ChevroletMalibu2025Overview/chevrolet/malibu/2025/base/

2025 Chevrolet Malibu

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2025 Malibu.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu, equipped with an automatic transmission and EPA‑rated fuel economy of 28 city/36 highway/31 mpg, enters its latest model year with a reliability record of only seven total owner complaints, the primary concern being back‑over prevention and a single recall. This low complaint count stands in stark contrast to the model's historical high of 1,697 complaints recorded in 2004, reflecting a significant refinement in quality across its 1997‑2025 history. Consequently, the 2025 Malibu presents a data‑driven picture of reliability that researchers can reference as a recent benchmark.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy28/36/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses 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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377
Engine air filter23430312
Spark plug12683541
Battery88864541
Front wiper blades84574892 alt 84589418
Cabin air filter13508023 alt 84987523

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase111.4 in
Curb weight3126 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined28 / 36 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019RS 1.5L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.10 sec160 hpFWD
2018LT Redline Edition 1.5L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.40 sec160 hpFWD
20172.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-45.70 sec14.30 sec250 hpFWD
20162.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.70 sec250 hpFWD
20162.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec250 hpFWD
2016Hybrid 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh7.40 sec15.70 sec182 hpFWD
2016Hybrid 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh7.40 sec15.80 sec182 hpFWD
20161LT 15L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.40 sec160 hpFWD

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu sits at the low end of the federal complaint and recall trend, with only 7 complaints and a single recall, a sharp decline from the 188 complaints and one recall in 2019 and the 191 complaints and one recall in 2020. The trend over the decade shows a gradual fall from the peak of 1,697 complaints in 2004 to just 25 complaints in 2024, and the 2025 figure of 7 confirms that the Malibu has entered a period of very low consumer‑reported issues. Compared to the preceding year, 2024’s 25 complaints and two recalls, the 2025 reduction to a single recall indicates a further improvement in reliability. The top complaint categories for 2025—“Back Over Prevention” (3), “Unknown Or Other” (2), and single complaints in power‑train/electrical and electrical systems—suggest no recurring systemic problems. With no crash or fire complaints recorded for the year, the 2025 Malibu presents a strong safety and reliability profile. Overall, the data indicates that 2025 is a good year to consider buying this model.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
142
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
7
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 7 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Back Over Prevention3
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train,Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

26V212000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 02/04/2026

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

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 142 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIP6033B2026-06-08Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to technicians to remove the pulley assembly…
PIP6031E2026-06-05Unknown Or OtherThis PI addresses leaks from the case half and provides repair direction to dealer…
PIT6503A2026-06-03Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information is to inform technicians that GM is placing the B174W Front…
PIP6032C2026-06-03Unknown Or OtherPIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2025 Malibu have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Malibu get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.