2020, 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Top Problems and Complaints

Owners of 2020 Chevrolet Malibu report a variety of problems and complaints they’ve experienced over the past two years, but perhaps the most troublesome is an issue involving its ability to accelerate and frequent stalling. Meanwhile, the newer 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has a few issues of its own.

Named after the California coastal city of Malibu, a celebrity playground known for its beaches and sweeping canyon views, the Chevrolet Malibu has been on the streets since its 1964 debut.

However, unlike its pricy namesake, owners of the 2020 model often choose the midsize sedan for its affordability and great fuel economy. In fact, at $22,000, it’s one of the lowest price in the midsize category of vehicles. Buyers of the high-end Premier models pay from $33,370.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 18 complaints from owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. Also, there is one recall for the vehicle. The newer, 2021 Malibu has one recall and just three complaints so far.

Among the issues expressed by 2020 model owners are issues such as being unable to turn off the vehicle or put it in park, the brake pedal is so hard they felt that the car did not want to stop. The biggest complaint by far, however, is when drivers pressed the gas pedal and the vehicle slowed down and or stalled. The situation is clearly a safety issue, but there are no reported injuries or deaths at this time.

2020 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Stalling, Acceleration Issues

Indeed, many Malibu owners complained to the NHTSA they experienced sudden reduced engine power and speed as they tried to accelerate. Also, the vehicle randomly shut off in some cases while they were driving.

Specifically, as the driver pressed the gas pedal, the car slowed down and stalled. Some reported a “reduced steering” light illuminates and the car slows down. Drivers who experienced this noted that they had to pull over out of fear they would be rear-ended by another vehicle on the freeway. Another said upon startup it shook and vibrated before it completely stalled.

These owners also worried they would become stranded somewhere. Some say the engine light and traction also comes on and others stated there is no warning lights at all.

These drivers say the dealership was unable to reproduce or confirm the problem or fix it with one stating the car was in the shop for 19 days and another was at the repair shop for more than 3 weeks.

The problem is not new to the Chevrolet Malibu. Indeed, there is a Service Bulletin and ECM update specific to 2019 models that addresses the lack of power and hesitation on take off with or without a couple fault codes. Also, there was a similar issue on 2018 models.

Chevrolet Malibu Sales Declining in 2020-2021 Years

Last year, there were 102,652 Chevrolet Malibu sedans sold in the United States, down from 120,302 in 2019. Sales are trending significantly lower in 2021 with 31, 886 sold through June, 20201, according to GM Authority. Overall, sales of the Chevrolet Malibu began declining in 2017 after peaking in 2016 with 227,881 vehicles sold.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu has a 3.5 out of five predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power. This makes it slightly above average among similar vehicles. Also, the Chevrolet Malibu warranty is: three-year/36,000-mile and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson

If you purchased a defective Chevrolet or General Motors vehicle and you have repeated problems, it may be time to call for help.

California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson will review your case and let you know if it qualifies as a lemon.

We recommend that you obtain an invoice for all repairs and recall visits from the dealership. These documents will support your potential case. Should the vehicle experience repeated issues or become a safety risk, these documents support the Lemon Law Claim. Contact us for a free case review at 800-558-1087.