Head-to-head reliability

Chevrolet Malibu vs Chevrolet Tahoe

How the Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Tahoe compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Chevrolet Malibu2,942 complaints · 29 recalls
Chevrolet Tahoe1,370 complaints · 44 recalls Fewer issues per year

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Chevrolet Tahoe averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Chevrolet Malibu has 2,942 complaints and 29 recalls on record; Chevrolet Tahoe has 1,370 complaints and 44 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryChevrolet MalibuChevrolet Tahoe
Total complaintsAll model years combined2,9421,370 Better
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns29 Better44
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints9238 Better
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years294.2137.0 Better
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints7042 Better
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints21 Better

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

Chevrolet Malibu

  1. 01ENGINE1,018
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM804
  3. 03POWER TRAIN670
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER641
  5. 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL442
In owners' words — ENGINE

My vehicle sometimes will not start when I press the Start Button and press the brakes at the same time. The dashboard will light up with a message that says “Service ESC” followed by “Engine Power is Reduced”. When it does start, I can drive the vehicle for…

My 2024 Chevy Malibu has lost power and is not shifting properly yet it’s not displaying any codes. It shifts and jerks very hard when on a cold start but also will not get up and go when I pull into traffic. This has caused me to almost get hit numerous time…

Chevrolet Tahoe

  1. 01ENGINE469
  2. 02POWER TRAIN296
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM208
  4. 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM169
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES150
In owners' words — ENGINE

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier for repeated brake assist/braking failures. Most recent incident: While driving, the check engine light came on. I turned the vehicle off for approximately 10 minutes and restarted it, b…

On May 19, 2026, my 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe suffered a sudden, catastrophic engine failure while traveling at 60 mph on a public roadway. I originally took retail delivery of this vehicle brand new on October 29, 2025, with only 14 miles on the odometer; at the…

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

Chevrolet Malibu — 29 recalls

Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera
#26V212000Feb 2026

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

The risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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 N2625…

Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera
#26V212000Feb 2026

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

The risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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 N2625…

Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera
#26V212000Feb 2026

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

The risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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 N2625…

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#24V575000Jan 2024

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorag…

The risk: The wrong owner's manual may contain inaccurate information about vehicle functions and other safety relevant information, which could lead to improper operation of the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix: Dealers will provide owners with the correct manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.…

Chevrolet Tahoe — 44 recalls

Wheels — Hub
#26V304000

The defect: General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deform…

The risk: A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Brake Fluid Low Warning — Lamp
#24V674000Dec 2024

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake…

The risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-…

Engine And Engine Cooling — Engine — Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
#25V274000

The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing d…

The risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repai…

Fuel System, Diesel — Storage — Tank Assembly
#25V619000

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2021, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2022 and 2024 GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover…

The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

The fix: Dealers will inspect for the correct fuel tank and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer servic…

Year by year

Which model years to avoid

Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.

YearChevrolet MalibuChevrolet Tahoe
20251041
20243760
202362205
202291178
202186432
202019455
2019188103
2018694102
2017721173
Years to scrutinize: the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu drew the most complaints (859); the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe drew the most (432). Inspect these model years especially closely.

Check the actual car

Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.

Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chevrolet Malibu or Chevrolet Tahoe in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Chevrolet Malibu vs Chevrolet Tahoe — comparison facts
Comparison
Chevrolet Malibu vs Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Malibu total complaints
2,942
Chevrolet Tahoe total complaints
1,370
Chevrolet Malibu total recalls
29
Chevrolet Tahoe total recalls
44
Chevrolet Malibu avg complaints/year
294.2
Chevrolet Tahoe avg complaints/year
137.0
More reliable overall
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Malibu top complaint area
ENGINE
Chevrolet Tahoe top complaint area
ENGINE