Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Problems by Year
NHTSA has 1,074 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, across 4 model years (2004–2007). The 2004 model year has the most complaints (434). The most reported problem area overall is steering.
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Malibu Maxx model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2004 Malibu Maxx: 434 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2005 Malibu Maxx: 326 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2006 Malibu Maxx: 270 complaints, 4 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 653 | 4 | 30 |
| Seats problems | 141 | 4 | 2 |
| Electrical System problems | 112 | 4 | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 101 | 4 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 43 | 4 | 16 |
| Power Train | 41 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 30 | 4 | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 30 | 3 | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 24 | 3 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 | 4 | 4 |
| Engine | 19 | 4 | 1 |
| Suspension | 18 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 17 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 12 | 3 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| Structure | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Visibility | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Tires | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
All Chevrolet Malibu Maxx model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Malibu Maxx | 44 | 3 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 Malibu Maxx | 270 | 4 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2005 Malibu Maxx | 326 | 3 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2004 Malibu Maxx | 434 | 3 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
More from Chevrolet: all Chevrolet models · Chevrolet VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu Maxx years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2004 (434), 2005 (326), 2006 (270). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
Steering, with 653 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.