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Chevrolet Malibu vs Ford Fusion: reliability compared

From 2006 to 2020, owners filed an average of 796 complaints per model year about the Chevrolet Malibu and 1,498 about the Ford Fusion.

Side by side

Chevrolet MalibuFord Fusion
Model years compared2006-20202006-2020
Owner complaints11,94522,468
Complaints per model year7961,498
Recalls3846
Years to avoid2009201020112012
Best years2019200620182019
Most common problemSteeringSteering
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy26-32 mpg combined (2020)23-42 mpg combined (2020)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2006 Chevrolet Malibu: 1,1192006 Ford Fusion: 73020062007 Chevrolet Malibu: 9772007 Ford Fusion: 1,0642008 Chevrolet Malibu: 9892008 Ford Fusion: 1,35320082009 Chevrolet Malibu: 1,5112009 Ford Fusion: 1,0232010 Chevrolet Malibu: 1,3632010 Ford Fusion: 5,13120102011 Chevrolet Malibu: 9782011 Ford Fusion: 2,7962012 Chevrolet Malibu: 9072012 Ford Fusion: 2,51920122013 Chevrolet Malibu: 8372013 Ford Fusion: 1,7932014 Chevrolet Malibu: 3512014 Ford Fusion: 1,33720142015 Chevrolet Malibu: 2702015 Ford Fusion: 9972016 Chevrolet Malibu: 8412016 Ford Fusion: 1,66220162017 Chevrolet Malibu: 7052017 Ford Fusion: 1,1162018 Chevrolet Malibu: 7012018 Ford Fusion: 44520182019 Chevrolet Malibu: 1932019 Ford Fusion: 3162020 Chevrolet Malibu: 2032020 Ford Fusion: 1862020
Chevrolet MalibuFord Fusion

Problems compared

MalibuFusion
Steering3,9335,781
Electrical2,9031,669
Engine2,0283,962
Transmission1,3323,144
Driver assistance1,275770
Brakes1,1122,690
Airbags7543,531

Questions about the Chevrolet Malibu vs Ford Fusion

Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Ford Fusion?

Between 2006 and 2020, the Chevrolet Malibu has 1 year to avoid and the Ford Fusion 3. The Chevrolet Malibu has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Chevrolet Malibu drew fewer complaints per model year (796 vs 1,498), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Ford Fusion?

From 2006 to 2020, the Chevrolet Malibu was covered by 38 recalls and the Ford Fusion by 46.

What years of the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion should you avoid?

Chevrolet Malibu: 2009. Ford Fusion: 2010, 2011 and 2012.

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