Problems · NHTSA complaints

2022 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Owners filed 99 complaints about the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA between May 2022 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (33).

Complaints
99
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system33
  2. Engine29
  3. Power train24
  4. Engine and engine cooling10
  5. Fuel/propulsion system8
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Vehicle speed control4
  8. Air bags4
  9. Structure2
  10. Fuel system, gasoline2
  11. Wheels2
  12. Steering2
  13. Exterior lighting2
  14. Seat belts2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20221
20236
202422
202528
202642

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

33 reports1 crash
“My Malibu has numerous electrical problems. Often involving the start stop feature. The door locks have locked and unlocked themselves The engine and battery warning light will come on but we don't know why. A metal piece of the front frame broke off and went through the condenser. I had to have the car towed causing more damage to the hood. I cannot drive it. The check battery light is also on. At times the button to power on car will not work. Then it will a few min later. .yes, car is available for inspection. It is unsafe to drive and has too many problems for a newer cat”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Electrical system, Structure, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11767394

Engine

29 reports
“The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Special Coverage Program: N252508360 (turbocharger replacement for up to 15 years or 150,000 miles); however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in the program. The approximate failure mileage was 82,949.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11759251

Power train

24 reports2 crashes
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE INTERMITTENTLY. OFTEN SLOW TO TAKE OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. SAFETY CONCERNS OF BEING REAR END DUE TO SLOW TAKE OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER FOR REVIEW AND THEY INDICATED AND SHOW A PICTURE OF THE TURBO BOOSTER BEING BROKEN. PER DEALER THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER AND NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. DEALER STATED I WAS 5k MILES OVER WARRANTY AND EXISTING SERVICE SPECIAL COVERAGE NOTICE N252508360 FOR 2022 MALIBU DID NOT COVER MY VIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11747026

Engine and engine cooling

10 reports
“The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with turbocharger failure. The contact was informed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 82,950.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11753711

Fuel/propulsion system

8 reports
“Driving along the highway the CEL light came on followed by reduced engine power warning. Vehicle abruptly slowed down to 35mph (limp mode). Were there to be another vehicle behind me, they would have to do emergency braking. My vehicle would not start after pulling over to the shoulder. A tow truck was dispatched, and after diagnosis from the service center; The fuel pump module was found to be defective.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11761826

Service brakes

5 reports
“While driving my 2022 Chevrolet Malibu on the freeway, I experienced a loss of braking. This created a serious safety hazard because I was unable to stop the vehicle normally. The vehicle had previously displayed a check-engine warning. I brought the vehicle to the Chevrolet dealer. The dealer is requesting approximately 4,000 for repairs and has refused to perform the turbo-related recall/special coverage repair unless I pay for those repairs. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect and review whether the braking problem may be related to the known turbo/engine issue Break vacuum pump is broken and diagnose by the dealer . Check engine light was on prior to incident due from Turbo charger failure”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2026Service brakesODI 11762044
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.