2022 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 98 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2022 reports, 4 involved a crash. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, frame and membersDec 14, 2022
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.
An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 22V923000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2026
The car started giving warnings on the dash "SHIFT TO PARK" even though the shifter is in park. When it happens you can not shut the car off fully causing the battery to drain, you also can not lock the vehicle. The car only has 19K miles on it and GM refuses to fix because the car is out of the standard warranty period by six months.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 16, 2026
Component: Air Conditioning – A/C Hose Assembly / Refrigerant Discharge Line The air conditioning refrigerant discharge line (A/C hose assembly) appears to have been improperly designed and/or installed during manufacturing. The rubber A/C hose was routed in a manner that caused it to rest against or press against the side of the engine. Over time, the engine heat and constant contact burned a hole through the hose, causing a rapid loss of refrigerant (Freon). As a result of the refrigerant leak, the air conditioning system stopped blowing cold air, and the HVAC system no longer functioned properly. This failure was not caused by normal wear and tear, but by the improper routing and placement of the A/C hose against the engine. The issue was confirmed by Meineke Service Center through a diagnostic inspection and UV dye leak test, which identified the damaged refrigerant discharge line as the source of the leak. A significant safety concern is that simply replacing the hose does not permanently correct the problem if the replacement hose is routed in the same location. Without a manufacturer-provided redesign or long-term repair solution that prevents the hose from contacting the engine, the replacement part is at risk of failing in the same manner. There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or other indications before the failure occurred. The air conditioning stopped blowing cold air after the refrigerant escaped through the damaged hose. I believe this is a manufacturing and/or design defect that could affect other vehicles with the same hose routing configuration. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and determine whether a safety recall or manufacturer corrective action is warranted.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 8, 2026
Transmission misfiring.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2026
I have a shift to park warning that comes up almost every time I park. It usually does not go away until I turn off the car completely then restart it, and I still have to attempt to “park” it.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 25, 2026
Component/System Failure: The turbocharger system failed, specifically the wastegate arm, resulting in loss of boost and reduced engine performance. The failed component should be available for inspection upon request through the servicing dealership. Safety Risk: The failure caused a sudden loss of engine power while driving, placing me and others at risk, especially in traffic situations where acceleration is required (such as merging, crossing intersections, or maintaining speed). This created a hazardous driving condition. Confirmation of Issue: The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized dealership. The diagnosis stated: “turbocharger wastegate arm damaged causing loss of boost and DTC,” which matches known issues described in GM’s Special Coverage. Inspection History: The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership service department. It has not yet been inspected directly by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Warning Signs Prior to Failure: Yes. The vehicle displayed a check engine light and reduced engine power message prior to the failure. These symptoms began shortly before the vehicle experienced noticeable loss of acceleration and performance. Additional Information: This failure is consistent with a known issue acknowledged by General Motors under Special Coverage for similar vehicles experiencing turbocharger-related defects. Despite having the same failure and symptoms, my vehicle was excluded based on lot number, not condition or diagnosis.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 12, 2026
The car will cut off while driving and across the dashboard it’ll say “press brake to start engine”.
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2026
When car in park and I turn engine off I get a notification - !shift to park I turn car back on put in reverse and back to park turn engine off and get the same message , I do this repeatedly 3x
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2025
My 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is experiencing the known “Shift to Park” defect and an “Air Induction System” fault. The vehicle repeatedly refuses to recognize the Park position even after moving the shifter into Park. This causes the vehicle to stay powered on, prevents it from shutting off, and forces me to shift back and forth multiple times to get the car to register Park. This is unsafe because the vehicle could roll, fail to secure, and I cannot legally leave or lock the car when this happens. This issue is widely documented on Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. GM has an established technical bulletin and extended coverage programs for this problem (example: TSB 19-NA-206 and related bulletins), but my VIN does not show access to these programs even though I am under 60,000 miles and still within the 5-year powertrain warranty window. When I contacted GM and the dealership, they admitted the defect exists but refused warranty repair unless I pay $370 out-of-pocket diagnostic fees first. This defeats the purpose of warranty and prevents consumers from getting confirmed major safety defects repaired. The warning randomly appears at different times while the car is stationary, parked, or driving. The issue has been happening consistently and appears to be worsening. I am reporting this because it is a safety concern involving the transmission and electrical controls of the vehicle, and Chevrolet is refusing to cover or recognize it under their known defect programs.
Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2025, crash
While the vehicle was in motion, it unexpectedly shut down, resulting in a sudden loss of power. No warning lights, alerts, or malfunction indicators were displayed prior to or during the shutdown. Additionally, no crash detection or safety alert was activated. This sudden failure caused the vehicle to be rear-ended.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2025
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
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2025
My car is in park but it keeps saying shift into park.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 16, 2025
Shift to parking message came up on dashboard
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2025
When you put my 2022 Chevy Malibu in park and turn the engine off the display states the vehicle is not in park. This does not go away and power stays on to the car.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2025
I am experiencing an ongoing issue with the gear shifter in my 2022 Chevy Malibu. The car frequently fails to recognize when it is in Park, even when the shifter is visibly and physically in the Park position. This results in the vehicle not shutting off properly, and I often receive a “Shift to Park” warning message. At times, it takes me several minutes of wiggling or moving the shifter back and forth just to get the car to recognize it is in Park so I can shut off the engine. I am becoming increasingly concerned that at some point it will completely fail and I will be unable to shut off the vehicle, which could leave me stranded or cause a safety issue if the car rolls or remains in an active state. This is not an isolated issue — many other 2022 Malibu owners have reported similar problems online, and I am aware that this issue has affected prior model years as well. Despite this, there has not been a recall. I believe this is a defect in the gear shifter assembly or sensor, and it poses both a reliability and potential safety concern. I urge NHTSA to investigate this issue and push for appropriate action from GM before it worsens or causes a more serious incident. The car is available for inspection. I haven't brought it to the dealership because I don't believe I should bear the repair costs. The shifter malfunctioned without any prior indication.
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2025
My "shift to Park" switch is malfunctioned. While in park, after I shut the engine, I am getting the "shift To Park" message on my dash with a beeping sound. It takes several tries of starting the car and putting the car back in drive, neutral or reverse and shifting back to park to to them message.
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2025
My car will not engage in park to turn off vehicle. When in park and try to turn car off it says place in park. Have to put car back in drive and slam it into park several times before I am able to turn car off. This is the second Chevy Malibu that I have owned that has done this my second one started after having it just a few days.
Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2024
Started showing shift to park, while vehicle is in park and turned off
Power train, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2024
Was going about 30 car felt like it was sliding and not getting traction
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2024
Parked the car put in Park , alerted me shift to park. Car would not completely shut off. Happened several times
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2024
The car is telling me to shift to park when it's in park and just turned it off. I have to start the car again and move the gear shift from park to drive and back to try to clear it. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2024
Engine reduce power power keeps coming on been to 5 dealers they say 200 hundred and 1 to 2 days on it but can't pay that to them on fixed income. Had two strokes been to dealer to gets parts .and also parts stores still the same part from different places still engine reduce power keeps coming on. On 8/10. Had throttle body taken of and cleaned l am at wit end Had to with this car oh l mean lemon
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2024
Vehicle does not register has parked while In park. Car will not power off and causes safety problems because vehicle may roll away if park is not engaged.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2024
I put my car into valet mode today, and I set the code to 0000. I confirmed the code 0000. When I went to take it out of valet mode 0000 doesn't work, it says that I've entered the wrong code. I know exactly what code I put in, now I have to pay $100 or more just to have the ECM reprogrammed. No I can no longer view maps on my screen, which is a safety issue because now I have to look at my phone.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2024
Often, when I'm actually in park, my car displays a shift to park message on the dash. I see that this is an issue with the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu however they do not have a recall out for it as of yet.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2024
Shift to Park; my vehicle does not recognize when I have parked and I have been receiving this signal continuously for the last couple of days.