2020 CHEVROLET MALIBU

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    transmission automatic

    24 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    27
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact shifted out of park(P) and shifted back to park(P) several times until…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1999572
  2. #2

    control module

    16 unsafe, 10 annoyance

    26
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while attempting to shift into park(P), the gear shifter failed to function as intended. The message to shift into park(P) was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was…"~20,000 mi, complaint #2005024
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to exit the vehicle; however, the shift to park message was displayed on the instrument panel. The Push to Start button was illuminated. The vehicl…"~51,000 mi, complaint #2013518
  3. #3

    engine stall or no start

    2 stranded, 20 unsafe

    22
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 70,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with the Auto START/STOP safety feature. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the engine failed to start up while depressing the accelerator pedal. There wa…"~21,647 mi, complaint #1774611
    • "VEHICLE SEEMS TO WANT TO STALL OUT FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN PRESSING THE GAS"~25,379 mi, complaint #1742763
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu E2. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at the stop sign, the auto START/STOP mode engaged, however the vehicle failed to restart upon releasing the brake pedal. The message "Engine Reduced Power" was displ…"~55,634 mi, complaint #1855267
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the RPM was unexpectedly elevated while driving, and the vehicle was hesitating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to b…"~80,000 mi, complaint #2173125
  4. #4

    brake hydraulics

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching a stop light the braking system malfunctioned when pressing the brake pedal causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. The…"~57,000 mi, complaint #2046758
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding sound was coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The contact also stated that excessive effort was needed to stop the vehicle with the ABS warning light i…"~74,000 mi, complaint #1956149
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the freeway and depressing the brake pedal to slow down, the brake pedal was difficult to depress, and the vehicle failed to immediately stop. During the fa…"~85,547 mi, complaint #2184225
  5. #5

    engine internal

    10 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CAR LOST POWER WHEN PASSING A TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY, HARD START,IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR GOING ON THREE WEEKS TOMORROW. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT…"~550 mi, complaint #1677234
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to exceed 15 MPH. The Power Steering Reduced and Service ESC messages were displayed, and the check engine and low fuel wa…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1967704
  6. #6

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was t…"~114,000 mi, complaint #2175344
  7. #7

    brake booster

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The brake pedal is hard. The car does not want to stop. The brake booster is not working. The car only has 40,000 miles"complaint #1765152
    • "I purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu with 38,000 miles. I experienced a faulty air vacuum pump (first experience was at 45,000 miles and was replaced in August of 2021, two months after purchasing the vehicle in June of the same year), and then the replaced air…"complaint #1921828
    • "I was hearing a grinding noise when applying brakes so i had a mechanic change my brakes. He said they didnt need changing but i had him change them anyway. The noise didnt stop but we wasnt sure why it was making the noise. While driving down the highway, the…"complaint #1935294
    • "I am writing to formally report a critical safety issue with my 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, which resulted in a severe accident and posed significant risks to my safety and the safety of The issue involves the brake vacuum pump, which failed while I was driving.…"complaint #2044866
    • "I was driving in the interstate at about 4pm on May 16th and the check engine light came on. Thus is nothing new because since I bought the car on Feb. 14th, 2024 the check engine light is on about 75% of the time. I went to use my brakes and the pedal was…"complaint #2095723
  8. #8

    other

    2 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY 2020 CHEV MALIBU, NEW 10/19, WAS PROMISED 29 MPG CITY BY CHEVROLET'S WEB SITE AND THE VEHICLE SALES STICKER. I AM ONLY GETTING AT THE VERY MOST 25 MPG AT THE VERY MOST. I LIVE IN SAN DIEGO AND DO DRIVE IN THE CITY FOR ALMOST ALL THE CURRENT 2,000 MILES.…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1647536
  9. #9

    stability and traction control

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "The contact owns 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and inadvertently decelerated. The contact stated that the Service ESC and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1799085
  10. #10

