2023 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on the rearview camera going blank, flickering or showing a distorted image, with many owners noting the remedy was not yet available under a camera recall. A second cluster involves hesitation, jerking or reduced power, which dealers and mechanics have variously tied to the fuel pump, turbocharger or electronic modules. Reports span low mileage up to roughly 100,000 miles, and several describe the problems as intermittent and hard to duplicate.

1. 1
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera blank, flickering or distorted

   • 27 complaints (38%)
   • median 66,111 mi at 3.6 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2026

   Owners describe the backup camera image going fuzzy, blue or entirely black when reverse is selected, sometimes with a 'Service Vision System' or 'Backup Camera Unavailable' message. Many say it started intermittently and then failed completely. Where owners contacted the dealer, they were told the vehicle was covered by a camera recall but that remedy parts were not yet available, and some were told repair would have to be paid for up front and reimbursed later. Reported from as low as roughly 45,000 miles up to about 88,000 miles, and frequently by owners who had driven the car for months before the screen went blank.

   Recall 26V212000

   What to check: Ask whether the camera recall (campaign 26V212000) has been completed, since parts were scarce for a period. Before buying, put the car in reverse in dim light and confirm the image is clear, stable and not intermittently blank.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My back up camera just showing blank screen. It's a recall on my model. I was backing up it went blank. Causing me to hit a pole. I took it to Jerry's Chevrolet they said can fix it but out of pocket and reimbursed later. I can't afford that. So, I can't even park between cars . This have become and inconvenience. Chevrolet knows the problem fails to do anything about it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11760696, filed 2026-08

   “To Whom It May Concern, I am the owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu that is affected by the ongoing backup camera safety recall. I am submitting this complaint because this defect is not a minor inconvenience—it is a serious safety issue that places me, my family, pedestrians, and other motorists at risk every time the vehicle is operatesThe rearview camera system is a federally required safety feature designed to help drivers detect people, vehicles, and obstacles behind the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11745186, filed 2026-06
2. 2
   Engine

   Hesitation, jerking or reduced engine power

   • 13 complaints (18%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report the car hesitating or jerking when accelerating from a stop or at speed, occasionally with an 'Engine Power Reduced' message and the vehicle limited to about 40 mph. Some were told the turbocharger had failed and needed replacement; others had a fuel pump fault code and paid for the repair themselves. In several cases dealers could not duplicate the problem and returned the car unrepaired. Reports range from a few thousand miles to approximately 70,000-128,000 miles, with several appearing after 60,000 miles.

   What to check: Test drive from a cold start and from several stoplights, watching for a stumble or delayed accelerator response. Ask for any stored diagnostic codes, especially turbo underboost or fuel pump circuit codes, and whether the turbocharger or fuel pump has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #11529566, filed 2023-06

   “The issue appears to involve the engine and turbocharger system. The vehicle has shown symptoms consistent with a turbo underboost condition, including loss of power and reduced acceleration. A mechanic indicated that the symptoms may be consistent with diagnostic code P0299 (turbo underboost). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11733160, filed 2026-04
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: no-start, module codes and warning lights

   • 17 complaints (24%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe the car failing to start with the push-button, doors not unlocking from the key fob, and multiple warning lights or messages such as service ESC appearing together. Some owners were told the body control module or several control modules were at fault, with modules replaced and the same symptoms returning days later. Mileage varies widely, from roughly 3,000 miles up to 66,000 miles, and some cars needed restarting or battery disconnection at the roadside before the fault could be traced.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that all key fobs start the car reliably and that warning messages clear after start-up. Ask for the service history on any module replacements or software updates already performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car randomly shuts off when but still says it’s on at a stop light which causes a lot of problems because I have to push the start button to turn off and turn on again. Something is wrong with the wiring, in order for me to turn my car off I have to unplug my battery otherwise my car safety alarm will activate and hazard lights will go off and trunk will open. Which also cause my horn to go out. Everytime I turn my car on it says service ESC which I have no clue what that means and have asked multiple people . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11596171, filed 2024-06

   “Most of the time, the car will not unlock when the unlock button is pressed on the key fobs. Most of the time, when the key fob is on the console and the start button is depressed, the car will not start. It can take multiple minutes and attempts before the car will finally start. Changing the batteries in the key fob did not resolve this issue. When we took it to the dealership, they say that the Body Control Module is the cause of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11749194, filed 2026-07
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a collision

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • median 29,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe collisions in which the side airbags or side curtain airbags did not deploy despite substantial impact to the side of the vehicle, and one report noted partial front airbag deployment. Some complaints pair this with a service safety restraint warning and an airbag-related invoice from a dealer inspection. Complaints come from vehicles of various mileages, typically reported after a collision rather than at a predictable mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the car has been in a collision and had airbag work, and confirm the airbag warning lamp does its normal self-check on start-up without staying lit. A pre-purchase inspection report showing no stored restraint codes is worth requesting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I was in a car accident I was hit on the rear passenger side of my vehicle, right near where my side air bags are supposed to be located. I was hit at 50 mph and the airbags did not deploy.”

   NHTSA complaint #11707590, filed 2025-12

   “October 7, 2026 this vehicle hydroplaned and I lost control of the vehicle. To the best of my knowledge, the steering wheel locked and when attempted to step on the brakes, no braking occurred. The vehicle slid into grass which then hit the guard railing on the interstate. After being inspected by collision shop techs, they have reason to believe the airbag sensor defected or was not installed to signal the airbags to deploy. The driver side door panel airbag did attempt to deploy but was unsuccessful.”

   NHTSA complaint #11772773, filed 2026-10
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Brake pedal sticking or brakes not responding

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 57,619 mi at 3.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   A small group of owners report the brake pedal becoming stuck in the raised position and refusing to depress, or the brakes failing with a brake module communication fault. In the sticking-pedal reports the driver had to pump or press very hard before the pedal released. Some complaints link the problem to the brake vacuum pump. Reported across a range of mileages, mostly described as intermittent and occurring without warning while driving.

   What to check: During the test drive, press the brake pedal repeatedly at low speed and check that it returns fully and depresses smoothly each time. Ask whether any brake module or vacuum pump repairs have been done and request the diagnostic history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brake pedal on my vehicle intermittently becomes stuck in the fully raised position and will not depress when I attempt to apply the brakes. When this occurs, I am unable to slow down or stop the vehicle, creating an immediate and serious safety hazard. The problem happens without warning and has occurred multiple times while driving at various speeds. When the defect occurs, the pedal feels locked or jammed, and I have to use extreme force or pump the pedal repeatedly before it finally releases. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11737708, filed 2026-05

   “I am reporting a potential safety concern involving the brake vacuum pump in Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. I have seen multiple reports from owners describing vacuum pump failures, brakes becoming difficult to press, and brakes reportedly stopping working. Some owners have reported having to replace their vacuum pumps multiple times, while others have described serious safety incidents involving brake problems. I am concerned that these reports may indicate a recurring safety defect that could put drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11770998, filed 2026-10

Buying note. The camera recall (26V212000) is the item most worth confirming as completed, and it is worth driving the car long enough to see whether hesitation or warning-light faults show up. Ask for service records covering turbocharger, fuel pump, module and brake work before agreeing on a price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.