Last updated: 2026-10-10
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 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very 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 |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| 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 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
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
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Decided between Chevrolet Malibu and Dodge Charger? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Chevrolet Malibu and Dodge Charger
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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