Archived model-year dossier
2023 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu is a late-cycle year of its 2016 generation, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and front automatic emergency braking standard. NHTSA lists two recalls (front impact bar weld, rearview camera) and 70 complaints, led by back over prevention (16). Used ones run $15,900 to $20,200 per Kelley Blue Book; EPA rates it 30 mpg.
Configurations1
Model/option labels1
Combined efficiency30 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers7
What the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu offers
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, built-in navigation is added on the 2LT, and standard active safety includes front automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist, while adaptive cruise control stays optional on the 2LT. A six-speaker audio system is standard and the 2LT gets a nine-speaker Bose setup. Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) notes that it is the only new Chevy sedan.
Carvana (opens in a new tab) places it as a late-cycle year of the generation that began in 2016. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) lists the cheapest used 2023 Malibu, the LS, at a Fair Purchase Price of $15,900 and the 2LT at up to $20,200 at a dealer.
Recalls and problems owners report
NHTSA lists two recall campaigns for the 2023 Malibu. 22V923000, from December 2022, covers a front impact bar that may not be properly welded to the front frame rail, with dealers inspecting the motor rails and GM repurchasing the vehicle if an incomplete weld is found. 26V212000, from April 2026, covers a rearview camera screen that may display a distorted or blank image, with dealers replacing the camera if necessary.
Owners have filed 70 complaints: back over prevention with 16, unknown or other with 14, engine and electrical system with 12 each, power train with 8 and air bags with 7. CarComplaints (opens in a new tab) and CarFactBase (opens in a new tab) list the filings, and ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) summarizes the record.
2023 Malibu against the Camry, Accord, Altima and Sonata
EPA rates the 2023 Malibu at 30 mpg combined and $2,100 a year in fuel. The Toyota Camry lists 25 to 52 at $1,200 to $2,500, the Honda Accord 32 to 48 at $1,300 to $1,950, the Nissan Altima 29 to 31 at $2,000 to $2,150, and the Hyundai Sonata 27 to 52 at $1,200 to $2,300. The Camry, Accord and Sonata beat it at their best, and the Altima is close.
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu: 4 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | EPA city / hwy / comb | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 1.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | Automatic, CVT | FWD | 163 | 184 | 27 / 35 / 30 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| 1LT | 1.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | Automatic, CVT | FWD | 163 | 184 | 27 / 35 / 30 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| RS | 1.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | Automatic, CVT | FWD | 163 | 184 | 27 / 35 / 30 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| 2LT | 1.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | Automatic, CVT | FWD | 163 | 184 | 27 / 35 / 30 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Trim | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Fuel tank | Front headroom | Front legroom | Towing | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 194.2 in | 57.3 in | 111.4 in | 15.8 gal | 39.1 in | 41.5 in | 1,000 lb | P205/65R16 |
| 1LT | 194.2 in | 57.3 in | 111.4 in | 15.8 gal | 39.1 in | 41.5 in | 1,000 lb | P245/45R18 |
| RS | 194.2 in | 57.3 in | 111.4 in | 15.8 gal | 39.1 in | 41.5 in | 1,000 lb | P245/45R18 |
| 2LT | 194.2 in | 57.3 in | 111.4 in | 15.8 gal | 39.1 in | 41.5 in | 1,000 lb | P245/40R19 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2023 Chevrolet Malibu trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | LS | 1LT | RS | 2LT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | ||||
| Anti-theft alarm | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Blind-spot alert | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Child door locks | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning with automatic braking | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rearview camera | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear parking sensors | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | ||||
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hands-free calling | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Built-in internet access | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Navigation system | – | – | – | Std |
| Satellite radio | – | Std | – | Std |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Steering-wheel audio controls | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Touchscreen | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Voice recognition | – | – | – | Std |
| Parental (teen-driver) controls | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Comfort | ||||
| Heated front seats | – | Std | – | Std |
| Heated steering wheel | – | – | – | Std |
| Heated mirrors | – | Std | – | Std |
| Power front seats for driver and passenger | – | – | – | Std |
| Power driver's seat | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather seats | – | – | – | Std |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | – | Opt | Std | Std |
| Panoramic moonroof | – | Opt | – | Opt |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Cup holders | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | ||||
| Alloy wheels | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear spoiler | Opt | Opt | Std | Opt |
| 12-volt power outlet | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote engine start | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Cruise control | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Integrated garage-door opener | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Rear-window defroster | Std | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
1 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45903Malibu | 1.5L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | Front-Wheel DriveAutomatic (variable gear ratios) | Regular | 27 | 35 | 30 | N/A |
Model-specific answer center
7 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu versus the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
Model year
Against the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu: Engine descriptions no longer listed: 2L 4-cyl SIDI. Transmissions no longer listed: Automatic 9-spd. Fuel types no longer listed: Premium. Certification records went from 2 to 1. Midpoint combined efficiency moved from 29.0 to 30.0 MPG/MPGe. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 1 for the 2022 to 2 for the 2023.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02How did the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu do in NHTSA's side crash and rollover tests?
Safety record
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu earned 5 stars in the side crash test (5 stars driver side, 5 stars passenger side) and 4 stars for rollover resistance, a 10.3% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash. Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, read 2026-09-20.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
Q03How much is the destination charge on the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
Pricing
Kelley Blue Book's review of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu puts the destination charge, the fee for delivering the vehicle from the factory to the dealer, at $1,095. It is added to the base price. Source: Kelley Blue Book review of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, read 2026-09-21.
Source: Kelley Blue Book
Q04What size wheels does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu have?
Wheels and tires
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu's wheel diameter is 16 inches on the LS, 18 inches on the 1LT and RS and 19 inches on the 2LT. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q05How do the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu trims differ from one another?
Trims
All 4 trims share the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) making 163 hp. The 1LT has heated front seats, heated mirrors, a power driver's seat and satellite radio as standard equipment over the LS. The RS has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a rear spoiler as standard equipment over the 1LT. The 2LT has power front seats for driver and passenger, heated front seats, heated mirrors and 5 more as standard equipment over the RS.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q06What engine oil does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu take?
Maintenance
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu owner's manual specifies SAE 0W-20 engine oil. Source: 2023 Chevrolet Malibu owner's manual. The 2022 model year has the same figure.
Source: Manufacturer owner's manual
Q07What brake fluid, refrigerant and key-fob battery does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu use?
Maintenance
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu owner's manual names DOT 4 brake fluid. Source: 2023 Chevrolet Malibu owner's manual. The 2022 model year has the same figure.
Source: Manufacturer owner's manual
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2023 Chevrolet Malibu.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
01 · NHTSASafety ratings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck open safety recalls by 17-character VINOfficial VIN remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAQuery another year, make, model and option1984–current browser →
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Chevrolet Malibu across model years.
Ownership desk
Problems and maintenance decisions worth checking next.
Brakes, tires and steeringSteering wheel shakes at highway speedSoon →Climate and electricalWindows keep fogging on the insideDepends →Maintenance and fluidsWhen should engine coolant be replaced?Routine →Hybrid and electric vehiclesWhy DC fast charging is slower than advertisedRoutine →Buying, records and recallsWhat a vehicle history report can missRoutine →OBD codes and emissionsP0300 random or multiple-cylinder misfire codeDepends →