FaultScore

Worst years for a Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Owners have filed 406 complaints about the Chevrolet Malibu Classic with NHTSA across model years 1997 to 2008. More of them are about the electrical system than anything else.

Avoid

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

144 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly electrical system.

Cleanest on record

2007 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

16 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Chevrolet Malibu Classic year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2008 C 36 4 0 68,976 Electrical System
2007 A 16 0 0 75,000 Steering
2005 D 123 8 1 91,000 Electrical System
2004 F 144 12 4 90,000 Electrical System
2003 A 18 1 0 130,000 Electrical System
2002 A 21 0 0 70,000 Electrical System
2001 A 17 0 0 74,000 Electrical System
2000 B 13 1 0 80,000 Electrical System
1999 5 1 1 Electrical System
1998 C 10 6 0 80,000 Electrical System
1997 3 0 0 Electrical System

What breaks on a Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Electrical System 169 41.6%

Worst in 2004

Steering 60 14.8%

Worst in 2004

Worst in 2005

Lights 27 6.7%

Worst in 2004

Fuel & Propulsion 22 5.4%

Worst in 2005

Airbags 15 3.7%

Worst in 2005

Other & Unspecified 14 3.4%

Worst in 2004

Transmission & Drivetrain 11 2.7%

Worst in 2004

Brakes 11 2.7%

Worst in 2005

Stability & Traction Control 10 2.5%

Worst in 2005

Suspension 6 1.5%

Worst in 2005

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 6 1.5%

Worst in 2004

Body & Structure 5 1.2%

Worst in 2005

Acceleration & Cruise Control 5 1.2%

Worst in 2005

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Chevrolet Malibu Classic, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Nov 2005 peak 21 Jan 2024

Chevrolet Malibu Classic problems by state

Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.

Compare the Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.