My 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is experiencing severe and progressively worsening electrical, transmission, powertrain, and braking problems. While driving, the RPMs climb to 5,000 or higher, but the vehicle struggles to accelerate and maintain speed. It enters limp mode and feels as though the transmission is stuck in a lower gear. I have had to pull over on the highway, shut the vehicle off, and restart it to temporarily restore normal operation. Initially, this lasted approximately 10 minutes, but now the vehicle only drives normally for about 2 minutes before the problem returns. The dashboard gauges repeatedly drop completely to zero, return to normal, and drop again. The gear selector physically moves, but the vehicle sometimes does not recognize the selected gear, making it difficult to shift into Park or Drive. The air conditioning also stops cooling and blows weak, hot air. The check engine light remains solid. Approximately two days ago, I also began experiencing loud thudding noises that appear to come from underneath the vehicle when braking. Due to these worsening problems, I pulled over at the nearest gas station and had the vehicle towed to a Chevrolet/GMC repair facility. These recurring failures create serious safety concerns, especially when driving on highways. Unexpected loss of acceleration, transmission malfunctions, electrical interruptions, inability to select gears, and braking noises could cause an accident and endanger other motorists. I am also aware of another 2020 Chevrolet Malibu experiencing potentially similar issues, although with different symptoms, including a flashing check engine light. I am requesting an investigation into potential safety defects involving the transmission, powertrain, electrical system, instrument cluster, and braking system.
The worst 2022 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine35
- Electrical34
- Transmission25
- Fuel system10
- Brakes6
- Acceleration4
- Airbags4
- Body2
- Lights2
- Seat belts2
- Steering2
- Wheels2
- Driver assistance1
- Seats1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
Check engine light 30Loss of power 15Won't shift 8
Trouble codes owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu mention
P0299 6
Recalls 1
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 22V923000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu 633
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Special Coverage
- This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories
- Unknown or other
- • Improvements to OnStar functionality.
- PI created to guide technicians through radio restriction process
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- Unknown or other
2022 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 29 | 36 | 32 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22 | 33 | 26 |
What 2022 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When I come to a roundabout I tap on the gas pedal to inch up the car would shudder then I would start going. This only happens at low speeds.
My Malibu has numerous electrical problems. Often involving the start stop feature. The door locks have locked and unlocked themselves The engine and battery warning light will come on but we don't know why. A metal piece of the front frame broke off and went through the condenser. I had to have the car towed causing more damage to the hood. I cannot drive it. The check battery light is also on. At times the button to power on car will not work. Then it will a few min later. .yes, car is available for inspection. It is unsafe to drive and has too many problems for a newer cat
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while adjusting the front driver's seat, the seat adjuster failed to operate as intended. The front driver's seat failed to move backwards. The contact stated that it was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
While driving my 2022 Chevrolet Malibu on the freeway, I experienced a loss of braking. This created a serious safety hazard because I was unable to stop the vehicle normally. The vehicle had previously displayed a check-engine warning. I brought the vehicle to the Chevrolet dealer. The dealer is requesting approximately $4,000 for repairs and has refused to perform the turbo-related recall/special coverage repair unless I pay for those repairs. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect and review whether the braking problem may be related to the known turbo/engine issue Break vacuum pump is broken and diagnose by the dealer . Check engine light was on prior to incident due from Turbo charger failure
Driving along the highway the CEL light came on followed by reduced engine power warning. Vehicle abruptly slowed down to 35mph (limp mode). Were there to be another vehicle behind me, they would have to do emergency braking. My vehicle would not start after pulling over to the shoulder. A tow truck was dispatched, and after diagnosis from the service center; The fuel pump module was found to be defective.
The car started giving warnings on the dash "SHIFT TO PARK" even though the shifter is in park. When it happens you can not shut the car off fully causing the battery to drain, you also can not lock the vehicle. The car only has 19K miles on it and GM refuses to fix because the car is out of the standard warranty period by six months.
I was driving and all of a sudden all the warning lights start going off on my vehicle’s dashboard and the car jerks back and forth while decelerating. This has happened twice on the highway putting me in danger of crashing or making cars around me crash. On a seperate occasion my brakes failed, causing the car to jerk abruptly in traffic, thankfully I was able to pull over. Some times the car will limit my speed to below 60mph for “safety” reasons. The same set of issues have happened to me at least six different times. Every time I take it into the dealership for repair they always charge me for something new saying they finally fixed it and yet I always keep coming back for the exact same thing. This car is not safe to drive and I’ve taken it to two dealerships with two very smart teams of people and none of them have been able to figure this out.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Special Coverage Program: N252508360 (turbocharger replacement for up to 15 years or 150,000 miles); however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in the program. The approximate failure mileage was 82,949.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with turbocharger failure. The contact was informed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 82,950.
Compare the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Owners have filed 100 complaints about the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, fewer than a typical Malibu model year.
What is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu year score?
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu scores 94 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
Engine and cooling, with 35 complaints, typically around 82,010 miles. Next is electrical (34).
How many recalls does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1 recall, covering structure.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have bad engine?
The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most engine complaints are 2016 (305 complaints), 2018 (286 complaints) and 2017 (258 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu get?
Official estimates for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu range from 26 to 32 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 29 city and 36 highway.
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