2023 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Back over prevention is the leading concern among 70 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 24th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 4 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraApr 2, 2026
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262551720. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
Campaign 26V212000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, frame and membersDec 14, 2022
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.
An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 22V923000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
70 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2026
Back up camera is under recall with no fix and not working period. Goes to black screen with a message “ Service Vision System” Dealership - Dan Cummins- refuses to repair due to no fix available.
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Back over prevention, Jun 19, 2026
To Whom It May Concern, I am the owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu that is affected by the ongoing backup camera safety recall. I am submitting this complaint because this defect is not a minor inconvenience—it is a serious safety issue that places me, my family, pedestrians, and other motorists at risk every time the vehicle is operatesThe rearview camera system is a federally required safety feature designed to help drivers detect people, vehicles, and obstacles behind the vehicle. When the camera fails, freezes, goes blank, displays a distorted image, or does not activate properly when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, I am left without a critical safety system that I relied upon when purchasing this vehicle This defect has significantly reduced my confidence in the safety and reliability of my Chevrolet Malibu. A vehicle with a known safety recall involving visibility and accident prevention creates constant concern, especially when backing out of parking spaces, residential driveways, crowded parking lots, and areas where children or pedestrians may be present. The possibility of striking a person, vehicle, or object because a manufacturer-installed safety system fails is unacceptable. I purchased this vehicle in good faith expecting Chevrolet to provide a safe and dependable product. Instead, I am driving a vehicle that has been identified as having a safety-related defect serious enough to warrant a recall. While recalls are intended to correct safety issues, owners should not be left dealing with uncertainty regarding when the problem will be fully resolved or whether additional failures may occur in the future. Because this defect directly impacts a critical safety system and has diminished my trust in the vehicle, I respectfully request that General Motors and Chevrolet review my case for additional relief beyond the standard recall repair. Specifically, I am requesting consideration for a vehicle replacement, manufacturer-assisted trade-in, buyout
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jun 18, 2026
Subject: Safety Complaint and Request for Assistance – 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Backup Camera Recall To Whom It May Concern, I am the owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu that has been affected by the backup camera recall. The malfunctioning backup camera creates a serious safety hazard for me, my passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. The backup camera intermittently fails to display properly when the vehicle is placed in reverse. When this occurs, I am unable to clearly see objects, vehicles, or people behind my vehicle as intended by the safety system. This significantly increases the risk of an accident, especially in parking lots, residential areas, and other locations where pedestrians may be present. I purchased this vehicle with the expectation that all safety systems would function reliably. The ongoing issue has caused me concern and has reduced my confidence in the vehicle’s ability to operate safely. A backup camera is an important safety feature, and any failure of this system places drivers and the public at unnecessary risk. Given the seriousness of this recall and the inconvenience and safety concerns it has caused, I respectfully request that Chevrolet review my situation and consider available remedies, including replacement of the vehicle, a vehicle trade-in assistance program, or another appropriate resolution that ensures my safety and restores my confidence in the product. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a prompt response regarding the options available to address this safety concern. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] 2023 Chevrolet Malibu INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Back over prevention, Jun 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2026
Back up camera stopped working, there is a recall that was not completed before buying the car
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently entered LIMP mode. The message "Turn off to Reduce Power Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the cause of the failure was unidentifiable. The independent mechanic cleared the diagnostic trouble code; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a different independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2026
Back up camera quit working. Stated intermittently not working for about 2 days then completely stopped working. No warning lights
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 31, 2026
This all started when i had my car serviced for an oil change and began to hear some clicking sounds when I would start my vehicle. The fuel sealant is defective, the fuel caps were corroded, leaks oil, and causes the turbo on the engine to lag. I found this out as I was driving and tried to make a turn. When pressing the accelerator the vehicle lagged almost causing me to be involved in an accident on more than one occassion. When conducting on-line research I am not the only owner that has experienced this issue. It would appear that Chevrolet is aware that this is happening in its turbo models. I have an extended warranty that was purchased through the dealership. This issue caused them to replace the fuel sealant, the fuel caps, and the fuel pump. However, 2 weeks later my vehicle is still leaking a significant amount of oil. When I took the vehicle to be serviced, I was told that the sealant is broken again and gaskets have to be replaced. Upon researching this online other owners have experienced the same issues. I did share my online research with the service technicians. Their reactions were dismissive.
Back over prevention, May 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a
Engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure occured intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbo charger had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Back over prevention, May 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu . The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Back over prevention, May 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable, and the rearview camera image appeared blank. The contact was informed during an inspection that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to complete the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide a remedy for the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 66,111.
