Chevrolet Malibus Recalled Over Rearview Cameras

General Motors is recalling about 270,000 Chevrolet Malibu sedans whose rearview cameras could malfunction.

“The rearview camera screen in these vehicles may display a distorted or blank image,” GM recently said in a recall notice, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “If the rearview camera is not functioning properly, rear visibility is reduced, increasing the risk of a crash during a backing event.”

The recall covers certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles that were produced between May 2022 and December 2024. General Motors says only about 6% of the recalled vehicles actually have faulty cameras, a problem the automaker blamed on supplier Sharp Electronics.

“GM’s supplier identified an issue with the bonding process used to assemble the camera housing that could weaken the adhesive bond on some assemblies,” the company told NHTSA. GM also said the camera’s mounting configuration could expose it to moisture that may penetrate the housing.

GM plans to notify Malibu owners whose cars are part of the recall by May 18. The automaker will ask owners to bring their vehicles to authorized service providers to have rearview camera systems replaced. 

Backup Camera Problems Boost Safety Risks

Backup cameras are hardly just a problem for Malibu drivers. These issues make it harder for drivers to see the traffic and increase the risk of crashes.

Some 7 million vehicles across the country have unfixed recalls related to their rearview camera systems, according to CARFAX. The defects range from blank or distorted screens and frozen images to intermittent camera failures.

Toyota, for example, recently recalled some 1 million vehicles due to problems with backup cameras. The automaker said camera images may freeze or not display at all. Volkswagen Group later recalled half a million Audi and Porsche vehicles, warning that rearview camera images may not display.

Know Your Lemon Law Rights

GM and other major automakers collectively call back millions of vehicles every single year, citing a broad range of defects and malfunctions that put everyone on the road at risk. The companies routinely announce safety recalls long after faulty vehicles leave factory floors. 

Fortunately, Californians have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. You do not need to wait around for a recall to get your car fixed, with the vehicle manufacturer picking up the tab.

The California lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces companies to repurchase covered vehicles they are unable to repair. That includes compensating the owner for the car’s purchase price, as well as financing fees, rental car costs, and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Lawyer

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon lawyer at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon lawyer.