2021 Chevrolet Malibu problems

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The Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet from model years 1964–1983 and since 1997. The Malibu began as a trim-level of the Chevrolet Chevelle, becoming its own model line in 1978. Originally a rear-wheel drive intermediate, GM revived the Malibu nameplate as a front-wheel-drive car in 1997.

Named after the coastal community of Malibu, California, the Malibu was marketed primarily in North America, with the eighth generation introduced globally. It is currently the only sedan offered by Chevrolet in the U.S.

First generation (Chevelle Malibu, 1964)

The first Malibu was a top-line subseries of the mid-sized Chevrolet Chevelle from 1964 to 1972. Malibus were generally available in a full range of bodystyles including a four-door sedan, two-door Sport Coupe hardtop, convertible and two-seat station wagon. Interiors were more lavish than lesser Chevelle 300 and 300 Deluxe models thanks to patterned cloth and vinyl upholstery (all-vinyl in convertibles and station wagons), deep-twist carpeting, deluxe steering wheel and other items. The Malibu SS performance package was available only as a two-door Sport Coupe hardtop or convertible and added bucket seats, center console (with optional four-speed manual or Powerglide transmissions), engine gauges and special wheelcovers, and offered with any six-cylinder or V8 engine offered in other Chevelles - with the top option being a 300 hp (224 kW; 304 PS) 327 cu in (5.4 L) in 1964.

For 1965, Malibus and other Chevelles received new grilles and revised tail sections and had the exhaust pipes replaced but carried over the same basic styling and bodystyles from 1964. The Malibu and Malibu SS models continued as before with the SS featuring a blacked-out grille and special wheelcovers. Top engine option was now a 350 hp (261 kW; 355 PS) 327 cu in (5.4 L) V8. 201 of the 1965 Malibu SS cars got Regular Production Option (RPO) Z16, which include a heavily modified chassis and Chevy's new 375 horsepower 396 cubic inch V8. All were hardtops, although rumors persist that one convertible was built.

The Malibu SS was replaced in 1966 by a new Chevelle SS-396 series that included a big-block 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8 engine (Canadian market did not receive the SS396 but marketed the former Malibu SS nameplate until January 1967 when it was phased out), heavy duty suspension and other performance equipment. Other SS-396 equipment was similar to Malibu Sport Coupes and convertibles including an all-vinyl bench seat. Bucket seats and console with floor shift were now optional on the SS and for 1966 with the SS now denoting a car with a big-block engine, the bucket seats became a new option on the regular Malibu Sport Coupe and convertible, upon which any six-cylinder or small-block V8 could be ordered. Also new for 1966 was the Chevelle Malibu four-door Sport Sedan hardtop. Styling revisions on all 1966 Chevelles including more rounded styling similar to the full-sized Chevrolets with sail panels and tunneled rear windows featured on two-door hardtop coupes.

For 1967, the same assortment of bodystyles were continued with styling changes similar to all other Chevelles including a new grille and revised tail section with taillights that wrapped around to the side. New this year was a Chevelle Malibu Concours station wagon with simulated woodgrain exterior side panel trim. Front disc brakes were a new option along with a stereo 8-track tape player. The same assortment of drivetrains carried over from 1966 with the top 327 cu in (5.4 L) V8 dropped from 350 to 325 hp (261 to 242 kW; 355 to 330 PS).

2021 Chevrolet Malibu

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Common 2021 Chevrolet Malibu problems

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to its engine, transmission, and electrical system.

  1. Engine Problems: Many Chevy Malibu models, including those from 2016 to 2018, have experienced engine problems, such as frequent oil leaks, low idling, extreme vibration, whistling, and even fires. The most common issue is a reduced engine power warning, which can cause a sudden loss of power and reduce the car's speed to 20 miles per hour. This issue has been tied to a defective accelerator position sensor, although General Motors has not issued any recalls or bulletins. However, a recall has been issued for 2018 models with a 1.5L turbo engine due to a fault in the engine control module (ECM) software, which disables the fuel injectors, resulting in reduced power or the inability to start.
  2. Transmission Problems: The transmission system of Chevy Malibus often experiences trouble around 100,000 miles, with symptoms such as hefty jerking and difficulty changing gears. General Motors built 2011 models with a faulty pressure control solenoid, causing the transmission to skip gears. Models from 2011 to 2013 had trouble shifting or starting due to a broken transmission fluid pump. Earlier vehicles, including those made between 2008 and 2010, were recalled for a defective shift cable, making it possible for the gear shifter to slip into park on its own.
  3. Electrical System Glitches: Electrical issues within the Chevy Malibu's electrical system have been prevalent throughout its production years. These issues can range from minor inconveniences, such as CD players not working in 2005 models, to major safety concerns, such as headlights that burn out prematurely in 2009 models. This occurrence is often due to issues with the vehicle's wiring harness connector or headlight assembly. Newer Chevy Malibu models experience electrical issues, most commonly within their electronic "Shift to Park" system. This system is known to fail and be unable to recognize when the car is in park, preventing drivers from turning their cars off. This problem is especially common in Chevy Malibus released between 2016 and 2020.

