Last updated: 2026-08-24
Chevrolet Malibu vs Dodge Charger: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Malibu
Dodge Charger
Choosing between the Chevrolet Malibu and the Dodge Charger? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Malibu currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Chevrolet Malibu is more reliable than the Dodge Charger, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Malibu costs $120 less per year to repair
- 2Chevrolet Malibu has 12 fewer total recalls
- 3Chevrolet Malibu has 4% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Malibu vs Dodge Charger: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Malibu | Dodge Charger |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 13 | 25 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.6 | 2.2 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $532/yr | $652/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 11% | 15% |
| Year Wins | 5 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Malibu and Dodge Charger?
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Dodge Charger |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.9Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Chevrolet Malibu vs Dodge Charger Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Malibu | Dodge Charger | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 80/1000R / 3C | 71/1002R / 10C | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2024 | 80/1001R / 8C | 73/1002R / 4C | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2023 | 81/1001R / 23C | 76/1002R / 22C | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2022 | 80/1001R / 66C | 74/1003R / 11C | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 61C | 76/1002R / 29C | Dodge Charger |
| 2020 | 74/1001R / 178C | 75/1003R / 54C | Dodge Charger |
| 2019 | 74/1001R / 181C | 71/1005R / 118C | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2018 | 62/1006R / 673C | 69/1006R / 121C | Dodge Charger |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu scored 81/100 and the 2023 Dodge Charger scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Chevrolet Malibu vs Dodge Charger: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Malibu more reliable than the Dodge Charger?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Malibu is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Dodge Charger?
- The Dodge Charger has more recalls (25) compared to the Chevrolet Malibu (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Dodge Charger?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Charger has a lower complaint rate at 2.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 3.6 for the Chevrolet Malibu. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Dodge Charger?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chevrolet Malibu is cheaper to maintain at $532/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Malibu comparisons
Decided between Chevrolet Malibu and Dodge Charger? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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 via vehicles.dev. 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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