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2023 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Daniel Wilson
2023 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu has 38 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

8.3/ 10

Based on 38 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

7 18.4%

ENGINE

6 15.8%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 13.2%

AIR BAGS

4 10.5%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 7.9%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 18.4% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 15 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu

The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu has 38 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 18% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7), ENGINE (6), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (5).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 25 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2022 Malibu complaints2024 Malibu complaints2021 Malibu complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 15 of 15 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

7 Reports18% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was driving the car from home to work during morning rush hour in downtown Chicago. I was stopped at a red light and the auto-stop feature engaged as it is intended to do. When the light turned green I put my foot on the gas to go but the car wouldn't move. Cars behind me started honking & going around me. I tried various things but couldn't get the car to move although the ignition light was green. I finally put my emergency flashers on, shifted the car to park, pressed the ignition button to turn the car to off position, then depressed the brake pedal and the ignition button to turn the car on again, then shifted to drive and the car then moved forward as normal. No warning lamps have ever appeared re this. I immediately contacted my dealer to report this problem & soon after took the car there, where they confirmed this malfunction & communicated with GM Tech Line to try to resolve the problem while I sat at dealer all day but at end of day there was no resolution & they had no loaner car to give me & I needed the car so I left with it but thereafter always drove it only w/auto-stop feature turned off as I feared if it happened again I could be rear-ended. Dealer has now had my car for a week trying to ascertain how to fix this but because they say this feature is now not acting up they don't know how to fix it & they say GM Tech Line isn't giving them advice on how to resolve it. I cannot leave my car w/dealer indefinitely so now am forced to drive the car in this condition & need to always try to remember to turn off the auto-stop feature (or risk driving it in unsafe condition), which is not the right solution for a brand new car that had less than 2,000 miles on it when this started. Available for inspection upon request.

5/10/2023

Since purchase been having issues with the vehicle. From shutting off while driving, all dash shutting off while subbing but car still running, car says key fob not in vehicle out key fob on vehicle when trying to lock, radio go crazy. Has been looked at numerous times with different electrical/programming codes. Radio has been replaced over and was scheduled for second radio to be installed Sm but sent out of state to work. Have ask paper trail with Chevrolet since April 8th within 2 weeks after purchase. Car caught on fire while driving last Sunday in Florida there are other reports Chevrolet should have that I’m having issues trying from the dealer’s that it was serviced at. Couple also with service appointments could not make due to I travel for my job and loaner vehicles could not be taken out of state. I bought vehicle with 10 miles on it and in 8 months 27555 miles. Does sound like Chevrolet might be stepping in to assist but unfortunately I’m not without transportation. I also use my car on weekends for Uber for extra money as well so definitely going to hurt

11/29/2023

5 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

6 Reports16% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was driving the car from home to work during morning rush hour in downtown Chicago. I was stopped at a red light and the auto-stop feature engaged as it is intended to do. When the light turned green I put my foot on the gas to go but the car wouldn't move. Cars behind me started honking & going around me. I tried various things but couldn't get the car to move although the ignition light was green. I finally put my emergency flashers on, shifted the car to park, pressed the ignition button to turn the car to off position, then depressed the brake pedal and the ignition button to turn the car on again, then shifted to drive and the car then moved forward as normal. No warning lamps have ever appeared re this. I immediately contacted my dealer to report this problem & soon after took the car there, where they confirmed this malfunction & communicated with GM Tech Line to try to resolve the problem while I sat at dealer all day but at end of day there was no resolution & they had no loaner car to give me & I needed the car so I left with it but thereafter always drove it only w/auto-stop feature turned off as I feared if it happened again I could be rear-ended. Dealer has now had my car for a week trying to ascertain how to fix this but because they say this feature is now not acting up they don't know how to fix it & they say GM Tech Line isn't giving them advice on how to resolve it. I cannot leave my car w/dealer indefinitely so now am forced to drive the car in this condition & need to always try to remember to turn off the auto-stop feature (or risk driving it in unsafe condition), which is not the right solution for a brand new car that had less than 2,000 miles on it when this started. Available for inspection upon request.

