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2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

307 reports with mileage · 388 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 279 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 191 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 169 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports4 fire reports14 injury reports

What owners actually said

695 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was left on the side of the roadway. The contact called the dealer where the vehicle was purchased and was advised th…

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The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was left on the side of the roadway. The contact called the dealer where the vehicle was purchased and was advised that he had to pay to have the vehicle towed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was aware of an open recall on the vehicle, NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V642000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine). The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11606412

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2024
EnginePower Train

When putting my vehicle in park to turn off the car, a warning light comes on to put vehicle into park. The vehicle is already in park and am unable to turn off the vehicle. In order to turn off the engine I must repeatedly turn it on and off and hit the gear shifter multiple times. This problem is becoming more and more frequ…

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When putting my vehicle in park to turn off the car, a warning light comes on to put vehicle into park. The vehicle is already in park and am unable to turn off the vehicle. In order to turn off the engine I must repeatedly turn it on and off and hit the gear shifter multiple times. This problem is becoming more and more frequent. I see numerous other 2018 Malibus in the complaint section reporting the same issue. Come on Chevrolet fix this problem!

NHTSA ODI #11603946

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

REDUCED POWER TO ENGINE . Previously had recall for this issue, which was replaced by Chevy service center. About a year later I had the same problem but had to pay out of pocket because there were no active recalls on the issue. As of today, I am receiving the same “REDUCED POWER TO ENGINE” error and check engine light keeps co…

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REDUCED POWER TO ENGINE . Previously had recall for this issue, which was replaced by Chevy service center. About a year later I had the same problem but had to pay out of pocket because there were no active recalls on the issue. As of today, I am receiving the same “REDUCED POWER TO ENGINE” error and check engine light keeps coming on. This happens randomly but frequently almost every single day. Error will shut off after restarting car and then happens again not long after. I’ve had this issue with multiple Chevy Malibus that I have owed and there is currently a class action lawsuit against GM for this exact issue.

NHTSA ODI #11602768

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2024
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

This car has the shift to park issue that was under a recall for 2016 to 2019 chevy malibu. However gm refuses to put my vin in the system so this issue can be repaired. This is a 2018 malibu which should have been on that recall list.

NHTSA ODI #11601502

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2024
Unknown Or Other

To whom it may concern, Chevy has had major recalls on their “shift to park” error. This is a very common recall according to much research and they are refusing to fix mine. They are claiming my vehicle is not one of the recalled. However, I’ve found many others across social media and Internet forums that are experiencing the…

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To whom it may concern, Chevy has had major recalls on their “shift to park” error. This is a very common recall according to much research and they are refusing to fix mine. They are claiming my vehicle is not one of the recalled. However, I’ve found many others across social media and Internet forums that are experiencing the same error. When parked my car will say “shift to park” even when it is in park. I am afraid that this will cause major issues with my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11600243

67,000 miles · Jul 8, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after shifting into park, the message “Action Required Shifting to Park” displayed. The message remained displayed even when the vehicle was turned off. The contact restarted the vehicle several times while slightly moving the gear shifter until the message was no…

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The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after shifting into park, the message “Action Required Shifting to Park” displayed. The message remained displayed even when the vehicle was turned off. The contact restarted the vehicle several times while slightly moving the gear shifter until the message was no longer displayed. The failure had become constant. The dealer had been contacted and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #11600110

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2024
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

car pauses after stopping at lights and stop signs and in stop-n-go traffic and won't go as soon as gas pedal is pressed. It hesitates then jerks forward once the gas is activated. Check engine warning is for stop/start transmission accumulator sensor! Cost to repair over $1300 and seems to be the same issue seen in thousands of…

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car pauses after stopping at lights and stop signs and in stop-n-go traffic and won't go as soon as gas pedal is pressed. It hesitates then jerks forward once the gas is activated. Check engine warning is for stop/start transmission accumulator sensor! Cost to repair over $1300 and seems to be the same issue seen in thousands of 2018 malibu's that have been recalled??? My car does not show an active recall??? Chevy rep Andrea at 1-800-222-1020 said sorry no recall for your car and to contact you with complaint? This issue almost caused my wife to have accidents after the car lurched forward after stopping. We were also beeped at many times as cars behind us were frustrated we could not move for 10-20 seconds after stopping! [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Car is being repaired now by Belise Chevrolet Warwick RI 877-553-0957. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11598692

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Car hesitant to crank, once the Start/ stop button is pushed, the car will start, run smooth for a second or two then start to shake and putter like it’s not getting fuel and loses it power and cuts off. I have to go through this process 5/6 times before the car will stay crunk. While driving Car will out the blue say reduced en…

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Car hesitant to crank, once the Start/ stop button is pushed, the car will start, run smooth for a second or two then start to shake and putter like it’s not getting fuel and loses it power and cuts off. I have to go through this process 5/6 times before the car will stay crunk. While driving Car will out the blue say reduced engine power and acts as if it does not want to pull or it is losing power! The car also has the eco saving feature where it cuts off at every stop and there is not an option be turned off and car is hesitant to start back up after it cuts off. Car is now starting to smoke from the tailpipe. The VVT intake and exhaust solienoids have oil getting into them and the PCV valve is about to crack open. The car throws codes like rich fuel intake, something to do with the catalytic system (in which I’ve put a brand new catalytic converter on the car and it did not solve the issue) it also throws codes about a throttle and cam sensors and a few more codes.. I see where there are recalls for the (same make, model,year, and engine size) but my cars VIN is not included with the recall! Can we please get this as I need my car and need this issue fixed as soon as possible as it is dangerous for me and my 2 year to travel in this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11597353

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2024
EngineService Brakes

Driving normal. Upon application of brakes, brake pedal became stiff and brakes did not function normal. Had to apply immense pressure to stop and it sounded like brakes kept locking up. Vacuum pump that supplies vacuum for engine with turbo to function, along with the brake booster to be able to apply normal braking power, was …

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Driving normal. Upon application of brakes, brake pedal became stiff and brakes did not function normal. Had to apply immense pressure to stop and it sounded like brakes kept locking up. Vacuum pump that supplies vacuum for engine with turbo to function, along with the brake booster to be able to apply normal braking power, was destroyed. The inside of the vacuum pump is in pieces and part of the bushing that connects into the engine was broken. Caused by faulty vacuum pump, or faulty cam shaft. If this had happened while in traffic, it is likely a crash would have happened. Damage caused to the vacuum pump resulted in metal pieces in the engine block as well.

NHTSA ODI #11594962

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2024
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

Car does not recognize when the shift is on park. States to put car in park despite it being in park. Could take up to 10 minutes for the system to finally recognize the gear.

NHTSA ODI #11594542

Official recalls

6

21V649000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners; Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor

Aug 20, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

Seat Belts:critical Fasteners

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

19V642000 · Electrical System:software; Engine; Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors

Sep 6, 2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192221960.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.

Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192221960.

Electrical System:software

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.

Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192221960.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.

Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192221960.

18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Aug 30, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

18V400000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jun 14, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.

18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 31, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.