Last updated: 2026-03-04

74
GoodReliability score: 74 out of 100, rated Good
2021 Chevrolet Malibu

2021 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Score & Common Problems

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu scores 74/100 ("Good"). With 2 recalls and 61 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

2021 is year 6 of the Ninth generation (2016).

Recalls

2

Complaints

61

Complaint Rate

15.5

per 10k sold

Above avg

Est. Annual Cost

$532

About avg

Major Repair Risk

11%

NHTSA Rating

4/5

Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity35%
60/100 (Good)

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs30%
80/100 (Excellent)

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact20%
80/100 (Excellent)

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity15%
88/100 (Excellent)

Breadth of reported problem categories

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues

POWER TRAIN (22)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13)

2 recalls on record

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 6)

2021 is year 6 of the Ninth generation (2016).

  • Redesigned for the 2016 model year.
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • A refresh arrives in 2024.
  • 9th generation Malibu (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

Ninth generation (2016)

2016redesign
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021selected
2022
2023
2024refresh
2025

Should You Buy the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu scores 74/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2021 is year 6 of the Ninth generation (2016).

Its complaint rate (15.5 per 10k sold) is above the Sedan segment average of 12.3. The most common reports involve power train (22).

A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to power train (22). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.

Compared to the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, which scored 6 points higher. See also the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • Acceptable reliability score
  • Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • Low major repair risk (11%)
  • Low recall count

Cons

  • Above-average complaint rate for Sedan
  • POWER TRAIN: "Shift to Park" error message (22 complaints)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: "shift to park" message (15 complaints)

Compare 2021 Chevrolet Malibu With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

  • 2 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

  • POWER TRAIN (22)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15)
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13)
  • STRUCTURE (2)
  • STEERING (2)
  • SERVICE BRAKES (1)
  • FUEL SYSTEM (1)
  • SUSPENSION (1)
  • ENGINE (1)
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)
  • TIRES (1)
  • SEATS (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

2

recalls on record

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has 2 recalls on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

15.5

per 10k sold

Segment avg: 12.3

LowAvgHigh
Moderate

Safety Incidents

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

1

Deaths

0

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu Recall Details

2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

22V3590002022-05-19

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.

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 for this recall is N212356050.

21V6490002021-08-20

SEAT BELTS

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 for this recall is N212333380.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 10.3%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Not Available)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Chevrolet Malibu Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$532

vs $526 avg for midsize cars

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.3

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

11%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Malibu
$532
Category Avg
$526
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

When Buying a Used 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.

  • Test for 'Shift to Park' error message when turning off the vehicle
  • Check for transmission jerking or failure to engage gears
  • Inspect for any electrical system malfunctions, such as unexpected shutdowns
  • Verify windshield integrity for chips or cracks
  • Ensure power steering functions properly without noise

Check Any 2021 Chevrolet Malibu's History Before You Buy

Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2021 Malibu in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Chevrolet Malibu with a free VIN lookup.

Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu Common Problems by Component

61 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

22
15
13
POWER TRAIN (22)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13)STRUCTURE (2)STEERING (2)SERVICE BRAKES (1)FUEL SYSTEM (1)SUSPENSION (1)Other (4)

POWER TRAIN

22 complaints

Owners report frequent issues with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu's power train, particularly involving the "Shift to Park" error message. This issue commonly occurs when the vehicle is placed in park but fails to recognize the gear, preventing the car from turning off completely. Symptoms include the need to repeatedly wiggle the gear shifter to clear the message and avoid battery drain. Complaints also describe transmission problems, such as jerking, grinding noises, and failure to engage gears properly, sometimes leading to vehicle stalling or loss of acceleration. These issues appear across various mileage ranges, with some emerging as early as 6,300 miles. Safety implications include potential vehicle stalling in traffic, which poses a risk of accidents. This information is relevant for used car buyers considering the 2021 Malibu, as these issues could affect usability and safety.

22 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly related to the "shift to park" message. This problem often prevents the car from fully powering down, leading to battery drain and potential safety concerns such as the vehicle rolling away. Complaints also describe instances where the car unexpectedly shuts off while in motion, causing a loss of power brakes and steering, which poses a significant safety risk. These issues appear across a range of mileages, with some owners experiencing problems shortly after purchase. Additionally, there are reports of transmission-related malfunctions, including the inability to accelerate and the transmission not recognizing gear positions, further complicating the vehicle's reliability.

15 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

13 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report an issue where the vehicle displays a "Shift to Park" message even when the gear shifter is in the park position. Typical symptoms include the car not turning off, electrical systems remaining active, and the need to repeatedly adjust the shifter to resolve the issue temporarily. These complaints often emerge at various mileage points, with some reports noting the problem as early as 15,000 miles and others around 40,000 miles. While no crashes or fires are mentioned, the inability to fully turn off the vehicle can lead to battery drain. Prospective buyers should be aware that this issue may require dealer intervention, and some owners have incurred repair costs.

13 complaints total
STRUCTURE (2 complaints)

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

Owners report issues with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu's structure, specifically concerning water leaks and windshield integrity. One complaint describes moisture accumulation due to a leaking upper center brake light, which poses a safety concern for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma. Another issue involves a windshield cracking after a sandstorm encounter, with a small chip noted at the onset of the crack. This incident occurred at a low mileage of 5,360, suggesting potential vulnerability in the windshield under certain conditions. These structural problems highlight safety implications related to visibility and health, which prospective buyers should consider.

2 complaints total
STEERING (2 complaints)

STEERING

2 complaints

Owners report issues with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu's steering, particularly involving a loss of power steering accompanied by a grinding noise and illuminated warning lights when the vehicle stalls. These symptoms are noted at approximately 68,000 miles. Additionally, there is a reported issue with the vehicle displaying a "Shift to Park" alert, making it difficult to turn off the car. The combination of stalling and power steering failure may have safety implications, such as potential loss of control while driving. Buyers considering a used Malibu should be aware of these reported issues, especially at higher mileages.

2 complaints total
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint
2025-09-10

While driving when coming to a stop, my brakes became stiff causing me to almost hit the vehicle in front of me. Also, the car has been stopping while I am driving and on busy roads when I am at a stop light and press the accelerator to proceed, the vehicle just stop and cuts off completely leaving me stranded while trying to restart the vehicle. Also the vehicle has a long crank before it starts. I have been without my vehicle for a month now and it’s very inconvenient due to these issues. It has been to the dealership where they quoted me over 8,000 to fix the problem.

FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaint
2025-07-14

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where DTC: P1101 (Throttle body failure). The contact was informed that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The part was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where DTC: P1101 was retrieved, and the dealer informed the contact that the throttle body needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was serviced; however, the failure recurred less than a month later. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the Manufacturer's warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.

SUSPENSION (1 complaints)

SUSPENSION

1 complaint
2024-10-14

Rear differential keeps going out and transmission keeps failing every 10k miles, apple car play doesn’t work and lags out. So hand free doesn’t work

ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint
2024-02-01

My 2021 Chevy Malibu's transmission is shredding. The car does not go into D right away, it acts like the engine is completely disengaged. If I go from R to D several times, the engine sometimes revs very high when I step on the gas and then lurches the car forward a few feet. Sometimes, when I try to get the car into first gear, the car will completely shut down with the vehicle in D, and I have to put it in P and restart it. Other times, I can put it in different gears a few times until R engages very sharply (the whole vehicle moves), and then it will engage into D just as sharp. My check engine light will come on and go off, although it never did before this problem started, and whenever it comes on, the car will stop working whenever I stop the vehicle and try to go again (i.e. red lights). I only have one car and am forced to continue to drive this vehicle while I wait on repairs. I have two kids and I am terrified that my transmission is going to completely give out while we're driving, or the engine is going to start shutting down while the vehicle is in motion! The dealership told me that two other Malibus were in with the same exact issue within days of each other. A GM inspector confirmed the transmission is shredding. My friend had a Chevy Impala that did the exact same thing

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint
2021-06-22

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate. After approximately 45 minutes of driving, the vehicle was turned off and restarted without the key fob. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle lost communication with the transmission, brakes, and engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that di-electric grease was needed on the wires. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

When Do 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

15,000–54,000 milesShift to Park error
6,300–10,000 milesTransmission failures

Best & Worst Chevrolet Malibu Years

Best Chevrolet Malibu Years to Buy

The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2023 with a reliability score of 81/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2025 (80/100) and 2024 (80/100).

Chevrolet Malibu Years to Avoid

The worst Chevrolet Malibu year is 2018 with a score of 62/100, primarily due to power train (157) issues.

See full Chevrolet Malibu years-to-avoid analysis →

Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Score Trend

Chevrolet Malibu reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 80/100 compared to 71/100 for older years.

avg 76
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Chevrolet Malibu reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201862/100Good
201974/100Good
202074/100Good
202174/100Good
202280/100Excellent
202381/100Excellent
202480/100Excellent
202580/100Excellent

Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202580/1000Excellent03
202480/100-1Excellent18
202381/100+1Excellent123
202280/100+6Excellent166
2021(selected)74/1000Good261
202074/1000Good1178
201974/100+12Good1181
201862/100Good6673

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 74/100. It is reasonably reliable with 2 recalls and 61 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu include: POWER TRAIN (22 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13 complaints), STRUCTURE (2 complaints), STEERING (2 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have?
The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has 2 recalls on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu expensive to maintain?
The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has estimated annual repair costs of $532/year, which is $6 more than the midsize cars average of $526. With a reliability score of 74/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

See incorrect data? Report an issue