Special Coverage. Certain vehicles listed above may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail. If this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, and a diagnostic trouble code will set. Additionally, a message may be displayed indicating the vehicle’s available engine power is reduced. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after November 3, 2025, are cove
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 76,000 miles 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 →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Malibu | 92 |
| 2019 Malibu | 20 |
| 2020 Malibu | 17 |
| 2022 Malibu (this page) | 16 |
| 2023 Malibu | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 16 engine complaints filed for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
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.
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report turbocharger failure in 2022 Chevy Malibu sedans, with the check engine light and "Reduced Engine Power" message appearing alongside limp mode activation. The vehicle loses acceleration or refuses to exceed 40 mph; in one case it stalled repeatedly at 50 mph. Failures occur as early as 31,000 miles, with most clusters around 66,000–77,000 miles. A few reach 110,000–128,000 miles before going down. One owner experienced oil leaking into the turbo due to internal failure.
Diagnostics consistently pull P0234 (boost over-condition) or P0299 (turbo underboost), confirming the issue. Replacement cost cited is roughly $2,200. Some owners report secondary charger air cooler failure after the turbo is replaced.
GM has issued a special coverage program as of November 2025, but several owners say their vehicles are excluded or coverage was initially denied. Owners reference recall discussions online and on Chevy forums, yet dealers and GM often told early complainants (31,000–70,000 miles) the vehicle had no recall or warranty protection. The inconsistency between GM's program bulletin and actual approval decisions is a recurring frustration in the narratives.
Same Chevrolet Malibu engine reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger failure and boost-control loss
The turbocharger fails, causing loss of boost pressure or abnormal boost conditions. Owners report the check engine light illuminating with 'Reduced Engine Power' or 'Engine Power Reduced' messages, and the vehicle entering limp mode with severely restricted acceleration (unable to exceed 40 mph in one case). One owner experienced oil leaking into the turbocharger due to turbo failure. The failure appears intermittent in some cases but becomes more persistent over time.
When: 31,000 miles, 38,000 miles, 66,000 miles, 67,506 miles, 70,000 miles, 77,157 miles, 110,022 miles, 128,000 miles; mostly within first 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Reduced Engine Power or Engine Power Reduced message displayed; Vehicle enters limp mode; Loss of acceleration or sluggish acceleration; Unexpected deceleration; Vehicle unable to exceed 40 mph; Stalling on several occasions; Intermittent failure becoming more persistent
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger replacement required; one owner cited $2,200 repair cost; several owners unable or unwilling to repair due to cost or lack of dealer availability
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued a special coverage program/bulletin for 2022 Chevy Malibu turbocharger issues as of November 2025; some owners report coverage denial or vehicle exclusion from program; recall designation mentioned by owners but dealers/manufacturer stated no recall coverage in some cases
Charger air cooler failure
After turbocharger repair, a charger air cooler (intercooler) failed and required replacement. This occurred after the initial turbocharger repair did not resolve the check engine light and reduced engine power symptoms.
When: 77,157 miles (on second diagnosis following turbocharger replacement)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light persisted after turbocharger repair; Reduced engine power continued after initial turbo replacement
Codes mentioned: P0234
Repairs/costs cited: Charger air cooler replacement needed; owner did not repair due to cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed owner vehicle was not under recall for this component
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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!!
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,…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 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?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 67,506 and 82,010 miles, with the median around 76,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 67,506; a quarter make it past 82,010. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/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.