2022 Chevrolet Malibu VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

POWER TRAIN

Owners report persistent issues with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu's power train, particularly involving the "Shift to Park" defect, which prevents the vehicle from recognizing when it is in park, leading to difficulties in shutting off the engine and potential battery drain. This issue is frequently noted around 28,000 to 50,000 miles and often requires owners to shift back and forth multiple times to resolve. Additionally, turbo underboost (code P0299) is another common problem, causing reduced engine performance and limp mode, with some reports of near-crash situations. Two complaints involve crashes, one due to a transmission fault code P0826, leading to unintended acceleration and collision with a curb. These patterns suggest potential safety risks, particularly with the vehicle's ability to secure itself when parked and maintain consistent power delivery.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report a persistent issue with the vehicle failing to recognize when it is in the Park position. Symptoms include receiving a "Shift to Park" message even when the gear shifter is visibly in Park, preventing the car from shutting off properly. This issue often requires owners to repeatedly manipulate the gear shifter to clear the message, which can take several minutes. One complaint involves a crash with an injury due to a sudden loss of power while driving, indicating potential safety implications. No specific mileage range or timeline is consistently mentioned, but the recurrence of this issue across multiple vehicles suggests it is a common problem.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several recurring issues with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu's electrical system. Complaints frequently mention a "shift to park" message that appears even when the vehicle is in park, preventing the electrical system from shutting off. Additionally, multiple owners describe problems with the vehicle cutting off while driving, often accompanied by messages like "press brake to start engine" or "engine power reduced," leading to a loss of acceleration and posing potential safety risks, especially at highway speeds. Some reports indicate Bluetooth connectivity problems affecting hands-free capabilities, and issues with the infotainment system causing related malfunctions. These problems appear across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 1,900 miles, and are noted for the potential to create hazardous driving conditions.

ENGINE

Owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues related to the turbocharger, with multiple complaints indicating failure of the turbo or turbo waste gate. Symptoms commonly described include the check engine light illuminating, reduced engine power, and the vehicle entering limp mode. These issues are often reported around 66,000 miles, shortly after the expiration of the warranty. While no crashes or loss of control are mentioned, the reduced engine power could impact driving performance. Potential buyers should be aware of these turbocharger concerns, especially if considering a vehicle near or beyond this mileage range.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with the turbocharger, with symptoms including unexpected deceleration, stalling, and the vehicle entering LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light commonly illuminates during these events. These problems often occur at mileages ranging from 38,000 to 110,022 miles. Additionally, one complaint mentions transmission and gear shifter issues, but the primary focus remains on turbocharger failures. No crashes or fires are reported, but the sudden loss of power could pose safety concerns.

STEERING

Owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu report issues with the steering system, particularly when starting from a stop or while driving at various speeds. Symptoms include the steering wheel jerking and a warning message indicating "Power Steering Assist Is Reduced." Additionally, some owners describe the vehicle losing power steering functionality, often accompanied by reduced speed, unresponsive brakes, and illuminated warning lights such as traction control and check engine. These issues have been reported around 29,901 miles, and in some cases, the vehicle has been towed for repairs, but problems persist. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control, though no crashes are reported.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners report issues with the vehicle speed control in the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, particularly involving unexpected deceleration and failure to accelerate as intended. Complaints frequently mention the "Engine Power Reduced" warning, with one owner experiencing a turbocharger failure and another encountering repeated accelerator position sensor failures. Symptoms typically occur around 58,000 to 62,000 miles, with one owner noting multiple visits to the dealer and component replacements within an eight-month period. Safety implications include the vehicle's inability to maintain speed, which could pose risks if the issue occurs in traffic. This information is useful for potential buyers considering the vehicle's performance at higher mileage.

AIR BAGS

Owners report issues with the air bag system in the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, particularly noting non-deployment during collisions. A specific incident involves a crash at low speed (20 MPH) where the air bags did not deploy despite significant vehicle damage, and no warning lights were activated. Another complaint mentions an unspecified failure in the safety restraint system that remains unresolved by Chevrolet. These issues appear in vehicles with high mileage, around 90,000 miles, and have safety implications, as one crash resulted in injury to another party. Potential buyers should be aware of these air bag system concerns, especially in used models with higher mileage.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports