Is the Chevrolet Malibu more reliable than the Nissan Versa?

They're very close — both average 76/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Nissan Versa?

The Chevrolet Malibu has more recalls (13) compared to the Nissan Versa (11). 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 Versa?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Versa has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 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 Nissan Versa?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Versa is cheaper to maintain at $456/year versus $532/year for the Chevrolet Malibu.

Is the Chevrolet Malibu or Nissan Versa safer?

Both the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Versa 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.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Versa: Reliability Compared

Chevrolet Malibu

Good

Nissan Versa

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Malibu and the Nissan Versa? 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 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 Versa Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Chevrolet Malibu has concluded its ninth generation, which spanned from 2016 to 2025, with a facelift in 2024. This generation's extended cycle suggests a mature platform, likely resulting in well-sorted reliability as any initial issues would have been addressed over the years. Conversely, the Nissan Versa is currently in its third generation, which began in 2019 and received a facelift in 2024. Being mid-cycle, the Versa benefits from improvements made since its initial release, although early models of this generation might have experienced typical first-year issues. Buyers might find the Malibu's long-standing platform more reassuring in terms of reliability.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Versa are evenly matched with a reliability score of 76/100.

Both the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Versa achieve an average reliability score of 76 out of 100, indicating similar reliability levels. However, the Nissan Versa has a lower owner complaint rate of 1.5 per 10,000 sold compared to the Malibu's 3.6, suggesting fewer issues reported by owners. Additionally, the Versa's estimated annual repair cost is $456, which is more economical than the Malibu's $532. While both vehicles share common issues such as powertrain and electrical system problems, the Versa's lower complaint rate and repair costs make it a slightly more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Nissan Versa costs $76 less per year to repair
2Nissan Versa has 2.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Nissan Versa has 2 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

1Chevrolet Malibu

—

4Nissan Versa

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Versa: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Versa at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Malibu	Nissan Versa
Reliability Score	76/100	76/100
Years Tracked	8	5
Total Recalls	13	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	3.6	1.5
Annual Repair Cost	$532/yr	$456/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	11%	10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1 (1 tied)	3 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Versa?

The Chevrolet Malibu has significantly higher total complaints compared to the Nissan Versa, with notable issues in the power train and electrical system, each having over 240 complaints. The Malibu also shows a concerning number of crash-linked complaints in the air bags category, with 14 incidents, highlighting a potential safety issue. In contrast, the Nissan Versa, while having fewer overall complaints, also has a high incidence of crash-linked complaints in the air bags category, with 12 out of 19 complaints linked to crashes. Both models show vulnerabilities in the power train, but the Malibu's service brakes have a notably higher number of crash-linked complaints, indicating a critical area of concern for safety.

Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Versa common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Malibu	Nissan Versa
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	0.4Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	—None
STEERING	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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
WHEELS	—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 Versa?

According to industry estimates, the Chevrolet Malibu incurs an annual repair cost of $532, while the Nissan Versa is slightly cheaper at $456. Over five years, this translates to a $380 savings for Versa owners. The Versa also has a higher repair frequency at 0.4 visits per year compared to the Malibu's 0.3, indicating more frequent but generally less costly repairs. However, the Malibu has a slightly higher major repair risk at 11% versus the Versa's 10%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Nissan Versa offers better value with lower annual repair costs and similar major repair risk, despite more frequent service visits.

How Does Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Versa Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Versa year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Malibu	Nissan Versa	Edge
2025	80/1000R / 3C	81/1000R / 9C	Nissan Versa
2024	80/1001R / 8C	73/1001R / 91C	Chevrolet Malibu
2021	74/1002R / 61C	77/1003R / 29C	Nissan Versa
2020	74/1001R / 178C	74/1002R / 60C	Tie
2018	62/1006R / 673C	76/1005R / 55C	Nissan Versa

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu scored 80/100 and the 2025 Nissan Versa scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Malibu vs the Nissan Versa?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Nissan Versa is a smart choice. With an estimated annual repair cost of $456 and 1.5 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, the Versa offers a more economical and potentially smoother ownership experience. Its recall count is slightly lower at 11, and it carries a marginally lower major repair risk of 10%. These factors make it appealing if your focus is on minimizing unexpected expenses and disruptions. On the other hand, if you prefer a vehicle with slightly less frequent repair needs, consider the Chevrolet Malibu. Although it has a higher annual repair cost of $532 and more owner complaints at 3.6 per 10,000 sold, its repair frequency is lower at 0.3 times per year. Additionally, if vehicle speed control is a priority, the Malibu's issues in this area might be worth considering, despite its higher recall count of 13.

Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Versa: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Malibu more reliable than the Nissan Versa?: They're very close — both average 76/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Nissan Versa?: The Chevrolet Malibu has more recalls (13) compared to the Nissan Versa (11). 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 Versa?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Versa has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 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 Nissan Versa?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Versa is cheaper to maintain at $456/year versus $532/year for the Chevrolet Malibu.
Is the Chevrolet Malibu or Nissan Versa safer?: Both the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Versa 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.

More Chevrolet Malibu comparisons

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More Nissan Versa 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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