Chevrolet Malibu vs Mazda 626
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
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
Mazda 626
- Total complaints
- 3,094
- Avg per model year
- 156
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 3
- Most complained year
- 1995 (488)
Top problems: Power Train, Engine and Engine Cooling, Air Bags
Complaints by model year
| Year | Chevrolet Malibu | Mazda 626 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 569 | 9 | ||
| 2002 | 567 | 87 | ||
| 2001 | 721 | 188 | ||
| 2000 | 922 | 217 | ||
| 1999 | 789 | 318 | ||
| 1998 | 976 | 434 | ||
| 1997 | 443 | 358 | ||
| 1989 | 3 | 42 |
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.