2022 Chevrolet Malibu problems, complaints & recalls
FewerRising
NHTSA has received 98 owner complaints about the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, or 20.5 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.51, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2022 vehicles we track, it ranks #41 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 56% lower; against other Midsize sedans it is 46% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2022-05-13 and 2026-09-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 10 days.
98Complaints
20.5Complaints per year on the road
0.51Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
4.1%Share involving a crash or fire
49Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2021) drew 15.5 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2023) drew 18.7 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2022 model collected 7 complaints, 91% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (34.7% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (19.4%) and Transmission / powertrain (17.3%). Engine complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 4 reports (4.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 42 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (62% of incidents). In the last 12 months 49 new complaints were filed, versus 23 in the 12 months before — up 113%.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.51
vs. other Chevrolet models0.44
vs. other 2022 models0.52
vs. other Midsize sedans0.54
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (7)0.09
While the vehicle was in motion, it unexpectedly shut down, resulting in a sudden loss of power. No warning lights, alerts, or malfunction indicators were displayed prior to or during the shutdown.
Unspecified or other · 2025-12-17 · ODI 11705743 · Crash
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her son was driving on an off-ramp at 20 MPH, he rear-ended the vehicle in front where it was brought to a stop. No air bags were deployed. No warning light was illuminated.
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.
Electrical · 2026-09-28 · ODI 11767394
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.
Other · 2026-09-21 · ODI 11765770
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.
Fuel system · 2026-09-03 · ODI 11761826
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Campaign 22V923000 · 2022-12-14
Summary: 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.
