Chevrolet Malibu vs Ford Escape
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | Chevrolet Malibu | Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 29,455 | 36,407 |
| Model years covered | 1964–2025 | 2000–2026 |
| Worst model year | 2010 | 2013 |
| Best model year | 2022 | 2025 |
| Crashes reported | 1,225 | 1,133 |
| Fires reported | 234 | 754 |
| Injuries reported | 743 | 752 |
| Deaths reported | 38 | 25 |
| Most complained-about part | Steering | Engine & Cooling |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 7.6% | 7.3% |
Chevrolet Malibu by year
What breaks
Steering
5,717
19.4%
Electrical System
4,822
16.4%
Engine & Cooling
3,167
10.8%
Brakes
2,828
9.6%
Lights
2,060
7.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
1,687
5.7%
Stability & Traction Control
1,330
4.5%
Other & Unspecified
1,297
4.4%
Ford Escape by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
9,505
26.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
4,679
12.9%
Steering
3,955
10.9%
Fuel & Propulsion
2,570
7.1%
Electrical System
2,535
7.0%
Body & Structure
2,323
6.4%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
2,308
6.3%
Other & Unspecified
2,094
5.8%