YearToAvoid

2020 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 70 engine complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, 35% of its 198 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure is 70,000, with 2 crashes and no fires reported. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
70
35% of 198
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
70,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden loss of power or stalling while driving at highway speed, sometimes when attempting to pass another vehicle.
  • Several reports describe the engine slowing on its own and refusing to accelerate when the gas pedal is pressed, forcing drivers to pull over.
  • Some owners report the vehicle shaking or vibrating hard on startup before stalling completely.
  • Multiple complaints mention the check engine or traction control light coming on along with reduced engine power and dashboard warnings.
  • A few owners report lower-than-advertised fuel economy compared to the EPA city rating on the window sticker.
  • One report describes a whistling noise coming from under the hood with no warning lights present.

When 2020 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 15, 2020, latest Jul 6, 2026.

2020 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints: complaints filed per month6Jul 2020Aug 2021May 2022Nov 2022Jul 2023Jun 2024Oct 2025Mar 2026
70 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Jul 2026; peak Oct 2023 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010222 (16%)
  2. 2011223 (23%)
  3. 2012144 (16%)
  4. 2013229 (27%)
  5. 2014137 (39%)
  6. 201581 (30%)
  7. 2016373 (45%)
  8. 2017314 (45%)
  9. 2018339 (49%)
  10. 201970 (37%)
  11. 202070 (35%)
  12. 202114 (16%)
  13. 202236 (37%)
  14. 202318 (26%)
  15. 20244 (10%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 70 engine complaints for the 2020 Malibu, which is 35% of all 198 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints on the 2020 Malibu.
At what mileage do 2020 Malibu engine problems typically appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 70,000 miles.
Did the 2020 Malibu engine issue cause any crashes?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and no fires or injuries tied to the engine complaints for the 2020 Malibu.
How does the 2020 Malibu compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2020 Malibu's 35% engine complaint share is lower than 2016-2018 (45-49%) but similar to 2019 (37%) and higher than 2021 (16%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.