Last updated: 2026-03-04
2025 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu scores 80/100 ("Excellent"). However, its complaint rate is above the 2025 Sedan segment average (3 vs 2 per 10k).
2025 is the last model year of the Ninth generation (2016).
Recalls
0
Complaints
3
Complaint Rate
3
per 10k sold
Above 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
Generation & Refresh (US)
2025 is the last model year of the Ninth generation (2016).
- Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
- 1 year after the last refresh (2024).
- 9th generation Malibu (US).
What this means for buyers
Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.
Ninth generation (2016)
Should You Buy the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu earns an Excellent 80/100 reliability score. 2025 is the last model year of the Ninth generation (2016).
However, its complaint rate (3 per 10k sold) exceeds the Sedan segment average of 2, driven largely by power train (1) reports.
If buying used, confirm recall repairs are completed and pay particular attention to power train (1) during inspection and test drive.
See also the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Strong reliability score
- Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- Low major repair risk (11%)
- No recalls issued
- 5-star NHTSA crash rating
Cons
- Above-average complaint rate for Sedan
- POWER TRAIN (1)
Compare 2025 Chevrolet Malibu With
2025 Toyota Camry
Score: 76/100
2025 Nissan Altima
Score: 78/100
2025 Hyundai Sonata
Score: 76/100
2025 Kia K5
Score: 79/100
2025 Honda Accord
Score: 84/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
- POWER TRAIN (1)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu has no recalls on record, which is uncommon and a positive indicator of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
3
per 10k soldSegment avg: 2
Safety Incidents
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2025 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 2025 Chevrolet Malibu
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Test backup camera for clarity when in reverse
- Inspect vehicle for unintended movement when parked
- Check radio for glitches or malfunctions
- Verify if any service bulletins or recalls are issued for electrical system issues
Check Any 2025 Chevrolet Malibu's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2025 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.
2025 Chevrolet Malibu Common Problems by Component
3 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
POWER TRAIN
1 complaintVehicle was parked, all windows and doors closed. Key remained out of the vehicle. Car parked for several hours without being touched, when suddenly it began to roll forward on its own. The car continued forward and quickly went down a short hill into a rocky area of a field before coming to a stop.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintBackup camera has blurred vision when in R, the view on the dashboard is extremely blurry and seems to be condensed/ wet. Please check and advise.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintChevy sold me a vehicle knowing that the radio was faulty and known to glitching out. I took it to the dealer and they replicated the problem. GM has known about the issue since 9/2024 when the issued the bulletin about the problem. They sold me the vehicle knowing that the problem existed and did not disclose that to me. That is a violation of CA law.
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(this page)
0 recalls · 3 complaints
2024
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 2025 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu?
How many recalls does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu have?
Is the 2025 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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