2020 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

59Engine complaints

30.9%Of all 191 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE59 · 30.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM54 · 28.3%

POWER TRAIN53 · 27.7%

Unspecified / other43 · 22.5%

SERVICE BRAKES40 · 20.9%

Share of the 191 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu overview page.

What owners report

“The power train may be defective. The auto shut off on the vehicle completely shuts off when you stopped at a red light. The entire…”NHTSA complaint 11549724 — filed 10/13/2023

“While driving on expressway, vehicle slows down suddenly. Service ESC, power steering, and engine light comes on and car tuns off. This has happened 8…”NHTSA complaint 11549390 — filed 10/11/2023

“I purchased a brand new, 2020 Chevrolet Malibu in March of 2020. The car had 90 miles on it when I purchased it. Those 90…”NHTSA complaint 11549259 — filed 10/10/2023

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu: 59 of 191 complaints on file (30.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have in total?

191 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 7 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.