Representative model. Photo: Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2021 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 2
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 90
Latest campaign: May 19, 2022

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Seats	1	May 19, 2022	22V359000
Seat belts	1	Aug 20, 2021	21V649000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

May 19, 2022Latest campaign


May 19, 202222V359000	Seats An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V359000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 22V359000 · May 19, 2022
Aug 20, 202121V649000	Seat belts: critical fasteners An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V649000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 21V649000 · Aug 20, 2021

May 19, 202222V359000

Seats

An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

DetailsHide details for campaign 22V359000

What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 22V359000 · May 19, 2022

Aug 20, 202121V649000

Seat belts: critical fasteners

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V649000

What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 21V649000 · Aug 20, 2021

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2021 Chevrolet Malibu? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component90

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

90Complaints filed

0Involving a crash

1Involving a fire

1Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Fires
Unknown or other	31	34	0
Electrical system	30	33	1
Power train	28	31	0
Engine	15	17	0
Fuel/propulsion system	8	9	0
Air bags	6	7	0
Suspension	3	3	0
Back over prevention	3	3	0
Fuel system	2	2	0
Gasoline	2	2	0
Service brakes	2	2	0
Structure	2	2	0
Steering	2	2	0
Forward collision avoidance	1	1	0
Lane departure	1	1	0

4 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Electrical system
“This car has the same issues even after you get it replaced . this car is not a good car I have spent so much money replacing the oz sensor .the radio, and the turbo keeps going out .”
Filed 10/12/2026 · ODI 11770501
Unknown or other
“Shift to park message”
Filed 09/24/2026 · ODI 11766665
Unknown or other
“The problem with this model is the CVT Trasmission thats in the vehicle when put into drive mode it stalls to change gears and want change gears for about 5 min then it kicks in to go it does that very often i have took…”
Filed 09/02/2026 · ODI 11761497

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2021 Chevrolet Malibu recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recent, 22V359000 (reported May 19, 2022), concerns seats. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?

Unknown or other is the most-reported component, named in 31 complaints out of 90 filed with NHTSA (34%). Across all complaints, owners reported 0 crashs and 1 fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Chevrolet dealer.

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