These common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu can be frustrating for owners, but it is important to note that these issues are relatively uncommon and can be easily resolved with proper maintenance and care. If you are experiencing any of these issues, it is recommended that you take your vehicle to a dealership to have the issue resolved.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu engine

What is the most common problem with Chevy Malibu?

Common Issues with the Chevrolet Malibu

Transmission problems: Some Malibu models have experienced transmission issues, including rough shifting and delayed acceleration. Electrical issues: Some Malibu models have experienced electrical issues, including problems with the power steering system and battery.

Is there a recall on Chevy Malibu 2021?

Summary: 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. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.

Is the Chevy Malibu a good car to buy?

The 2024 Malibu gets mostly good ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Malibu also comes with a decent number of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, pedestrian detection and rear parking sensors.

How many miles does a 2021 Chevy Malibu last?

The Chevy Malibu can travel over 200,000 to 300,000 miles. However, the longevity of your Malibu depends on various factors, including its age, maintenance, and how many miles it has already covered.

What is the most common problem with Chevy Malibu?

Common Issues with the Chevrolet Malibu

Transmission problems: Some Malibu models have experienced transmission issues, including rough shifting and delayed acceleration. Electrical issues: Some Malibu models have experienced electrical issues, including problems with the power steering system and battery.

Is there any recalls on 2021 Chevy Malibu?

Summary: 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. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.

Is the Chevy Malibu a good car to buy?

The 2024 Malibu gets mostly good ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Malibu also comes with a decent number of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, pedestrian detection and rear parking sensors.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu RS a good car?

Highs Nice balance of ride and handling, handsome styling, efficient standard four-cylinder. Lows Aging ungracefully, rough engine stop/start behavior, no standard driver-assistance features. Verdict In a new-car marketplace it's better to overachieve, but the Chevy Malibu only barely meets expectations.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Malibu problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Unknown or other problems
  • Power train problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Engine problems
  • Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Chevrolet Malibu vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

The NHTSA has received 33 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2021 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.

2024-10-05

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST3MF
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: The year and model of my vehicle has a known issue of shift to park and only selected Vin’s they will repair even though there is a recall and known issue. I can not safely park my car as it’s not reflecting it is in the park position
2024-10-04

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-05-15
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST0MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to park(P); however, the vehicle did not recognize the gear selected. The contact stated that the "Shift to Park" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
2024-08-30

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST0MF
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: My 2021 Chevy Malibu's transmission is shredding. The car does not go into D right away, it acts like the engine is completely disengaged. If I go from R to D several times, the engine sometimes revs very high when I step on the gas and then lurches the car forward a few feet. Sometimes, when I try to get the car into first gear, the car will completely shut down with the vehicle in D, and I have to put it in P and restart it. Other times, I can put it in different gears a few times until R engages very sharply (the whole vehicle moves), and then it will engage into D just as sharp. My check engine light will come on and go off, although it never did before this problem started, and whenever it comes on, the car will stop working whenever I stop the vehicle and try to go again (i.e. red lights). I only have one car and am forced to continue to drive this vehicle while I wait on repairs. I have two kids and I am terrified that my transmission is going to completely give out while we're driving, or the engine is going to start shutting down while the vehicle is in motion! The dealership told me that two other Malibus were in with the same exact issue within days of each other. A GM inspector confirmed the transmission is shredding. My friend had a Chevy Impala that did the exact same thing
2024-08-26

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-13
  • VIN: 1G1ZG5ST7MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The vehicle display states to "Shift to Park" when the vehicle has been put in park and the ignition turned off. I have seen model years from 2022 through 2025 have been recalled in California for the same issue. It also can affect the cars ability to start. it first appeared two weeks ago and i have tried all recommended suggestions of putting your foot on the brake when turning it off, letting is sit a minute before turning it off and those have not changed the situation.
2024-08-15

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST0MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The transmission is not working in first gear. The dealership says it needs to be replaced and they have at least 2 other cars with the same problem of the same model and year. This problem has stranded us multiple times.
2024-08-10

