2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu Backup Camera Recall (26V212)
General Motors, LLC · 276,879 vehicles · Reported April 2, 2026
General Motors, LLC is recalling 276,879 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image. A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 26V212 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V212000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | N262551720 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | April 2, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu |
| Units affected | 276,879 |
| Build dates | May 26, 2022 to August 3, 2023 |
| Component | Back Over Prevention > Sensing System > Camera |
| Safety risk | A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu in recall 26V212?
The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Is it safe to drive a 2023-2025 Malibu with recall 26V212?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the camera.
Which vehicles are included in recall 26V212?
Recall 26V212 covers 276,879 vehicles: 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu.
NHTSA lists 276,879 vehicles in this campaign, built May 26, 2022 to August 3, 2023. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2025 | Chevrolet | Malibu |
What is the fix for the Malibu backup camera recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262551720. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
When was recall 26V212 announced?
General Motors, LLC reported recall 26V212 to NHTSA on April 2, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 20, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 26, 2022 | First affected vehicle built (per General Motors, LLC's filing). |
| August 3, 2023 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| April 2, 2026 | General Motors, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 26V212000. |
| May 20, 2026 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 6 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 434 days. If your Malibu was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Malibu is part of recall 26V212?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V212 is open on your Malibu, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2023-2025 Malibu vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Malibu owners do about recall 26V212?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V212000 applies to your Malibu.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any camera symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Malibu owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 27 of them about the rearview camera.
Since recall 26V212 was reported on April 2, 2026, owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the rearview camera and were received on or after April 2, 2026, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related rearview camera issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 123 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 27 of them involve the rearview camera. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Chevrolet Malibu: 70 complaints in total, 14 about the rearview camera
- 2024 Chevrolet Malibu: 42 complaints in total, 8 about the rearview camera
- 2025 Chevrolet Malibu: 11 complaints in total, 5 about the rearview camera
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the camera screen was black. While reversing, the camera failed to engage and was flickering. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention).
2023 Chevrolet Malibu owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11731769, filed April 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted.
2023 Chevrolet Malibu owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11734663, filed April 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable, and the rearview camera image appeared blank.
2023 Chevrolet Malibu owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11739370, filed May 21, 2026
Can recall 26V212 make my Malibu a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this camera recall means their Malibu qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Rearview camera faults are frequently fixed with a software update, but owners report the screen going black again weeks later. If that happens with your 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu, each return visit should be documented.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Malibu been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 26V212
Did the recall 26V212 fix work?
Since recall 26V212 was reported on April 2, 2026, owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed May 20, 2026.
Is the 26V212000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Malibu is part of recall 26V212000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Is it legal to drive with a blank backup camera?
Federal safety rules require new vehicles to have a working rearview image, which is why camera failures are recalled. Have it repaired, and use mirrors and extra care until then.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 26V212000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.