Chevrolet Malibu Recalls Over the Years: Is Your Model Affected?

Chevrolet‘s mid-sized sedan named after the coastal community of Malibu, California, has had a number of important recalls during its production run.

Thanks to extensive data from NHTSA, we have compiled a list of recalls for this popular family sedan. Data from the NHTSA is available for the third generation (1973 – 1977) all the way up to the ninth generation (2016 – present). Here is all the available information on Chevrolet Malibu recalls:

ALSO SEE: Chevrolet Malibu Review

This generation offered a 2-door coupe, a 4-door sedan and 4-door station wagon. A total of three recalls were issued for this generation:

1.) Power Train: Axle Assembly: Shaft Axle (Issued June 1978 ); Models affected: 1977 models

2.) Oil Filter/Oil Leak/Possible Fire (Issued October 2007); Models affected: 1974, 1975 models

3.) Brakes: Hydraulic: Master Cylinder: Other (Issued July 1973); Models affected: 1973 models

For this generation, the Malibu name, which had been the bestselling badge in the lineup, replaced the Chevelle name. A total of 12 recalls were issued for this generation:

1.) Brakes: Hydraulic: Shoe and Drum Wheel Cylinders (Issued October 1977 & April 1985); Models affected: 1978, 1979, 1980 models

2.) Oil Filter/Oil Leak/Possible Fire (Issued October 2007); Models affected: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 models

3.) Fuel: Throttle Linkages: Accelerator: Flexible (Issued August 1983); Models affected: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 models

4.) Fuel: Fuel Injection: Unknown Type: Accumulator (Issued January 1982); Models affected: 1982 models

5.) Suspension: Single Axle: Rear: Control Arm (Issued February 1981); Models affected: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 models

6.) Power Train: Axle Assembly: Shaft Axle (Issued November 1984); Models affected: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 models

7.) Visual Systems: Glass: Window: Tailgate and Back Door (Issued February 1981); Models affected: 1979, 1980 models

8.) Interior Systems: Seat Head Restraints (Issued August 1979); Models affected: 1979 models

9.) Suspension: Independent Front: Bearing Wheel (Issued July 1979); Models affected: 1978 models

10.) Engine Cooling System: Fan (Issued June 1978); Models affected: 1978 models

11.) Interior Systems: Seat Head Restraints: Adjustable (Issued May 1978); Models affected: 1978 models

12.) Brakes: Hydraulic: Lines: Metallic (Issued October 1983); Models affected: 1983 models

A total of 10 recalls were issued for this generation:

1.) Ignition Switch May Turn Off (Issued July 2014); Models affected: 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 models

2.) GM/FMVSS 124/Accelerator Pedal Arm (Issued November 2004); Models affected: 2003 models

3.) Aftermarket Fuel Pressure Regulators (Issued March 2007); Models affected: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 models

4.) FMVSS 108/Aftermarket Combination Lamps (Issued April 2009); Models affected: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 models

5.) GM/Steering Gear Bearings (Issued December 2003); Models affected: 1997, 1998 models

6.) GM/Windshield Wiper Arm (Issued March 2001); Models affected: 1997, 1998 models

7.) GM/Passenger Air Bag (Issued June 1997); Models affected: 1997 models

8.) GM/Hazard Warning Switch (Issued August 2003); Models affected: 2000, 2001 models

9.) GM/Fuel Filler (Issued October 1999); Models affected: 2000 models

10.) GM/FMVSS 108/Low Beam Headlamp (Issued April 2002); Models affected: 2002 models

This generation moved to GM’s new Epsilon platform. A total of 13 recalls were issued for this generation:

1.) Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering (Issued February 2015); Models affected: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 models

2.) Steering Shaft Inadequate Support of U-Joint (Issued July 2014); Models affected: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 models

3.) Brake Lights May or May Not Randomly Illuminate (Issued May 2014); Models affected: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 models

4.) Transmission Shift Cable May Fracture/Rollaway (Issued April 2014); Models affected: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 models

5.) Aftermarket Fuel Pumps (Issued February 2011); Models affected: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 models

6.) FMVSS 108/Aftermarket Combination Lamps (Issued April 2009); Models affected: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 models

7.) Ignition Switch May Turn Off (Issued July 2014); Models affected: 2004, 2005 models

