Last updated: 2026-03-04

80
ExcellentReliability score: 80 out of 100, rated Excellent
2022 Chevrolet Malibu

2022 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Score & Common Problems

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.

2022 is year 7 of the Ninth generation (2016).

Recalls

1

Complaints

66

Complaint Rate

5.7

per 10k sold

Below avg

Est. Annual Cost

$532

About avg

Major Repair Risk

11%

NHTSA Rating

4/5

Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity35%
72/100 (Good)

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs30%
80/100 (Excellent)

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact20%
88/100 (Excellent)

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity15%
90/100 (Excellent)

Breadth of reported problem categories

Buy

Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.

Top Issues

POWER TRAIN (20)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14)

1 recall on record

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 7)

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.

Ninth generation (2016)

2016redesign
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022selected
2023
2024refresh
2025

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).

Its complaint rate (5.7 per 10k sold) sits below the Sedan segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.

A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, whether purchased 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

Common Problem Categories

Safety

  • 1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

  • POWER TRAIN (20)
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14)
  • ENGINE (3)
  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3)
  • STEERING (2)
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2)
  • AIR BAGS (2)
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1)
  • SERVICE BRAKES (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

1

recall on record

The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu has 1 recall on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

5.7

per 10k sold

Segment avg: 16.5

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

4

Fires

0

Injuries

1

Deaths

0

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.

22V9230002022-12-14

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.

2022 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 10.3%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Not Available)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Chevrolet Malibu Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5

Based 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

Malibu
$532
Category Avg
$526
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

When Buying a Used 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.

  • 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

Check Any 2022 Chevrolet Malibu's History Before You Buy

Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2022 Malibu in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Chevrolet Malibu with a free VIN lookup.

Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.

2022 Chevrolet Malibu Common Problems by Component

66 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

20
18
14
POWER TRAIN (20)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14)ENGINE (3)ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3)STEERING (2)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2)AIR BAGS (2)Other (2)

POWER TRAIN

20 complaintsSafety-related

Owners 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.

20 complaints total2 crashes

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

18 complaintsSafety-related

Owners 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.

18 complaints total1 crash1 injury

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 complaints

Owners 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.

14 complaints total
ENGINE (3 complaints)

ENGINE

3 complaints

Owners 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.

3 complaints total
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3 complaints)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 complaints

Owners 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.

3 complaints total
STEERING (2 complaints)

STEERING

2 complaints

Owners 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.

2 complaints total
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

Owners 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.

2 complaints total
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)

AIR BAGS

2 complaintsSafety-related

Owners 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.

2 complaints total1 crash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint
2024-05-10

Chevy, 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 complaint
2023-07-15

I 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.

28,000–50,000 milesShift to Park defect
62,000–66,000 milesTurbocharger failure

Best & Worst Chevrolet Malibu Years

Best Chevrolet Malibu Years to Buy

The 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.

See full Chevrolet Malibu years-to-avoid analysis →

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.

avg 76
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Chevrolet Malibu reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201862/100Good
201974/100Good
202074/100Good
202174/100Good
202280/100Excellent
202381/100Excellent
202480/100Excellent
202580/100Excellent

Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202580/1000Excellent03
202480/100-1Excellent18
202381/100+1Excellent123
2022(selected)80/100+6Excellent166
202174/1000Good261
202074/1000Good1178
201974/100+12Good1181
201862/100Good6673

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Yes, the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is considered highly reliable with a score of 80/100 ("Excellent"). It has 1 recall and a complaint rate below the segment average, placing it among the more dependable vehicles in its class.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu include: POWER TRAIN (20 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14 complaints), ENGINE (3 complaints), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.
How many recalls does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have?
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu has 1 recall on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.
Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu expensive to maintain?
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is expected to have below-average maintenance costs at $532/year, which is $6 more than the midsize cars average of $526. Its high reliability score of 80/100 and complaint rate below the segment average suggest that unexpected repairs are uncommon.

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue