2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2020 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2018 Chevrolet Malibu | 2020 Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 693 | 194 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,064 | 769 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 23 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–46 | 26–32 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 46,484 mi | 66,500 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 277 | 59 |
| Electrical System | 191 | 56 |
| Power Train | 168 | 57 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 111 | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 60 | 41 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 84 | 14 |
| Steering | 40 | 15 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 21 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 114 | 29 |
| Stalling | 56 | 19 |
| Loss of power | 55 | 21 |
| Won’t start | 16 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 13 | 6 |
| Hesitation / surging | 12 | 6 |
| Vibration / shaking | 12 | 7 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 0 |
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
2020 Chevrolet Malibu
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu 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.