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2021 Chevrolet Malibu

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Malibu.

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu requires 4.2 qt of 0W‑20 oil for its engine. Owner feedback for the model year totals 77 complaints, with the Power Train cited as the top concern and two recalls issued. When viewed against the Malibu’s complaint record from 1997 to 2025 — where 2004 saw 1,697 complaints and 2025 fell to just seven — the 2021 figure indicates a comparatively reliable period for the nameplate.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205/65R16 94HOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25206377
Engine air filter	23430312 alt 23430313
Spark plug	12681659 alt 12683541
Battery	88864541 alt 88866309
Front wiper blades	84574892 alt 84589418
Serpentine belt	12658091 alt 12664598
Thermostat	12630780 alt 12649163
Cabin air filter	13508023 alt 84987523

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	193.7 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	111.4 in
Curb weight	3126 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Malibu of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2017 2.0T Premier

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2019	RS 1.5L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.10 sec	160 hp	FWD
2018	LT Redline Edition 1.5L Turbo I-4	8.20 sec	16.40 sec	160 hp	FWD
2017	2.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.70 sec	14.30 sec	250 hp	FWD
2016	2.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.10 sec	14.70 sec	250 hp	FWD
2016	2.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.20 sec	14.70 sec	250 hp	FWD
2016	Hybrid 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	182 hp	FWD
2016	Hybrid 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh	7.40 sec	15.80 sec	182 hp	FWD
2016	1LT 15L Turbo I-4	8.00 sec	16.40 sec	160 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	HP CVTF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.8 qt
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.3 - 6.3 QTS
Brake Fluid	Dot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity	.981 pt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL
Engine Coolant Capacity	7.2 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	7.75 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	8.83 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.024-.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.32 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	2.70 oz
Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.32 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	2.70 oz

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	30.0
ABS Sensor Torque	6.5
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .905; Rear: .393
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: .913; Rear: .402
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.001
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 240°

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°

22 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 40°

15 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70°

15 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

8.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8.8

8.8 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Windshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 75,000 mi	Hood Hinge (inspect)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2021 the Malibu recorded 77 complaints, a sharp decline from 191 complaints in 2020 and comparable to 88 complaints in 2022. Recalls were also modest, with two recall campaigns in 2021 versus one each in 2020 and 2022, and no investigations were opened that year. The complaint trend across the model’s recent history shows a steady reduction from the 2004 complaint count of 1697 to the 2020 count of 191 and the 2022 count of 88, with 2021's 77 representing one of the lowest yearly totals. The primary complaint categories for 2021 were Power Train (15), Unknown Or Other (13), Electrical System (8) and Air Bags (5), and the single fire complaint was the only safety‑related incident reported. Overall, the data suggest that 2021 is a good year to buy a Chevrolet Malibu, as its low complaint and recall figures indicate limited issues relative to recent years, making the 2021 Malibu a recommended purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

692

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20’21’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 77 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train15

Unknown Or Other13

Electrical System8

Air Bags5

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other5

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2

Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V649000Seat Belts:Critical FastenersReported 20/08/2021

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. Remedy: 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…

22V359000SeatsReported 19/05/2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 692 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT5966F	2026-06-23	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIP6032C	2026-06-03	Unknown Or Other	PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
PIC6423A	2026-05-11	Unknown Or Other	Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B	2026-05-11	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Malibu. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 25206377 Engine air filter 23430312 Spark plug 12681659 Battery 88864541

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Malibu take?

4.2 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Malibu have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.