Model year 2021 · Midsize Cars

2021 Chevrolet Malibu: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu at 26–32 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 90 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

2

EPA combined mpg

26–32

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Chevrolet dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, newest first.

Seats

NHTSA 22V359000 Reported May 19, 2022
Filed by
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N212356050)
Units affected
221 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts: Rear/other: Retractor and 1 more component

NHTSA 21V649000 Reported Aug 20, 2021
Filed by
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N212333380)
Components
Seat belts: Rear/other: Retractor; Seat belts: Critical fasteners
Units affected
402 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Remedy
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Malibu1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular29/36/32 mpg$2,100273
Malibu2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 9-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular22/33/26 mpg$2,600342

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD4 stars5 stars4 stars4 stars10.3%Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu owner complaints

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, most recently on Oct 12, 2026. 0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Chevrolet Malibu complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Unknown or other31
Electrical system29
Power train28
Engine15
Fuel/propulsion system8
Air bags6
Back over prevention: Warnings3
Suspension3
Service brakes2
Steering2

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Chevrolet Malibu model years

Chevrolet Malibu by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2025 Malibu31 mpg1125/5
2024 Malibu31 mpg2445/5
2023 Malibu30 mpg2725/5
2022 Malibu26–32 mpg1994/5
2020 Malibu26–32 mpg11994/5
2019 Malibu26–46 mpg11954/5
2018 Malibu26–46 mpg67115/5
2017 Malibu26–46 mpg47265/5
2016 Malibu26–46 mpg108655/5
2015 Malibu24–29 mpg32675/5

All Chevrolet Malibu years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Chevrolet models

2021 Chevrolet Blazer2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV2021 Chevrolet Camaro2021 Chevrolet Colorado2021 Chevrolet Corvette2021 Chevrolet Equinox2021 Chevrolet Silverado2021 Chevrolet Spark2021 Chevrolet Suburban2021 Chevrolet Tahoe2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer2021 Chevrolet Traverse2021 Chevrolet Trax

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Chevrolet.