Home · 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 54 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (54)Crash / fire / injury (6)Electrical system (12)Engine (11)Backup camera & sensors (10)Fuel system (7)Airbags (6)Transmission & drivetrain (6)Visibility & wipers (4)Driver assistance (3)Engine & cooling (3)Lane Departure (3)

7 of 54 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters

May 31, 2026Speed controlFuel system

This all started when i had my car serviced for an oil change and began to hear some clicking sounds when I would start my vehicle. The fuel sealant is defective, the fuel caps were corroded, leaks oil, and causes the turbo on the engine to lag. I found this out as I was driving and tried to make a turn. When pressing the accelerator the vehicle lagged almost causing me to be involved in an accident on more than one occassion. When conducting on-line research I am not the only owner that has experienced this issue. It would appear that Chevrolet is aware that this is happening in its turbo models. I have an extended warranty that was purchased through the dealership. This issue caused them to replace the fuel sealant, the fuel caps, and the fuel pump. However, 2 weeks later my vehicle is still leaking a significant amount of oil. When I took the vehicle to be serviced, I was told that the sealant is broken again and gaskets have to be replaced. Upon researching this online other owners have experienced the same issues. I did share my online research with the service technicians. Their reactions were dismissive.

NHTSA ODI 11741105

May 5, 2026SteeringFuel systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the messages "ESC" and "Fuel Low" were displayed even though there was half a tank of fuel. The transmission failed to shift out of park (P). The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the manufacturer's engineer determined that there was a short circuit in the steering rack. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11735824

Jul 11, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

At 40,000 miles, check engine light illuminated. Code reader stated P023F fuel pump secondary circuit open. When trying to take 2023 Malibu to dealership for repairs car would not start. Had to have car towed to dealership. Dealership confirmed same fuel pump error code. Confirmed no recall. Car is currently being repaired by dealership at my expense as dealership & GM says fuel pump is not covered by powertrain warranty. Cost is over $1500! Fuel pump should last longer than 40,000 miles! Please research this faulty fuel pump!

NHTSA ODI 11672718

Feb 26, 2025Fuel system

The fuel line to the engine is leaking an 2 gallons leaked onto my driveway. Also, the vehicle cabin was consumed with fuel fumes which was a hazard and dangerous. The was danger of the vehicle exploding or catching fire. No warning lights appeared. The incident occurred on [XXX]. The fleet vehicle has been taken to Belle Tire for repair; however, not inspected by the manufacturer. My husband and my safety were put at risk because car could have exploded when ignition was turned on. Please contact me at [XXX] by 2/28/25...thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11645005

Nov 14, 2023EngineFuel system

After purchasing a brand new chevrolet malibu, about 4 months into droving it; the check engine light illuminated and the next day, an error message of “engine power is reduced” was displaying on the dash. The vehicle was turned over to the dealership and two different sensors were replaced. After a day of having the vehicle back after repairs, the check engine light illuminated again. I returned the vehicle to the dealership and was later told that they were unable to duplicate the scenario and the check engine light did not appear anymore. I picked the vehicle up and after another day of driving, the check engine light illuminated for the third time, again with the same engine power reduced message. Vehicle was slow to accelerate from a stop position. The dealership claims to still be unable to duplicate the scenario with no fix at this point.

NHTSA ODI 11555146

Nov 1, 2023Fuel systemDriver assistance

on 2 occasions my dash had a waring come on that my crash avoidance system was inoperable and on 3 occasions my waring system with the red lights in front of the steering wheel has come on with no cars around. also on oct 28th the low pressure waring for right rear tire came on 21psi and this wasn't the case and i did get a warning from onstar this time. gm has sent this vehicle to another gm dealership for the surging problem and this has still not been corrected

NHTSA ODI 11553026

Jun 29, 2023EngineFuel system

This vehicle has been taken to Days Chevrolet on two different occasions no check engine lights will come on but as you drive it surges and almost cuts off at times I have taken it in for this problem may 1 2023 and June 19 2023 every time they tell me the car is running as it should it also has a popping and rattle in right rear and they say they can't duplicate the problem. This car is going to kill someone

NHTSA ODI 11529566

Working with the data? Download all 54 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Eco verdict →