2012–2025 · 3 generations
Chevrolet Malibu Parts, Specs and Maintenance Guide
Every maintenance specification for the 2012–2025 Chevrolet Malibu, organised by generation. Pick a topic for the full picture across every year, or jump straight to your model year.
Last verified
Quick facts: 2016–2025 Malibu
Chevrolet Malibu maintenance guides
Oil & filter
Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval
Battery
BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded
Tires & wheels
Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque
Wiper blades
Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths
Air & cabin filters
Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals
Bulbs
Headlight, fog and marker bulb types
Brakes
Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes
Fluids
Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities
Service schedule
What's actually due at every mileage interval
Problems & reliability
Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid
Oil light reset
Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools
Key fob battery
Which coin cell the remote takes
Specs
Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy
Which Chevrolet Malibu generation do you have?
Specifications change at generation boundaries, not every model year. Two cars four years apart often take the identical oil, filter, and battery. These are the generations we hold data for.
| Generation | Model years | Body style | Engines | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9th generation (E2XX) | 2016–2025 | Mid-size sedan (production ended November 2024; 2025 is the final model year) | 3 | 0W-20, 5W-30, 5W-20 |
| 8th generation (Epsilon II) | 2013–2015 | Mid-size sedan (also sold to fleets as the 2016 'Malibu Limited') | 3 | 5W-30 |
| 7th generation (final year) | 2012–2012 | Mid-size sedan (Epsilon platform) | 2 | 5W-30 |
About the Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu was GM's mainstream midsize sedan until production ended at Fairfax Assembly in November 2024, making 2025 the final model year. The 2012–2025 span covers three distinct cars. 6L V6 with cheap parts but two well-documented weak spots, the 6-speed's 3-5-Reverse wave plate and electric power steering column failures.
5L, which introduced its own quirks (auxiliary trunk battery failures, code P305F). 5T's 6-speed for a CVT. 5T, and the turbo cars have well-known turbocharger, piston, and stop-start accumulator issues. Every generation specs GM dexos1 synthetic oil, Dex-Cool coolant, and a CR2032 key-fob battery.
Chevrolet Malibu by model year
Year pages show only the engines and specs offered that year.
Sources
- AMSOIL product lookup, 2016–2019 Malibu 1.5L LFV / 2.0L LTG / 1.8L LKN capacities
- ChevyMalibuForum, 2016–2017 5W-30 to 2018+ 0W-20 oil spec change
- parts.chevrolet.com, GM 23430313 engine air filter fitment
- PartsGeek, ACDelco PF2257G oil filter, 2016–2019 Malibu 1.8L Hybrid
- AutoZone, Malibu battery guide (Group 48/H6, 2016–2024)
- TireSize.com, Malibu OE tire sizes by year and trim
- NHTSA, recall report 18V-358 (high-pressure fuel pump)
- BizzyCar, April 2026 rearview camera recall 26V-212, 2023–2025 Malibu
- Go-Parts, P0234 wastegate solenoid on 2016–2022 Malibu 1.5L
- Margarian Law, 2019–2022 Malibu CVT shudder/stall defect tracker
- GM Authority, 2023 Malibu drops Premier trim and 2.0L LTG
- Automotive News, Malibu production ends November 2024 at Fairfax
- fueleconomy.gov, 2016 and 2019 Malibu EPA ratings
- Car and Driver, 2016 Malibu Hybrid powertrain details (1.8L, 1.5 kWh pack)
- PartsGeek, 2016–2025 Malibu 300mm front / 288mm rear rotors