Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Malibu vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Malibu and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chevrolet Malibu vs FORD F 150: The Malibu averages 298 complaints per year with 29 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has more crash-related reports (330 vs. 94). Both have serious issues, but the Malibu has fewer overall. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Malibu or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size sedan that, based on owner complaints, can be a mixed bag for used-car shoppers. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 298 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving the engine, electrical system, and power train. Many owners report starting problems, reduced engine power, and transmission jerking, which can be frustrating and potentially costly. While it has fewer complaints than some rivals, the pattern suggests you should be prepared for electronic and powertrain quirks.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that, according to NHTSA data, generates a high volume of owner complaints—averaging over 1,100 per year. The most frequent trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with many reports of transmission problems, limp mode, and electrical glitches. Some owners describe serious safety incidents, including near collisions. This suggests that while the F-150 is popular, it may require more attention and maintenance than average.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Malibu | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,982 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 29 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 94 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 298.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 71 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 1 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
- 01ENGINE1,027
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM812
- 03POWER TRAIN678
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER648
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL445
Owners frequently report that the Malibu won't start when pressing the start button and brake, often accompanied by 'Service ESC' and 'Engine Power is Reduced' messages. Others describe loss of power and hard shifting, which can make merging into traffic risky.
The same starting issue often appears under electrical complaints, along with intermittent rearview camera failures. A recall (26V212) covers the camera defect on 2023–2025 models, but owners still report problems, so check for open recalls.
Complaints include the car not starting, jerking during cold starts, and failing to accelerate properly. These symptoms can leave you stranded or cause dangerous situations when pulling into traffic.
Miscellaneous issues like trunk misalignment, carpet problems, and doors unlocking unexpectedly while the car is running are reported. These may seem minor but can be annoying and indicate build quality inconsistencies.
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and harsh shifting. The 'lead frame' issue is a recurring complaint that some say has never been properly fixed, leading to near collisions.
Electrical gremlins include the lead frame issue and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A recall (26S28) addresses some of these, but owners still experience problems, so verify recall work was done.
A bizarre complaint involves the rear window defroster shorting and causing the back window to shatter. While not widespread, it's a serious safety concern that buyers should be aware of.
Exterior lighting issues are among the top complaints, though specific details aren't provided in the sample. This could mean frequent bulb failures or more serious wiring problems, so inspect all lights carefully.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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
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…
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…
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…
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.…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Malibu or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Malibu has far fewer complaints per year (about 298) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,160), meaning you're statistically less likely to encounter problems with the Malibu. However, the Malibu still has notable engine and electrical issues, while the F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity and a broader range of serious powertrain complaints. In practice, the Malibu may be easier to live with for basic transportation, but the F-150's issues can be more severe and costly.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has nearly four times as many complaints per year as the Chevrolet Malibu, indicating a higher overall rate of owner-reported problems.
- The F-150's most common issue is the power train, with reports of limp mode and lead frame failures, while the Malibu's top issue is engine starting and power loss.
- The Malibu has a recall for rearview camera failure, while the F-150 has recalls for engine and seat belt pretensioner issues, among others.
- The F-150 has more crash-related complaints (330 vs. 94) and injuries (297 vs. 71), though these numbers don't prove fault but suggest more severe incidents reported.
- Check for any open recalls, especially the rearview camera recall (26V212) on 2023–2025 models, and ensure the fix has been applied.
- Test the starting system thoroughly: press the start button with brake and look for 'Service ESC' or 'Engine Power Reduced' messages, and listen for unusual shifting or jerking during a cold start test drive.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission behavior: any hesitation, harsh shifting, or limp mode could indicate the notorious lead frame or output speed sensor issue.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or damage, and ask if the window has ever shattered unexpectedly, as this is a reported safety concern.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system, focusing on the specific issues reported for each model.
- Test all electronic features, including the rearview camera on the Malibu and the defroster on the F-150.
- During a test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic and highway merging to check for power loss or transmission problems.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission repairs or software updates related to recalls.
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.
| Year | Chevrolet Malibu | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 345 |
| 2024 | 42 | 638 |
| 2023 | 70 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 98 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 89 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 198 | 44 |
| 2019 | 191 | 52 |
| 2018 | 698 | 79 |
| 2017 | 724 | 59 |
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 FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Malibu vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Malibu total complaints
- 2,982
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Malibu total recalls
- 29
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Malibu avg complaints/year
- 298.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Chevrolet Malibu top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN