Engine and varied safety issues are among the main causes of complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize sedan that has changed its focus considerably since it was first launched in the U.S. in 1964. Initially promoted as an efficient family car with lots of space, it is now presented as a beautifully stylish option offering a superior driving experience. This may be the case, but for those customers whose vehicles malfunction, it’s unreliable and not safe to drive.
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There aren’t many complaints lodged with the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). But by late July 2023, all of them highlighted safety issues. They related to several components and systems: airbags, the electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system, lane departure, steering, and the wheels of the vehicle.
In terms of numbers, engine issues top the list of complaints.
There is also a recall that affects the structure as many as 2,108 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. This was announced in December 2022, stating that the front impact bar of affected vehicles had not been welded properly. The implication is that the front crash sensors may not perform correctly, which increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Dealers have been instructed by General Motors, LLC (GM) to inspect affected vehicles. If they are found to have front impact bars that haven’t been welded properly, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. So, if you received a notification letter, best have your 2023 Malibu checked out.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Air Bags | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Steering | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | |
| Structure:body |
The owner of a 2023 Chevrolet with engine and fuel/propulsion system problems states, “This car is going to kill someone.” The problem he has experienced is that when he drives, the car “surges and almost cuts off at times.” He reports that the problem has recurred twice. But on both occasions, the dealership told him that “the car is running as it should.” The complaint states that there is also a popping sound and rattle that the dealer cannot duplicate.
Another engine-related complaint is also regarded as an electrical system issue. An owner from Chicago states that when he stopped at a red traffic light “the auto-stop feature engaged as it is intended to do.” But when the light turned green, he put his foot on the gas and the car wouldn’t move. Cars behind were honking and then driving around him. Eventually he put on the emergency flashers, shifted the car to Park, and pressed the ignition button to turn the car off. Then he depressed the brake pedal and the ignition button to turn the car on and “the car then moved forward as normal.”
The dealer tested the vehicle, which had less than 2,000 miles on the clock, and confirmed the malfunction. They tried to resolve the problem via the GM tech line but couldn’t. Because they couldn’t provide a loaner car, the owner left with the car. But he drove it only with the auto-stop feature turned off. “I feared if it happened again I could be rear-ended.”
He issued the NHTSA complaint a while later, after taking the vehicle back to the dealer for repairs. The “dealer has now had my car for a week trying to ascertain how to fix this. But because they say this feature is now not acting up, they don’t know how to fix it.” Once again, the GM tech line wasn’t able to advise how to resolve the problem.
“I cannot leave my car with the dealer indefinitely so now I am forced to drive the car in this condition. I need to always try to remember to turn off the auto-stop feature (or risk driving it in an unsafe condition), which is not the right solution for a brand new car.”
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What would you do if your car started steering itself? This is what happened to the owner of a 2023 Malibu who was driving on the freeway at 75 mph when another driver cut in front of him going about 60 mph. His reaction was to hit the brakes and then accelerate to go around him, swerving hard to get in front of him. That’s when the car steered itself back and forth about five times. Once it slowed down enough, he was finally able to regain control.
“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 left, and (went) back and forth several times, all while the car slowed back down from 75 to perhaps 60, when it gave me back control. VERY SCARY!!! The car shouldn’t do this!”
Another complaint reports an injury after an incident that involved the two driver-side tires suddenly going flat. At the same time, four airbags were deployed without any warning.
Do you think you might have bought a lemon? If you have substantial, recurring problems that affect the use and value of your 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, it might be a lemon. And, if so, Lemberg Law is available to assess your problems free of charge. If we believe it is a lemon, we will help you get compensation or a settlement.
Every year automakers buy-back, replace, or trade-in lemon vehicles. To find out if your vehicle qualifies, all you have to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form. The law says that GM must pay the legal fees for lemon law cases affecting Chevrolet models. So, it’s not going to cost you anything.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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