2023 Chevrolet Malibu
The Verdict
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu has 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (19 complaints) and engine (17 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 88/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Malibu, consider the 2025 model year which has 85% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 85% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Risk
A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's nu...
Reported Feb 4, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 105 | 207 | 379 | 253 | 15 |
| 2001 | 95 | 73 | 355 | 205 | 14 |
| 2002 | 65 | 51 | 362 | 112 | 6 |
| 2003 | 119 | 56 | 294 | 129 | 13 |
| 2004 | 1120 | 77 | 314 | 100 | 84 |
| 2005 | 754 | 78 | 338 | 162 | 59 |
| 2006 | 921 | 76 | 176 | 161 | 51 |
| 2007 | 644 | 39 | 150 | 117 | 42 |
| 2008 | 480 | 75 | 256 | 124 | 77 |
| 2009 | 744 | 150 | 404 | 100 | 107 |
| 2010 | 538 | 184 | 368 | 153 | 114 |
| 2011 | 324 | 38 | 320 | 200 | 91 |
| 2012 | 280 | 60 | 384 | 146 | 33 |
| 2013 | 247 | 44 | 337 | 256 | 37 |
| 2014 | 95 | 35 | 56 | 142 | 33 |
| 2015 | 67 | 13 | 82 | 81 | 24 |
| 2016 | 215 | 75 | 110 | 334 | 122 |
| 2017 | 182 | 41 | 98 | 299 | 99 |
| 2018 | 145 | 34 | 83 | 313 | 111 |
| 2019 | 26 | 10 | 33 | 69 | 50 |
| 2020 | 21 | 29 | 30 | 66 | 44 |
| 2021 | 19 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
| 2022 | 21 | 2 | 14 | 33 | 16 |
| 2023 | 19 | 2 | 10 | 17 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
Most of the time, the car will not unlock when the unlock button is pressed on the key fobs. Most of the time, when the key fob is on the console and the start button is depressed, the car will not start. It can take multiple minutes and attempts before the car will finally start. Changing the batteries in the key fob did not resolve this issue. When we took it to the dealership, they say that the Body Control Module is the cause of the issue. When we google that, we see that there is an existing GM-issued service bulletin for certain units of the same year, make and model of our car. We therefore would like it to be investigated to have this service bulletin expanded to include our vehicle. It is unacceptable for a three-year old car not to unlock, lock, or start reliably and isn't normal wear and tear and there have not been any accidents.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated after starting the vehicle, and while accelerating on several occasions from a stoplight. The failure occasionally occurred while driving on the freeway, causing the vehicle to decelerate unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle did not qualify for an extended warranty coverage associated with the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera malfunctioned and displayed a black screen with the message "Backup Camera Unavailable" displayed. The contact stated that the failure created a hazard while reversing. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was 66,000.
The rearview camera started acting funny around March 2026 and completely stopped working in April 2026. When I put the car in reverse it says “service vision system” I have been frequently checking the recall website and it says they are aware of the recall but do not have a fix. I have even called my local Chevy dealer and they had the same info. Not having a rearview camera is a big safety hazard- I live in a neighborhood with numerous children and in a small town where parking is tight and often inconvenient. I would like to have a functioning rear view camera again please!
To Whom It May Concern, I am the owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu that is affected by the ongoing backup camera safety recall. I am submitting this complaint because this defect is not a minor inconvenience—it is a serious safety issue that places me, my family, pedestrians, and other motorists at risk every time the vehicle is operatesThe rearview camera system is a federally required safety feature designed to help drivers detect people, vehicles, and obstacles behind the vehicle. When the camera fails, freezes, goes blank, displays a distorted image, or does not activate properly when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, I am left without a critical safety system that I relied upon when purchasing this vehicle This defect has significantly reduced my confidence in the safety and reliability of my Chevrolet Malibu. A vehicle with a known safety recall involving visibility and accident prevention creates constant concern, especially when backing out of parking spaces, residential driveways, crowded parking lots, and areas where children or pedestrians may be present. The possibility of striking a person, vehicle, or object because a manufacturer-installed safety system fails is unacceptable. I purchased this vehicle in good faith expecting Chevrolet to provide a safe and dependable product. Instead, I am driving a vehicle that has been identified as having a safety-related defect serious enough to warrant a recall. While recalls are intended to correct safety issues, owners should not be left dealing with uncertainty regarding when the problem will be fully resolved or whether additional failures may occur in the future. Because this defect directly impacts a critical safety system and has diminished my trust in the vehicle, I respectfully request that General Motors and Chevrolet review my case for additional relief beyond the standard recall repair. Specifically, I am requesting consideration for a vehicle replacement, manufacturer-assisted trade-in, buyout
Back up camera is under recall with no fix and not working period. Goes to black screen with a message “ Service Vision System” Dealership - Dan Cummins- refuses to repair due to no fix available.
