Chevrolet Malibu Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 1,344 of the 10,383 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Chevrolet Malibu (12.9%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2018, 2016 and 2017.
Transmission complaints
1,344
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
12.9%
of 10,383 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
6
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 89 | 8.8% | 6 | 14V22400012V460000 | 114 |
| 2009 | 126 | 8.2% | 3 | 12V46000009V073000 | 113 |
| 2010 | 133 | 9.7% | 3 | 12V460000 | 127 |
| 2011 | 112 | 11.5% | 3 | — | 121 |
| 2012 | 49 | 5.4% | 0 | — | 119 |
| 2013 | 62 | 6.7% | 3 | 15V245000 | 160 |
| 2014 | 53 | 14.6% | 1 | 14V092000 | 123 |
| 2015 | 31 | 11.5% | 4 | — | 104 |
| 2016WORST | 174 | 20.1% | 3 | — | 138 |
| 2017WORST | 144 | 19.8% | 0 | — | 130 |
| 2018WORST | 175 | 24.6% | 3 | 20V668000 | 133 |
| 2019 | 68 | 34.9% | 0 | — | 140 |
| 2020 | 60 | 29.6% | 0 | — | 110 |
| 2021 | 28 | 31.1% | 0 | — | 91 |
| 2022 | 25 | 25% | 2 | — | 79 |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% | 1 | — | 55 |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% | 1 | — | 35 |
| 2025 | 1 | 8.3% | 0 | — | 8 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 1,344 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid for the transmission
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
175 transmission complaints (24.6% of the year's 712). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode. Covered by transmission recall 20V668000.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
174 transmission complaints (20.1% of the year's 865). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu
144 transmission complaints (19.8% of the year's 727). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid.
Chevrolet Malibu transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Chevrolet Malibu model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 20V668000 · 2020-10-29 · 2018 models
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- 15V245000 · 2015-04-24 · 2013 models
In the affected vehicles, the console transmission gear selection indicator may not illuminate the shift position selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102,…
- 14V224000 · 2014-04-30 · 2008 models
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu…
- 14V092000 · 2014-02-21 · 2014 models
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter…
- 12V460000 · 2012-09-18 · 2008–2010 models
On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
- 09V073000 · 2009-03-06 · 2009 models
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102,…
Which transmission does the Chevrolet Malibu use?
- GM 6T40 / 6T45 — 2011–2014 (varies by model); 2018–2019 Malibu 1.5L
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 175 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 24.6% of all 712 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (13 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 20V668000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 174 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 20.1% of all 865 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (13 complaints). 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 144 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, 19.8% of all 727 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (16 complaints).
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have the most transmission complaints?
2018 (175), 2016 (174) and 2017 (144), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
In the 1,344 transmission complaints, owners most often describe loss of power or limp mode (9.2%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (7.9%) and will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse (5.4%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Chevrolet Malibu model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration