Electrical systemPart report

2020 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical system Problems

Complaints: 57about this part
Share: 29%of 199 total for the year
Median mileage: 22,324miles
Trend: RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, 29% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,324 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My car had only 600 miles and is brand new. After sitting on the drive overnight the car wouldn't start. There was a lot of clicking noises, but the engine wouldn't turn. That was three weeks ago. I brought it to the dealership and they said that there were error codes on the battery, and that they recharged it. Today, the car clicks and won't turn over again. The car now has 1000 miles. The dealership told me that cars driving by their lot at night will cause random parked new vehicles with no key in it to flash lights, and use other electrical components randomly and it kills the batteries. …”

NHTSA complaint #11316269, filed 2020-03, 640 miles

“When the car was turned off a message appeared that said shift the park the gear indicator already stated the car was in park and the car gear shift was already in park. Looked into this issue and apparently there is an open recall for the year and make of my car but it for some reason does not include my vin number”

NHTSA complaint #11648208, filed 2025-03

“I was at a stop light ready to take off while driving for lyft with a passenger in back and the car just quit running as i took off when light turned green no warning whatsoever no dash lights no brakes no steering i had to wait til car stopped rolling so i put car in park then i couldnt put in neutral to push car out of traffic lane. …”

NHTSA complaint #11461518, filed 2022-04

“The sensor for my gas cap was the first thing to malfunction, then My check engine light came on. Then the power steering sensor have me notice to drive carefully my drive assistance was malfunctioning. During my drive last night the power steering went out and the dashboard went dark several times.”

NHTSA complaint #11533221, filed 2023-07

“My car would completely shut off in the middle of traffics and restart right away. The lights would completely restart, the driver panel, the radio screen, and ESC service light would come on interchangeably with the service engine light. When I would park my car overnight then start it up, the engine won’t start. Then the batter saver mode gets turned on, I’d wait 10 minutes then turn on the car and it works.”

NHTSA complaint #11469989, filed 2022-06

Related service bulletins

11024331Sep 3, 2025This 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.
11017876Apr 10, 2025This 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.
11017595Apr 3, 2025This 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.
11017443Apr 2, 2025This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set.
11017244Mar 31, 2025The 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…
11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
11016948Mar 14, 2025This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Lock and Unlock (Active Functions Work) but Will Not Crank or Start (Loss of…
11017035Mar 13, 2025This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Not Lock and Unlock (Loss of Active Functions) Crank or Start (Loss of Passive…
11016946Mar 13, 2025This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of No Crank, No Start, Quick Start/Stall, No FOB Detected, Key FOBs Inoperative, B3924 00, B3925…
11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.

Electrical system: other model years

Year	Complaints	Share of year
2025	4	33%
2024	18	41%
2023	12	17%
2022	33	33%
2021	30	33%
2020	57	29%
2019	62	32%
2018	192	27%
2017	161	23%
2016	222	26%
2015	68	25%
2014	86	25%
2013	376	45%
2012	291	32%
2011	235	24%
2010	295	22%
2009	368	24%
2008	233	24%
2007	113	12%
2006	142	13%
2005	180	18%
2004	151	13%
2003	289	51%
2002	259	46%
2001	285	40%
2000	199	22%
1999	144	18%
1998	130	13%
1997	87	20%
1980	1	20%

Other parts of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

Engine
59 complaints Transmission and drivetrain
58 complaints Brakes
49 complaints Other or unknown
46 complaints Fuel system
18 complaints Vehicle speed control
18 complaints Steering
16 complaints Air bags
4 complaints Engine cooling
3 complaints Electronic stability control
2 complaints Forward collision avoidance
2 complaints Body and structure
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology