This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Malibu | 94 |
| 2017 Malibu | 81 |
| 2018 Malibu | 92 |
| 2019 Malibu | 20 |
| 2020 Malibu (this page) | 17 |
| 2022 Malibu | 16 |
| 2023 Malibu | 7 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct conditions of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely cold weather conditions, CAC Icing, MIL Illuminated with DTCs set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe sudden loss of engine power while driving, with the vehicle entering a limp mode that caps speed at 25-40 mph or stalling completely. The "Engine Power Reduced" warning appears on the dash, often accompanied by check engine and traction control lights. This happens unpredictably during normal acceleration and highway passing maneuvers, sometimes lasting an hour or more. One owner reported it occurring since the 900-mile mark; another still experiences it at 19,273 miles despite repeated dealer visits.
Dealership repairs have included throttle body replacement, turbocharger replacement, spark plug and air filter changes, and even cylinder and injector replacements—sometimes twice on the same vehicle. None of these repairs resolve the recurring stalling. Diagnostic findings vary: some point to over 1,000 misfires in cylinders 3 and 4, oil pressure circuit codes, unburned fuel in cylinder 2, or bore scope evidence of a burned piston. A regional GM engineer from Spokane reportedly inspected one vehicle without reaching a diagnosis.
One owner also reported vacuum pump failure causing loss of power brakes on the highway, followed by camshaft breakage. Technical Service Bulletin PIP5812 has been referenced by owners as associated with these failures. The manufacturer has not issued a coordinated fix, and owners report GM referenced a 2018 lawsuit involving the same issue on Malibus.
Same Chevrolet Malibu engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of Engine Power / Reduced Power Mode
Engine enters a limp mode or completely stalls during normal driving, particularly during acceleration or when passing other vehicles on highways. Vehicle refuses to exceed 25-40 mph and displays 'Engine Power Reduced' message. This occurs intermittently and repeatedly, sometimes over months or years of ownership.
When: Throughout ownership; reported as early as late 2020 or August 2021 depending on vehicle; one owner at 19,273 miles still experiencing issue since new purchase; another at 77,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls suddenly during acceleration or highway passing; Check engine light illuminates (flashing in some cases); Traction control light comes on; Vehicle speed caps at 25-40 mph involuntarily; Engine refuses to accelerate when pedal depressed; Power loss lasts 60+ minutes in some cases; Issues occur at various speeds and driving conditions
Codes mentioned: Engine Oil Pressure Circuit Stuck Closed, Engine Oil Pressure Circuit Stuck Off, Oil Pump Pressure Code, Underboost Code, P1101 (Mass Air Flow Sensor), Multiple cylinder misfire codes (cylinders 3, 4, and 2 reported)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement ($600 plus hose clamp); spark plug and air filter replacement ($500); cylinder and injector replacements (two separate repairs); turbocharger replacement diagnosed but vehicle unrepaired in some cases; repairs do not resolve recurring issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM referred owners to NHTSA Hotline; one owner reports GM lawsuit in 2018 for same issue with Malibus; GM requested owner drive unsafe vehicle for further diagnostics; dealerships unable to diagnose in several cases despite regional engineer involvement
Throttle Body and Turbocharger Malfunction
Throttle body fails or becomes dirty, requiring cleaning or replacement. Turbocharger fails or does not function properly, contributing to poor acceleration and power loss. Some owners report diagnostic findings of turbocharger failure or bore scope inspection showing burned/discolored piston in cylinder 2.
When: Early 2021 and beyond; diagnosed at 77,000 miles and 80,000 miles in separate complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation during acceleration; Abnormal jerking when depressing accelerator; White smoke from tailpipe; Elevated RPM with hesitation; Failed to accelerate as intended
Codes mentioned: Turbocharger failure (diagnostic finding), Unburned fuel in cylinder 2 (excess fuel detected)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement and turbocharger replacement; technical service bulletin PIP5812 referenced by one owner as associated with failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers diagnosed turbocharger failure but some vehicles remained unrepaired; manufacturer referred to NHTSA for assistance
Misfire and Fuel System Issues
Multiple cylinders misfire repeatedly. Bore scope inspection revealed burned or discolored piston in cylinder 2, indicating combustion problems. Unburned fuel accumulates in cylinders. Owners report two separate cylinder and injector replacement events.
When: From early ownership; reported at 900 miles; recurring through multiple years
Symptoms owners cite: Cylinders 3 and 4 showing over 1,000 misfires; Check engine light illuminates; Engine hesitation; White smoke from tailpipe; Burned or discolored piston surface
Codes mentioned: Multiple cylinder misfire codes, Unburned fuel code in cylinder 2
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs and air filter replacement ($500); cylinder and injector replacements performed twice on same vehicle (February 2022 and April 2022)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented for this failure mode
Brake Power Loss and Related Cascade Failure
Vacuum pump failed, causing loss of power brakes on highway. This led to secondary failure of camshaft, rendering vehicle unable to start. Separate incident also reports loss of power steering, power steering assist, and power brake functionality with stiff steering wheel.
When: Timing not specified; one vehicle at 65,000 miles reported related electrical/power system issues
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power brakes on highway; Stiff steering wheel; Loss of power steering assist; Services ESC light illuminates; Vehicle unable to start after camshaft damage
Codes mentioned: Check engine warning light, ESC warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump failure; camshaft breakage requiring engine-out repair likely; vehicle did not start after cascade failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer directed to authorized dealer; independent mechanic unable to diagnose
Hard Starting
Vehicle is difficult to start or exhibits hard start condition. One owner reports this coinciding with loss of power event.
When: Reported at unknown mileage; appears to coincide with power loss incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Hard start condition; Vehicle stalls and will not start in cascade failure scenario
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in reported instances
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Engine Light came on before a full year of having the car. Started August 23 2021 the car will take forever to move like engine was lock up or something then when you put the car in drive it was go backwards and when you put it in reverse it will go forward. Car has a head of its own. I am pregnant I don’t feel safe In this car and this car is not safe for my baby to be in I spoke to different…
Throwing code p1101 for the mass air flow sensor. This is a listed recall amongst other Malibu's but does not include my vin number. Check engine is on.
Had engine trouble with your 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 72,276 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.