2020 Chevrolet MALIBU: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
196 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
66,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 44 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 59 of 196 complaints (30.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 53 | 27.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 19.4% |
| Engine operation | 25 | 12.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 12.8% |
| Steering behavior | 22 | 11.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 59 |
| Electrical System | 57 |
| Power Train | 55 |
| Unknown Or Other | 44 |
| Service Brakes | 42 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Steering | 15 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 |
Engine: 59; Electrical System: 57; Power Train: 55; Unknown Or Other: 44; Service Brakes: 42; Vehicle Speed Control: 17; Steering: 15; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 152 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 46 |
| 2026 | 29 |
2020: 5; 2021: 17; 2022: 23; 2023: 36; 2024: 40; 2025: 46; 2026: 29
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 53 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 38 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 25 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11309963 · 2020-02-18 (February 18, 2020)
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. THIS IS THE PRIMARY REASON I BOUGHT THIS CAR! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 1/17/20 & THEY TOLD ME ALL WAS WORKING PER SPEC'S.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11316269 · 2020-03-05 (March 5, 2020)
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 ERROR CODES ON THE BATTERY, AND THAT THEY RECHARGED IT. TODAY, THE CAR CLICKS AND WON'T TURN OVER AGAIN. THE CAR NOW HAS 1000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT CARS DRIVING BY THEIR LOT AT NIGHT WILL CAUSE RANDOM PARKED NEW VEHICLES WITH NO KEY IN IT TO FLASH LIGHTS, AND USE OTHER ELECTRICA…
Owner-reported narrative. 640 miles reported. Look up ODI 11316269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11339607 · 2020-07-15 (July 15, 2020)
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 THE RESOLUTION CENTER SAID THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ANSWERING E-MAILS AND HE COULD NOT GIVE US ANY INFORMATION. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID HE AND THE MASTER TECH HAD BOTH DRIVEN THE CAR AND BOTH SAID THAT THEY DETECTED A PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPU…
Owner-reported narrative. 550 miles reported. Look up ODI 11339607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11341452 · 2020-07-25 (July 25, 2020)
RAIN IN GETTING INTO THE TRUNK AREA BY A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER. LEAVING THE SPARE TIRE SITE FULL OF WATER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11341452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375099 · 2020-11-17 (November 17, 2020)
MY 2020 CHEV MALIBU PROMISED ON THE WEB SITE AND ON THE MSRP THAT IT WOULD GET "29 MILES PER GALLON IN THE CITY". THIS WAS ALSO PROMISED ON THE 2021 MODEL. I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN 24 MPH OR LESS IN THE CITY. THE CAR IS ONE YEAR OLD. I HAVE HAD THREE MEETINGS & SERVICE CHECK OUTS WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THAT THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. SO, I NEED GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO FIX MY VEHICLE SO THAT IT GETS WHAT WAS PROMISED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11375099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413318 · 2021-04-22 (April 22, 2021)
VEHICLE SEEMS TO WANT TO STALL OUT FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN PRESSING THE GAS
Owner-reported narrative. 25,379 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418200 · 2021-05-23 (May 23, 2021)
*First incident: Unknown. Could have been stranded. Not confirmed by dealership. First appeared on 5-20-21. I started car. After car started, the cars body started to shake all over with a hard vibration. Car was inspected vaguely by dealership and I was told nothing could be found. No lights came on, no warning.*Second incident: unknown. First appeared 5-22-21. After car started, the cars idle felt shaky a little. Also the acceleration slowed down on its own to where I could not speed up and I had to pull over or I could have been hit by mult…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418210 · 2021-05-23 (May 23, 2021)
Acceleration slowed down and didn't want to speed up when gas pedal pressed. Car is available for inspection. Safety was at risk cause a car could of hit me. Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealership. Vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warnings or symptoms. Problems appeared 5-20-21, 5-22-21, and 5-23-21.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418210 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V649000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor | Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners
Reported: 2021-08-20 (August 20, 2021)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
NHTSA campaign record ↗