Last updated: 2026-04-20

2022 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Report
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu scores 80/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 1 recall and 66 owner complaints.
Recalls
1
Complaints
66
Complaint Rate
5.7per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$532
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,850–$2,650
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.
Top Issues to Watch
- POWER TRAIN (20)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14)
- ENGINE (3)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2022 is year 7 of the Ninth generation (2016).
- Redesigned for the 2016 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- A refresh arrives in 2024.
- 9th generation Malibu (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2016: Ninth generation (2016) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2022: This Model Year
2022 is year 7 of the Ninth generation (2016).
2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu earns an Excellent 80/100 reliability score. 2022 is year 7 of the Ninth generation (2016).
At 5.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold, its complaint rate sits below the Sedan segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.
A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.
Compared to the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, which scored 1 points higher. See also the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Strong reliability score
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (11%)
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
Cons
- −POWER TRAIN issues reported (20 complaints)
- −Shift to Park defect reported at 28,000–50,000 miles
Compare 2022 Chevrolet Malibu With

2022 Toyota Camry
Reliability: 84/100

2022 Nissan Altima
Reliability: 83/100

2022 KIA K5
Reliability: 69/100

2022 Hyundai Sonata
Reliability: 65/100

2022 Honda Accord
Reliability: 77/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
HIGH RISK- POWER TRAIN (20)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
5.7
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 17.9
Safety Incidents
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 4/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2022 Chevrolet Malibu Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
STRUCTURE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.
Consequence
An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Buying a used 2022 Chevrolet Malibu? Check its history first
Every 2022 Chevrolet Malibu has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2022 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 10.3%
Safety Technologies
Chevrolet MalibuRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$532
vs $526 avg for midsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
11%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
26–32 MPG
Running cost: $2,400–$3,200/yr
Fuel + repair
22–29 city / 33–36 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2022 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu 1.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 | 36 | 32 | $1,850 |
| Malibu 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,650 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu.
Test for 'Shift to Park' error when shifting to Park
Check for turbocharger issues, especially around 66,000 miles
Verify engine power and check for 'Engine Power Reduced' warnings
Inspect steering for jerking or 'Power Steering Assist Is Reduced' warnings
Ensure air bags deploy properly in crash scenarios
Confirm Bluetooth and infotainment system functionality
2022 Chevrolet Malibu Common Problems by Component
66 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
POWER TRAIN
20 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report persistent issues with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu's power train, particularly involving the "Shift to Park" defect, which prevents the vehicle from recognizing when it is in park, leading to difficulties in shutting off the engine and potential battery drain. This issue is frequently noted around 28,000 to 50,000 miles and often requires owners to shift back and forth multiple times to resolve. Additionally, turbo underboost (code P0299) is another common problem, causing reduced engine performance and limp mode, with some reports of near-crash situations. Two complaints involve crashes, one due to a transmission fault code P0826, leading to unintended acceleration and collision with a curb. These patterns suggest potential safety risks, particularly with the vehicle's ability to secure itself when parked and maintain consistent power delivery.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
18 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report a persistent issue with the vehicle failing to recognize when it is in the Park position. Symptoms include receiving a "Shift to Park" message even when the gear shifter is visibly in Park, preventing the car from shutting off properly. This issue often requires owners to repeatedly manipulate the gear shifter to clear the message, which can take several minutes. One complaint involves a crash with an injury due to a sudden loss of power while driving, indicating potential safety implications. No specific mileage range or timeline is consistently mentioned, but the recurrence of this issue across multiple vehicles suggests it is a common problem.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14 complaintsOwners report several recurring issues with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu's electrical system. Complaints frequently mention a "shift to park" message that appears even when the vehicle is in park, preventing the electrical system from shutting off. Additionally, multiple owners describe problems with the vehicle cutting off while driving, often accompanied by messages like "press brake to start engine" or "engine power reduced," leading to a loss of acceleration and posing potential safety risks, especially at highway speeds. Some reports indicate Bluetooth connectivity problems affecting hands-free capabilities, and issues with the infotainment system causing related malfunctions. These problems appear across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 1,900 miles, and are noted for the potential to create hazardous driving conditions.
ENGINE (3 complaints)
ENGINE
