2020 Chevrolet Malibu: battery drain or dead battery

5 of the 203 complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu describe battery drain or dead battery.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 130 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Battery drain or dead battery by model year

2022
2
2021
8
2020
5
2019
5
2018
5
2017
6
2016
18
2015
1
2013
8
2012
2
2011
3
2010
1
2009
3
2008
2
2005
5
2003
2
2002
2
2000
1

What owners say

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Transmission · VA

My vehicle displays a "shift to park" message on the dashboard, even when the gear selector is in the park position. This prevents the car from being shut off, and in sometimes, the doors may not be able to be locked. Not understanding the issue initially has thus caused me to have to replace my car battery numerous times for battery drainage.

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Transmission · TX

My car is displaying a "Shift to Park" message on the dashboard even when the shifter is already in the park position, preventing the vehicle from being turned off and potentially leading to a dead battery or the vehicle rolling away. The "Shift to Park" issue poses safety risks, as it can prevent drivers from turning off their vehicles and potentially lead to unintended movement. This issue is getting worse everyday.

Filed Jul 12, 2024 · Electrical · MN

So far it is only once in a while when I shift into park and turn off the engine the ‘Shift to Park’ message will be displayed in the dash. Sometimes I can jiggle the shift lever a little to make it go out, other times I have to start/stop engine , shift out and into park several times to make it go out. I don’t want to leave the vehicle without making sure it’s in park. I read in another complaint that the doors won’t lock, and that it goes into accessory mode and could drain the battery down if left that way, but I did not check if that happens on my vehicle. It just started doing this a few weeks ago. I have not contacted the dealership yet, but I understand that GM has put out a recall on the Malibu and other models concerning this issue. I am hoping it will cover my VIN. number soon. Thank you for taking time to read my complaint.

Filed Jul 14, 2022 · Transmission · MO

A few days ago, when I put the car in park and turned it off, there was a message on the screen saying "Shift to Park." It was in park. I could not get out of the car because it was still getting power. If I tried to lock the doors, it sounded the alarm. I had to turn the car on and off multiple times to get it to go away. It would've drained the battery if I'd left it. Who knows if it was really in park either. It's been doing it ever since. I called the dealer and they want $350 to fix it. The guy told me they've been seeing this on Malibu's and "now it's happening on the Traverse models, too." I've been reading online how this has been happening since at least 2016, but there is no recall. Why NOT?? This is dangerous and they're aware of the problem. They've issued service bulletins on how to fix it!

Filed Mar 5, 2020 · Electrical · 640 miles · CO

My car had only 600 miles and is brand new. After sitting on the drive overnight the car wouldn't start. There was a lot of clicking noises, but the engine wouldn't turn. That was three weeks ago. I brought it to the dealership and they said that there were error codes on the battery, and that they recharged it. Today, the car clicks and won't turn over again. The car now has 1000 miles. The dealership told me that cars driving by their lot at night will cause random parked new vehicles with no key in it to flash lights, and use other electrical components randomly and it kills the batteries. I think this is a major concern. I park the car regularly in public lots at the airport. I can't have my car battery dead all the time simply because it decides to turn on as other cars drive by.