This service bulletin provides service procedure information to correct a customer concern of Shift to Park Displayed on DIC When Vehicle is in- Park, No Start - DTC B000A Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Malibu | 124 |
| 2019 Malibu | 51 |
| 2020 Malibu | 38 |
| 2021 Malibu | 18 |
| 2022 Malibu (this page) | 20 |
| 2023 Malibu | 10 |
| 2024 Malibu | 9 |
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
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 ↗This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2022 Malibu electrical cluster shows more than one systemic failure pattern. The most common is a false 'Shift to Park' message—vehicle already in Park but won't let the engine shut down, killing the battery. Owners replaced a shifter-detection switch around 15k miles; costs run over $600, and GM has faced lawsuits for the same defect in earlier models.
Engine power reduction is severe and dangerous: one owner hit a ceiling of 40 mph with fuel economy tanking to 7–8 mpg on a turbo 1.5L that should do much better. Fault codes point to fuel pump and sensor issues. That owner's VIN doesn't match the recall coverage, even though other 2022 models with identical engines are covered.
A separate string of complaints describes the vehicle stalling, hesitating, shaking, and producing loud ticking noises starting around 20k miles. Dealers run diagnostics but can't pinpoint the root cause. One owner also reports the engine cutting off completely while driving, with the dashboard ordering him to press the brake and restart.
Bluetooth disconnects daily while driving, interrupting GPS and hands-free calls—a distraction hazard. Using the infotainment system has caused headlight failures and phone overheating. On the safety-critical side, the safety restraint system trips repeatedly despite multiple repairs, and the telematics module fails, disabling the OnStar emergency-call system.
Same Chevrolet Malibu electrical reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Shift to Park false fault
Vehicle displays 'Shift to Park' message when gear is already in Park position, preventing the engine from shutting down and causing battery drain.
When: 15,263 miles and up; occurs intermittently after parking
Symptoms owners cite: Shift to Park message displays despite selector already in Park; Engine will not fully shut down; Electrical components remain active; Battery drain and dead battery; Vehicle becomes inoperable without external jump start
Repairs/costs cited: Internal switch replacement at GM dealer; reported cost over $600; one owner replaced switch at 15,263 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for affected VINs; GM has faced class action lawsuits for same issue in earlier models
Reduced engine power with fuel system faults
Engine power severely reduced, accompanied by check-engine lights and fault codes indicating fuel pump and sensor failures; fuel economy drops dramatically.
When: Under 100,000 miles; owner has 2022 LT 1.5L turbo model
Symptoms owners cite: Reduced engine power message; Check-engine light; Vehicle will not exceed 40 mph; Fuel economy drops to 7–8 mpg (normally much higher); Loss of power on freeway; speed drops suddenly and dangerously; Nearly caused accidents due to loss of acceleration
Codes mentioned: P0580 (fuel pump), Camshaft position sensor code (Bank 1), Solenoid codes
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced camshaft position sensor and solenoids; fuel pump suspected but not yet replaced; estimated cost $1,100 for fuel pump replacement at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for 2022 Malibu 1.5L turbo but owner's VIN not covered; recall mentions ECM recalibration fix; GM aware of similar issues in older models
Engine hesitation, stall, and shake with ticking noise
Engine stalls while driving, shakes violently, and produces loud ticking noise; check-engine light comes on intermittently then stays on.
When: 20,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Check-engine light on and off at 20k miles, then stays on; Vehicle wobbles and shakes; Engine cuts off completely while driving; Ticking noise described as 'explosive'; Dealership unable to diagnose root cause
Codes mentioned: Check-engine codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Full diagnostic run; dealer suggested possible throttle issue but was uncertain; oil change performed but did not resolve issue
Engine overheating and power loss events
Engine overheating warning followed by repeated 'Engine Power Reduced' incidents with loss of acceleration and hesitation, creating highway safety hazards.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine Overheating – Idle Engine warning (single occurrence); Repeated check-engine warnings after repair attempt; Engine Power Reduced message occurring unpredictably; Loss of acceleration and hesitation during power-loss episodes; Unable to maintain highway speed; requires pulling out of traffic; Dangerous loss of power during merging and passenger transport
Repairs/costs cited: Previous service and diagnostics performed but issue persists
Bluetooth disconnect and infotainment issues
Bluetooth connection drops repeatedly while driving, interrupting hands-free phone and GPS functionality; infotainment system interaction causes headlight failure and overheating.
When: 1,900 miles and ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Phone loses Bluetooth connection every day while driving; GPS audio stops routing through speakers; Driver forced to look away from road to troubleshoot connection; Headlights become inoperable when using infotainment system; Cell phone becomes extremely hot while connected to Bluetooth; Failure does not occur when using radio only; No warning light for infotainment issue
Repairs/costs cited: Headlight repaired at dealer; infotainment system not repaired or replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted; no additional assistance provided
Multiple electrical faults and instrument cluster malfunction
Multiple unrelated electrical faults occurring simultaneously, including dashboard warning lights, brake engagement without driver input, and instrument cluster flickering.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Service ESC light stays on; Service Power Steering light stays on; MPH hands on speedometer flicker back and forth; Brakes applied without driver pressing pedal; Shift to Park message when already in Park; Two pages of different diagnostic codes present; Engine failure codes appear
Codes mentioned: Multiple codes (two pages; specific codes not listed)
Repairs/costs cited: Full diagnostic testing performed; dealer claims nothing is wrong despite codes
OnStar and telematics module failure
Telematics module malfunction disables OnStar safety system and wireless CarPlay functionality, removing automatic emergency services call capability.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: OnStar safety system does not work; No automatic emergency services call in case of accident; Wireless CarPlay not functional; Microphone for hands-free radio calls not working
Safety restraint system failure
Safety restraint system repeatedly fails with seatbelt tensioner faults, requiring multiple repairs with persistent recurrence.
When: Ongoing; multiple failures over ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Safety restraint system fault display; Seatbelt tensioner malfunction reported
Repairs/costs cited: GM has repaired multiple times; issue still fails out
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has performed multiple repairs without resolving issue
Engine shutdown while driving
Engine cuts off unexpectedly during driving operation, displaying 'Press Brake to Start Engine' message across dashboard.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off while vehicle in motion; Dashboard displays 'Press Brake to Start Engine' message
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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…
shift to park issue and at times could not turn engine off
The telematics module is having an issue where the onstar safety system in the car does not work this will automatically call emergency services in the case of an accident it also controls wireless CarPlay and the microphone connected to the radio so you can’t make hand free calls
My vehicle engine light came in around 20k miles. It would come on and go off at that time. When I went in for my oil change, I was told that it was an air filter issue and Chevrolet would fix it. That was not the case when I tried to have it fixed. I begin to experience the engine light coming on and staying to which I took it back to be looked at and was told that nothing was wrong other than I…
Had electrical trouble with your 2022 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 electrical problem on the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 1,900 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2022/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.