Airbags owner reports
Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.
Warning signs: 5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Before you buy
2021 Chevrolet Malibu inspection checklist
Use this beside the car or give it to a mechanic. These checks come from problems in the records we reviewed. They do not replace a full used-car inspection.
Inspect this Malibu
Mark each check as you go. Your notes stay on this device.
Saved on this device. The shared link never includes a VIN.
Use these notes with a full inspection. A serious warning sign can be enough to walk away.
Required checks
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Airbags owner reports: 5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Electrical System owner reports: 5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Power Train owner reports: 5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention power train.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Check the VIN for this recall and ask for the repair receipt if it was completed.
Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners recall: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Check the VIN for this recall and ask for the repair receipt if it was completed.
Seats recall: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.
Manufacturer warranty extension: This Warranty Administration bulletin is for information on General Motors New Vehicle Tire Warranty Program (U.S.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.
Manufacturer warranty extension: This service bulletin provides information on GM Canada New Vehicle Tire Warranty Program for Original Equipment (OE) Tires and PDI installed Limited Production Option (LPO) Tires.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.
Manufacturer warranty extension: This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.
Manufacturer service campaign: Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.
Manufacturer service campaign: Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
- Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.
Manufacturer service campaign: Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection
Ask the seller
- Has any named issue here ever been diagnosed or repaired on this car?
- Can I see the maintenance and any recall-remedy records?
- Will you allow an independent pre-purchase inspection?
Records to request
- Service and oil-change history
- Completed recall / campaign paperwork
- Any dealer diagnostic reports
Why these checks are here
Electrical System owner reports
Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.
Warning signs: 5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Power Train owner reports
Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.
Warning signs: 5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention power train.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners recall
Official record covers model years 2017 through 2021.
Warning signs: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Seats recall
Official record for model year 2021.
Warning signs: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Manufacturer warranty extension
Official record covers model years 2017 through 2022.
Warning signs: This Warranty Administration bulletin is for information on General Motors New Vehicle Tire Warranty Program (U.S.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Manufacturer warranty extension
Official record covers model years 2017 through 2022.
Warning signs: This service bulletin provides information on GM Canada New Vehicle Tire Warranty Program for Original Equipment (OE) Tires and PDI installed Limited Production Option (LPO) Tires.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Manufacturer warranty extension
Official record covers model years 2017 through 2022.
Warning signs: This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Manufacturer service campaign
Official record covers model years 2017 through 2022.
Warning signs: Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Manufacturer service campaign
Official record covers model years 2018 through 2022.
Warning signs: Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Manufacturer service campaign
Official record covers model years 2018 through 2022.
Warning signs: Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition
Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“This vin is most likely affected by the aftermarket DTN inflator wheel airbag. Please let the final owner know of this. This vehicle was sold to Rightway Automotive credit from Tallmadge Ohio on October 19, 2022 who then sold it to the current owner.”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible fatal outcome.
“Blower motor area caught fire while sitting in the driveway. Car door was opened about 20 minutes prior to my security camera catching smoke billowing from the vehicle”
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“Shift to park switch failed.”
Source recordEvidence: High confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners. An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.”
Source recordEvidence: High confidence
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.
“General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism. An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury. Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212356050.”
Source recordEvidence: High confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“This Warranty Administration bulletin is for information on General Motors New Vehicle Tire Warranty Program (U.S. Dealers Only).”
Source recordEvidence: High confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“This service bulletin provides information on GM Canada New Vehicle Tire Warranty Program for Original Equipment (OE) Tires and PDI installed Limited Production Option (LPO) Tires. ”
Source recordEvidence: High confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period. ”
Source recordEvidence: High confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.”
Source recordEvidence: High confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase. If such a notice is not provided to GM, then the vehicle owner is prevented from seeking civil penalties in litigation. Vehicle owners of the applicable vehicles will be mailed an owner’s manual and warranty insert containing this information in English and Spanish. ”
Source recordEvidence: High confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase. If such a notice is not provided to GM, then the vehicle owner is prevented from seeking civil penalties in litigation. Vehicle owners of the affected vehicles will be mailed an owner’s manual and warranty insert containing this information in English and Spanish. ”
The checklist cannot see the car’s full history or condition.
Check this year at your mileage