Recalls by ModelChevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Passat: recalls and problems
Since 2000 the Chevrolet Malibu has 50 recalls and 17,168 owner complaints; the Volkswagen Passat has 44 recalls and 6,354 complaints. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
At a glance
| Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 50 | 44 |
| Do-not-drive / park-outside recalls | 0 | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 17,168 | 6,354 |
| Crashes reported | 671 | 200 |
| Fires reported | 159 | 262 |
| Injuries reported | 562 | 205 |
| Most reported problem | Steering | Air Bags |
NHTSA data, model years 2000 onward.
Complaints by model year
Chevrolet MalibuVolkswagen Passat
Every model year
| Year | Malibu recalls | Malibu complaints | Passat recalls | Passat complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 12 | — | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 46 | — | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 73 | — | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 | 2 | 90 | 1 | 20 |
| 2020 | 1 | 203 | 3 | 18 |
| 2019 | 1 | 193 | 1 | 12 |
| 2018 | 6 | 701 | 4 | 46 |
| 2017 | 4 | 705 | 7 | 110 |
| 2016 | 9 | 841 | 5 | 106 |
| 2015 | 3 | 270 | 7 | 243 |
| 2014 | 6 | 351 | 10 | 594 |
| 2013 | 10 | 837 | 9 | 749 |
| 2012 | 2 | 907 | 11 | 484 |
| 2011 | 3 | 978 | 0 | 16 |
| 2010 | 3 | 1,363 | 4 | 163 |
| 2009 | 5 | 1,511 | 4 | 146 |
| 2008 | 4 | 989 | 4 | 168 |
| 2007 | 3 | 977 | 7 | 262 |
| 2006 | 6 | 1,119 | 7 | 576 |
| 2005 | 3 | 975 | 3 | 148 |
Chevrolet Malibu: top problems
Steering5,370
Electrical System4,365
Engine2,744
Exterior Lighting1,747
Service Brakes1,713
Power Train1,591
Volkswagen Passat: top problems
Air Bags1,622
Engine1,328
Electrical System1,009
Fuel System913
Service Brakes588
Steering438
Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Questions
Which has more problems, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Volkswagen Passat?
Since model year 2000 owners have filed 17,168 complaints about the Chevrolet Malibu and 6,354 about the Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA, so the Volkswagen Passat has fewer. These are raw counts: the model that sold more will usually have more complaints, so compare individual model years too.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA lists 50 recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Malibu and 44 for the Volkswagen Passat since model year 2000.