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
  • VIN: 1G1ZB5ST1MF
  • Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Upper center brake light leaked allowing moisture and mildew to accumulate. Safety issue in how it affects my severe asthma.
2024-07-30

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-15
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST0MF
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Car is not registering that is in park. When I put the car in park the message on the dash will ding and say "shift to park" even though it is already in park.
2024-06-25

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-23
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST2MF
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Parked car and it was dinging. Looked at dash and had shift to park warning. Car has 15000 miles. Had to hit shifter to get dash to turn off.
2024-06-16

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-06
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST9MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: The computer was not recognizing my car being in the correct gear shift. It did this for a few days until finally, I couldn't drive it. The car would not recognize any part of the gear being in the correct position. The car would not move forward or reverse, resulting in a tow. The mechanic at Reed Lallier Chevrolet in Fayetteville NC was even able to guess my car make and model from the symptoms I reported (which was later discovered, in my case, the gear shift link had loosened), and confirmed that if this happened while in motion, it would have been very dangerous. He also said they had 3 other cars that SAME DAY that had different causes but the same exact faulty gear recognition, with all of them being recent-year Malibu Chevrolet models AND the following day when I was doing my follow-up call concerning my car, 2 more were brought in with the faulty gear recognition issue.
2024-06-07

STEERING,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-27
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST3MF
  • Components: STEERING,ENGINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. During the failure, the power steering became inoperable, with a grinding sound present and unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. After retrieving the vehicle, the failure persisted. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
2024-06-05

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-05
  • VIN: 1G1ZG5ST6MF
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: While the car is in park after the button is pushed to shut the car off, I get a warning on my dash stating that the car is not in park and it is beeping to let me know that there is an issue. Even though the car is in park and it says it is in park.
2024-05-26

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-17
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST7MF
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: When I put my car in park, the park light comes on. I’ve had to forced the car in park AND the gear button get stuck. The park warning light is still on. It takes about 5 minutes or more before the light goes off After I’ve forced it in park several times. I can’t leave the light on because my battery will die.
2024-05-21

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-16
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5STXMF
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The vehicle says shift to park. Even though the vehicle is in park. It then causes the vehicle power to remain on and kill the battery. I’ve seen multiple instances of this same problem on the same vehicle as mine and many other GM models. My warranty ran out in January (of course) and now the issue is occurring. I’ve been stranded with a dead battery 3 times already due to this. It’s literally a microswitch not functioning correctly to tell the computer that the vehicle is in park.
2024-05-17

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST3MF
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: When you shift the car into park and you get a "Shift to Park" alert on your dashboard. It makes it very hard to shut off the vehicle.
2024-04-29

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-22
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST3MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
  • Summary: Had the car for less than a year and it started jerking badly on the highway almost caused an accident. Took it to the Chevy dealer and was told I need a new transmission on a 2021 vehicle because of a STRETCHED DRIVE CHAIN CAUSING WEAK DRIVE AND CAUSED METAL DEBRIS TO GET SENT THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION SETTING DTC'S .
2024-04-17

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-12
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST4MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: Warning light appears on dash "Shift to Park". Car is in park. Engine will turn off, but ignition stays in accessory mode and will run down battery if ignored. Have to wiggle shifter back and forth repeatedly to get the warning light to go away and the ignition to completely shut off. Started as a once in a while occurrence 3 months ago. Now doing this almost every time. Car is a 2021, has 100k miles, so out of warranty. No active recall. There was a recall for 2016-2019 models, and a class action lawsuit but no recall on 2021 model.
2024-03-06

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-04
  • VIN: 1G1ZB5ST0MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION
  • Summary: When trying to park shift disappears . Parking feature unavailable. Have to try several times to or wait until parking shift appears. System glitch trying to park. Afraid car will run off by itself and hit other cars and crash. Family of four very concerned for our safety. It has been a known issue on several Chevrolet Malibu since 2015 This should have been on a recall since 2015. Why haven’t there been any recalls on this vehicle for this problem. This problem needs to get resolved and if we have to pay out of pocket money reimbursed for everyone. Fear for our safety using this car now.
2024-03-01

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-23
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST6MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: Every time I shift my car into park and try to power it off I get a warning saying shift car to park when already in park. Now I’m afraid that one day the car will display the shift gear improperly and the car will start to move on it own causing the safety anyone around it.
2024-03-01

