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2021 Chevrolet Malibu: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

2Safety recalls
74Owner complaints
4★NHTSA overall
Quick answer

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has 2 open NHTSA safety recalls and 74 owner complaints on file, with an overall 4-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check a specific VIN to confirm whether the work was done and to verify mileage and title.

Safety record reviewed June 2026 · sourced from NHTSA

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has 2 open safety recalls and 74 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 4-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public safety record. To see whether a specific Malibu had its recalls repaired and how its mileage and title check out, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

1

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Campaign 21V649000 · 20/08/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

RiskAn improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
RemedyDealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
2

SEATS

Campaign 22V359000 · 19/05/2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.

RiskAn improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
RemedyDealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212356050.

What owners complain about

The systems 2021 Chevrolet Malibu owners report most often to federal regulators:

Electrical System24
Power Train24
Unknown Or Other23
Engine12
Fuel8
Propulsion System8

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Overall★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?

Yes. The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check your specific VIN to see whether the work was completed.

What problems do 2021 Chevrolet Malibu owners report?

Owners have filed 74 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the electrical system, power train, unknown or other.

How do I check a specific Malibu's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

Check a specific 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

This page covers the model. For one exact car, run its 17-character VIN to confirm its recalls, mileage and title.

Check a VIN