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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #11

Dec 232021

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This issue started at approximately 19,500 miles. While accelerating to enter a highway or to pass a vehicle going less than 55mph on a two-lane, Service ESC light appeared on dash. Loss or power was also immediate and if I tried to accelerate to maintain speed, engine was very rough in responding with no acceleration. Engine continued to run. Within 30 seconds or so, acceleration is restored, and check-engine light was flashing. Check-engine light stopped flashing after a minute or so. Initially, this only occurred occasionally during fast acceleration as mentioned above. Lately this has happened during continuous acceleration, such as using cruise control, while climbing a low incline hill (~15?). Over the past year or so, Chevy dealer has replaced, pistons, fuel injector, and did a carbon cleaning of engine. No solution yet.

- Richwood, OH, USA

problem #10

Oct 232022

Malibu

  • miles
Since last year I am having this problem in this car, even after parking the car, it is giving an error of "shift to park', I have already taken it to the car dealership twice to fix this problem and still the problem is not getting fixed in the car. Not even that I live in California and while coming back from Vegas last year, this car suddenly stopped working while on the freeway, luckily I was near truck station so I stopped the car. This is a new car and I didn't even drive 36000 miles on it and it is giving me problems. This car is a serious problem and I would request nhtsa to please step in and take action regarding the manufacturers.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 282023

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
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. I then had to pull over brakes made a loud thud noise when stopping. Turned vehicle off sat for about 15 minutes and restarted my vehicle engine light was still on but I was about four miles from home turned my hazard flashers on and made it home. When the car loses power it gives me NO warning at all it just happens. I've taken it to both Chevy dealers in my area Mr. [XXX] at Gilland GMC Ozark, Al explained to me that yes he saw the codes where car lost power and because they couldn't pinpoint the problem GMC had to be called and he was told that GMC has a team of engineers working on the Loss of Control problem but at this time they don't know anything. I'm risking my life on every day driving this vehicle in which I do have an extended warranty on but they can't fix what they can't find but yet KNOW for Fact that there is a problem. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Midland City, AL, USA

problem #8

Feb 162023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle through a "service engine" and lost partial power. The vehicle slowed considerably and was not able to accelerate as expected. Fortunately, this was rush hour traffic and it was slow. Normally, the traffic moves at 60 MPH plus or minus 5 MPH. The loss of power on I10 can be extremely unsafe. The dealer revealed that our car had a scan code P0299. They cleaned the Thottle Body and stated it was the likely problem. However, they said they tested the crank case pressure and it was at 0 PSI, instead of the expected vacuum. There was no indication, that crank case pressure or the PCV was the root problem. I pointed out that crank case should be measured in INH2O. I think they mis diaganosed and were trying to lead me to replace the PCV, and ultimately the turbocharger itself. I think it is probably a sensor or perhaps another component. I took my car away from the lot and will report any other incidents or findings.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #7

Dec 142022

Malibu

  • miles
Shift to park error, No power to car, reduced engine power, camshaft positioning error, brakes failed (completely went hard unable to press) almost causing crash.

- Reidsville, NC, USA

problem #6

Oct 232021

Malibu

  • miles
Was traveling at about 58 mph down the highway when all my warning gauges starting going off. My digital dash went blank and the car started accelerating on its own. I kept hitting the brakes trying to make it slow down and I could hear the abs function and feel it thru the brake while trying to slow down. After about a 1/2 mile of fighting the car the dash turned back on the check engine light stayed on and the car stopped trying to accelerate but wouldn-??t change gears and was stuck at 3500 rpms when I limped it off the road and had a tow truck come get it.

- Dillsburg, PA, USA

problem #5

May 062021

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is an intermittent issue and hard to reproduce on demand. I have evidence in the form of multiple videos that may be provided anytime. Videos can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zubc5ilgahayvxa/AABf3M1mLBikxQswv17Yn-YQa?dl=0 In the middle of driving on freeways, highways, or regular roads, the car will quickly slow down to a very low speed, around 5 mph causing other drivers to have to quickly swerve out of the way before wrecking into me. The power steering will also intermittently fail, as it becomes difficult to turn the wheel during these times. The car will also not accelerate at my will like it should at this time. Check engine lights will show up, as well as other warning notifications on the dash board. Some of the warnings include "Service Power Steering. Drive with Care", "Fuel Level Low", and "Service ESC". The car will also intermittently show all gauges in the zero/off/empty position. The car will also say "Shift to Park" when trying to turn it on, even though it is already in shift. I have sent the car back to the dealer 5 times to date and am about to pick it up again today as they have called me and said "it's ready" again. Each time they take the car, they do not address the issue. The first time I took it in, they just performed a recall repair for the camera and suggested the problem may be fixed from that. They claim they cannot fix something they cannot reproduce but I suspect they do not want to spend the time/hours/money it will take to figure out the problem since it is still under factory bumper-to-bumper warranty. It is still under factory bumper-to-bumper warranty but Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena TX refuses to repair anything and claim there is no evidence of the problem even though I've emailed them multiple videos of the problems happening. Auto Nation in Houston TX is who has the car now. It was recommended to me by General Motors to try another dealer. This is where I'm at currently with the situation.

- La Porte, TX, USA

problem #4

Jun 012021

Malibu

  • miles
Speed reduced, reduced engine power, hard breaking and noise, engine light one, all gages flash, service esc! On dash

- Yorktown , IN, USA

problem #3

May 242021

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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. This initial problem appeared on 5-20-21.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #2

May 222021

Malibu

  • miles
Vehicle slowed down alot by itself upon driving and when pushing the gas pedal the vehicle would not go any faster. I had to pull over in someones driveway to get out of the way of multiple cars behind me! Car is available for inspection. My safety was very much in danger cause what happened to the car could have caused cars to hit me from behind! The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealership. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealership. There were no warning lamps or messages.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #1

May 232021

Malibu

  • miles
Acceleration slowed down and didn't want to speed up when gas pedal pressed. Car is available for inspection. Safety was at risk cause a car could of hit me. Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealership. Vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warnings or symptoms. Problems appeared 5-20-21, 5-22-21, and 5-23-21.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

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