Last updated: 2026-03-04
Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Malibu
Nissan Altima
Choosing between the Chevrolet Malibu and the Nissan Altima? 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 Nissan Altima currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Chevrolet Malibu, scoring 78/100 vs 76/100.
Both the Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu share an identical average reliability score of 83/100, yet they differ in several key areas. The Altima has a lower owner complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 vehicles compared to the Malibu's 3.6, indicating fewer reported issues relative to sales volume. Additionally, the Altima's estimated annual repair cost is slightly lower at $483 versus the Malibu's $532. While both vehicles have similar recall histories, with the Altima having more recalls but over a longer timespan, the Altima's lower complaint rate and repair cost make it a marginally more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Altima costs $49 less per year to repair
- 2Chevrolet Malibu has 7 fewer total recalls
- 3Nissan Altima scores 2 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 13 | 20 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.6 | 1.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $532/yr | $483/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 11% | 12% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2025 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima?
The Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu exhibit differing problem profiles, with each vehicle facing unique challenges. The Altima's most significant issues are within the electrical system and service brakes, which have relatively high numbers of crash-linked complaints, particularly concerning the air bags with 18 crash-related reports. In contrast, the Malibu shows a pronounced vulnerability in the power train and electrical system categories, with the power train being its most reported issue, although both models have similar numbers of crash-linked electrical system complaints. While the Malibu has a higher total number of complaints, the Altima's service brakes and air bags present a more severe safety concern, given their higher crash-linked complaint rates.
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 0.9Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.3Very 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 |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Malibu or Nissan Altima?
How Does Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 80/1000R / 3C | 78/1001R / 4C | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2024 | 80/1001R / 8C | 82/1001R / 31C | Nissan Altima |
| 2023 | 81/1001R / 23C | 84/1000R / 24C | Nissan Altima |
| 2022 | 80/1001R / 66C | 83/1000R / 20C | Nissan Altima |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 61C | 79/1002R / 53C | Nissan Altima |
| 2020 | 74/1001R / 178C | 71/1006R / 162C | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2019 | 74/1001R / 181C | 72/1008R / 230C | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2018 | 62/1006R / 673C | 76/1002R / 217C | Nissan Altima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu scored 81/100 and the 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Malibu vs the Nissan Altima?
Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Malibu more reliable than the Nissan Altima?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Altima is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Nissan Altima?
- The Nissan Altima has more recalls (20) 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 Nissan Altima?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 3.6 for the Chevrolet Malibu. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Nissan Altima?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Altima is cheaper to maintain at $483/year versus $532/year for the Chevrolet Malibu.
- Is the Chevrolet Malibu or Nissan Altima safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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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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