8.) GM/ABS Module (Issued April 2004); Models affected: 2004 models

9.) GM/Driver’s Seat Belt (Issued April 2004); Models affected: 2004 models

10.) GM/FMVSS 208/Air Bag Warning Labels (Issued February 2004); Models affected: 2004 models

11.) The Transmission Shift Cable May Detach (Issued September 2012); Models affected: 2008 models

12.) Leather Seat Covers/Air Bag Sensing System (Issued October 2006); Models affected: 2006 models

13.) Tire Information Label/FMVSS 110 (Issued October 2005); Models affected: 2006 models

A total of seven recalls were issued for this generation:

1.) Steel Cable that Anchors Seat Belt May Fail (Issued May 2015); Models affected: 2011 models

2.) Steering Shaft Inadequate Support of U-Joint (Issued July 2014); Models affected: 2009, 2010, 2011 models

3.) Brake Lights May or May Not Randomly Illuminate (Issued May 2014); Models affected: 2009, 2010, 2011 models

4.) The Transmission Shift Cable May Detach (Issued September 2012); Models affected: 2009, 2010 models

5.) Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering (Issued March 2014); Models affected: 2009 models

6.) Shift Lever Indicator/FMVSS 102 & FMVSS 114 (Issued March 2009); Models affected: 2009 models

7.) FMVSS 103/HVAC System Inoperative (Issued December 2008); Models affected: 2009 models

ALSO SEE: Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Review

For this generation, the Malibu became a global vehicle, replacing both the North American Malibu and GM Korea vehicles previously sold around the world. A total of 16 recalls were issued for this generation:

1.) Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114 (Issued July 2016); Models affected: 2013, 2014 2015 models

2.) Shift Position Not Illuminating/FMVSS 102 (Issued April 2015); Models affected: 2013 models

3.) Roof Panel May Inadvertently Auto Close/FMVSS 118 (Issued March 2015); Models affected: 2013, 2014 2015 models

4.) Power Seat Wiring Harness may Chafe and Short (Issued November 2013); Models affected: 2013 models

5.) Hybrid Charging System/Possible Fire or Stall (Issued May 2013); Models affected: 2013 models

6.) Rear Suspension Bolt Torque (Issued January 2013); Models affected: 2013 models

7.) Front Turn Signal Bulbs/FMVSS 108 (Issued October 2012); Models affected: 2013 models

8.) Sensing and Diagnostic Module (Issued May 2012); Models affected: 2013 models

9.) Loss of Brake Vacuum Assist/FMVSS 135 (Issued May 2014); Models affected: 2014 models

10.) Incorrect Brake Rotors May Be Installed (Issued May 2014); Models affected: 2014 models

11.) Broken Transmission Adjuster Cable/FMVSS 102/114 (Issued February 2014); Models affected: 2014 models

12.) Windshield Defrost Inoperative/FMVSS 103 (Issued November 2013); Models affected: 2014 models

13.) Side Impact Air Bag Modules May Rupture (Issued October 2015); Models affected: 2015 models

14.) Steel Cable That Anchors Seat Belt May Fail (Issued May 2015); Models affected: 2012 models

15.) Steering Shaft Inadequate Support of U-Joint (Issued July 2014); Models affected: 2012 models

16.) Brake Lights May or May Not Randomly Illuminate (Issued May 2014); Models affected: 2012 models

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A total of 8 recalls were issued for this generation.

1.) Side Air Bag Fabric May Tear During Deployment (Issued October 2016); Models affected: 2016 models

2.) Unexpected Loss of High Voltage Power (Issued July 2016); Models affected: 2016 models

3.) Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114 (Issued July 2016); Models affected: 2016 models

4.) Electronic Stability Control Systems/FMVSS 126 (Issued May 2016); Models affected: 2016 models

5.) Side Air Bag Weld Studs May Separate/FMVSS 214 (Issued March 2016); Models affected: 2016 models

6.) Improper Air Bag Inflation (Issued March 2016); Models affected: 2016 models

7.) Intermittent Failure of Audio Warning System (Issued February 2016); Models affected: 2016 models

8.) Insufficient Welds On Rear Side Air Bag Inflator (Issued December 2016); Models affected: 2016 models

You can click here to find out if your Chevrolet Malibu was affected by any recalls and to find out more information about specific recall details. The NHSTA has a very useful tool where you can input your VIN to see if your car has been recalled.

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