Chevrolet Malibu Classic Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 312 owner complaints across 12 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Classic (1978–2008). The most-complained-about year is 2004.

Pick your Chevrolet Malibu Classic model year

• 1978
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2007
• 2008

What Chevrolet Malibu Classic owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 312 complaints with NHTSA. The 2004 model year has the most, with 116.

• Electrical system143
• Steering59
• Exterior lighting20
• Engine19
• Air bags15
• Unknown or other12
• Fuel/propulsion system12
• Electrical system: control module12

All Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls (2)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Chevrolet Malibu Classic, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Ignition (electrical system)

   NHTSA 14V400000 Reported July 3, 2014 5,877,718 vehicles potentially affected General Motors LLC

   This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling…

   Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this…

   Model years: 2004, 2005

2. Wheel cylinders (service brakes)

   NHTSA 77V181000 Reported October 17, 1977 636 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The rear brake wheel cylinder retainer on the involved vehicles may not have been properly installed. Should the wheel cylinder retainer become completely disengaged, the wheel cylinder could move outboard causing a loss of brake fluid and a loss of rear braking action.

   Remedy: The dealer will reposition the rear wheel brake cylinder retainers, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.

   Model years: 1978

Other Chevrolet models

• Malibu19,364 complaints
• Silverado 150018,029 complaints
• Impala10,434 complaints
• Tahoe10,032 complaints
• Equinox9,161 complaints
• Silverado8,799 complaints
• Blazer8,192 complaints
• Suburban8,164 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.