Is the 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU reliable?

The 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU has 114 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (24 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (24 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (23 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, SEATS. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU?

The 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU gets 29 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1655. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU is approximately $1,753/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Chevrolet MALIBU

Q: Is the 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU often stolen?

The Chevrolet MALIBU was the #19 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 5,300 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU has 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 561. The most common issue is electrical problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: this was a rental car, equipped with an electronic key fob and a starter/turn engine-off button on the dashboard. this particular vehicle could be locked remotely from outside the vehicle, while it continued to run. additionally, it appered that an occupant of the locked vehicle who did not have . There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report

114

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

24 complaints

21%

• THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR, EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC KEY FOB AND A STARTER/TURN ENGINE-OFF BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE COULD BE LOCKED REMOTELY FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHILE IT CONTINUED TO RUN. ADDITIONALLY, IT APPERED THAT AN OCCUPANT OF THE LOCKED VEHICLE WHO DID NOT HAVE
• 3 times now, the car has turned off while in gear or in motion. In an Arbys drive thru on a hill above a highway. Backing out of a parking spot in VA. And pulling through a busy intersection in VA. The safety hazard is that you lose power brakes and steering when a vehicle isn’t running, one could e
• Malibu will be in park, engine off, but when exiting the vehicle a message will appear "SHIFT TO PARK", although the vehicle is in park. The electrical will not shut off, which is a hazard, as the vehicle's battery remains on. I am forced to turn the car on, shift to a different position (not "park"

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR, EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC KEY FOB AND A STARTER/TURN ENGINE-OFF BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE COULD BE LOCKED REMOTELY FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHILE IT CONTINUED TO RUN. ADDITIONALLY, IT APPERED THAT AN OCCUPANT OF THE LOCKED VEHICLE WHO DID NOT HAVE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU

Based on 22 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 34K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 54K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS20/08/2021

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.

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. 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.

Above-average theft risk

#19 most stolen in 2025

The Chevrolet MALIBU was the #19 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 5,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Popular midsize sedan

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,656

Per month

$138

Per mile

13.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,334/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Chevrolet MALIBU

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,753

Full coverage / month

$146

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

+5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1753

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet MALIBU Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2021 MALIBU, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 114 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR, EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC KEY FOB AND A STARTER/TURN ENGINE-OFF BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE COULD BE LOCKED REMOTELY FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHILE IT CONTINUED TO RUN. ADDITIONALLY, IT APPERED THAT AN OCCUPANT OF THE LOCKED VEHICLE WHO DID NOT HAVE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted into park(P), the vehicle started to roll. The contact stated that the shift to park message was then illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: DRIVING THROUGH A SANDSTORM AT 45MPH( SLOW LANE AND SPEED SURE TO VISIBILITY) ON INTERSTATE 10 FROM RANCHO MIRAGE TO DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD CRACKED NEARLY A FOOT. I WAS CHARGED $400 BY ENTERPRISE RENTALS SINCE THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. A SMALL CHIP COULD BE SEEN, S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 3 times now, the car has turned off while in gear or in motion. In an Arbys drive thru on a hill above a highway. Backing out of a parking spot in VA. And pulling through a busy intersection in VA. The safety hazard is that you lose power brakes and steering when a vehicle isn’t running, one could e
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)