YearToAvoid

2020 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 16 steering complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of all complaints filed for that year. No related recall exists. Reported failures center on a

Steering complaints
16
8% of 198
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
61,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a "Steering Assist Reduced - Drive with Care" warning appearing intermittently on the dash, sometimes paired with a Service ESC light.
  • Some drivers describe needing excessive force to turn the steering wheel when the reduced-assist message appears.
  • Several complaints describe the traction control light illuminating along with the steering warning, with dealers unable to duplicate the issue during diagnosis.
  • Other owners report the power steering cutting out entirely while driving, sometimes accompanied by the engine light and a temporary loss of power.
  • One report links the steering warning to the vehicle briefly shutting off at a stoplight before restarting.

When 2020 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 16, 2021, latest Sep 8, 2026.

2020 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2021Dec 2022Jul 2023Nov 2023Apr 2024Jan 2026Aug 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2023 (3).

Steering recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Malibu model year

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

  1. 2010454 (33%)
  2. 2011214 (22%)
  3. 2012191 (21%)
  4. 2013181 (22%)
  5. 201426 (7%)
  6. 20159 (3%)
  7. 201642 (5%)
  8. 201747 (7%)
  9. 201841 (6%)
  10. 20192 (1%)
  11. 202016 (8%)
  12. 20212 (2%)
  13. 20222 (2%)
  14. 20234 (6%)
  15. 20241 (3%)
  16. 20251 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering complaints on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA lists 16 steering-related complaints for the 2020 Malibu, which is 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
No. NHTSA does not list any related recalls for steering on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up on the 2020 Malibu?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 61,000 miles.
Did steering problems cause any crashes or injuries on the 2020 Malibu?
NHTSA data for this issue shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported for the 2020 Malibu steering complaints.
How does the 2020 Malibu compare to other years for steering complaints?
The 2020 Malibu's 16 steering complaints and 8% share are lower than earlier years like 2010 (454 complaints, 33% share) but higher in share than 2019 (1%) and several nearby years.

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.