YearToAvoid

2020 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 58 of 198 total complaints on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu (29%), with a median failure mileage of 72,500 miles. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this problem area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
58
29% of 198
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
72,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a "Shift to Park" warning appearing even while the car is already parked, sometimes accompanied by a beeping alarm that will not stop and a battery drain.
  • Some drivers describe the vehicle intermittently hesitating, stalling, or losing power at various speeds, often with the traction control and check engine lights on.
  • Several complaints mention the shifter assembly itself failing intermittently, at times triggering a loss of power while driving on a highway.
  • Owners describe sudden loss of motive power or reduced engine power while driving, including one case while climbing an uphill grade.
  • One owner reported the vehicle randomly shutting off while driving, with a "reduced steering" warning and multiple dashboard lights illuminating.

When 2020 Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints were filed

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

2020 Chevrolet Malibu transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month5Jun 2021Oct 2022Jun 2023Sep 2024Mar 2025Oct 2025Jun 2026
58 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2024 (5).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Malibu model year

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

  1. 2010132 (10%)
  2. 2011112 (11%)
  3. 201249 (5%)
  4. 201353 (6%)
  5. 201452 (15%)
  6. 201531 (11%)
  7. 2016166 (20%)
  8. 2017139 (20%)
  9. 2018170 (24%)
  10. 201966 (35%)
  11. 202058 (29%)
  12. 202128 (31%)
  13. 202223 (24%)
  14. 20238 (12%)
  15. 20245 (13%)
  16. 20251 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission and powertrain complaints on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA lists 58 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Malibu, which is 29% of the 198 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do these transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2020 Malibu is 72,500 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Malibu's transmission or powertrain issues?
No. NHTSA does not list any related recalls tied to this problem area for the 2020 Malibu.
What is the most common transmission complaint owners describe?
Multiple owners describe a "Shift to Park" warning message and alarm that persists even when the car is already in park, sometimes draining the battery.
Did the transmission issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2020 Malibu shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.

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.