Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2023 | 17 | 24% | 70,000 miles |
| 2022 | 34 | 34% | 76,000 miles |
| 2021 | 15 | 17% | 68,000 miles |
| 2020 | 61 | 31% | 70,000 miles |
| 2019 | 66 | 34% | 52,000 miles |
| 2018 | 285 | 41% | 50,000 miles |
| 2017 | 258 | 37% | 57,000 miles |
| 2016 | 305 | 36% | 52,000 miles |
| 2015 | 71 | 26% | 70,000 miles |
| 2014 | 127 | 36% | 78,000 miles |
| 2013 | 214 | 26% | 77,000 miles |
| 2012 | 103 | 11% | 85,000 miles |
| 2011 | 172 | 18% | 73,000 miles |
| 2010 | 126 | 9% | 73,000 miles |
| 2009 | 70 | 5% | 109,000 miles |
| 2008 | 74 | 7% | 89,000 miles |
| 2007 | 35 | 4% | 92,000 miles |
| 2006 | 58 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 66 | 7% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2003 | 88 | 15% | 72,000 miles |
| 2002 | 85 | 15% | 73,000 miles |
| 2001 | 175 | 24% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 193 | 21% | 64,000 miles |
| 1999 | 143 | 18% | 59,000 miles |
| 1998 | 146 | 15% | 65,000 miles |
| 1997 | 64 | 14% | 68,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My 2024 Chevy Malibu has lost power and is not shifting properly yet it's not displaying any codes. It shifts and jerks very hard when on a cold start but also will not get up and go when I pull into traffic. This has caused me to almost get hit numerous times. It's like it freezes and won't go! The dealership could not recreate the problem (shocker), and since no codes they sent me away. Said last time it was due to the battery so I paid to replace that yet that did nothing to the engine/transmission problem. In addition to this issue, I think there's an electrical issue. My rear view camera will often be distorted like I'm looking through a fish bowl and it has also come on while I'm driving on the freeway. I often lose my infotainment system too. It loses connection all the time and the screen goes black and disconnects from CarPlay. …
was stopped at a red light. When the traffic light turned green, I pressed the accelerator to proceed through the intersection, but my vehicle did not respond or accelerate immediately. After several seconds, the vehicle finally began to move. This unexpected delay created a safety concern because I was unable to accelerate when traffic began moving.Which caused built up traffic and an almost wreck behind me
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally with several unknown warning lights illuminated and unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, there was a white fuel warning light illuminated with the message "Low Fuel" displayed after refueling the vehicle. The white exclamation warning icon with the "Shift to Park" message, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the "Engine Power Reduced message was displayed. Additionally, the power train and ESC warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure was not replicated; an aftermarket tracker was disconnected. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently entered LIMP mode. The message "Turn off to Reduce Power Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the cause of the failure was unidentifiable. The independent mechanic cleared the diagnostic trouble code; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a different independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond and lost automotive power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the residence on several occasions. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with turbocharger failure. The vehicle was not repaired because the mechanic lacked confidence in performing the required repair. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for the repair. Several dealers were contacted and informed that the vehicle was not under warranty or recall coverage. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with turbocharger failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was under recall. The vehicle was repaired; however, after the vehicle was serviced, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the charger air cooler had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was picked up and then taken to Auto Zone for a diagnostic test. The diagnostic test retrieved DTC: P0234 (Turbocharger/Supercharger "A" Over Boost Condition (Engine and Engine Cooling). …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate. After approximately 45 minutes of driving, the vehicle was turned off and restarted without the key fob. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle lost communication with the transmission, brakes, and engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that di-electric grease was needed on the wires. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. During the failure, the power steering became inoperable, with a grinding sound present and unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. After retrieving the vehicle, the failure persisted. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Related recalls (1)
Engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192221960.
NHTSA investigations
Engine coolant boils over
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (305), 2018 (285), 2017 (258), 2013 (214) and 2000 (193) model years. Engine complaints make up 36% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 19V-642 (engine, Sep 6, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (195 mentions), followed by the cooling system (153).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.