2025 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Rating
Midsize cars Β· Historical model-year record Β· IIHS source checked 2026-07-28
This is the 2025 record, kept for reference. IIHS no longer lists a newer model year for this nameplate. The 2025 results below are the exact ratings IIHS published for this model year.
Which build and equipment does this score describe?
Latest applicable build; standard AEB and lowest current-trim headlight rating. Headlights use the lowest rating among applicable current trims; this is a conservative equipment baseline, not a claim that every trim has identical results. Confirm the production date and equipment of the car you are buying.
Headlights: baseline Marginal
- Marginal β Trim level(s): LS trim, RS trim, 1LT trim
Pedestrian crash prevention: baseline Poor
- Poor β standard Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking. Rating applies to all 2024-25 models
Optional-system results are shown separately. Combining the best rating from different packages does not establish that one purchasable configuration earns them all. Check IIHS equipment details.
IIHS crash-test results
Detailed results by test (24 entries)
IIHS publishes these under the test they belong to, so the same label can appear more than once. Rear restraints and kinematics, rear head protection, structure and safety cage, and front restraints are the four that count toward the score (25%).
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2016-25 models
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2016-25 models
Headlights
Β· Trim level(s): LS trim, RS trim, 1LT trim
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to all 2024-25 models Β· standard Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2016-25 models
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2016-25 models
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
See our full scoring methodology and rules β
NHTSA 5-star rating
2025 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD
NHTSA stars are shown for reference and carry no weight in the score. NHTSA source. Why the two programs disagree β
IIHS crash-test videos
These videos are embedded on IIHSβs ratings page for this model. The tested vehicle may be an earlier model year or a related version whose results IIHS applies to this vehicle. Check the test description and source for the exact coverage.
Load a player to watch on this page, or use the YouTube link. Video footage helps explain the test; the published injury measurements and ratings are the basis for comparison.
Small overlap front: Driver-side
Tested vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4-door
Rating applies to 2016-25 models
Side: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2022 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4-door
Rating applies to 2016-25 models
Real-world context
| Measure | Result | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Class driver death rate | 60 per million registered vehicle-years | Midsize cars as a class, adjusted for driver age and sex (Farmer, 2023); all vehicles average 38. Class context only. |
| Chevrolet Malibu (2017-20) driver death rate | 91 (95% CI 73β108) | Earlier model years of this nameplate; class average for that study 58.1. Reflects who bought and drove those cars as well as the car. |
Our analysis
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu belongs to the Midsize cars class. This class has an above-average driver death rate compared with the national average of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle-years, which usually reflects lighter weight and smaller size in multi-vehicle crashes. The class figure is adjusted for driver age and sex, which removes a large part of the selection effect in raw death rates. It is still a class average, not a measurement of this model.
The Chevrolet Malibu has no IIHS Top Safety Pick award in the 2026 award cycle. That can mean a result below the award threshold in one test, or tests IIHS has not completed. Absence of an award is not evidence that the vehicle is unsafe.
Across the 3 IIHS rating categories reported, the Chevrolet Malibu earned 0 Good ratings. Results below Good deserve attention, especially the updated frontal and side tests that IIHS toughened in 2022 and 2023. Our updated crash test analysis explains what changed.
This analysis is produced independently; we have no affiliation with Chevrolet or any manufacturer. Read the full methodology or learn more about us.
Safety recalls for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu
We do not have a verified NHTSA recall lookup for this model and year. An unmatched or unavailable lookup is not evidence of a clean recall record.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A recall applies to a range of build dates, not necessarily every car of this model year, so confirm against your own VIN. Recalls do not affect the safety score on this page.
Questions about the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu
Is the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu a safe car?
IIHS has published 2 of the 4 primary tests and 2 of the 4 occupant-protection details for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu. Available results are shown below. Only current models with all required results enter the ranking.
What is the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu IIHS rating?
IIHS reports: side: updated test = Poor; headlights = Marginal; latch ease of use = Marginal.
Is the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu an IIHS Top Safety Pick?
No. The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu does not hold an IIHS Top Safety Pick award for the 2025 model year, which can reflect a result below Good in a qualifying test or tests that IIHS has not yet completed.
What is the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA rating?
NHTSA gives the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 4). NHTSA stars are shown for reference and are not part of our score.
How does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu compare with other midsize cars?
The class leader is the 2026 Hyundai Sonata at 91.9/100. The comparison table on this page lists the closest-scoring current midsize cars with complete records.
Continue comparing
Shopping for a family? Compare three-row vehicles and rear-seat evidence. Buying used? See real driver death rates by model.