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Chevrolet Malibu and Kia Optima Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

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Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 73200 miles driven2013 Kia Optima Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 73200 miles driven

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Chevrolet Malibu vs. Kia Optima Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Chevrolet Malibu and Kia Optima reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Chevrolet Malibus and Kia Optimas with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Chevrolet Malibus and Kia Optimas that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track Chevrolet Malibu and Kia Optima lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Chevrolet Malibu and Kia Optima have been recently.

To see how frequently Chevrolet Malibu and Kia Optima problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2011 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 A best buy for several years, several consumer mags see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2009 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD		 It has gotten good reviews. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD		 The Malibu received several car of the year awards for this model year and that influenced our decision. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2007 4dr Sedan 217-horsepower 3.5L V6
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 I have been a Chevy lover all my life. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
Chevrolet Malibu Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 Chevy does not have a strong identity in the market due to many duds over the years. Hopefully that will change. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2009 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 On 18% of Chevy owners have a degree; no snob appeal at all but it is a very economical car to drive and looks great! see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD		 This is a issue which GM seems to be working on. But the negative aspect is very present in conversations. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD		 The overall reputation of the parent brand is poor, affecting resale value. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD		 Unfortunately, this car is a GM! GM has not been known to make good cars. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2004 4dr Hatch 200-horsepower 3.5L V6
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 GM known for certain reliability issues on the Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Kia Optima

Kia Optima Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 Kia doesn't have the best reputation, though I get the sense that it's slowly improving. Speaking personally, I would have laughed at the idea of buying/leasing anything from Kia even three years ago. However, in that time, I've had two: a 2011 Kia Sportage EX and, now, a 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited. The mediocre brand image is a unfortunate, because if you slapped another make's emblem on this car, people would probably be absolutely gushing over it. As I said, I don't think their image is improving, though. see full Kia Optima review
2007 4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 poor trade in value but intend to keep long time due to great warranty; Kia discounting cars in USA to gain brand penetration; much better priced here than in Europe for the same car. see full Kia Optima review