Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2017 vs 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 107 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 2.3% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table

Component	2017 share	2018 share	Share change
FUEL SYSTEM	5.3%	8.0%	▲ 2.7 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	15.0%	12.9%	▼ 2.1 pts smaller share
ENGINE	15.9%	17.9%	▲ 2.0 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2.5%	1.0%	▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
WHEELS	1.0%	0.1%	▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE	1.3%	0.4%	▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
STEERING	5.2%	4.6%	▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.4%	0.9%	▲ 0.4 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS	0.7%	0.3%	▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.0%	0.7%	▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES	4.3%	4.6%	▲ 0.2 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	9.0%	8.8%	▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS	1.3%	1.4%	▲ 0.2 pts larger share
SUSPENSION	1.0%	1.1%	▲ 0.2 pts larger share
VISIBILITY	0.6%	0.7%	▲ 0.2 pts larger share
TIRES	not reported	0.1%	▲ 0.1 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN	15.2%	15.2%	▲ 0.0 pts larger share
LANE DEPARTURE	0.3%	0.3%	◆ 0.0 pts unchanged
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	26.6%	28.1%	▲ 1.6 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

2017 4

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, and SEAT BELTS

2018 6

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS, and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21