3 complaintsOwners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues related to the turbocharger, with multiple complaints indicating failure of the turbo or turbo waste gate. Symptoms commonly described include the check engine light illuminating, reduced engine power, and the vehicle entering limp mode. These issues are often reported around 66,000 miles, shortly after the expiration of the warranty. While no crashes or loss of control are mentioned, the reduced engine power could impact driving performance. Potential buyers should be aware of these turbocharger concerns, especially if considering a vehicle near or beyond this mileage range.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3 complaintsOwners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with the turbocharger, with symptoms including unexpected deceleration, stalling, and the vehicle entering LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light commonly illuminates during these events. These problems often occur at mileages ranging from 38,000 to 110,022 miles. Additionally, one complaint mentions transmission and gear shifter issues, but the primary focus remains on turbocharger failures. No crashes or fires are reported, but the sudden loss of power could pose safety concerns.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsOwners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu report issues with the steering system, particularly when starting from a stop or while driving at various speeds. Symptoms include the steering wheel jerking and a warning message indicating "Power Steering Assist Is Reduced." Additionally, some owners describe the vehicle losing power steering functionality, often accompanied by reduced speed, unresponsive brakes, and illuminated warning lights such as traction control and check engine. These issues have been reported around 29,901 miles, and in some cases, the vehicle has been towed for repairs, but problems persist. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control, though no crashes are reported.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaintsOwners report issues with the vehicle speed control in the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, particularly involving unexpected deceleration and failure to accelerate as intended. Complaints frequently mention the "Engine Power Reduced" warning, with one owner experiencing a turbocharger failure and another encountering repeated accelerator position sensor failures. Symptoms typically occur around 58,000 to 62,000 miles, with one owner noting multiple visits to the dealer and component replacements within an eight-month period. Safety implications include the vehicle's inability to maintain speed, which could pose risks if the issue occurs in traffic. This information is useful for potential buyers considering the vehicle's performance at higher mileage.
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report issues with the air bag system in the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, particularly noting non-deployment during collisions. A specific incident involves a crash at low speed (20 MPH) where the air bags did not deploy despite significant vehicle damage, and no warning lights were activated. Another complaint mentions an unspecified failure in the safety restraint system that remains unresolved by Chevrolet. These issues appear in vehicles with high mileage, around 90,000 miles, and have safety implications, as one crash resulted in injury to another party. Potential buyers should be aware of these air bag system concerns, especially in used models with higher mileage.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaintChevy, and many GM vehicles love to illuminate the white “reverse” lights when parked. This is a fundamental departure from what it means when these *white* lights are illuminated, i.e., the car is in reverse and pedestrians and other vehicles should prepare for the vehicle to back up. However, with the above auto manufacturers, that rule is broken and now there are tens of thousands, or millions of vehicles on the road, and myriad parking lots/garages where these fundamental tenets for the expectation of a potential vehicle behavior has been broken. The notion that this is a “safety” feature to illuminate the area around the vehicle is inherently flawed. Other automobile manufacturers have seemed to fare just fine without this departure of what white lights mean on the back of a vehicle. When something has a long-standing specific meaning (i.e., I might go in reverse), and then that rule is changed, or augmented in ways that are non-uniform across automobile manufacturers, it renders the original intended purpose to be futile. At what point will somebody become severely injured and/or die because the white lights of a Chevy were ignored, and a car, did in fact, go in reverse. Going in reverse is now the exception when white lights illuminate on these cars, not the rule, and this is a terrible “feature” for alerting others about the intended behavior of the vehicle. The NHTSA should clarify the intended purpose of when white (reverse) rights are allowed to illuminate before the meaning of these lights becomes even more degraded.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintI have issues with my 2022 Malibu trying to accelerate while applying the brakes. I was in a parking lot looking for a parking space with the brake down (my foot nowhere near the accelerator), and the engine was revving to over 3000 rpms. I called the dealer today and the service department closed right before I called. I will be on the phone early Monday morning. This car is currently unsafe to drive
When Do 2022 Chevrolet Malibu Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Chevrolet Malibu Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Chevrolet Malibu Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2023 with a reliability score of 81/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2025 (80/100) and 2024 (80/100).
Chevrolet Malibu Years to Avoid
The worst Chevrolet Malibu year is 2018 with a score of 62/100, primarily due to power train (157) issues.
Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Score Trend
Chevrolet Malibu reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 80/100 compared to 71/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 62/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 80/100 | Excellent |
Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
How many recalls does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have?
Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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