Used car safety, rank #178 of 188
Chevrolet Malibu Safety Rating (2023)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, compared with its class and with the current model.
IIHS 2026 edition Β· 2021β2024 crashes. Results apply only to the model years and drivetrain shown. Read the new release and its limits Β· Browse the older edition. Prices and reliability from older model years have not been carried forward.
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu has an IIHS driver death rate of 116 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize cars average of 67, which is 73% above the class average. That places it #178 of 188 used vehicles with a safety score of 10.1/100.
What the Chevrolet Malibu death rate means
At 116 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Chevrolet Malibu is 73% worse than the midsize cars average of 67. The 95% confidence interval is 39 to 194, which overlaps the class average, so some of the gap may be chance.
The other-driver death rate of 91 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Chevrolet Malibu. Its 95% confidence interval is 32β150. It is no higher than the Chevrolet Malibu's own driver death rate. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used cars
The safest midsize cars in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Chevrolet Malibu highlighted. It ranks 9 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Toyota Camry 4WD at a death rate of 15.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry 4WD | 2020-23 | 15 (0 to 35) | 62.2 | n/a | n/a |
| Subaru Legacy | 2020-23 | 37 (12 to 61) | 30.7 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota Camry hybrid | 2020-23 | 51 (26 to 75) | 22.1 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota Camry 2WD | 2020-23 | 61 (50 to 73) | 18.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Sonata | 2020-23 | 83 (58 to 108) | 14.3 | n/a | n/a |
| Kia K5 | 2021-23 | 94 (61 to 127) | 12.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nissan Altima | 2021-23 | 105 (72 to 138) | 11.3 | n/a | n/a |
| Nissan Maxima | 2020-23 | 105 (47 to 163) | 11.3 | n/a | n/a |
| Chevrolet Malibu (this page) | 2023 | 116 (39 to 194) | 10.1 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for midsize cars: 67 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
Safety recalls for the Chevrolet Malibu
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
2 recall campaigns on the 2023 model year, covering back over prevention, structure.
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Back over prevention: sensing system, camera
Risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge.
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Structure: frame and members
Risk: An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2023. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Chevrolet Malibu: Common Questions
Is the Chevrolet Malibu a safe car?
Not on this measure: its drivers died at a higher rate than its class average. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 116 per million registered vehicle years for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, 73% above the class average (67 for midsize cars). That earns a used-car safety score of 10.1 out of 100 and rank #178 of 188 used vehicles.
What is the Chevrolet Malibu driver death rate?
116 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 39 to 194. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Chevrolet Malibu died at a rate of 91 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2023 models.
How does the Chevrolet Malibu compare with other midsize cars?
The midsize cars class averages 67 driver deaths per million; the Chevrolet Malibu sits at 116. Among the 9 midsize cars compared above it ranks 9 by safety score; the top of that group is the Toyota Camry 4WD with a death rate of 15.