2020 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems
62 of the 198 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 199 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 engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 62 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 2 · 2021: 12 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 10
Half of the 16 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 56,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
198 complaints in all about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, 10 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 “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Malibu engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Engine Light came on before a full year of having the car. Started August 23 2021 the car will take forever to move like engine was lock up or something then when you put the car in drive it was go backwards and when you put it in reverse it will go forward. Car has a head of its own.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with the Auto START/STOP safety feature. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the engine failed to start up while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated.
Why driving on the Interstate with some congestion I made an attempt to accelerate from behind a slow moving truck and in doing so my car slows down as if it stalls in the middle of road. Engine light and traction comes on. During this I cannot apply acceleration until my car is ready.
Speed reduced, reduced engine power , hard breaking and noise ,engine light one , all gages flash, service esc! On dash
Unknown. Started vehicle for one minute and stalled. It is available for inspection. Safety was at risk cause I thought car wasn't going to start and stay idling. Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealership.vehicle has not been inspected by dealership. There were no warning lamps or messages.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications199 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 P1101 P0299 P0172 B3925 B3926 B3927 P0101
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- transmission and drivetrain problems 58 complaints
- electrical problems 57 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 62 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (31% of everything owners filed about it), and 199 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 engine 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 engine problems show up on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 77,000 miles; half of them between 56,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.