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Electrical systemPart report

2023 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical system Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
17%of 72 total for the year
Median mileage
31,000miles
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, 17% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving the car from home to work during morning rush hour in downtown Chicago. I was stopped at a red light and the auto-stop feature engaged as it is intended to do. When the light turned green I put my foot on the gas to go but the car wouldn't move. Cars behind me started honking & going around me. I tried various things but couldn't get the car to move although the ignition light was green. …”

NHTSA complaint #11521415, filed 2023-05

“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

“Subject: Safety Complaint and Request for Assistance – 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Backup Camera Recall To Whom It May Concern, I am the owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu that has been affected by the backup camera recall. The malfunctioning backup camera creates a serious safety hazard for me, my passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. The backup camera intermittently fails to display properly when the vehicle is placed in reverse. When this occurs, I am unable to clearly see objects, vehicles, or people behind my vehicle as intended by the safety system. …”

NHTSA complaint #11745160, filed 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start when the Push-to-Start button was pressed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, but the diagnosis was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11590074, filed 2024-05, 31,000 miles

“On December 24, 2025, the contact's 2023 Chevrolet Malibu was involved in a severe side-impact collision. The vehicle was struck on the rear passenger side by a full-size pickup truck traveling at high speed (est. 60 mph) that failed to stop at a red light. The impact caused the contact's vehicle to spin approximately 180 degrees and strike a concrete median sideways, generating high lateral G-forces. FAILURE 1: AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT. …”

NHTSA complaint #11707356, filed 2025-12

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025433%
20241841%
20231217%
20223333%
20213033%
20205729%
20196232%
201819227%
201716123%
201622226%
20156825%
20148625%
201337645%
201229132%
201123524%
201029522%
200936824%
200823324%
200711312%
200614213%
200518018%
200415113%
200328951%
200225946%
200128540%
200019922%
199914418%
199813013%
19978720%
1980120%

Other parts of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu

Back-over prevention (rear camera)
16 complaints
Other or unknown
14 complaints
Engine
13 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
8 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Engine cooling
4 complaints
Lane departure
4 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology