2006 BMW 525I vs 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2006 BMW 525I | 2006 Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 77 | 1,115 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 54 | 762 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 41 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21 | 19–24 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 99,500 mi | 85,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW 525I | Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2 | 810 |
| Electrical System | 7 | 142 |
| Air Bags | 44 | 33 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 63 |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 50 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 52 |
| Power Train | 1 | 43 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 41 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 13 | 0 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 183 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 73 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 55 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 39 |
| Stalling | 0 | 38 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 31 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 12 |
2006 BMW 525I
2006 Chevrolet Malibu
Compare all BMW 525I vs Chevrolet Malibu years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.