2020 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems
17 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (17)
Your car hesitates and struggles to accelerate normally when you press the gas pedal, and the check engine light is on. A mechanic identified this as a known issue (TSB N222372590) that Chevrolet is aware of. The dealer can inspect and repair this, which likely involves diagnosing the engine control system or fuel delivery.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your engine RPM unexpectedly spikes while driving and your car hesitates. When you press the accelerator at 35-40 MPH, the car shudders and white smoke comes from the exhaust, with a flashing engine warning light and reduced power message. A mechanic suggested the throttle body needs cleaning, while another suspected turbocharger issues. The dealer hasn't diagnosed or repaired the problem yet.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your check engine light came on while driving at 35 mph, and you noticed the car jerking and hesitating when you pressed the accelerator, especially at stops. The engine RPM fluctuated before the transmission suddenly shifted hard, then the car returned to normal. The dealer diagnosed a failed turbocharger that needs replacement. This issue happened once before with similar symptoms (no acceleration response), but the dealer couldn't find a cause that time.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your check engine light is on and your car is displaying an error code (P1101) related to the mass air flow sensor, which measures how much air enters the engine. While other 2020 Malibus have been recalled for this issue, your vehicle's identification number isn't included in that recall. The mass air flow sensor may need to be cleaned or replaced to resolve the code.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Vacuum pump blew . Causing me to lose brakes on the highway. It led to a series of events. Camshaft broke in the midst of this so my car will not start again.
I purchased a brand new, 2020 Chevrolet Malibu in March of 2020. The car had 90 miles on it when I purchased it. Those 90 miles were on it due to it being driven to me from Illinois because the dealership in Illinois had the exact car and color I wanted. In late 2020 I started having reduced engine power. The car would mis fire, randomly lose engine power and only allow me to drive below 40mph and the check engine light would come on. Early 2021, I kept having these issues and called the dealership where I purchased the car and they stated that the throttle body was bad. The throttle body was replaced along with a new hose clamp for the hose that connects to the turbo. I have continued to have the same issues since then. When accelerating above 4000rpm's, the car will stall and say "Engine Power Reduced." This causes the engine to completely stall and has almost caused me to be in numerous accidents. I called the dealership and they came and got my car from my house with a truck and trailer. I was advised to not drive it because one of the codes was "Engine Oil Pressure Circuit Stuck Closed." They picked it up on Monday, 10/2/2023. The next day, 10/3/2023, they called me with a diagnosis. Cylinders 3 & 4 were showing over 1,000 misfires, engine oil pressure circuit stuck off, engine oil pump pressure, and an under boost code. I was informed that my spark plugs may be bad. Turns out, according to them, it needed new spark plugs. The spark plugs and air filter were replaced costing me $500 on top of the $600 that I paid for the new throttle body and hose clamp for the turbo. I got my car back last Wednesday, 10/4/2023. Today, 10/10/2023. The dash said "Engine Power Reduced", the engine stalled, and I was almost hit again because my car would not accelerate. This is a common problem with Malibus and it is a serious safety risk! GM had a lawsuit against them in 2018 for this SAME ISSUE with Malibus. GM needs held accountable BEFORE a life and/or lives are lost!!!!
The ingine turns off while driving.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the odometer and tachometer readings were incorrect. The Services ESC, power steering, power steering assist, and check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restated and operated normally; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff and the vehicle lost power brakes functionality. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Reduce engine power warming lamp. Cars just suddenly loses power when driving at high rate of speed. Car slows abs f won’t go over 2ph causing hazardous situations and endangering occupants and other drivers. This issue has been repaired twice abs is now the third time.
Vehicle lost power after trying to go around a truck on the highway. Car will decline in power and traction light and engine light blinks for a period of 60 minutes some times longer. While in traffic you can not press the gas to go, leaving your car to decline in speed on the highway. Please recall the 2020 Malibu before someone get seriously hurt. Dealerships are aware. Do i need to get the news people involved? Mine has been happing since my purchase. ( New car purchase) service departments dont understand it either. Had my first cylinder and injectors replaced February 2022 , Second Cylinder and all injectors replaced April 1st. 2022. Horrible car
Engine loses power while driving. This happened the first time on 8/24/2. I was on the NJ Parkway in highspeed traffic . The vehicle would not drive over 25 miles an hour putting all occupants in the car at risk. The dealership repaired the vehicle The same loss of engine power re-occurred on 3/12/22 while driving at over 50 miles an hour. the car just slowed without warning, and I was unable to increase speed on a busy roadway
Engine loses power while driving. This happened the first time on 8/24/21 I was on the NJ Parkway in highspeed traffic . The vehicle would not drive over 25 miles an hour putting all occupants in the car at risk. The dealership repaired the vehicle The same loss of engine power re-occurred on 3/12/22 while driving at over 50 miles an hour. the car just slowed without warning, and I was unable to increase speed on a busy roadway
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. I am pregnant I don’t feel safe In this car and this car is not safe for my baby to be in I spoke to different people who has the same car as me they experiencing the same thing 2019 and 2020 ..
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. Normally I’d have to pull over but if I’m in traffic I can not. This has been reported to The dealership starting at 900 Miles. I was told it’s probably bad gas. I continue to report and was advised nothing is wrong. I have noticed a change in applying acceleration. Its more a force to go. This has been going on since the purchase. I am now at 19, 273 miles
VEHICLE SEEMS TO WANT TO STALL OUT FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN PRESSING THE GAS
MY 2020 CHEV MALIBU PROMISED ON THE WEB SITE AND ON THE MSRP THAT IT WOULD GET "29 MILES PER GALLON IN THE CITY". THIS WAS ALSO PROMISED ON THE 2021 MODEL. I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN 24 MPH OR LESS IN THE CITY. THE CAR IS ONE YEAR OLD. I HAVE HAD THREE MEETINGS & SERVICE CHECK OUTS WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THAT THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. SO, I NEED GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO FIX MY VEHICLE SO THAT IT GETS WHAT WAS PROMISED.
CAR LOST POWER WHEN PASSING A TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY, HARD START,IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR GOING ON THREE WEEKS TOMORROW. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE RESOLUTION CENTER SAID THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ANSWERING E-MAILS AND HE COULD NOT GIVE US ANY INFORMATION. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID HE AND THE MASTER TECH HAD BOTH DRIVEN THE CAR AND BOTH SAID THAT THEY DETECTED A PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SHOWED EXCESS, OR UNBURNED FUEL IN THE #2 CYLINDER. THE MASTER TECH SAID HE PUT A BORE SCOPE INTO THE #2 CYLINDER AND SAW A BURNED OR DISCOLORED SPOT ON THE PISTON. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT A REGIONAL ENGINEER HAD COME DOWN FROM SPOKANE WA. AND DRIVEN THE CAR WITH ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. THEY STILL HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT GM WANTS US TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND DRIVE IT. WE FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND WE ARE REFUSING TO DRIVE IT. THEY ARE NOT COMING UP WITH A RESOLUTION TO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM.