2021 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, and owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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2 safety recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Seats
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020…
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Retractor (seat belts) and critical fasteners (seat belts)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…
89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 53,771 miles. Complaints peaked in 2026 with 29 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The problem with this model is the CVT Trasmission thats in the vehicle when put into drive mode it stalls to change gears and want change gears for about 5 min then it kicks in to go it does that ver”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 2, 2026 · Unknown or other
“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed; however, the RPM was extremely elevated. The vehicle then lost motiv”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 21, 2026 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 26–32 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–29 / 33–36 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.5/2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Automatic 9-spd |
Compare Chevrolet Malibu model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Malibu model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
How do I know if my 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V649000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
- Cobalt7,681 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.