The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 623 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS22V3590002022-05-19221 affected
Defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
Consequence
An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212356050.
SEAT BELTS21V6490002021-08-20402 affected
Defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
24
1fires
POWER TRAIN
24
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
23
ENGINE
12
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
8
AIR BAGS
5
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
3
SUSPENSION
3
SERVICE BRAKES
2
STEERING
2
Total complaints114
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Blower motor area caught fire while sitting in the driveway. Car door was opened about 20 minutes prior to my security camera catching smoke billowing from the vehicle”
“Took my car for an oil change 4/17/2026 dealership stated I had a recall on the 21 chevy malibu for fuel injection module, they could not do the recall repair because they did not have the part. So the lady called me. 4/21/2026 to make appointment for recall for 4/23/2026. But later that day on…”
“My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas,…”
“My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas,…”
“My car stalls, jerks, and shuts off when in drive. More specifically when I turn it on, shift it in reverse, reverse, shift into drive. I press on the gas and nothing. Car doesn't move. I put it back in park sometimes it'll shut off most of the time it'll jerks and jerk while I tap on the gas,…”
“The contact owns a 2021 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse(r), there was a loud popping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…”
“I was driving and car suddenly reduced speed,engine light came on and message came across dash “engine power reducedâ€� and a text was sent to tell me I have a transmission issue. Now car won’t drive past 25-30mph dealership indicated this is a faulty gas pedal which cost over $600 to repair.…”
“I was driving and car suddenly reduced speed,engine light came on and message came across dash “engine power reducedâ€� and a text was sent to tell me I have a transmission issue. Now car won’t drive past 25-30mph dealership indicated this is a faulty gas pedal which cost over $600 to repair.…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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