2022 Chevrolet Malibu: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
92 NHTSA owner complaints · 1 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Malibu's record is defined by the 2013–2015 eighth generation's electrical and stop-start problems and by the 2016 ninth-generation launch, which brought a 1.5-litre turbo engine, a new eight-speed automatic and a spike to 1,669 complaints — hesitation, loss of power and transmission shudder. The 2017 and 2018 years are only marginally better. Read the full note on the model page. 2022 specifically: a year the record favours — 92 complaints, score 88/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Chevrolet Malibu, Cruze and Equinox: the four-cylinder years to watch, including 2022 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 92 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 23.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with turbocharger failure. The contact was informed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall;…
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 62 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the message "Reduced Engine Power" displayed, and the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a diagnostic scan retrieved DTC: P0299, indicating a failure with the turbo charger. The vehicle was then taken to the…
Recalls: 1 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 22V923000 | Structure:Frame And Members | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 32 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $1,900
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System31 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Engine29 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other28 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Power Train23 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Engine And Engine Cooling10 complaints · typical job: Water pump, thermostat and coolant service (3.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,040
- Fuel/Propulsion System6 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Chevrolet Malibu years
Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (31 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 88/100, computed from 92 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu's most common problem?
31 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu cost to run per year?
About $3,567 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $17,835 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, 0 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 14/12/2022. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 92 complaints, 1 recalls on record
- 92 NHTSA complaints on record (23.0/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (30.2/yr)
- 1 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems