Chevrolet Malibu Recalls (2021-2025)
Every recall for model year 2021 and newer · Safety warnings · California lemon law
The 2021-2025 Chevrolet Malibu has 5 recall campaigns for model year 2021 and newer, 0 with a do-not-drive warning, 0 with a park-outside fire warning, and 0 where NHTSA’s filing shows an interim notice or no final fix. Most involve body, doors and seats (2), rearview camera (1), other equipment (1). Check your VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup, and if your Malibu keeps going back to the dealer for the same problem, it may qualify under California’s lemon law.
What recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu Backup Camera Recall (26V212)
April 2, 2026 · 276,879 vehicles · Rearview CameraThe rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge.
- 2024 Cadillac XT4 Owner's Manual Recall (24V575)
August 1, 2024 · 22 vehicles · Other EquipmentThe vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: The wrong owner's manual may contain inaccurate information about vehicle functions and other safety relevant information, which could lead to improper operation of the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will provide owners with the correct manual, free of charge.
- 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu Frame Recall (22V923)
December 14, 2022 · 2,108 vehicles · Body, Doors and SeatsThe front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.
Risk: An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld.
- 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Recall (22V359)
May 19, 2022 · 221 vehicles · Body, Doors and SeatsThe driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge.
- 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Belt Retractor Recall (21V649)
August 20, 2021 · 402 vehicles · Seat BeltsThe rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge.
Which Malibu parts are recalled most?
| Recall area | Campaigns | Vehicles covered |
|---|---|---|
| Body, Doors and Seats | 2 | 2,329 |
| Rearview Camera | 1 | 276,879 |
| Other Equipment | 1 | 22 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 402 |
Which Malibu model years have the most recalls?
| Model year | Recalls | Campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 22V359000 (body, doors and seats), 21V649000 (seat belts) |
| 2022 | 1 | 22V923000 (body, doors and seats) |
| 2023 | 2 | 26V212000 (rearview camera), 22V923000 (body, doors and seats) |
| 2024 | 2 | 26V212000 (rearview camera), 24V575000 (other equipment) |
| 2025 | 1 | 26V212000 (rearview camera) |
How do I check my Malibu for open recalls?
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. The lookup lists every open safety recall on that specific vehicle, so you will see which of the 5 Chevrolet Malibu campaigns above apply to you. You can also ask any authorized Chevrolet dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is on your registration card, your insurance card, and a plate at the lower driver-side corner of the windshield. Brand-new recalls can take a few days to show up, so check again if you received a letter.
What are Malibu owners reporting?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA since 2020, by model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, but the components that come up most often show where owners are having trouble.
| Model year | Complaints | Most reported components |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89 | Unknown Or Other (31), Power Train (28), Electrical System (28) |
| 2022 | 98 | Electrical System (33), Unknown Or Other (29), Engine (29) |
| 2023 | 70 | Unknown Or Other (14), Back Over Prevention (14), Engine (12) |
| 2024 | 42 | Electrical System (18), Unknown Or Other (9), Back Over Prevention (8) |
| 2025 | 11 | Back Over Prevention (5), Unknown Or Other (4), Electrical System (4) |
Excerpts from owner complaints (unverified):
Unknown. It’s been happening on and off since I took it off the dealership lot. Can’t turn off Malibu because it’s not in park when I have it in park.
2021 CHEVROLET Malibu owner, Unknown Or Other, NHTSA complaint 11641853
Rear differential keeps going out and transmission keeps failing every 10k miles, apple car play doesn’t work and lags out.
2021 CHEVROLET Malibu owner, Power Train, NHTSA complaint 11638306
Car will not turn off. Message of “Shift to Park” will appear even if shift is in Park. This is a safety issue. I just bought my car 2 days ago and it keeps happening. The car is only at approximately 44,000 miles.
2022 CHEVROLET Malibu owner, Electrical System, NHTSA complaint 11636680
Can a recall make your Malibu a lemon in California?
Owners of a Chevrolet Malibu often ask whether these recalls mean their vehicle qualifies under California's lemon law. Not by themselves. The question is whether a covered defect keeps coming back, or keeps the vehicle at the dealer, after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Most are single-repair campaigns, but repeat visits for any covered defect still count.
Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the same defect was repaired two or more times when it is likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases, and owners outside that window can still have a claim. An owner who prevails 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.
What to keep: every repair order, the recall owner letters, your purchase or lease contract, and a log of dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure every visit is written up, even when the dealer says it found nothing.
More Chevrolet Malibu lemon law pages
All Chevrolet recalls · 2021 Chevrolet Malibu lemon law · 2022 Chevrolet Malibu lemon law · 2023 Chevrolet Malibu lemon law · 2024 Chevrolet Malibu lemon law · 2025 Chevrolet Malibu lemon law
Other Chevrolet models with recalls
- Blazer: 6 recalls
- Blazer EV: 7 recalls
- Bolt EV: 8 recalls
- Bolt Euv: 4 recalls
- Camaro: 4 recalls
- Colorado: 8 recalls
- Corvette: 5 recalls
- Corvette Convertible: 3 recalls
- Corvette Convertible E-Ray: 2 recalls
- Corvette Coupe: 3 recalls
- Corvette Coupe E-Ray: 1 recall
- Corvette E-Ray: 1 recall
- Equinox: 10 recalls
- Equinox EV: 7 recalls
- Express: 8 recalls
- Express 2500: 1 recall
- Malibu: 5 recalls
- Silverado 1500: 16 recalls
- Silverado 2500: 11 recalls
- Silverado 3500: 10 recalls
- Silverado EV: 9 recalls
- Suburban: 15 recalls
- Suburban 1500: 4 recalls
- Tahoe: 23 recalls
- Trailblazer: 5 recalls
- Traverse: 6 recalls
- Trax: 2 recalls
Frequently asked questions about Chevrolet Malibu recalls
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for 2021 and newer Chevrolet Malibu vehicles as of October 1, 2026. The newest is 26V212000, filed April 2, 2026.
How do I check my Chevrolet Malibu for open recalls?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any authorized dealer to run it. Not every vehicle of a model year is included in each recall.
Are recall repairs free?
Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers. Ask the dealer to confirm before work begins.
Can I get a buyback for my Chevrolet Malibu?
Possibly, if a covered defect was not fixed in a reasonable number of attempts or the vehicle spent a long time out of service. A recall alone is not enough, but repeat repairs or a failed recall fix can support a claim.
Sources
- NHTSA recalls
- NHTSA recall and complaint data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). Recall data from NHTSA. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.