The Lemon Index2020 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu is better than average by owner complaints: 81 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 81, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 1 recall, and it gets 26 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2016–2024 Chevy Malibu, 15.1M views. The 2020 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.3M views
Chevrolet Malibu with "Start/Stop" (2016-2024) - New Battery InstallThe Battery Shop · 320K views · 7 videos - Transmission & shifter726K views
2016 + Chevy Malibu Shifter Error FAST FIX (Shift To Park Message) Traverse Volt Cadillac Buick gmNoNonsenseKnowHow · 470K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors686K views
2014 (2013-2016) Chevrolet Malibu LS 2.5 Code P16D0 (P16D1) Intake Solenoid Valve ReplacementFixIT · 261K views · 5 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring584K views
👉 AT NIGHT 2016 Chevrolet Malibu - Interior and Exterior LightingMikesCarInfo · 175K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door240K views
Chevy Malibu AC Recharge 2016- 2023Flashback502 · 127K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition212K views
2018 CHEVY MALIBU NO CRANK/ NO START UP ISSUE...DIY DIAGNOSIS -FIXED...Peter L · 73K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS141K views
2022 HARD Brake Pedal On Chevy Malibu, Equinox FIXMenjicar · 74K views · 2 videos - Cooling system84K views
Chevy Malibu Thermostat Change! 2013-2016Flashback502 · 84K views
Before you buy, watch
Chevy Malibu 9th Gen 2016-2022 common problems, issues, defects, recalls and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 172K views
2016-2022 Chevy Malibu 9 Problems and Issues Before You BuyFixIT · 79K views
2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier - Exterior and Interior Walk AroundFrontSeatReviews · 1.1M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 198 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 41K to 89K miles on the car (45 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 52K–86K miles
Recalls 1
- seat belts 2021
The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 772 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This informational bulletin provides information on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil…
- This engineering information (EI) is requesting to gather information from the field on a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDtn air bag inflator rupture2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle seems to want to stall out from time to time when pressing the gas
2020 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 11413318
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 11526119
The steering assist is reduced will come on. The car randomly turns itself off and back on when at a stoplight; this has happened four times now. I worry that it will shut off and not restart creating a hazard on the road.
NHTSA complaint 11554590
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 81; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (49%), electrical (28%) and transmission & drivetrain (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1 safety recall (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu get?
26 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 41,000 and 89,200 miles. The middle report was at 68,000 miles, from 45 complaints.
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works