Last updated: 2026-03-04
2024 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu scores 80/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 1 recall and 8 owner complaints.
2024 received a end of production update for the Ninth generation (2016).
Recalls
1
Complaints
8
Complaint Rate
0.7
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$532
About avgMajor Repair Risk
11%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.
Top Issues
1 recall on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
2024 received a end of production update for the Ninth generation (2016).
- Changes: Final year of production in the US.; End of sales in the US.; No immediate successor announced..
- Year 9 in this generation (2016–2025).
- 9th generation Malibu (US).
What this means for buyers
Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.
Ninth generation (2016)
Should You Buy the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu earns an Excellent 80/100 reliability score. 2024 received a end of production update for the Ninth generation (2016).
Its complaint rate (0.7 per 10k sold) sits below the Sedan segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.
A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, whether purchased new or used.
Compared to the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu, which scored the same. See also the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Strong reliability score
- Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- Low major repair risk (11%)
- Low recall count
- Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
Cons
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER issues reported (2 complaints)
- Electrical system failures reported at Less than 14,000 miles
Compare 2024 Chevrolet Malibu With
2024 Toyota Camry
Score: 83/100
2024 Nissan Altima
Score: 82/100
2024 Hyundai Sonata
Score: 73/100
2024 Kia K5
Score: 77/100
2024 Honda Accord
Score: 76/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)
- POWER TRAIN (1)
- SEATS (1)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
- SERVICE BRAKES (1)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu has 1 recall 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
0.7
per 10k soldSegment avg: 4.6
Safety Incidents
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2024 Chevrolet Malibu Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
EQUIPMENT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Consequence
The wrong owner's manual may contain inaccurate information about vehicle functions and other safety relevant information, which could lead to improper operation of the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will provide owners with the correct manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454040.
2024 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 10.3%
Safety Technologies
Chevrolet Malibu Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based 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
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2024 Chevrolet Malibu
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect trunk for water pooling and check seals for leaks
- Test forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems for proper operation
- Verify all dashboard warning lights and messages, especially 'Service ESC' and 'Engine Power is Reduced'
- Ensure vehicle starts reliably with push-button ignition and brake pedal
- Check for secure front bumper clips
- Test brakes thoroughly for proper function and responsiveness
Check Any 2024 Chevrolet Malibu's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2024 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.
2024 Chevrolet Malibu Common Problems by Component
8 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaintsOwners of the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu report issues with water pooling in the trunk due to a faulty seal, which some indicate is a known problem potentially covered by extended warranties. Another complaint highlights multiple electrical issues, including trouble codes, malfunctioning A/C, and low voltage readings, all occurring at less than 14,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of front bumper clips not staying secure. No safety implications such as crashes or loss of control are mentioned in the complaints. These patterns may be useful for potential buyers to consider when evaluating the vehicle's reliability.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaintsOwners of the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, specifically noting that the adaptive cruise control does not slow down when approaching other vehicles. Complaints frequently mention that the system fails to activate or displays warning lights indicating inoperability, such as during a trip when both the forward collision and side blind spot systems were reported as non-functional. These issues are often discovered during regular driving, with one owner noting the problem after a trip to Florida. Safety implications are highlighted by owners, who describe near-collision situations due to the system's failure to alert or respond appropriately. This information is pertinent for potential buyers considering the vehicle's safety features.
POWER TRAIN
1 complaintMy vehicle sometimes will not start when I press the Start Button and press the brakes at the same time. The dashboard will light up with a message that says “Service ESC” followed by “Engine Power is Reduced”. When it does start, I can drive the vehicle for a moment before it does the Engine Power Reduced mode where the car feels like its pulling more. It has done this several times while I’m driving on the highway which often times causes me to have to pull over to the side of the road, or make my way to the slow lane so I can pull into a gas station or somewhere public at the next exit. When the dashboard lights up with “Service ESC”, ALL of the hands on my dashboard (i.e the hands for the speedometer, gas, the car temp AND the RPM) move radically back and forth while the car is driving. Sometimes the speedometer will say 0mph even tho the car is moving. Sometimes I am able to pull over and turn my car off and back on and the lights will go away, but often times this doesn’t solve the problem. In fact, it feels like it only exacerbates the problem because when I shift it into park and then attempt to turn off the vehicle, it says “Shift to Park” even though it IS parked. In fact, this morning when the vehicle wouldn’t start after I tried to start it with the button, I attempted to turn the vehicle off (because the radio would come on and I can see lights on the dashboard, but the vehicle itself won’t start) and it said “Shift to Park” even though it is parked and has been since last night. I contacted the nearest Chevy dealership and they informed me that they have dealt with plenty of these complaints lately. I have not had an inspection completed by the dealership because my extended warranty is up and I do not have the funds to pay for a diagnostic inspection.
SEATS (1 complaints)
SEATS
1 complaintSafety-relatedSee attached document for complaint.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintVehicle will shut off and say shift neutral to start again
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintSafety-relatedI rented this 2024 Chevrolet Malibu from Enterprise Rent A Car in Union City, GA. While driving the vehicle on the highway early on [XXX] a vehicle came to a complete stop and in front of the vehicle directly in front of me. This action almost caused a multi-car pile-up. I immediately engaged the brakes. I was met with force and pressed down as hard as I could to stop the vehicle. The brakes on this vehicle failed to function properly. This caused me to crash into another vehicle. I have no information regarding maintenance and inspection of the vehicle at this time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When Do 2024 Chevrolet Malibu Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
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).
2023
1 recall · 23 complaints
2025
0 recalls · 3 complaints
2024(this page)
1 recall · 8 complaints
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.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 62/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 80/100 | Excellent |
Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu?
How many recalls does the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu have?
Is the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu expensive to maintain?
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
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.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
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.
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.
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