2022 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Report
2022 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (70) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu with 3 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Malibu Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Malibu years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Chevrolet Malibu | 24 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Malibu | 62 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Chevrolet Malibu | 8 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Malibu | 180 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Chevrolet Malibu | 3 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Malibu | 182 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2022 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train,Electrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
Reliability Score
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu receives a reliability score of 4 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbocharger System Failure The turbocharger system, particularly the wastegate arm, has failed in multiple instances, leading to loss of boost and reduced engine performance. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Unexpected Deceleration Several reports indicate unexpected deceleration and engine power reduction, which can be hazardous. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Check Engine Light The check engine light has been frequently reported, often due to turbocharger issues, leading to reduced engine power. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Shift To Park Defect A known defect causes the vehicle to repeatedly refuse to recognize when it is in park, leading to inconvenience. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu:
Issues with the turbocharger system, including wastegate arm failures, are the most common problems.
The check engine light is frequently illuminated due to various issues, including turbocharger problems.
Reports of unexpected deceleration and engine power reduction have been noted.
A known defect causes the vehicle to repeatedly refuse to recognize when it is in park.
Recall Details for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu by NHTSA:
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.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Component/System Failure: The turbocharger system failed, specifically the wastegate arm, resulting in loss of boost and reduced engine performance. The failed component should be available for inspection upon request through the servicing dealership. Safety Risk: The failure caused a sudden loss of engine power while driving, placing me and others at risk, especially in traffic situations where ...
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 pe...
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 35 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, where they turned off the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. A mobile mechanic was called and inspected the vehicle. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P023F (Fu...
When shifting my car into park the vehicle did not recognize that the gear was indeed in park. I would get a message saying “Shift to Park” and I could not fully turn my car off. This problem made me feel unsafe as I didn’t know what to do when it wouldn’t turn off. My battery could have run down and I would be stranded. In researching this problem GM was sued for the very same problem in earlier ...
Two months after purchasing my used Chevy 2022 Malibu my engine light came on and also a notification stating Engine Power Reduced and the car was not performing well. I went to advanced auto to get a diagnostic and the results that were generated was the code P0299 along with several other codes. I have been dealing with this same issue over 6 months even after taking it to Chevrolet and them fix...
The car will cut off while driving and across the dashboard it’ll say “press brake to start engine”.
Turbo waste gate failed at under 66,000 miles, that’s just was soon after warranty expired at 60,000-5years GM recalled a select group for turbos for this year. This turbo on the 1.5L cars, falls and should be replaced on all models.
The Chevy Malibu turbo is malfunctioning and making a loud noise when driving also bringing up the engine light with codes
so ive been having issue's with my 2022 chevy malibu the check engine light has been on and i got it looked at twice both saying its my turbo i looked up online and in detail recalls and other websites on chevy's and the 2018 and 2022 malibu's are recalled for there turbo chargers and says GM has a recall im at like 66k miles and it says reduced engine power and my light is staying on please help ...
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated and failed to exceed 40 MPH, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle unexpectedly went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with turbocharger failure. The contact was informed that the ...
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the message “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed, and the vehicle decelerated unexpectedly. The driver pulled over and was informed to turn off the vehicle and restart the vehicle with the assistance of a Police Officer. The vehicle was restarted but failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. The vehicle was tow...
When car in park and I turn engine off I get a notification - !shift to park I turn car back on put in reverse and back to park turn engine off and get the same message , I do this repeatedly 3x
When coming from a stop the steering wheel jerks and a warning message appear on the dashboard display, "Power Steering Assist Is Reduced. Drive with care."
Check engine light came on. Took car to Autozone and O'Reilly's to be given the same P0299 code which is a failed turbocharger. Reduced engine power, car goes into limp mode. GM has issued a special coverage program for 2022 Chevy Malibu as of Nov 2025 but for some reason my car is not covered!!
My 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is experiencing the known “Shift to Park” defect and an “Air Induction System” fault. The vehicle repeatedly refuses to recognize the Park position even after moving the shifter into Park. This causes the vehicle to stay powered on, prevents it from shutting off, and forces me to shift back and forth multiple times to get the car to register Park. This is unsafe because th...
Purchased the car February 14 2025 with 102,664 miles on it. About 2 weeks ago I was merging on a highway and it went into limp mode and I almost get rear-ended. It felt like it lost all power. The check engine light came on and I drove it to Auto Zone to have it scanned and code P0299 was the code, turbo underboost. I then went to O'Reilly's for a second opinion and their scanner also said turbo ...
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. Additionally, no crash detection or safety alert was activated. This sudden failure caused the vehicle to be rear-ended.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and then went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo charger had failed, causi...
Shift to Park light remains on and car will not shut down when it is in Park already. This is an existing issue with Chevy Malibu but no recall yet.
The vehicle has experienced ongoing engine performance and safety-related warning events. The first major issue was a single occurrence of an overheating condition that displayed an “Engine Overheating – Idle Engine” warning. After that event, the vehicle was taken in for repairs. Following the repair attempt, the vehicle began displaying repeated check-engine warnings and multiple occurrences of...
Showing 20 of 70 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
Has the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU been recalled?
Yes, the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
The 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 70 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 4/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU involve unknown or other (17 complaints), power train (7 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints). Other affected components include power train,electrical system, engine, electrical system,unknown or other,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU out of 70 total complaints (5.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
There are no fire reports for the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU.
How many injuries are reported for the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU is acceptable with caveats. It has 70 complaints, 1 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The components with the most failures on the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (17 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (7 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints), 5. ENGINE (3 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 17 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Be cautious of potential turbocharger issues and unexpected deceleration. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing. The 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 70 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU receives a reliability score of 4/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 70 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Turbocharger System Failure and Unexpected Deceleration.
What are the known issues with the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Known issues with the 2022 CHEVROLET MALIBU include: Turbocharger System Failure, Unexpected Deceleration, Check Engine Light, Shift to Park Defect. These are based on patterns found across 70 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
Common issues include turbocharger failures, unexpected deceleration, and check engine lights.
Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu prone to unexpected deceleration?
Yes, several reports indicate unexpected deceleration and engine power reduction.
What should I do if my check engine light comes on?
Have the vehicle inspected, as turbocharger issues are a common cause.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential turbocharger issues and unexpected deceleration. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The data includes 70 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 4 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14