2020 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems
57 of the 198 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 202 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 57 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 15 · 2026: 7
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
198 complaints in all about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, 7 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The sensor for my gas cap was the first thing to malfunction, then My check engine light came on. Then the power steering sensor have me notice to drive carefully my drive assistance was malfunctioning. During my drive last night the power steering went out and the dashboard went dark several times
About 3 months ago, I started experiencing the shift to park problem where my car would turn off completely and would be still and solid but the car wouldn't register being in park
When shifting into park the display will show the car is in park but there will be an alarm informing me to put the car in park
I bought a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT on April 26, 2023 from Lake Hartwell Chevrolet in Toccoa Ga. It drove fine for 3 days. Then a chirping started in the steering wheel. On May 3rd. While I was taking my wife to our baby doctors visit, as I turned into the parking lot, the engine light came on, and the steering failed.
While driving on many occasions the last incident happened Friday April 28th 2023. My 2020 Malibu lost all communication on 231 Hwy. All dash gauges went haywire power dropped on vehicle RPM was accelerated but vehicle speed would not change engine light and traction light came on.
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications202 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P12A6 B3925 B3926 B3927 P2797 P0513 B000A P0300
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu
Source: the same files- engine problems 62 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 58 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 57 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (29% of everything owners filed about it), and 202 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 1 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.