Chevrolet

Malibu (8th)

2008-2012 · Midsize Sedan ยท 7 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (4.1)
5,762 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
55 Fire Reports
205 Crash Reports
Includes data from: MALIBUMALIBU CLASSICMALIBU HYBRID
View all 5 generations of the Chevrolet Malibu → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

LZE

3.5L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.1)
13 complaints 6.5 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
5
exterior
5
electrical
5
other
1
body
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (5 complaints)
Exterior Issues (5 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (5 complaints)

L61

2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (3.4)
54 complaints 27.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
34
safety systems
8
electrical
8
exterior
5
transmission
5

Known Issues

Steering Issues (34 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (8 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (8 complaints)

LZ4

3.5L 6-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (3.2)
117 complaints 38.7 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
54
electrical
28
safety systems
23
transmission
20
brakes
9

Known Issues

Steering Issues (54 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (28 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (23 complaints)

LE9

2.4L 4-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.5)
583 complaints 145.8 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
11 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
237
steering
162
exterior
124
safety systems
66
engine
66

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (237 complaints)
Steering Issues (162 complaints)
Exterior Issues (124 complaints)

Chevrolet Malibu Unidentified Engine

โŒ Avoid (1.4)
625 complaints 125.0 per year
10 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
223
steering
183
exterior
85
engine
78
body
57

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (223 complaints)
Steering Issues (183 complaints)
Exterior Issues (85 complaints)

LE5

2.4L 4-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
3,904 complaints 771.6 per year Gasoline
33 fire reports 4 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1580
electrical
1366
exterior
486
brakes
383
transmission
342

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1,580 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (1,366 complaints)
Exterior Issues (486 complaints)
Show 12 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

LG8

3.1L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.9)
3 complaints 1.5 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1
exterior
1
interior
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)
Exterior Issues (1 complaints)
Interior Issues (1 complaints)

LCV -SIDI, DCVCP, VVT, DCVCP, E85 Max, E0-E100, Aluminum

2.5L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.7)
3 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
3
steering
2
engine
1
transmission
1
safety systems
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (3 complaints)
Steering Issues (2 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)

LV6

1.8L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.7)
2 complaints 2.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1
suspension
1

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

LC3

4.4L 8-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
2 complaints 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
2
transmission
1
engine
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)
Transmission Issues (1 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)

LS7

7.0L 8-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1
engine
1

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)

LUU - E-FLEX, FAM 0

1.4L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.7)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Electric
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
2
engine
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)

LAY

1.8L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
1

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
exterior
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)
Exterior Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

+119 more
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L32

3.8L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
steering
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)
Steering Issues (1 complaints)

1.0-I3-Gas

1.0L 3-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

2.8-V6-Gas

2.8L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Battery & Propulsion Reliability

Mild Hybrid

Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu

โœ… Recommended
17 battery-related complaints 6.0 per year 0 battery-related recalls

That's near the typical rate for mild hybrids in this dataset (median 4.0 per year). Within the normal range for the category.

What kind of battery complaint?

Among the 17 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about โ€” not how reliable the vehicle is overall.

Electric Propulsion 9 (53%)

Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.

Hybrid Drivetrain 5 (29%)

Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.

High-Voltage Battery 3 (18%)

Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.

Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
  • [2008] FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE PULLING INTO LOT AND THEN CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AT FIRST SERVICE, TOLD DEALERSHIP WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THAT SAME YEAR OR NEXT YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HYBRID BATTERY AND IT
  • [2008] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE STEERING SUSPENSION WAS RECALIBRATED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AFTER THE MALFUNCTION FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOU
  • [2009] Loss of power steered. Power steering esc code appears. Steering wheel locks when I first start vehicle.
Hybrid Drivetrain
  • [2008] FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE PULLING INTO LOT AND THEN CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AT FIRST SERVICE, TOLD DEALERSHIP WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THAT SAME YEAR OR NEXT YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HYBRID BATTERY AND IT
  • [2008] FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE PULLING INTO LOT AND THEN CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AT FIRST SERVICE, TOLD DEALERSHIP WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THAT SAME YEAR OR NEXT YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HYBRID BATTERY AND IT
  • [2009] PLEASE REVIEW NHTSA ID NUMBERS 10360384, AND 10464366. MY ORIGINAL CASE IS 10360384, AND BOTH ARE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WORKED WITH GM A FEW YEARS AGO, WHEN I SUBMITTED MY CASE. THEY NOTED THE HESITATION AND SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL. MY CAR WAS "BETTER" FOR A WHILE AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE LATELY. I AM WANTING TO KNOW NOW IF THIS IS A SIMILAR ISSUE IN REALITY TO THE OWNERS THAT COMPLAIN OF THE BRAKES
High-Voltage Battery
  • [2008] FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE PULLING INTO LOT AND THEN CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AT FIRST SERVICE, TOLD DEALERSHIP WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THAT SAME YEAR OR NEXT YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HYBRID BATTERY AND IT
  • [2008] FIRST SUMMER OF OWNERSHIP, HOT DAY, AIRCONDITIONER ON. CAR STARTED FLASHING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS. PULLED OFF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE PULLING INTO LOT AND THEN CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AT FIRST SERVICE, TOLD DEALERSHIP WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THAT SAME YEAR OR NEXT YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HYBRID BATTERY AND IT
  • [2009] ON 4/29/10, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF NOT ACCELERATING OVER 45. ON 6/18/10, I WAS TRYING MERGE ONTO A INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR, BUT THE CAR HAD NO POWER. I ALMOST WAS HIT BECAUSE OF THIS. IMMEDIATELY THE SERVICE HYBRID LIGHT CAME ON SO TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND A LEAKING BATTERY AND BAD SENSOR. CAR REPAIRED AND BEGAN TO DRIVE HOME. AFTER STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I TRIED TO ACC

Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN โ€” high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Chevrolet Malibu regardless of engine variant.

Steering Issues (2,090 complaints)
steering critical
Electrical System Issues (2,054 complaints)
electrical critical
Exterior Issues (792 complaints)
exterior critical
Brakes Issues (448 complaints)
brakes serious
Transmission Issues (363 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (9)

19V019000Jan 15, 2019critical
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.

15V269000Aug 4, 2015serious
Seat Belts

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.

14V153000Mar 30, 2014serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

14V224000Apr 29, 2014serious
Powertrain

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.

14E044000Jul 20, 2014serious
Steering

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.

14V252000May 13, 2014serious
Electrical System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

12V460000Sep 17, 2012serious
Powertrain

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.

09V073000Jun 2, 2009serious
Powertrain

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

08V634000Feb 11, 2008serious
Visibility

GM IS RECALLING 77 MY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEM." THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIRCONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE BLOWER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE MODE SELECTOR WOULD REMAIN IN THE LAST KNOWN SETTING.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

The 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu has accumulated 5,762 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Electrical System, Exterior. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Chevrolet Malibu engine is most reliable?

The 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu was offered with 19 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu a good used car?

The 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 5,762 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu have?

The 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu has 5,762 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu?

There are 9 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Malibu?

Before buying a used Chevrolet Malibu, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Electrical System, Exterior, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Malibu?

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 5,762 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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