Subject: Safety Complaint and Request for Assistance – 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Backup Camera Recall To Whom It May Concern, I am the owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu that has been affected by the backup camera recall. The malfunctioning backup camera creates a serious safety hazard for me, my passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. The backup camera intermittently fails to display properly when the vehicle is placed in reverse. When this occurs, I am unable to clearly see objects, vehicles, or people behind my vehicle as intended by the safety system. This significantly increases the risk of an accident, especially in parking lots, residential areas, and other locations where pedestrians may be present. I purchased this vehicle with the expectation that all safety systems would function reliably. The ongoing issue has caused me concern and has reduced my confidence in the vehicle’s ability to operate safely. A backup camera is an important safety feature, and any failure of this system places drivers and the public at unnecessary risk. Given the seriousness of this recall and the inconvenience and safety concerns it has caused, I respectfully request that Chevrolet review my situation and consider available remedies, including replacement of the vehicle, a vehicle trade-in assistance program, or another appropriate resolution that ensures my safety and restores my confidence in the product. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a prompt response regarding the options available to address this safety concern. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] 2023 Chevrolet Malibu INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Back up camera stopped working, there is a recall that was not completed before buying the car
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently entered LIMP mode. The message "Turn off to Reduce Power Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the cause of the failure was unidentifiable. The independent mechanic cleared the diagnostic trouble code; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a different independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Back up camera quit working. Stated intermittently not working for about 2 days then completely stopped working. No warning lights
This all started when i had my car serviced for an oil change and began to hear some clicking sounds when I would start my vehicle. The fuel sealant is defective, the fuel caps were corroded, leaks oil, and causes the turbo on the engine to lag. I found this out as I was driving and tried to make a turn. When pressing the accelerator the vehicle lagged almost causing me to be involved in an accident on more than one occassion. When conducting on-line research I am not the only owner that has experienced this issue. It would appear that Chevrolet is aware that this is happening in its turbo models. I have an extended warranty that was purchased through the dealership. This issue caused them to replace the fuel sealant, the fuel caps, and the fuel pump. However, 2 weeks later my vehicle is still leaking a significant amount of oil. When I took the vehicle to be serviced, I was told that the sealant is broken again and gaskets have to be replaced. Upon researching this online other owners have experienced the same issues. I did share my online research with the service technicians. Their reactions were dismissive.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure occured intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbo charger had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable, and the rearview camera image appeared blank. The contact was informed during an inspection that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to complete the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide a remedy for the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 66,111.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu . The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The brake pedal on my vehicle intermittently becomes stuck in the fully raised position and will not depress when I attempt to apply the brakes. When this occurs, I am unable to slow down or stop the vehicle, creating an immediate and serious safety hazard. The problem happens without warning and has occurred multiple times while driving at various speeds. When the defect occurs, the pedal feels locked or jammed, and I have to use extreme force or pump the pedal repeatedly before it finally releases. This delay in brake response puts me, my passengers, and other drivers at risk of a crash. The issue is unpredictable and does not appear to be related to weather, temperature, or driving conditions. I have not made any modifications to the braking system. The defect has occurred both during normal city driving and while approaching intersections. Because the failure prevents the brakes from engaging at all, I believe this is a critical safety issue that requires investigation.
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the messages "ESC" and "Fuel Low" were displayed even though there was half a tank of fuel. The transmission failed to shift out of park (P). The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the manufacturer's engineer determined that there was a short circuit in the steering rack. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Nearly had a collision while trying to back up in parking garage.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that the recall part was not yet available and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
49 total