2022 Chevrolet Malibu: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu at 26–32 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 99 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
26–32
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Chevrolet dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2022 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, newest first.
Structure: Frame and members
NHTSA 22V923000Reported Dec 14, 2022
Filed by
General Motors, LLC
Units affected
2,108 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2022 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2022 Chevrolet Malibu crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2022 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2022 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
4 stars
10.3%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2022 Chevrolet Malibu owner complaints
Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, most recently on Oct 16, 2026. 4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2022 Chevrolet Malibu complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Electrical system
33
Engine
29
Unknown or other
29
Power train
24
Fuel/propulsion system
8
Engine and engine cooling
6
Service brakes
5
Air bags
4
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/supercharger
4
Vehicle speed control
3
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
