Chevrolet Malibu Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 609 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Chevrolet Malibu across 25 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (108). The words owners use most often: “front end” (12% of reports).
- 609suspension complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 25mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $1,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 29%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Front end: mentioned in 71 of 609 complaints (12%)
- Coil spring: mentioned in 41 of 609 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the Chevrolet Malibu at $1,300, and half of them between $890 and $2,350.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 300 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 609 complaints, 25 mention a crash, 16 an injury.
Chevrolet Malibu suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Malibu | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Malibu | 3 | 3% | 126,000 |
| 2020 Malibu | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 Malibu | 13 | 2% | 71,317 |
| 2017 Malibu | 10 | 1% | 47,140 |
| 2016 Malibu | 19 | 2% | 63,382 |
| 2015 Malibu | 3 | 1% | 33,300 |
| 2014 Malibu | 9 | 3% | 50,509 |
| 2013 Malibu | 65 | 8% | 97,000 |
| 2012 Malibu | 10 | 1% | 93,875 |
| 2011 Malibu | 11 | 1% | 59,000 |
| 2010 Malibu | 13 | 1% | 25,395 |
| 2009 Malibu | 11 | 1% | 35,870 |
| 2008 Malibu | 15 | 2% | 69,000 |
| 2007 Malibu | 22 | 2% | 77,800 |
| 2006 Malibu | 15 | 1% | 68,000 |
| 2005 Malibu | 21 | 2% | 50,000 |
| 2004 Malibu | 31 | 3% | 36,300 |
| 2003 Malibu | 23 | 4% | 44,635 |
| 2002 Malibu | 14 | 2% | 46,353 |
| 2001 Malibu | 20 | 3% | 52,500 |
| 2000 Malibu | 33 | 4% | 89,200 |
| 1999 Malibu | 82 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 1998 Malibu | 108 | 11% | 83,900 |
| 1997 Malibu | 55 | 12% | 50,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Suspension:rear
Model years: 2013
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
Suspension:rear
Model years: 2013
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.
Suspension:rear
Model years: 2013
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
Suspension:rear
Model years: 2013
Problem: General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, manufactured December 6, 2011, through January 15, 2013. One or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling.
Risk: Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and retighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications have already begun and will be completed shortly. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was inquiring about the front suspension and frame work is there a recall. My car is unstable in the front like frame is unbalanced
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was…
the trottle body position sensor just started acting up. took it to mechanic. they stated they can try to fix it but it may only work for a month then go back out. may end up paying over 6k and the car isn't worth it
Purchased this car straight out for 4000 from deans car lot in Winchester ky over a week ago. They didn't tell me I had missing fog lights. Keyfob to far was so beat up and bent I could barely get in my car or lock my car not to mention they sent me home in that car with all 4 different brand tires…
My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas, then…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Malibus have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 609 owner complaints about suspension for the Chevrolet Malibu. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Malibu suspension?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,300 (half paid between $890 and $2,350), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the Chevrolet Malibu?
The most frequent phrase is “front end”, in 71 of 609 complaints, followed by “coil spring” (41).
Other Chevrolet Malibu problems
- Steering problems (5,556)
- Electrical System problems (4,721)
- Engine problems (2,167)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,924)
- Power Train problems (1,666)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (1,315)
- Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems (1,236)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,181)
See all Chevrolet Malibu problems.