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: Over 10 years, the Malibu averaged 298 complaints per year and had 94 crash-related reports, while the Camry averaged 206 complaints per year with 171 crash-related reports. The Malibu also had 29 recalls versus 31 for the Camry. 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 is a midsize sedan that has averaged about 298 complaints per year over the past decade, with 29 recalls. Owners frequently report engine and electrical problems that can leave the car unable to start or cause sudden power loss. The high number of crash-related complaints (94) and injuries (71) suggests some issues may contribute to dangerous situations. Living with a Malibu means staying alert for warning lights and being prepared for potential no-start or reduced-power events.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a lower complaint rate of about 206 per year and 31 recalls. Owner complaints often involve power train hesitation, brake noises, and occasional key removal problems. Despite fewer complaints, the Camry has more reported crash-related incidents (171) and injuries (158), though this may reflect its higher sales volume. Overall, the Camry tends to have fewer reported problems per year, but specific issues like brake and transmission behavior still require 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 | 2,982 | 2,056 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 29 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 94 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 298.2 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 71 Better | 158 |
| 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 report the car sometimes won't start when pressing the start button and brake, with dashboard messages like 'Service ESC' and 'Engine Power is Reduced.' Others describe losing power and harsh shifting, which can make merging into traffic risky.
Complaints include intermittent no-start conditions and rearview camera failures, sometimes linked to a recall for 2023–2025 models. These electrical glitches can leave you stranded or without a backup camera when reversing.
Drivers report the vehicle losing power, not shifting properly, and jerking hard on cold starts. This can cause hesitation when accelerating, increasing the chance of close calls in traffic.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, this component appears frequently in the data. Issues here could affect how the car responds to accelerator input, potentially leading to unintended acceleration or delayed response.
“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 TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect. Others report hesitation and shuddering while driving, which can be unsettling and may indicate transmission issues.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the gas pedal, with the car taking several seconds to move. This lag can be dangerous when pulling into traffic or merging.
Drivers report the electronic parking brake not disengaging, requiring a tow, and clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area. These issues can affect stopping confidence and lead to unexpected repair costs.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring have malfunctioned simultaneously. Such widespread electronic failures can be distracting and potentially compromise safety features.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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 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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Malibu or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (about 206 vs. 298 for the Malibu), suggesting it may have fewer overall issues. However, the Camry has more reported crash-related incidents and injuries, so the difference isn't clear-cut. In practice, the Malibu may require more frequent attention to engine and electrical problems, while the Camry's issues tend to cluster around power train and brake systems.
Key differences
- The Malibu has more complaints per year (298 vs. 206) but fewer crash-related reports (94 vs. 171) and injuries (71 vs. 158) than the Camry.
- Malibu owners frequently report no-start conditions and reduced engine power, while Camry owners more often mention key removal problems and brake noises.
- The Malibu has a recall for rearview camera failure on 2023–2025 models; the Camry has recalls for seat and air bag sensor issues.
- Camry complaints include simultaneous failures of multiple electronic safety systems, whereas Malibu complaints tend to focus on engine and electrical starting problems.
- Check for any history of no-start conditions or 'Service ESC' / 'Engine Power Reduced' messages; test the start button and brake pedal multiple times.
- Inspect the rearview camera for intermittent failure, especially on 2023–2025 models, and confirm any open recalls are addressed.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could require a costly repair.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal and check if the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic, focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- During a test drive, pay attention to acceleration response, shifting quality, and any warning lights.
- Test all electronic features: backup camera, parking brake, infotainment, and driver-assist systems.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any recurring issues have been repaired.
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 | 163 |
| 2024 | 42 | 50 |
| 2023 | 70 | 64 |
| 2022 | 98 | 61 |
| 2021 | 89 | 157 |
| 2020 | 198 | 274 |
| 2019 | 191 | 395 |
| 2018 | 698 | 744 |
| 2017 | 724 | 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
- 2,982
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet Malibu total recalls
- 29
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Malibu avg complaints/year
- 298.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Malibu top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN