YearToAvoid

2022 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 18th of 21 model years by complaint volume, with a complaint index of 15 and a Best verdict. It has 97 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive recalls, making it one of the lower-complaint years for this model.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
15/100
#18 of 21 Malibu years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
97
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2023
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
25.5 city / 34.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2022 Chevy Malibu problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine36 (37%)
  2. Electrical System33 (34%)
  3. Other29 (30%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain23 (24%)
  5. Fuel System9 (9%)
  6. Brakes6 (6%)
  7. Airbags4 (4%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
  9. Seat Belts2 (2%)
  10. Steering2 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Transmission can shift up or down unexpectedly or hesitate before responding to the accelerator, in one case leading to a crash.
  • Some owners report the transmission jerks or slips hard when accelerating or releasing the gas pedal, even after a transmission replacement.
  • Shifting into park sometimes triggers a 'shift to park' error that requires cycling through reverse and drive before the transmission registers park.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed rear-end and animal-strike collisions despite visible front-end or frame damage.
  • Owners describe the infotainment system causing headlights to go dark while a phone is connected via Bluetooth, with the phone becoming very hot.
  • Some report the engine revs on its own to over 3,000 RPM while braking in a parking lot, with no foot near the accelerator.
2022 Chevrolet Malibu complaints: complaints filed per month7May 2022Oct 2023Jul 2024Feb 2025Sep 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026
97 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Feb 2026 (7).

2022 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V923000Dec 14, 2022Structure & Body2,108 vehicles

    Structure:frame and members

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.

    Risk: An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

2022 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25.5 MPG
Highway
34.5 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2022 compared with other Malibu years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Good35198129
2021Best1089229
2022Best1597129
2023Best2069230
2024Best539231

All Chevrolet Malibu years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2022 Malibu ranks 18th out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 15 and a Best verdict relative to other Malibu years.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues make up 37% of complaints, Electrical System 34%, and Transmission & Powertrain 24%, with a median failure mileage around 73,000 miles for engine complaints.
Does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2022 Malibu, covering an improperly welded front impact bar on the frame rail; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2022 Malibu compare to other bad Malibu years?
Years like 2009 and 2010 have much higher complaint indexes of 100 and 95 and Avoid verdicts, while the 2022 model's index of 15 and Best verdict place it among the lower-complaint years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
EPA rates the 2022 Malibu at 29 mpg combined, 25.5 mpg city and 34.5 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550.

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.