The Lemon Index2022 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 57 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 40, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 1 recall, and it gets 26 to 32 mpg combined. It's the best Chevrolet Malibu year we track.
One of the most reliable. 2.5× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2004
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 2022 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 99 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2022 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 38K to 82K miles on the car (24 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 1
- body structure 2022
The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
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
shift to park issue and at times could not turn engine off
2022 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 11700083
More owner reports
Was going about 30 car felt like it was sliding and not getting traction
NHTSA complaint 11624537
My safety restraint system keeps failing out and says itâs a seatbelt tensioner problem. Gm has repaired many times and still fails out.
NHTSA complaint 11576730
Quick answers
Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2022 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (40%), transmission & drivetrain (33%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1 safety recall (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu get?
26 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2022 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 2022 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 38,000 and 82,700 miles. The middle report was at 66,300 miles, from 24 complaints.
Does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
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