Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2014GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual Extended coverage
271 serious complaints of 363, the most about engine (127) and power train (53); per car on the road, 0.7× this model's usual year. 6 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2014 chevrolet malibu. While driving 30-40 mph, the vehicle hesitated and stalled and restarted independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed the rocker arm control oil valve needed to be replaced.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2020
“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the lights on the gear shifter was flashing, with the power steering assist and parking assist messages displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked violently while depressing the accelerator pedal.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Feb 2025
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Some vehicles equipped with a 2.0L turbo engine, may have a condition where a wire within the exhaust camshaft position actuator solenoid valve may break. Special Coverage. (18369, Nov 2018)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system. 14232 - special coverage. (G-205009, Nov 2014)
- Extended coverage Some 2012-2014 model year (my) buick verano, 2011-2014 my chevrolet cruze and volt, 2010-2014 my chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain, and 2013-2014 my chevrolet malibu vehicles, equipped with electronic power steering (nj0/nj1), may have increased friction in the steering system. 14232a - special… (14232, Jun 2015)
- Extended coverage Special Coverage - In certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Impala and Malibu vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine, the rocker arm oil control valve, (OCV), may malfunction. Dealers are to replace the rocker arm oil control valve. (N192289160, Jun 2020)
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236F, Aug 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
363 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 24–29 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2014 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; 2.4L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl · Drive: FWD
2014 Malibu trims
| 1LT | 2LT | 3LT | Eco | LS | LTZ | LTZ (2LZ) |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Chevrolet reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Chevrolet aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 31 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 11 | Back over prevention (5) | — |
| 2024 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 31 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 42 | Electrical system (18) | Yes |
| 2023 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 30 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 70 | Back over prevention (16) | Yes |
| 2022 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 98 | Electrical system (33) | Yes |
| 2021 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 89 | Unknown or other (31) | Yes |
| 2020 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 198 | Engine (59) | Yes |
| 2019 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–46 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 193 | Power train (66) | Yes |
| 2018 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–46 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 709 | Engine (283) | Yes |
| 2017 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–46 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 724 | Engine (256) | Yes |
| 2016 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 26–46 mpg | 5 of 5 | 9 | 861 | Engine (310) | Yes |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 24–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 270 | Engine (70) | No |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.4L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 24–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 363 | Engine (127) | No |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.4L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 24–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 11 | 922 | Electrical system (424) | No |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 907 | Electrical system (291) | No |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 4 | 978 | Electrical system (235) | No |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl hybrid 3.5L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–29 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 1363 | Steering (455) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Malibu 2016–2024 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard & Optional | 1 | 11 |
| 2024 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard & Optional | 2 | 42 |
| 2023 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard & Optional | 2 | 70 |
| 2022 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 98 |
| 2021 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 89 |
| 2020 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 198 |
| 2019 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 191 |
| 2019 | Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 698 |
| 2018 | Chevrolet Malibu HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 11 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 724 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco e-Assist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 678 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 10 | 861 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco e-Assist 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 10 | 803 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Malibu Limited 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 10 | 803 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 270 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 363 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 6 | 350 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD w/rear SAB's | 5 | Optional | Optional | 11 | 922 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 11 | 922 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD w/rear SAB's | 5 | No | No | 10 | 895 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 10 | 895 |
| 2012 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 907 |
| 2011 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 4 | 978 |
| 2010 | Chevrolet Malibu 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 1363 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 31 |
| 2024 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 31 |
| 2023 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 30 |
| 2022 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–32 |
| 2021 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–32 |
| 2020 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–32 |
| 2019 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–32 |
| 2019 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L | 46 |
| 2018 | Malibu | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–30 |
| 2018 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L | 46 |
| 2017 | Malibu | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–30 |
| 2017 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L | 46 |
| 2016 | Malibu | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–30 |
| 2016 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L | 46 |
| 2016 | Malibu Limited | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 27 |
| 2015 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–29 |
| 2014 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–29 |
| 2014 | Malibu eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 28 |
| 2013 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2013 | Malibu eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 29 |
| 2012 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
20–26 |
| 2011 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
20–26 |
| 2010 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, FFV Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, FFV Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, FFV Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
20–26 |
| 2010 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 29 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.