1980 Chevrolet Malibu Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu. The part named most often is fuel system, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and tires (1). Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system2 40%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Tires1 20%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “While vehicle was parked it caught on fire under the hood. Owner had driven vehcle for about (20) minutes before fire happened. Fire department believed fire was electrical or caused by overheating. The vehicle has been totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #812840, filed 1997-06Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 85V048000Apr 29, 1985Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Wheel cylindersCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 1978–1980, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1978–1980, Chevrolet El Camino 1978–1980 +8 more
Excessive enlargement of the wheel cylinder pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate and cause loss of brake fluid. Consequence of defect: a loss of brake fluid leads to loss of rear brake action, creating the…
- 84V149000Nov 24, 1984Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaftCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 1978–1980, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1978–1980, Buick Regal 1978–1980 +5 more
Rear axle assembly may have axles that were improperly manufactured. This condition may result in separation of the axle shaft and wheel assembly from the vehicle.
- 83V077000Aug 19, 1983Vehicle speed control › CablesCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 1980–1983, Impala 1980–1983, Buick Lesabre 1981
Accelerator pump lever retaining pin may loosen after repeated heavy accelerator pedal applications. This could cause the throttle to become stuck in the open position.
- 81V025000Feb 25, 1981Suspension › RearCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 1978–1981, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1978–1981, Buick Regal 1978–1981 +5 more
The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.
- 81V022000Feb 11, 1981Visibility › Glass, side/rearCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 1979–1980, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1979–1980, Buick Century 1979–1980 +1 more
The electro-clear rear window defoggers contain a defect which causes the glass to shatter without impact during or some time after use of the defogger. Vertical electrical strips may deteriorate and cause hot spots that can result in breakage of the rear…
Recall details for the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 21,000 | 1 | 5 | 31 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 44 | 45,000 | 2 | 5 | 31 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 72 | 66,000 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 99 | 66,253 | 1 | 4 | 32 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 90 | 54,000 | 2 | 4 | 32 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 199 | 68,000 | 1 | 4 | 32 | 8 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2019 | 193 | 41,875 | 1 | 4 | 32 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 700 | 45,390 | 6 | 5 | 30 | 85 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 705 | 48,000 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 71 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 841 | 50,000 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 82 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 270 | 50,000 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 351 | 60,000 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 47 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 837 | 69,000 | 10 | 5 | 26 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 907 | 86,000 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 978 | 80,000 | 3 | 4 | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 1,363 | 82,000 | 3 | — | 25 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 1,510 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 23 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 989 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 25 | 62 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 977 | 100,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 1,118 | 85,000 | 6 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 975 | 88,000 | 3 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 1,147 | 78,500 | 6 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 569 | 70,084 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 567 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 721 | 73,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 922 | 69,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 789 | 66,249 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 976 | 80,461 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 443 | 85,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1980 | 5 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Malibu model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.