2018 Chevrolet Malibu

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel. The gear shifter was shifted back into drive and then back into park to turn off the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, started to lose automotive power, and then continued driving; however, the vehicle operated at reduced power and failed to exceed 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that there was an unknown liquid dripping underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road. The message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injectors had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic retained the vehicle and informed the contact that it was unsafe to drive due to a potential fire risk. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for service. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.

I own a 2018 Chevy Malibu. At approximately 57,000 miles, the original engine experienced a vacuum pump failure that resulted in catastrophic engine damage. The engine was replaced by General Motors under the vehicle's warranty. I then drove the vehicle for approximately another 52,000 miles with the warranty replacement engine. At that point, I experienced a sudden loss of braking while driving. My vehicle was again diagnosed with a vacuum pump failure, and the vacuum pump was replaced. Approximately one week after the vacuum pump replacement, the warranty replacement engine suffered catastrophic failure. The repair facility diagnosed cylinder #3 scoring and informed me that the engine required replacement. I was told that the engine failure was related to the vacuum pump failure. Because the warranty replacement engine was no longer covered under warranty, General Motors initially declined to cover the repair. Initially, neither General Motors nor the Chevrolet dealership was willing to accept responsibility for the issue. After continued discussions, General Motors ultimately agreed to provide partial financial assistance as a goodwill adjustment. However, I was still left responsible for paying a substantial amount out of pocket to purchase and install a third engine. The cost has created a significant financial burden that I have struggled to afford, especially because the repair involved a component that I was informed has a known history of failure. I was also informed that vacuum pump failures are a known issue with these vehicles and that General Motors is aware of the problem, although no recall has been issued. I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced multiple vacuum pump failures, two catastrophic engine failures, and have now required three engines in the same vehicle. This has resulted in significant financial hardship, loss of use of my vehicle, and serious concerns about the safety and reliability of this vehicle.

I’ve reported this problem but as I got into the repair their was far more damaged that was caused due to the vacuum pump. It took out my exhaust camshaft and sent metal through out and the timing needs replaced as well. A shop would rather total my car than what it would cost to fix. I’m attempting to fix it myself but have been without my car for months now. This is created such a hardship and the money it’s continues to take as more and more needs to be fixed or replaced as well as all the gaskets and screws that are only one time use as well as parts like my high pressured fuel line I mean this lost keeps going. I and to replace the water pump as well and all due to this vacuum pump that’s been reported and reported and nothing has been done this is outrageous that what’s caused is so much more then just a vacuum pump it can destroy your vehicle miles don’t matter the less or if you have more the pump goes out when it feels like it. Creating more issues then it should and potentially totaling out a vehicle as it’s been said mine should be. So I’m trying to fix my car to prevent losing it and it’s been one thing after another and such a nightmare. The fact that this issue continues to be ignored is unacceptable and a complete disregard to public safety due to the serious safety issue as mine I could barley get my car to stop the breaks were hard and unable to push down without basically standing on them to get into stop at only 7-8 miles per hour I was moving when the vacuum booster went out. Someone should not have to die to have this issue addressed and to be taken seriously and made right! I can’t believe nothing has been done and that it’s not required to have to address this issue with the severity it bring to one’s safety as well as public safety is beyond me. This is a major lawsuit and people’s lives and lovely hood should be taken more seriously and instead nothing is being done. It’s very concerning to think what has to happen for this to be addressed!

While coming down McClure pass in Colorado my brakes failed. The the car went to engine power reduced mode. After getting the car to an independent mechanic I was told that the vacuum pump failed and exploded the parts into the camshaft. After 2 days of repairs I was finally able to get my car back to working order. This could have been a fatal car accident coming down a mountain pass. I was able to get stopped safely because I know the road. I had just driven 700 miles over Eisenhower Pass, Vail Pass, Glenwood Canyon, and then the final pass being McClure pass where it failed. I bought this car brand new and I probably won't buy another Chevy after this. This was a terrifying experience that I will have lasting trauma from.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving on the interstate and attempting to exit the ramp at 40-45 MPH, the brakes failed. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V576000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, confirmed there was no recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

I went to put my car in park and it was saying "Shift to Park" on my dashboard even though I was already in park. I know that there was a lawsuit that was won for this very defect but my car is not recalled for this and I feel every Malibu should be especially if almost every Malibu is experiencing the same issue Nationwide. It cannot be a coincidence. Also I have been having issues with a knocking noise on the back of the car when I am driving and I'm being told it's also another common issue with Malibu's known as the Knuckles that need replaced which are not cheap. If these are common issues on every Malibu then every Malibu needs to be recalled for the issue to be fixed not just certain ones. My Malibu has not had one recall but has had the same issues that other Malibu's had with multiple recalls done.

The vacuum break booster went out. My check engine light came on and it said power reduced I’m not sure exactly. Because my power didn’t reduce but my car seems to be misfiring. Luckily I was going to be turning at a light and there was a few cars in front of me so I wasn’t going fast. As I got closer to the car in front of me I applied my breaks. They would not move and were hard and I gave it all I had to try to get my car to stop and thank god it did. Then my car stalled. I tried to start it and it just kept cranking but wouldn’t turn over, it also would not turn off till about the 3 times I push then button it finally turned off. Yes my safety and others would surely been at risk I wouldn’t have been able to stop in time if someone pulled in front of me or stopped suddenly I would not have been able to stop. If a child ran into the street I inn o way could’ve stopped! My step dad is a mechanic and he also ran a test on the check engine light and it threw 7 codes from this occurring. It didn’t give me no time it was very sudden. Once the engine power reduced appeared on my dash the check engine light came on and my car began misfiring in less then 45 seconds I went to apply the breaks and they were hard and I could barely stop. That was when I was almost about to be at a full stop so I wasn’t going very fast at all and I almost rear ended the person in front of me waiting to turn at the light. Then my car stalled. It all happened within 1 min 30 seconds from the warning my engine power was reduced but my engine power wasn’t not reduced either, and from then my check engine light and it all only took less then 2 minutes to all occur. It was sudden, no warning to think my breaks would not work at all and very quickly it could’ve been so much worse I can’t even imagine. Very alarming and fearful or my life and others from this occurring with no time to react and no idea what happened was going to. I will not buy a Chevy Malibu again and I was going to!