Buick Regal vs Chevrolet Malibu
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Buick Regal
- Total complaints
- 3,199
- Avg per model year
- 99
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 30
- Most complained year
- 1998 (302)
Top problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System, Engine
Chevrolet Malibu
- Total complaints
- 19,259
- Avg per model year
- 584
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 51
- Most complained year
- 2009 (1,509)
Top problems: Steering, Electrical System, Engine
Complaints by model year
| Year | Buick Regal | Chevrolet Malibu | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 18 | 188 | ||
| 2018 | 19 | 693 | ||
| 2017 | 20 | 698 | ||
| 2016 | 41 | 835 | ||
| 2015 | 33 | 268 | ||
| 2014 | 38 | 349 | ||
| 2013 | 91 | 835 | ||
| 2012 | 92 | 905 | ||
| 2011 | 279 | 976 | ||
| 2005 | 4 | 975 | ||
| 2004 | 66 | 1,147 | ||
| 2003 | 101 | 569 | ||
| 2002 | 117 | 567 | ||
| 2001 | 187 | 721 | ||
| 2000 | 184 | 922 | ||
| 1999 | 246 | 789 | ||
| 1998 | 302 | 976 | ||
| 1997 | 136 | 443 | ||
| 1989 | 106 | 3 | ||
| 1979 | 3 | 4 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.