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Chevrolet Malibu VIN decoder

Enter a Chevrolet Malibu VIN to see its exact model year, trim, engine, factory and the safety recalls NHTSA lists for it. Free, with official NHTSA data.

Chevrolet Malibu at a glance

Model years in NHTSA data1981–202532 model years
Recalls since 20086
Year with most recalls20174 recalls
Latest recall filedApr 2026

Chevrolet Malibu model years and recalls

NHTSA lists the Chevrolet Malibu for these model years. The year code is the 10th character of the VIN. Recall counts come from the NHTSA recalls database for the last 20 model years; one recall campaign often covers several years.

Model yearVIN year code (10th character)Recalls listed by NHTSA
2025 S 1
2024 R 2
2023 P Loading
2022 N Loading
2021 M Loading
2020 L Loading
2019 K Loading
2018 J Loading
2017 H 4
2016 G Loading
2015 F Loading
2014 E Loading
2013 D Loading
2012 C Loading
2011 B Loading
2010 A Loading
2009 9 Loading
2008 8 Loading
2007 7 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2006 6 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2005 5 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2004 4 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2003 3 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2002 2 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2001 1 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2000 Y Not loaded (older than 2008)
1999 X Not loaded (older than 2008)
1998 W Not loaded (older than 2008)
1997 V Not loaded (older than 2008)
1983 D Not loaded (older than 2008)
1982 C Not loaded (older than 2008)
1981 B Not loaded (older than 2008)

A recall count is for all Chevrolet Malibu vehicles of that year. Whether a recall applies to one vehicle, and whether it was already repaired, depends on its VIN: decode the VIN above, then confirm with a dealer.

Latest Chevrolet Malibu recalls

The newest recall campaigns NHTSA lists for the Chevrolet Malibu, newest first.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

2 Apr 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V212000 · Model years: 2024, 2025

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

Risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262551720. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.

Equipment: Other: Owners/Service/Other Manual

1 Aug 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V575000 · Model years: 2024

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Risk: The wrong owner's manual may contain inaccurate information about vehicle functions and other safety relevant information, which could lead to improper operation of the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will provide owners with the correct manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454040.

Seat Belts: Critical Fasteners

20 Aug 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V649000 · Model years: 2017

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.

Fix: 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.

Air Bags: Sensor: Occupant Classification

14 Jun 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V400000 · Model years: 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.

Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump

31 May 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V358000 · Model years: 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Show all 6 recalls

Air Bags: Side/Window

2 Dec 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V870000 · Model years: 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Malibu vehicles manufactured on November 10, 2016. The right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold may have insufficient welds.

Risk: Insufficient welds could cause the inflator to separate and propel air bag debris into the cabin during a crash. Also, the inflator could fail to inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16146.

Most recalled Chevrolet Malibu parts

Recall campaigns by the main component NHTSA names:

  • Air bags: 2 recalls
  • Back over prevention: 1 recall
  • Equipment: 1 recall
  • Seat belts: 1 recall
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 1 recall

How to read a Chevrolet Malibu VIN

  • Characters 1-3 are the manufacturer code. Chevrolet uses these codes in NHTSA data: 1G1, 1GA, 1GB, 1GC, 1GN, 2C1, 2CN, 2G1, 2G5, 2G8, 2GA, 2GB ….
  • Characters 4-8 describe the Malibu: body, engine, restraints and other equipment. Each maker sets its own layout, so a full decode is the safest way to read them.
  • Character 10 is the model year. For example, a 2025 Malibu has S in position 10.
  • Character 9 is the check digit, 11 is the assembly plant and 12-17 are the serial number.

More about Chevrolet VINs

Chevrolet Malibu VINs decoded on VinGear

Chevrolet Malibu VIN questions

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Malibu from 2008 to 2025. Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your model year.

Which model years of the Chevrolet Malibu are in NHTSA data?

NHTSA lists the Chevrolet Malibu for 32 model years (1981–2025). The table on this page shows each year with its VIN year code.

How do I tell the year of a Chevrolet Malibu from the VIN?

Look at the 10th character. For example, a 2025 Malibu has S there. Letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the digit 0 are never used, and the codes repeat every 30 years.

Where is the VIN on a Chevrolet Malibu?

At the bottom of the windshield on the driver side, on the driver door pillar label, and on the title, registration and insurance card.

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