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Power Reduced" was displayed, and the vehicle decelerated and failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact was able to drive to the destination and tu…"~131,000 mi, complaint #2116967
  11. #11

    wiring harness

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that she noticed that water had intruded into the vehicle. The contact then stated that water had leaked from the inner lining of the roof and entered through the rear center brake taillight. The con…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1879198
  12. #12

    airbag system

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "Officer [XXX] filed on behalf of the deceased. The deceased owned a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the deceased had a rear end crash with another vehicle which was stopped at a traffic signal. The contact stated the estimated speed of the crash…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1902615
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at 65 MPH, the contact's daughter was run off the road by another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the vehicle w…"~94,073 mi, complaint #2031762
  13. #13

    battery and charging

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY CAR HAD ONLY 600 MILES AND IS BRAND NEW. AFTER SITTING ON THE DRIVE OVERNIGHT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THERE WAS A LOT OF CLICKING NOISES, BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN. THAT WAS THREE WEEKS AGO. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE ER…"~640 mi, complaint #1651990
  14. #14

    steering electric assist

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I bought a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT on April 26, 2023 from Lake Hartwell Chevrolet in Toccoa Ga. It drove fine for 3 days. Then a chirping started in the steering wheel. On May 3rd. While I was taking my wife to our baby doctors visit, as I turned into the pa…"complaint #1897181
    • "The steering assist is reduced will come on. The car randomly turns itself off and back on when at a stoplight; this has happened four times now. I worry that it will shut off and not restart creating a hazard on the road."complaint #1942297
    • "My 2020 Chevrolet Malibu experienced a sudden and severe electrical failure after driving through normal roadway water. Immediately afterward, the vehicle displayed multiple safety‑critical warnings including loss of power steering assist, Electronic Stability…"complaint #2232643
  15. #15

    fuel injector

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of…"~88,400 mi, complaint #2125415
  16. #16

    power windows and locks

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Shift to Park Alarm will not stop beeping. Looked into it on the internet found it to be a known issue with GM. Can prevent the doors from unlocking and would drain battery and annoyance. Replaced shifter assembly at a cost of $567.28 I believe GM knows of…"complaint #1860167
    • "When this issue first started. My display said put the driver window down then back up. Seconds after following this prompt my car display says shift to park. I was already in park and had shut the engine off. When I open the driver door my horn beeps 2 times…"complaint #1997540
  17. #17

    transmission cvt

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved loudly while coming to a stop. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and…"~27,344 mi, complaint #1867841
  18. #18

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS message was displayed, and the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle.…"~8,300 mi, complaint #1811156
  19. #19

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Engine Light came on before a full year of having the car. Started August 23 2021 the car will take forever to move like engine was lock up or something then when you put the car in drive it was go backwards and when you put it in reverse it will go forward. C…"complaint #1784550
  20. #20

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I am writing to report a serious and dangerous issue that occurred with my 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT on April 27th 2026. While driving on the interstate after work, my vehicle suddenly experienced a failure that made it extremely unsafe to operate. The brake p…"complaint #2201100
  21. #21

    engine turbo supercharger

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. While the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light or a stop sign, the failure was more noticeable. The contact stated that the…"~77,000 mi, complaint #2172924
  22. #22

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "After you shift the car into park and shut the motor off, the car flashes a warning on the instrument panel to shift the car into park. Which it already is. Appears there was a recall for this for 2016-2019 cars, but not the 2020 year like mine. Happens con…"complaint #1905158
  23. #23

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "1. Something under the car hood is making a whistle type noise. Is available for inspection. 2. I don't know if it is a safety risk. 3. The problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. 4. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership. 5. There were no wa…"complaint #1765351
  24. #24

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was at a stop light ready to take off while driving for lyft with a passenger in back and the car just quit running as i took off when light turned green no warning whatsoever no dash lights no brakes no steering i had to wait til car stopped rolling so i pu…"complaint #1808302
  25. #25

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the message "Transport Mode" was suddenly displayed, and the vehicle decelerated and stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The vehicle…"~180,000 mi, complaint #2049865
  26. #26

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Shift to park. Im not able to park my car. W low miles. Chevy dealer stated not under warranty. Will cost 800+ to repair. Previous known problem (17-19). It was repaired my last malibu & was repaired under recall. Now a TSB has been issued by chevy for my 20 s…"complaint #2130567
  27. #27

    trunk or liftgate

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "RAIN IN GETTING INTO THE TRUNK AREA BY A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER. LEAVING THE SPARE TIRE SITE FULL OF WATER."complaint #1679730
  28. #28

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Was traveling at about [REDACTED ADDRESS] when all my warning gauges starting going off. My digital dash went blank and the car started accelerating on its own. I kept hitting the brakes trying to make it slow down and I could hear the abs function and feel it…"complaint #1775058

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for CHEVROLET MALIBU directly.