The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 62 of 202 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 195 in 2019 to 202 in 2020.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 202
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,950–$3,000
- Combined MPG
- 26–32
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,350–3,000 | 1,350–3,000 | 1,950–3,000 | 1,950–2,400 | 1,950–3,000 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–46 | 26–46 | 26–32 | 26–32 | 26–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–49 / 32–43 | 22–49 / 32–43 | 22–29 / 32–36 | 22–29 / 33–36 | 22–29 / 33–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 194–344 | 194–344 | 298–344 | 273–342 | 275–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 711 | 195 | 202 | 90 | 99 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 24 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
Engine: 62 of 202 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA rates it 26–32 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
EPA estimates $1,950–$3,000 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $3,000 (high) | 344 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 29 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 298 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 62 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 57 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 53 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 20 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 45 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS; SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
- Defect
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
- Consequence
- An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.