Best and worst Chevrolet Malibu years — which to avoid

Identifying the most reliable used Chevy Malibu to purchase is a lot easier once you’ve got all the details on their common problems and years to avoid. While Malibu has always been in the line of reliable compact sedans, automotive experts and agencies have deemed some of them unreliable.

Our team has evaluated the best years to buy and worst Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid based on real driver ratings and reviews, as well as the reports we obtained from NHTSA and other respected automotive agencies. We’ve also gone through the common Chevy Malibu recalls to give you factual information on the best-rated and the worst Malibu model years, so let’s check out the details together.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Chevrolet Malibu years

While we were preparing this guide, our team evaluated the best and worst Malibu years based on a series of real driver experiences and complaints. We also used verified information on the model’s ratings from trustworthy sources including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Our experts also wanted to give you information on the Chevy Malibu most common problems that plagued certain Chevy Malibu model years, and we’ve counted on renowned sources like Car Complaints and Edmunds for that.

Finally, we scoured the online forums regarding the model and its issues as we wanted to give you both sides of the story and include personal experiences of other drivers to help form your opinion.

Most common Chevrolet Malibu problems

Regardless of the vehicle you choose, issues will inevitably arise. Some are trivial, while others have more significant issues. Because of this, it’s a good idea to shop with knowledge and be aware of potential problems before purchasing a car.

Our team went through the problem reports on the Car Complaints platform and driver complaints on forums like Reddit to get both sides of the story, so here are the common problems:

1. Engine problems

Engine problems top the list of 2016 Chevrolet Malibu issues. Several owners have complained about engine-related problems such as reduced power and symptoms such as excessive vibration and whistling noise from the engine.

One major complaint is the “Engine Power Reduced” warning on the dashboard. Which affected mostly the 2016 model year, but owners of the 2017 to 2019 model years have also reported the issue.

The warning is self-explanatory. When it starts, the Malibu slows down and reduces engine power, almost like it’s in limp mode. However, limp mode occurs as a result of a transmission problem. This warning light in the Malibu appears to be caused by a faulty throttle position sensor, or TPS for short.

As its name suggests, this sensor detects where the throttle is located. It converts your throttle input into commands for the engine control unit (ECU), which manages the throttle body in your car. If the sensor is broken, the ECU panics and reduces engine power as a precaution.

2. Failed pass lock sensor

Numerous Chevrolet Malibu model years have received multiple complaints regarding pass lock sensor problems. The pass lock sensors in the affected Malibus’s ignition lock cylinder are frequently prone to malfunction. As a result, a no-start circumstance can arise.

Additionally, several owners have mentioned problems with the anti-theft devices on their cars. Mechanics typically recommend repairing the ignition lock cylinder to solve the issue.

3. Transmission problems

According to several owners, the transmission in some 2010 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles failed at roughly 100,000 miles. Additionally, several people reported experiencing jerks and trouble changing gears.

For the most part, the problem was resolved by replacing or rebuilding the transmissions of the impacted automobiles. Up to $3,260 may be required to repair this particular Chevrolet Malibu transmission issue.

4. Power steering malfunction

Some 2004 Chevrolet Malibu power steering systems may fail after 81,600 miles. According to the owners of the affected vehicles, the power steering intermittently fails. Several drivers reported that their power steering would suddenly lock up while driving. Some of these issues are caused by a power steering fluid leak, while others were caused by a steering column malfunction.

To avoid road accidents, problems with your Chevy’s power steering system should be addressed as soon as possible. In most cases, simply replacing a faulty steering column resolves the problem.

5. Cracked intake manifold gasket

Premature wear on intake manifold gaskets may result in coolant leaks in some 2002 Chevrolet Malibu models. In addition to replacing the damaged gasket, some mechanics had to perform a coolant flush to resolve this issue. So, it’s crucial to check for intake manifold gasket symptoms before making the final decision to buy a used Malibu.

A cracked intake manifold gasket is common in General Motors (GM) vehicles built between the late 1990s and the mid-2000s. Experts speculated that the coolant used by GM reacted with the intake manifold gasket. As a result, the gasket cracks and leaks coolant. There are several class-action lawsuits regarding the issue.

6. Power door lock and headlights

Some 2009 Malibus door locks would occasionally not lock or unlock. According to some owners, this issue typically occurs in the summertime when the temperature is high. Owners of the impacted Chevys had to replace the malfunctioning parts in their power door locks to resolve the problem.

Some owners of 2009 Chevy Malibu models have also voiced concerns regarding their headlights. Others had to replace their damaged headlights twice, while their wiring shorted out in other cases. Their low-beam headlights were also said to have had issues.

The headlight assembly, switch, or wiring harness connector may need to be replaced, depending on the precise cause of the issue.

Worst Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid

Not all of the Chevy Malibu years are created equally reliable, and our team explored the Chevy Malibu reviews and ratings to figure out which years you should avoid.

It would be best if you kept in mind to steer clear of some of its years to avoid that from happening. Having stated that you ought to think about avoiding the following Chevy Malibu years:

• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2004
• 2005
• 2008
• 2013
• 2016
• 2017

It’s not merely enough to know about these and their issues, so we’ll explore the common problems of the worst-rated Malibu model years below:

Fifth-generation Malibu (2000-2002 model years)

Remember that some of the Chevy Malibu’s fifth-generation years, such as 2000, 2001, and 2002, are not the finest if you ever consider buying one. Customers of these model years have voiced complaints regarding steering, power outages, and turning difficulty.

Regarding the model from 2001 to 2002, we can tell that the engine may have problems, causing the car to stall while driving or even occasionally failing to start. The 2002 model year is the worst-rated one among these since it received over 1,000 complaints according to the Car Complaints platform and NHTSA reports.

Additionally, the 2000 model had lighting and electronic issues. The malfunctioning hazard and flashing lights were complaints from drivers.

Sixth-generation Malibu (2004-2005 model years)

The issue with the models of this generation is that whenever you tried on the steering, some strange noise came out of it. Other issues to be aware of with this model include the door locks, coolant mixing with the oil, and fuses blowing.

In the case of the 2004 Malibu model, the fuel pump may fail, and the steering wheel may occasionally lock up. The 2005 model received more than 1,000 complaints as well, including common problems with the steering wheel and issues with interior accessories.

Seventh-generation Malibu (2013 model year)

Regarding issues with the seventh-generation model, there was excessive engine oil consumption and difficulties while driving. Power outages were also common, putting people in danger while driving.

More specifically, the 2013 Malibu model year faced over 1,000 complaints and these were mostly caused by excessive oil issues and electrical problems, as well as some engine problems like reduced power and the check engine light coming on.

Ninth-generation Malibu (2016-2017 model years)

The electronic throttle control of these vehicles malfunctioned, and there were severe transmission problems.

There have been reports of the vehicle displaying an unnecessary parking message, preventing the car from being completely shut down. The engine check light flashed unnecessarily, and the vehicle occasionally leaked water.

Regarding the ninth-generation Chevy Malibu, the years to avoid are 2016 and 2017, as these model years are responsible for most of the issues mentioned. While the 2016 model faced more than 1,000 complaints regarding engine and transmission problems, the 2017 model was plagued by electrical issues and fuel delivery system faults.

What are the best Chevy Malibu years to buy?

There are many Chevy Malibu models to stay away from, but there are also many choices if you want a vehicle that is both secure and reasonably priced. We’ve also gone a step further to deliver all the best-rated Chevy Malibu years to you based on driver reports and trusted sources. So, are you still wondering what are the best Chevy Malibu years to buy?

The best Chevy Malibu years to buy are 1997, 2015, and 2021, while the full list of all the positively-rated years is waiting for you below:

• 1997
• 2007
• 2015
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022

We’ll also discuss the mentioned best model years briefly to help you understand what makes them better purchase options when compared with others.

1997 Chevrolet Malibu

The 1997 model is one of the best for Chevy Malibu overall, and it only received a handful of NHTSA complaints related to electrical problems and A/C heater issues. While there were some reports of engine problems like cooling issues and stalling, these weren’t reported by a majority of drivers.

So, the model received a positive consumer rating considering that the other models of the same generation frequently had over 1,500 complaints.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu

As the best-rated seventh-generation, the Malibu 2015 model had mostly positive feedback from drivers and previous owners. With around 400 complaints which is among the lowest amount for this generation, it proved to be reliable and most importantly – didn’t have many engine issues.

Among the known problems, this model had problems with the electrical system, and interior accessories, and it earned an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 on Edmunds.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu

The 2021 Chevy Malibu is one of the best-rated model years overall with less than a dozen of complaints which is an excellent score even though it’s still a fairly new model. It seems to have solved the previous engine cooling and issues with the transmission and the electrical system, so we certainly recommend it if you are looking into the ninth-gen Malibu.

Is Chevrolet Malibu worth buying?

Despite some of its problematic years, the Chevrolet Malibu is a fantastic option if you’re searching for a secondhand car. It is dependable, effective, and has a cozy interior.

Due to its small engines, the Chevy Malibu gets good fuel economy. Even the base V6 engine, when paired with front-wheel drive, achieves an astounding 32 mpg on the motorway, and the base four-cylinder engine achieves up to 36 mpg on the highway. Due to their extra weight and friction from using all four wheels, all-wheel drive vehicles see a minor decrease in fuel economy.

The Chevrolet Malibu has roomy interiors with five comfortable adults seating and enough head and legroom. Additionally, the 16 cubic feet of trunk space makes it simple to pack for lengthy journeys.

Remember the years of this Chevy Malibu that need to be avoided if you want a high-quality car that offers you excellent comfort and respectable performance.

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