The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize car that came with a choice of 1.5L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl engines. Even at 6 years old, a damaged or broken-down one still has real value for its parts. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Midsize Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Automatic 9-spd, Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 22–29 city / 32–36 highway / 26–32 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,100–$3,150 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 298–344 grams per mile |
| EPA fuel economy score | 5–7 out of 10 |
| EPA greenhouse gas score | 5–7 out of 10 |
| Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle) | 3,131 lb |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,043–4,453 lb |
| Versions tested by EPA | 2 configurations |
| Age | 6 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall covering the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Owners have filed 198 complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA. 10 reports involved a crash. Owners reported 7 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dr, FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | 10.3% |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.
Manufacturers have filed 770 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
1 of them is a warranty extension. Warranty extensions mean the manufacturer agreed to cover a specific repair beyond the normal warranty. They rarely still apply to a car this age, but they point to known weak spots.
This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu.
DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has become aware of eight vehicle crashes in which a rupture of a Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN) air bag inflator occurred during the deployment of the driver side air bag. All eight drivers in these crashes sustained serious or fatal injuries
‹ Sell a 2019 Malibu · All Chevrolet Malibu years
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2020 Malibus that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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