5/10/2023

This vehicle has been taken to Days Chevrolet on two different occasions no check engine lights will come on but as you drive it surges and almost cuts off at times I have taken it in for this problem may 1 2023 and June 19 2023 every time they tell me the car is running as it should it also has a popping and rattle in right rear and they say they can't duplicate the problem. This car is going to kill someone

6/29/2023

4 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

This vehicle has been taken to Days Chevrolet on two different occasions no check engine lights will come on but as you drive it surges and almost cuts off at times I have taken it in for this problem may 1 2023 and June 19 2023 every time they tell me the car is running as it should it also has a popping and rattle in right rear and they say they can't duplicate the problem. This car is going to kill someone

6/29/2023

on 2 occasions my dash had a waring come on that my crash avoidance system was inoperable and on 3 occasions my waring system with the red lights in front of the steering wheel has come on with no cars around. also on oct 28th the low pressure waring for right rear tire came on 21psi and this wasn't the case and i did get a warning from onstar this time. gm has sent this vehicle to another gm dealership for the surging problem and this has still not been corrected

11/1/2023

3 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

4 Reports11% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

While driving, the driver side tires (2) went flat and four (4) airbags deployed, this happened with no warning.

5/16/2023

My car randomly shuts off when but still says it’s on at a stop light which causes a lot of problems because I have to push the start button to turn off and turn on again. Something is wrong with the wiring, in order for me to turn my car off I have to unplug my battery otherwise my car safety alarm will activate and hazard lights will go off and trunk will open. Which also cause my horn to go out. Everytime I turn my car on it says service ESC which I have no clue what that means and have asked multiple people . My air bag service light is on and it has no reason to be on as my car has not had any problems with my airbags. My car automatically brake while on the highway going 75 when a car swerved into my lane ahead of me and the hard activated the abs which caused my car to swerve uncontrollably and almost caused my car to flip.

6/24/2024

2 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was driving the car from home to work during morning rush hour in downtown Chicago. I was stopped at a red light and the auto-stop feature engaged as it is intended to do. When the light turned green I put my foot on the gas to go but the car wouldn't move. Cars behind me started honking & going around me. I tried various things but couldn't get the car to move although the ignition light was green. I finally put my emergency flashers on, shifted the car to park, pressed the ignition button to turn the car to off position, then depressed the brake pedal and the ignition button to turn the car on again, then shifted to drive and the car then moved forward as normal. No warning lamps have ever appeared re this. I immediately contacted my dealer to report this problem & soon after took the car there, where they confirmed this malfunction & communicated with GM Tech Line to try to resolve the problem while I sat at dealer all day but at end of day there was no resolution & they had no loaner car to give me & I needed the car so I left with it but thereafter always drove it only w/auto-stop feature turned off as I feared if it happened again I could be rear-ended. Dealer has now had my car for a week trying to ascertain how to fix this but because they say this feature is now not acting up they don't know how to fix it & they say GM Tech Line isn't giving them advice on how to resolve it. I cannot leave my car w/dealer indefinitely so now am forced to drive the car in this condition & need to always try to remember to turn off the auto-stop feature (or risk driving it in unsafe condition), which is not the right solution for a brand new car that had less than 2,000 miles on it when this started. Available for inspection upon request.

5/10/2023

After purchasing a brand new chevrolet malibu, about 4 months into droving it; the check engine light illuminated and the next day, an error message of “engine power is reduced” was displaying on the dash. The vehicle was turned over to the dealership and two different sensors were replaced. After a day of having the vehicle back after repairs, the check engine light illuminated again. I returned the vehicle to the dealership and was later told that they were unable to duplicate the scenario and the check engine light did not appear anymore. I picked the vehicle up and after another day of driving, the check engine light illuminated for the third time, again with the same engine power reduced message. Vehicle was slow to accelerate from a stop position. The dealership claims to still be unable to duplicate the scenario with no fix at this point.

11/14/2023

1 more complaint is available in this category.

STEERING

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was on a freeway going 75. A guy came across three lanes and cut in front of me going 60. I got the brakes hard and then went around him accelerating sharply and swerved hard in front of him. At that point the car steered itself back and forth for our five times. I was finally able to regain control once it slowed down enough, and continued on my drive. I’m guessing that some accident-avoidance system kicked in when I swerved left in front of the other car, and the car swerved itself back to the right. But then it over-corrected back to the left. And back and forth several times all while the car slowed back down from 75 to perhaps 60, when it gave me back control. VERY SCARY!!! The car shouldn’t do this!