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-26
  • VIN: 1G1ZG5ST7MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
  • Summary: “Shift to Park” message appears in the car's Driver Information Center, even when it is already in Park. It doesn't recognize that the vehicle is in park. I have to wiggle the gear several times before the message clears. It doesn't allow me to lock my vehicle when this happens, I believe the vehicle stays on while this message is on the DIC, making it very unsafe. I see that there are several complaints about this issue but no recall has been made. The dealer refuses to do a free diagnostic test knowing that these vehicles have had issues. My vehicle is no longer under warranty at 54,000 miles, I will be out of pocket the expense but it's definitely unfair that this has not been an issue recalled by GM.
2024-01-14

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-14
  • VIN: 1G1ZG5ST3MF
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: I was parking and when I parked my dashboard popped up saying shift to park when it’s in park. My car won’t turn off .. tired to turn it off but it can’t I moved the car back and forth and put on park and nothing.. I know this is an ongoing issue because on my other Malibu that I purchased had that problem and now on my 2021 Chevy Malibu has that issue now. Thank god I wasn’t somewhere else stranded because it was below 0 in Chicago.
2023-11-27

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-16
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST4MF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted into park(P), the vehicle started to roll. The contact stated that the shift to park message was then illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
2023-11-03

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-15
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST2MF
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: When trying to turn the car off, it will not allow me, warning light comes on saying shift to park. This has happened several times over the past week. I have to continuously turn the car on and off, put in drive then back to park before the message goes away, allowing me to turn off the car. I am 3k miles out of my bumper to bumper warranty, so the dealership is charging me $500.15 for a new shifter assembly for what they said was a common failure in GM cars. If its common then it should be a recall for several make and model years. My coworker has 2021 Blazer and the same thing happened to her but she was still under warranty so her repair cost $0.
2023-10-15

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-13
  • VIN: 1G1ZD5ST5MF
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: When I parked my car and tried to turn off the ignition, a warning buzzer kept beeping and a warning on the dash was telling me to “shift to park”. I moved the shifter numerous times to make sure it was in park, but the warning continued. This happened several times now. A few times the warning went off after I wiggled the shifter knob numerous times, but not always.
2023-09-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-15
  • VIN: 1G1ZG5ST3MF
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: When I move my car to park and shut off the vehicle it shows a "shift to park" message. This keeps my car from shutting off on a regular basis.
2023-08-02

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-06-22
  • VIN: 1G1ZB5ST6MF
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate. After approximately 45 minutes of driving, the vehicle was turned off and restarted without the key fob. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle lost communication with the transmission, brakes, and engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that di-electric grease was needed on the wires. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu.

2022-05-19
  • Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
  • 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 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212356050.
2021-08-20
  • Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
  • Components: SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
  • 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 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

Negative 2021 Chevrolet Malibu car reviews

  1. Wellington McGlynn 2024-11-07

    Out of the mid-sized sedans that are available for less than $40K, this one is unfortunately not the best. I had the chance to rent it for a week, and despite it having fewer than 18,000 miles on it, it was already showing signs of wear and tear (paint chips, uneven door gaps, carpet pulling away from door sills, rubber jams pulling out). It could just be that rentals are often mistreated, but that still doesn't make up for the weak performance from the engine (1.5 liters) that's fitted to an otherwise larger car. It's easily the least responsive pickup of any car I've driven when you hit the gas. If you have a family of 4 in the car, it might not be the best option. The seats are also not the most comfortable, with thin padding on a hard base. Overall, it's not the best mid-sized sedan out there, but if you couldn't afford or find something better, it's still better than walking (provided it still runs given Chevy's spotty track record for reliability).

  2. Coty Smith 2024-11-03

    The driver will find the car comfortable and easy to handle. Although there is a bit more engine noise than the competition, the interior has improved dramatically from older models. However, the proximity keyfob can be annoying as you are forced to get it out to look at it in order to press the right part of the rubber monobutton on the control face. Additionally, the fob has lock and unlock buttons next to each other on a single surface, with no way to tell which button you're pushing by feel. The trunk unlatch button on the fob is also balky. The buttons on the steering wheel are made in a cheap rubberized monobutton style.

  3. Maynard Fritsch 2024-07-23

    Out of the 75 cars I have owned in 59 years, this one is by far the worst. The road noise on the interstate is beyond terrible, making it uncomfortable to ride. Even after only 1500 miles, I will have to take a 40% loss on it just to trade it. I have owned Chevrolets in the past, including a 2013 Malibu, but this car is not up to par. It may be suitable as a rental or loaner car for a day, but I would not recommend it for anything else. The lack of lane departure safety and low crash rating make the insurance high. In conclusion, I advise against purchasing this car.

