Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima: reliability compared
From 2006 to 2025, owners filed an average of 613 complaints per model year about the Chevrolet Malibu and 553 about the Nissan Altima.
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2006-2025 | 2006-2025 |
| Owner complaints | 12,266 | 11,064 |
| Complaints per model year | 613 | 553 |
| Recalls | 42 | 43 |
| Years to avoid | 2009 | 2008200920132014 |
| Best years | 201920212022 | 201820192020 |
| Most common problem | Steering | Transmission |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 31 mpg combined (2025) | 28-31 mpg combined (2025) |
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
Problems compared
| Malibu | Altima | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3,945 | 1,251 |
| Electrical | 3,002 | 1,354 |
| Engine | 2,100 | 1,363 |
| Transmission | 1,400 | 1,914 |
| Driver assistance | 1,322 | 340 |
| Brakes | 1,129 | 576 |
| Airbags | 772 | 1,587 |
| Lights | 993 | 1,133 |
Questions about the Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima
Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Nissan Altima?
Between 2006 and 2025, the Chevrolet Malibu has 1 year to avoid and the Nissan Altima 4. The Chevrolet Malibu has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Nissan Altima drew fewer complaints per model year (553 vs 613), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Nissan Altima?
From 2006 to 2025, the Chevrolet Malibu was covered by 42 recalls and the Nissan Altima by 43.
What years of the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima should you avoid?
Chevrolet Malibu: 2009. Nissan Altima: 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2014.
More midsize cars comparisons
Honda Accord vs Toyota CamryNissan Altima vs Toyota CamryHyundai Sonata vs Toyota CamryChevrolet Malibu vs Toyota CamryFord Fusion vs Toyota CamryKia Optima vs Toyota CamryMazda MAZDA6 vs Toyota CamrySubaru Legacy vs Toyota CamryToyota Camry vs Volkswagen PassatHonda Accord vs Nissan AltimaHonda Accord vs Hyundai SonataChevrolet Malibu vs Honda AccordFord Fusion vs Honda AccordHonda Accord vs Kia OptimaHonda Accord vs Mazda MAZDA6Honda Accord vs Subaru LegacyHonda Accord vs Volkswagen PassatHyundai Sonata vs Nissan AltimaFord Fusion vs Nissan AltimaKia Optima vs Nissan AltimaMazda MAZDA6 vs Nissan AltimaNissan Altima vs Subaru LegacyNissan Altima vs Volkswagen PassatChevrolet Malibu vs Hyundai Sonata
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car