Owners have reported 9 crashes, 6 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints47
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu's power train, particularly involving "Shift to Park" errors and intermittent loss of power. Complaints often describe scenarios where the vehicle fails to recognize when it is in park, preventing the car from being shut off and potentially draining the battery. Additionally, multiple owners mention sudden loss of power while driving, with some experiencing the vehicle decelerating unexpectedly and failing to accelerate, sometimes accompanied by a "Power Reduced" message. These problems are reported across a wide range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 18,000 miles and others at over 100,000 miles. Safety implications include potential for the vehicle to roll away if not properly in park and loss of control due to sudden power reduction, which could be concerning for prospective buyers.
Owner complaints36
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with the electronic shifter, particularly the "shift to park" message that prevents the vehicle from turning off despite being in park. This issue often requires multiple attempts to clear the message, with some owners noting it can take up to 10-15 minutes to resolve. Another common problem involves the braking system, where owners describe a hard brake pedal that is difficult to depress, sometimes linked to the Power Brake Booster Vacuum Sensor or Pump, with some reports mentioning a grinding noise. These issues typically appear at varying mileages, with some complaints occurring around 20,000 miles and others at higher mileages like 73,000 miles. Safety implications are noted as the brake issues can lead to difficulty in stopping the vehicle, potentially endangering the driver and others on the road. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring electronic and braking system issues.
Owner complaints21
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report frequent issues with the brake vacuum pump in the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, often leading to brake pedal failure and significant stopping challenges. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as a hard brake pedal, grinding noises, and the brake pedal traveling to the floor. These issues typically occur around 40,000 to 118,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with three crashes and three injuries reported, highlighting potential loss of control. Buyers should be aware of these recurring brake system failures and the associated repair costs that some owners face.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints15
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu frequently experiences engine power loss while driving, often accompanied by a check engine light and reduced acceleration capability. Symptoms include the vehicle stalling or hesitating, particularly when attempting to accelerate, with some incidents leading to a complete loss of power and an inability to exceed low speeds, such as 25 mph. Complaints commonly emerge around 65,000 to 114,000 miles, although some issues are noted much earlier, even as low as 900 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several reports describe hazardous situations where the vehicle suddenly loses power on highways, potentially leading to near-miss accidents. Additionally, some owners mention related issues like incorrect dashboard readings and brake functionality loss, further indicating potential safety risks.
Owner complaints13
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues related to steering failure, often accompanied by electronic stability control (ESC) and power steering warnings. Common symptoms include sudden loss of power steering, vehicle shutdowns while driving, and erratic dashboard warnings such as "Service ESC" and "Steering Assist Reduced." These issues typically occur at varying mileages, with some owners experiencing problems as early as 36,000 miles. Safety is a significant concern, as multiple complaints describe the vehicle unexpectedly slowing down or shutting off, leading to potential loss of control and near-accidents. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the challenges owners face in obtaining effective repairs.
Owner complaints7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report recurring issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu's vehicle speed control, often involving a sudden reduction in engine power and difficulty maintaining speed. Complaints frequently mention the "engine power reduced" message and "service ESC" warning, with some drivers experiencing the car not accelerating beyond 5 mph or accelerating on its own. These issues typically arise around 19,500 miles, with some cases occurring during highway driving or when using cruise control. Safety implications are notable, as several owners describe dangerous situations where the vehicle's sudden deceleration or unintended acceleration could lead to potential collisions. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these patterns, as many issues remain unresolved despite multiple repair attempts.
Owner complaints4
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues related to the fuel system, primarily involving a loss of motive power while driving. Common symptoms include stalling, vehicle hesitation, and the check engine light illuminating. Some owners also mention a gasoline odor in the cabin and diagnostic trouble codes related to the mass air flow sensor. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with some occurring around 60,000 miles and others as high as 180,000 miles. While no crashes or fires are noted, the unexpected loss of power could pose a safety risk, especially at highway speeds.
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners report several issues with the air bags in the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, primarily related to deployment failures during crashes. Complaints frequently mention air bags not deploying at all, as in one case where the driver was injured after crashing into a guard rail. Another common issue is the improper deployment of air bags, where the fabric fails to inflate correctly, or metal components become dislodged, causing severe injuries. The mileage at the time of these incidents varies, with reports around 63,000 to over 94,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with all complaints involving crashes and three injuries reported. Prospective buyers should be aware of these air bag deployment issues, especially when considering a vehicle with a history of accidents or repairs.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu report issues related to the turbocharger and engine performance. Complaints frequently mention elevated RPMs, engine hesitation, and abnormal vehicle shuddering, often accompanied by white smoke from the tailpipe and a flashing engine warning light. These symptoms typically occur around 77,000 to 80,000 miles. Additionally, owners describe the vehicle jerking and failing to accelerate properly, particularly noticeable when stopped at traffic lights. There are no reports of crashes or fires associated with these issues, but the described symptoms could potentially affect vehicle control.
Owner complaints2
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu report issues related to the suspension, particularly involving the need for replacement of axles, ball joints, lower control arms, front struts, and rear shocks. These complaints often involve symptoms like snatching or jerking when driving in both forward and reverse gears. One report notes a crash and highlights significant safety concerns, suggesting the vehicle may not be safe to drive. The complaints involve vehicles with mileage around 32,200 miles and also mention problems occurring shortly after purchase, which could be relevant for potential buyers assessing long-term reliability.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
