2021 Chevrolet MALIBU problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
88 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 88 complaints (34.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 28 | 31.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 19.3% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 11.4% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 30 |
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Power Train | 28 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
Unknown Or Other: 30; Electrical System: 28; Power Train: 28; Engine: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Air Bags: 6; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 3; Suspension: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 71 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 28 |
2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 8; 2024: 24; 2025: 23; 2026: 28
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 28 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11530779 · 2023-07-06 (July 6, 2023)
Every time I parked the car, the dashboard will light up and give me a message to " SHIFT TO PARK" I have read that this can means a malfunction in my transmission or it could be a sensor. I have also read that this type of cars have a recalls on 2016-2019. I just purchased this car Aug of 2022
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11530779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534337 · 2023-07-25 (July 25, 2023)
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", and then forcefully shift back to park). I contacted the dealer that has done all of my work, they were aware of the problem and offered to fix under warranty. They claim to have replaced my transmission harness. The problem was fixed for about on…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529828 · 2023-06-30 (June 30, 2023)
The car is constantly displaying the shift to park display on the dash after the car is placed in park. Can turn the car off with the display but the prompt stays on the display and the electrical power does not shut off resulting in battery drain unless you constantly mess with the shifter until it removes the shift to park display. My first encounter with the dealer is Monday and was told they can't work on it if they can not replicate the issue. Sometimes it goes a week without doing it so who knows. Been doing this about 3 weeks now.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413839 · 2021-04-25 (April 25, 2021)
IN THE CASE OF A HARD BRAKE WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLES SEATS BOTH FRONT AND REAR UN-LATCH AND BECOME FREE IN MOTION. THE FRONT SEATS UN-LATCH FROM THE BASE, MOVING THE SEAT FORWARD AND THE REAR SEATS UN-LATCH AND FALL FORWARD OPENING THE TRUNK FROM THE INSIDE.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11477685 · 2022-08-04 (August 4, 2022)
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 easily be unable to avoid a wreck. Also the general danger of your vehicle randomly shutting off. No warning lights appear before during or after this happens. The 3 dealerships that have looked into the issue state they are unable to recreate the pro…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11477685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11592979 · 2024-06-07 (June 7, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. During the failure, the power steering became inoperable, with a grinding sound present and unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. After retrieving the vehicle, the failure persisted. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11592979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11695082 · 2025-10-22 (October 22, 2025)
Dear NHTSA: I am submitting this complaint because my vehicle, a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu (VIN [XXX] ), is included in Emission Recall N252516900 issued by General Motors concerning the Fuel Pump Power Control Module. Despite that inclusion, I have experienced the following: - A prior near-fatal incident in 2023 when the vehicle unexpectedly shut off while stopped at a red light (engine stall) due to the root defect. - The dealer has informed me I now need a new 12-V battery (just over one year old), a new AC compressor, and a new drive/…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11695082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11710885 · 2026-01-14 (January 14, 2026)
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a recall repair related to the fuel pump control module. After the repair was completed, the contact experienced a new failure. While attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle became inoperable and could not be turned off. The message “Shift to Park” was displayed while the vehicle was shifted to park. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly turned off after the contact exited the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the deal…
Owner-reported narrative. 123,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11710885 at NHTSA ↗