6/28/2023

When I’m driving straight sometimes my lane assist will make the car swerve while my steering wheel is straight and even almost made me wreck into another car beside me trying to force the car to go right. Also the front crash assist goes off when I’m not even near a car. The front end of my car is rattling and I don’t know why.

8/31/2023

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

When I’m driving straight sometimes my lane assist will make the car swerve while my steering wheel is straight and even almost made me wreck into another car beside me trying to force the car to go right. Also the front crash assist goes off when I’m not even near a car. The front end of my car is rattling and I don’t know why.

8/31/2023

on 2 occasions my dash had a waring come on that my crash avoidance system was inoperable and on 3 occasions my waring system with the red lights in front of the steering wheel has come on with no cars around. also on oct 28th the low pressure waring for right rear tire came on 21psi and this wasn't the case and i did get a warning from onstar this time. gm has sent this vehicle to another gm dealership for the surging problem and this has still not been corrected

11/1/2023

POWER TRAIN

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

At 40,000 miles, check engine light illuminated. Code reader stated P023F fuel pump secondary circuit open. When trying to take 2023 Malibu to dealership for repairs car would not start. Had to have car towed to dealership. Dealership confirmed same fuel pump error code. Confirmed no recall. Car is currently being repaired by dealership at my expense as dealership & GM says fuel pump is not covered by powertrain warranty. Cost is over $1500! Fuel pump should last longer than 40,000 miles! Please research this faulty fuel pump!

7/11/2025

Check engine light will come on entire car will shut off. Shuttering, braking locks up, all power is reduced, especially engine power. car will get towed to the Chevrolet dealership in temple, Tx and Killeen, Tx for repairs. When hooked up to the scanner all 7 modules show as faulty. Chevrolet of Killeen replaced only 3 of the modules stating that was the issue. two days after repair same issue has happened. when hooked up to the scanner again all modules were faulty again including the ones that were just repaired. car has been in the shop for 100 days now. the car will cool down, and the check engine light will reset itself showing no issues repeat the process.

10/13/2025

WHEELS

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

While driving, the driver side tires (2) went flat and four (4) airbags deployed, this happened with no warning.

5/16/2023

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I was on a freeway going 75. A guy came across three lanes and cut in front of me going 60. I got the brakes hard and then went around him accelerating sharply and swerved hard in front of him. At that point the car steered itself back and forth for our five times. I was finally able to regain control once it slowed down enough, and continued on my drive. I’m guessing that some accident-avoidance system kicked in when I swerved left in front of the other car, and the car swerved itself back to the right. But then it over-corrected back to the left. And back and forth several times all while the car slowed back down from 75 to perhaps 60, when it gave me back control. VERY SCARY!!! The car shouldn’t do this!

6/28/2023

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

When I’m driving straight sometimes my lane assist will make the car swerve while my steering wheel is straight and even almost made me wreck into another car beside me trying to force the car to go right. Also the front crash assist goes off when I’m not even near a car. The front end of my car is rattling and I don’t know why.

8/31/2023

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

My car randomly shuts off when but still says it’s on at a stop light which causes a lot of problems because I have to push the start button to turn off and turn on again. Something is wrong with the wiring, in order for me to turn my car off I have to unplug my battery otherwise my car safety alarm will activate and hazard lights will go off and trunk will open. Which also cause my horn to go out. Everytime I turn my car on it says service ESC which I have no clue what that means and have asked multiple people . My air bag service light is on and it has no reason to be on as my car has not had any problems with my airbags. My car automatically brake while on the highway going 75 when a car swerved into my lane ahead of me and the hard activated the abs which caused my car to swerve uncontrollably and almost caused my car to flip.

6/24/2024

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact rented a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The rental agency was contacted and made aware of the failure. The contact returned the vehicle on the next business day, and the failure was reported. The failure mileage was approximately 38,706. The VIN was unavailable.

8/27/2024

TIRES

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Pro Contact, Tire Size: 245/40/R19, DOT Number: 6Y66WBR27. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at highway speeds, there was a blowout of the front driver's side tire. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The tire was replaced. The contact stated that later while inspecting the vehicle it was discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had developed a sidewall blister. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 11,000.

8/29/2024

SERVICE BRAKES

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Brake system failure lost brakes twice, went and got a diagnosis reading and it said brake system module failure. That it lost communication with the module

9/25/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?

The most reported complaint category for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 7 owner reports. That is about 18% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 25 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu severe?

25 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Chevrolet Malibu: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
38
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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