2020 Chevrolet Malibu transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 8, 2026AZElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle's transmission shifter mechanism has failed for a second time, preventing the vehicle's computer from communicating with the gear shifter. When shifting the physical gear lever forward into the "Park" position and attempting to shut off the engine, a warning message reading "Action Required: Shift to Park" appears on the driver instrument dashboard display.This exact failure previously occurred in 2022, two years after purchasing the vehicle. It was formally…

   NHTSA complaint #11762898 · source
2. Filed Jul 24, 202650,198 miMITransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the vehicle into park, the transmission failed to shift into park after several attempts. The contact referenced TSB: 19-NA-206; as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the TSB. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with gear shifter failure. The gear shifter was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified…

   NHTSA complaint #11752681 · source
3. Filed Jul 9, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   While attempting to enter a high-speed expressway, the transmission malfunctioned, preventing normal acceleration. The vehicle could only accelerate very slowly but managed to maintain a limited speed, creating a hazardous situation while trying to merge into fast-moving traffic. I was able to navigate the vehicle off the expressway, at which point the transmission completely failed and the vehicle died. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership service center, where…

   NHTSA complaint #11749433 · source
4. Filed May 8, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Shift to park displaying when car is in park so it won't turn off and stalling out randomly with no warning or anything and being hesitant to go

   NHTSA complaint #11736695 · source
5. Filed Feb 18, 2026INElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Several things have been going wrong with this car. I have only had it for about 7 months. Minimal driving. Got the car with 84,000 miles and it now has 88,000 miles. About 2 months ago the check engine light came on. Got it into a shop and they said an oil change may possibly help with this. Got the oil change, cleared the code, drove it around and check engine light came back on. Brought it back to the shop and now the entire valve cover needs replaced. It’s been about 2…

   NHTSA complaint #11718928 · source
6. Filed Feb 3, 202677,000 miILTowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. While the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light or a stop sign, the failure was more noticeable. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked abnormally and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The RPM fluctuated before the transmission slammed into gear. The vehicle then returned to normal functionality.…

   NHTSA complaint #11715330 · source
7. Filed Dec 19, 2025OHElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   This is a 2020 Malibu with only 18,000 miles on it now. We are having intermittent loss of power. Car will be moving fine when suddenly it looses power when pulling into traffic from a stop. It has also happened on the highway(right after leaving the dealer service department) when going to pass a vehicle…all of a sudden power drops and rpms go up and car slows up. When it suddenly happens, pulling into traffic is very slow. The only way to get power back is to turn off…

   NHTSA complaint #11706146 · source
8. Filed Nov 25, 2025VAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle displays a "shift to park" message on the dashboard, even when the gear selector is in the park position. This prevents the car from being shut off, and in sometimes, the doors may not be able to be locked. Not understanding the issue initially has thus caused me to have to replace my car battery numerous times for battery drainage.

   NHTSA complaint #11701454 · source
9. Filed Nov 24, 2025IATransmission & Drivetrain

   Problems with my transmission for over two years, I’ve searched the website and have taken it to a dealership since. The vehicle has had a hard shift and problems to accelerate. The issue continues to get worse and my car has stopped while in drive, only allowing me to go backwards. It was within warranty and low miles. I was told that that’s what new cars do. Transmission fluid has always been full and topped off. In order to know what is wrong I am told I would have to…

   NHTSA complaint #11701372 · source
10. Filed Nov 18, 2025106,000 miOKTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal properly. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who discovered metal debris inside the transmission and advised the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11700027 · source
11. Filed Oct 9, 202580,000 miVATransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle and shifting from drive(D) to park(P) the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact had shifted to park (P). The contact repeatedly shifted from neutral(N) to park(P) before the warning light turned off. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was a recurring failure. Additionally, if the contact had not reset the "Shift to Park" issue, the electrical system…

    NHTSA complaint #11692330 · source
12. Filed Oct 6, 2025TNSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission is snatching in drive and reverse. the car has 32,200 miles on it. it was purchased brand new. Need for front struts and rear shocks. Customer is 79 years old and don't understand why warranty want cover any of this.

    NHTSA complaint #11691634 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology