2021 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2021 Kia Forte
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 | 2021 Chevrolet Malibu | 2021 Kia Forte |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 81 | 67 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 692 | 71 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–32 | 28–33 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Forte |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 22 |
| Power Train | 26 | 7 |
| Electrical System | 25 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 6 |
| Steering | 2 | 9 |
| Structure | 2 | 3 |
| Tires | 1 | 3 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 7 | 7 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 5 |
2021 Chevrolet Malibu
2021 Kia Forte
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Forte 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.