  4. Uriah Swaniawski 2024-07-11

    I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with the car I leased a couple of months ago. While it has some nice features, I've found that it lacks power and handling, which has been a bit disappointing. Additionally, the interior is full of hard plastics and excessive plastic chrome, which isn't my favorite. I also noticed that it doesn't have some of the standard safety features like blind spot warning. Overall, I'm looking forward to the end of my lease, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to try out this car. Thanks for listening!

  5. Rudolph Lubowitz 2024-07-08

    I rented a midsize sedan for a week and while it didn't quite measure up to some of its competitors like the Camry, Accord, Sonata, Optima, and Passat, there were still some positives. The car was very quiet at highway speeds and got an average of 35 mpg, which was great. The transmission was also much better than the Nissan Altima I rented last year. The infotainment system was good and the apple/Android car play was a nice touch. The panoramic sunroof was a nice feature, although the cover felt a bit cheap. On the downside, there were some creaks and groans coming from the dashboard and the 1.5l engine was underpowered. The front seats weren't very comfortable and the lights were quite dim at night. It was also missing some modern safety features like blind spot monitoring and brake assist. Overall, it was a decent car but there is definitely room for improvement.

Positive 2021 Chevrolet Malibu car reviews

  1. Laverne Heathcote 2024-10-13

    Great car for the price! I love the sport tuned suspension and CVT transmission. The ride quality is on par with my 2020 Malibu Premier. With a mix of city and highway driving, the fuel efficiency is amazing. You can average 50-55 plus mpg and get about 14 days on a full tank of gas. If you buy one, do yourself a favor and spend $4k to have exiled ecm tuning software from the south Korean spec Malibu 1.5. You'll love the full customization and remapping of the car's ecm. Along with being able to fully disable emissions control software in the ecm, which will grant you extra power and even greater fuel efficiency. I can't say enough good things about the Malibu RS. This car is legit the best car Chevy makes for the U.S market!

  2. Xander Nienow 2024-09-05

    Your daughter will love the Malibu! It has an amazing pull off and a great body. It's a really nice car overall.

  3. Destin Hegmann 2024-08-07

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my experience with my 2020 Malibu LS. I've had it for 30 days now and I must say, it's been a terrific buy! For under $18,000 and 0% for 84 months, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The car rides well and has plenty of leg and trunk room. It looks wonderful too! While it may not be a sports sedan, I didn't pay a sports sedan price and it's still a fun car to drive. The technology is simple to use and adds a lot of value to the car. I can't wait to take it out for another spin!

  4. Bryon Prosacco 2024-07-22

    Driving a Malibu for the first time was an unforgettable experience for my wife and me. We rented one for our wedding week in 2021 and were amazed by its spaciousness, fuel efficiency, comfort, features, and style. The black wheels on our current Malibu add an extra touch of edge. Whether you're commuting or traveling for leisure, this car is the perfect choice! The sales team went above and beyond the typical car salesman experience, treating us like valued individuals.

  5. Irving Dicki 2024-06-12

    The car is in excellent shape and runs great. The AC is nice and cold. I'm really enjoying the vehicle and how I found it.

Leave your review of 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2021 Chevrolet Malibu problems:

2021 Chevrolet Malibu Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2021 Chevrolet Malibu Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/malibu/2021/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...

Service department problems | Chevrolet Malibu Forums
Service department problems | Chevrolet Malibu Forums
https://www.chevymalibuforum.com/threads/service-department-problems.125507/

Sep 7, 2023 ... Hello, I have a 2021 Chevy Malibu LT with 56,400 miles on it, I recently took my car into the dealership to be fixed and they had to replace ...

What's wrong with the Chevy Malibu 2016 - 2023? : r ...
What's wrong with the Chevy Malibu 2016 - 2023? : r ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/comments/yfr3k9/whats_wrong_with_the_chevy_malibu_2016_2023/

Oct 28, 2022 ... Malibu's have a slew of problems. Stabilitrak, misfiring, limp mode, horrible engine, etc. It's so bad that I will NEVER purchase another ...

2021 Chevy Malibu 1.5 transmission filter replacement | Chevrolet ...
2021 Chevy Malibu 1.5 transmission filter replacement | Chevrolet ...
https://www.chevymalibuforum.com/threads/2021-chevy-malibu-1-5-transmission-filter-replacement.124287/

Jan 22, 2023 ... My 2021 Chevy Malibu 1.5 (cvt transmission) has already 45.000 miles. owners manual recommend change transmission fluid and filter every 45.000.

Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Complaints - 51 Issues
Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Complaints - 51 Issues
https://repairpal.com/problems/chevrolet/malibu

... known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your Chevrolet Malibu ... Find the most common issues based on car owner complaints ... 2021 Chevrolet Malibu ...

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