL77

KY77

NE76

NJ73

CO72

UT70

KS63

OR54

NV53

SC52

IA51

NH51

LA50

RI42

NM38

MA33

ID30

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2021.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. There are 2 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?

NHTSA shows 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?

You'll get between 26 and 32 MPG combined from the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?

POWER TRAIN problems top the list with 61 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.