Service brakes, May 13, 2026
The brake pedal on my vehicle intermittently becomes stuck in the fully raised position and will not depress when I attempt to apply the brakes. When this occurs, I am unable to slow down or stop the vehicle, creating an immediate and serious safety hazard. The problem happens without warning and has occurred multiple times while driving at various speeds. When the defect occurs, the pedal feels locked or jammed, and I have to use extreme force or pump the pedal repeatedly before it finally releases. This delay in brake response puts me, my passengers, and other drivers at risk of a crash. The issue is unpredictable and does not appear to be related to weather, temperature, or driving conditions. I have not made any modifications to the braking system. The defect has occurred both during normal city driving and while approaching intersections. Because the failure prevents the brakes from engaging at all, I believe this is a critical safety issue that requires investigation.
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 5, 2026
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the messages "ESC" and "Fuel Low" were displayed even though there was half a tank of fuel. The transmission failed to shift out of park (P). The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the manufacturer's engineer determined that there was a short circuit in the steering rack. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Apr 30, 2026
Nearly had a collision while trying to back up in parking garage.
Back over prevention, Apr 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that the recall part was not yet available and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Power train, Engine, Apr 22, 2026
The issue appears to involve the engine and turbocharger system. The vehicle has shown symptoms consistent with a turbo underboost condition, including loss of power and reduced acceleration. A mechanic indicated that the symptoms may be consistent with diagnostic code P0299 (turbo underboost). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue affects safe operation because the vehicle loses power unexpectedly while driving, which creates a risk when merging into traffic, accelerating, or maintaining speed in normal traffic conditions. The loss of power is inconsistent and can occur without warning, increasing the potential safety concern. The problem has been ongoing. The check engine light is currently on and has remained on. The warning light first appeared around January 2026, and the issue has continued since then. Similar turbocharger-related issues have been reported in prior model years, including 2022 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, where coverage or corrective actions were provided, raising concern that the same or similar issue may be affecting 2023 models.
Back over prevention, Apr 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the camera screen was black. While reversing, the camera failed to engage and was flickering. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V212000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted, and was ordering parts for the recall repair, but requested that the owner show up in person to provide the demographics but declined once the contact was leaving a bad review. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Engine, Apr 14, 2026
My engine keeps decreasing and throwing code p0299, wastegate/turbo, under boost. 84k miles. After a few drive cycles, engine light may go off, then next drive cycle come back on. I’ve seen this is a common issue and has been recalled in previous year model.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2026
We decided to take a road trip 2023 chev Malibu with 142000 miles and transmission goes bad
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2026
The rearview camera system fails intermittently when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The display will either show a distorted image or go completely blank without warning. This issue has occurred multiple times. This malfunction significantly reduces rear visibility and creates a dangerous condition while backing, especially in environments with pedestrians or other vehicles. The failure increases the risk of a collision because the driver cannot rely on the camera system to safely monitor the area behind the vehicle. There were no warning lights, alerts, or messages prior to or during the failure. The issue appears to occur randomly and without any clear triggering condition. The vehicle has not yet been repaired because the manufacturer has issued a recall, but the remedy is not yet available. The condition has not yet been inspected by a dealer, but it matches the known recall involving rearview camera failure. The vehicle and camera system are available for inspection upon request.
Power train, Engine, Mar 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally with several unknown warning lights illuminated and unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, there was a white fuel warning light illuminated with the message “Low Fuel” displayed after refueling the vehicle. The white exclamation warning icon with the "Shift to Park" message, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the “Engine Power Reduced message was displayed. Additionally, the power train and ESC warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure was not replicated; an aftermarket tracker was disconnected. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred the following week. The vehicle was then taken back to the same dealer, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,619.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 11, 2026
MY 2023 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A MISSING TURBOCHARGER SCREW THAT RANDOMLY CAME OFF FROM UNDER A METAL PLATE ON ITS OWN, GMC HAS A RECALL ON 2022 -2023 CHEY MALIBU WITH TURBO CHARGER ISSUES BUT THEY WONT COVER MINES BECAUSE IT DIDNT COME FROM A CERTIAN FACTORY ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW A HELL OF ALOT OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS HAVE TURBO CHARGER ISSUES AND THAT FACTORIES SHARE PARTS WITH OTHER FACTORIES THEY SAY THEY WONT DO A RECALL ON ALL THE MALIBUS UNLESS ALOT OF PEOPLE REPORT AND NHTSA MAKES GMC REALL ALL CHEVY MALIBUS TURBOCHARGER ( GM launched a special coverage program for 2022-2023 models with 1.5L engines due to turbocharger failures leading to "Reduced Engine Power". The program covers, or potentially reimburses, repairs up to 15 years/150,000 miles)BUT MY VEHICLE VIN ISNT COVERED.
Tires, Feb 10, 2026
Tread started separation on driver front tire
Air bags, Dec 29, 2025, crash
When I was in a car accident I was hit on the rear passenger side of my vehicle, right near where my side air bags are supposed to be located. I was hit at 50 mph and the airbags did not deploy.