Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Malibu vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Malibu and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The Malibu has 296.1 complaints per year, while the Camry has 214.3. Malibu owners report no-start and reduced power issues; Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake failure. Both have recalls, but the Camry has more crash-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Malibu or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu, as a used car, shows a high volume of owner complaints concentrated in the engine, electrical system, and powertrain. Owners frequently report starting issues, reduced power, and hard shifting, which can affect daily drivability and safety. The presence of multiple recalls for the rearview camera and structural issues adds to the ownership concerns.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, while having fewer complaints per year, still shows notable issues in the powertrain, engine, and brakes. Owners report transmission grinding and replacement needs, sudden acceleration incidents, and brake failures, which are serious safety concerns. The lower complaint rate suggests better overall reliability, but the severity of reported issues warrants attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Malibu | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,961 | 2,143 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 29 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 92 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 296.1 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 70 Better | 163 |
| 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
- 01ENGINE1,023
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM807
- 03POWER TRAIN673
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER646
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL443
Owners report intermittent no-start conditions when pressing the start button and brake, accompanied by 'Service ESC' and 'Engine Power is Reduced' messages. This can leave you stranded and indicates potential electronic throttle or starting system faults.
The rearview camera is a known problem, with intermittent failures and a recall for 2023-2025 models. A malfunctioning camera reduces visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of backing into obstacles or pedestrians.
Transmission issues include hard jerking shifts on cold starts and loss of power when accelerating, which can be dangerous when merging into traffic. These symptoms suggest potential transmission control module or internal mechanical problems.
“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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are reported, including grinding noises and the need for complete replacement. This is a costly repair and can leave you without a vehicle for an extended period, especially if parts are on backorder.
Sudden unintended acceleration has been reported, leading to crashes and total loss of the vehicle. This is a critical safety issue that demands immediate attention and could be related to electronic throttle control or software glitches.
Brake failure has been reported, with the pedal not responding when pressed, particularly on hills. This can lead to loss of control and accidents, making it a top safety concern for any driver.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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.…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Malibu or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (214.3) compared to the Chevrolet Malibu (296.1), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Camry's complaints include severe safety concerns like sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are more critical than the Malibu's starting and shifting issues. In practice, the Camry may offer better overall reliability, but the nature of its problems requires careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Malibu has a higher annual complaint rate (296.1) than the Camry (214.3), suggesting more frequent issues overall.
- Malibu owners frequently report no-start and reduced power issues, while Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are more dangerous.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163) than the Malibu (92 and 70), indicating more severe incidents.
- Both have recalls, but the Malibu's recalls focus on rearview camera and structure, while the Camry's include airbag sensor and wheel lug nuts.
- Check for starting issues: press the start button and brake simultaneously to see if the engine cranks reliably; watch for 'Service ESC' or 'Engine Power Reduced' messages.
- Inspect the rearview camera for intermittent failures, especially on 2023-2025 models, and verify if recall 26V212 has been performed.
- Test the transmission for grinding noises or hard shifts during a test drive, especially when accelerating from a stop.
- Check the brake system thoroughly: on a safe downhill slope, apply the brakes to ensure they respond immediately and without unusual pedal feel.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to confirm open recalls and whether they've been addressed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Test drive both vehicles in various conditions, including cold starts and highway merging, to feel for any hesitation or jerking.
- Check for any pending software updates or recalls at a dealership using the VIN.
- Research common issues for the specific model year you're considering, as problems can vary by year.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 153 |
| 2024 | 39 | 48 |
| 2023 | 68 | 62 |
| 2022 | 94 | 59 |
| 2021 | 88 | 155 |
| 2020 | 195 | 270 |
| 2019 | 189 | 393 |
| 2018 | 694 | 736 |
| 2017 | 723 | 148 |
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Malibu vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Malibu total complaints
- 2,961
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chevrolet Malibu total recalls
- 29
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Malibu avg complaints/year
- 296.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Malibu top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN