2020 Chevrolet Malibu problems and complaints
Owners have filed 198 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The most-reported areas: Engine (59), Power Train (58), Electrical System (57).
Key takeaways
- 198 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 10 involve a crash, 0 a fire, 7 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 59 | 30% |
| Power Train | 58 | 29% |
| Electrical System | 57 | 29% |
| Service Brakes | 49 | 25% |
| Unknown Or Other | 44 | 22% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 9% |
| Steering | 16 | 8% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 | 7% |
| Hydraulic | 6 | 3% |
| Fuel System | 4 | 2% |
| Gasoline | 4 | 2% |
| Air Bags | 4 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Power Train,electrical System - filed 2026-09-08
The vehicle's transmission shifter mechanism has failed for a second time, preventing the vehicle's computer from communicating with the gear shifter. When shifting the physical gear lever forward into the "Park" position and attempting to shut off the engine, a warning message reading "Action Required: Shift to Park" ...
Service Brakes, Hydraulic - filed 2026-09-08
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond and seized, causing the contact to engage the parking brake. The contact was able to pull over while awaiting tow truck assistance. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnose...
Steering - filed 2026-09-08
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the message "Steering Assist Reduced - Drive with Care" was intermittently displayed on the instrument panel while driving. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to turn the steering wheel. In addition, the message "Service ESC" was displaye...
Diagnose it yourself
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
More for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.