2023 Chevrolet MALIBU problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Back Over Prevention is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 68 complaints (20.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 8.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
Back Over Prevention: 14; Unknown Or Other: 14; Electrical System: 12; Engine: 12; Power Train: 8; Air Bags: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Visibility/Wiper: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 47 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 47 |
2023: 8; 2024: 4; 2025: 9; 2026: 47
Pattern summary
Back Over Prevention leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 11521415 · 2023-05-10 (May 10, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529398 · 2023-06-28 (June 28, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11557392 · 2023-11-29 (November 29, 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11557392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11596171 · 2024-06-24 (June 24, 2024)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11596171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541949 · 2023-08-31 (August 31, 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11541949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11553026 · 2023-11-01 (November 1, 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11553026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11729746 · 2026-04-07 (April 7, 2026)
We decided to take a road trip 2023 chev Malibu with 142000 miles and transmission goes bad
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11729746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11735824 · 2026-05-05 (May 5, 2026)
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the messages "ESC" and "Fuel Low" were displayed even though there was half a tank of fuel. The transmission failed to shift out of park (P). The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the manufacturer's engineer determined that there was a short circuit in the steering rack. The contact was informed that the steering rack …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11735824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11672718 · 2025-07-11 (July 11, 2025)
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!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11672718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11741105 · 2026-05-31 (May 31, 2026)
This all started when i had my car serviced for an oil change and began to hear some clicking sounds when I would start my vehicle. The fuel sealant is defective, the fuel caps were corroded, leaks oil, and causes the turbo on the engine to lag. I found this out as I was driving and tried to make a turn. When pressing the accelerator the vehicle lagged almost causing me to be involved in an accident on more than one occassion. When conducting on-line research I am not the only owner that has experienced this issue. It would appear that Chevrol…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11741105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11733160 · 2026-04-22 (April 22, 2026)
The issue appears to involve the engine and turbocharger system. The vehicle has shown symptoms consistent with a turbo underboost condition, including loss of power and reduced acceleration. A mechanic indicated that the symptoms may be consistent with diagnostic code P0299 (turbo underboost). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue affects safe operation because the vehicle loses power unexpectedly while driving, which creates a risk when merging into traffic, accelerating, or maintaining speed in normal traffic cond…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11733160 at NHTSA ↗