2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 698 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 23 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat belts, critical fastenersAug 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.
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V649000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V668000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareSep 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.
Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V642000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperAug 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.
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V576000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationJun 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.
In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 18V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpMay 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.
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 18V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
284 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 11, 2019
I WAS DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION AND STARTED TO FEEL MY CAR LIKE JUMPING WHEN IT WAS ACCELERATING ALSO EVERYTIME I PARK IT STUTTERS WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK. I ALSO HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MALIBU,SO I CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER AND IT SHOULD THERE WAS A MAINTENANCE RECALL ON MY CAR SOMETHING ABOUT THE ENGINE
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BALTIMORE (6633 SECURITY BLVD, BALTIMORE, MD 21207, (410) 265-7777) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5537893606. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,141.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON CHEVROLET AT 888-312-6558 (LOCATED AT 31201 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 3, 2019
I HAVE HAD MY MALIBU ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW, I PURCHASED IT WITH 500 MILES ON IT. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATING SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE. I WAS MERGING ON TO THE INTERSTATE AND TRYING TO SPEED UP TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ALREADY OVER INTO THE NEXT LANE AND HAD NO WHERE TO GO. I PRESSED THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 25 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR WATCHING ANOTHER CAR RAPIDLY APPROACHING FROM THE REAR AND AFTER A FEW VERY FRIGHTENING SECONDS MAYBE 20, THE CAR FINALLY DECIDED TO ACCELERATE. THIS SAME PROBLEM PERSISTED THE ENTIRE TRIP. AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION AND CALMING MY NERVES. I DID SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE CAR ( I SHOULD HAVE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT) AND FOUND OUT ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE ECM. I CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED A TIME TO BRING IT IN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY HELPFUL AND PREFORMED THE UPDATE I FOUND A BULLETIN ABOUT ONLINE. THE CAR PERFORMED A LOT BETTER FOR SHORT TRIPS. AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE I FELT COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO TAKE LONGER TRIPS. I'M NOTICING THE CAR STILL HESITATES WHEN TURNING, WHEN IT GETS HOT, AND SOMETIMES JUST AT RANDOM WHEN DRIVING I CAN FEEL IT LOSE POWER AND KICK BACK IN, AND THE ENGINE SHAKES WHEN I'M IDLING AND THE ENGINE IS HOT LIKE A SHUTTER KINDA THING UNTIL I PULL OFF AGAIN. I TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO GET A SECOND UPDATE DONE BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS COMMON WITH THAT CAR AND WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WAS THE TURBO LAG. THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OFFER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS PURCHASE IT'S THE FIRST NEW CAR I EVER BOUGHT AND I'M SCARED IT'S GOING TO BREAK DOWN OR SOMEONE HIT ME WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE WAY. I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE WITH THE EXPECTATION OF NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS AND JUST DOING REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND I GOT BURNED BIG TIME.
Engine, Oct 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD FLASH RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM UPGRADE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED CLARK CHEVROLET (801 W BUSINESS 83, MCALLEN, TX 78501, 956-307-6557) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL HIM BACK TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. LATER THAT DAY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 29, 2019
I CAME TO A STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN GREEN LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR STALLED, WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER 5TH ATTEMPT CAR RESTARTED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX, SO THEY HAVE CONTACTED GM. STILL WAITING FOR RESPONSE ; ITS BEEN 10 DAYS. CAR HAS 6300 MILES ON IT. EVENT OCCURRED ON CITY ST, AFTERNOON TRAFFIC.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2019
I STARTED THE CAR AND REVERSED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE, I PRESSED THE GAS AND THE CAR BARELY MOVED. I PULLED OFF TO THE EDGE OF THE PARKING LOT AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, WAITED A MINUTE OR 2, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WENT FORWARD. I HAD TO STOP AND SLIGHTLY REVERSE BECAUSE A CAR WAS COMING TOWARD ME ON THE STREET I WAS TURNING ONTO. I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND TRIED TO TURN OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. AGAIN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE CAR BARELY COASTED. IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS NOT CHANGING GEARS. I PULLED ACROSS THE STREET BECAUSE A CAR WAS COMING INTO ANOTHER PARKING LOT. WE WERE ALMOST HIT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. I PARKED THE CAR TURNED IT OFF. WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED IT. I GOT OUT AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED SLIGHTLY OFF ... IT WAS CLICKING ALMOST LIKE THERE WAS A TIMING ISSUE. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR REVERSED OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND WENT FORWARD. THE CAR STARTED FORWARD AND I TURNED BACK ON TO THE ROAD. SUDDENLY THE RPM SHOT UP TO OVER 400 AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT APPLYING ADDITIONAL GAS. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND KEPT DRIVING. THE RPM RAN HIGHER THAN NORMAL ON THE WAY BACK TO KOKOMO. IT WAS NOT DRIVING CORRECTLY AND STILL ACTED LIKE IT WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS CORRECTLY. I DROVE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN KOKOMO, IN. ERIK'S CHEVROLET AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. WHEN PRESSED THEY TRIED TO SAY IT WAS OVERDUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHICH IS NOT TRUE. THE INDICATOR JUST CAME ON RIGHT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. IT HAS ~7200 MILES BUT IT HAS FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL. THEN THEY TRIED TO SAY IT WAS LOW ON OIL AND THE OIL LIFE WAS ZERO AND THAT CAUSED THE ISSUE. AGAIN NOT TRUE BECAUSE IT WAS AT 4% AND I CHECKED IT PERIODICALLY AS STATED IN THE MANUAL. THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO AN ECM MALFUNCTION. I AM CONCERNED THIS IS RELATED AND THE FIX MAY NOT COMPLETE.
Engine, Sep 23, 2019
CAR DOESNT WANT TO START. ITS HAPPEND MORE THEN 3 TIMES. AND ALSO LOSES POWER WHEN ON...
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 18, 2019
TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC AT WHICH POINT THE CAR SHIFTED THROUGH A COUPLE OF YEARS WITH NO ACCELERATION OR POWER BEHIND IT I WAS MAYBE GOING 12MPH AS IT SHIFTED THROUGH TO 3RD GEAR ABOUT A 8-10 SECOND DELAY. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO MAKE IT IF I WOULD'VE BEEN IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I WAS ALMOST T-BONED. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 DAYS AGO
Engine, Aug 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE EACH TIME AFTER BEING REFUELED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COGGIN CHEVROLET (10880 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256, (904) 342-6447) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEAVER CHEVROLET (3494 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207, (904) 398-3036) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE PLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND INFORMED THEM THAT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Power train, Engine, Aug 16, 2019
I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN TWICE FOR MY ISSUE NOW. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AS I WAS GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY LAST TIME WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. BOTH DEALERS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FOR THIS ISSUE HAVE PULLED THE SAME TROUBLE CODE AND NEITHER WILL REPAIR THE KNOCK SENSOR THAT THE CODE IS FOR. I KEEP GETTING TOLD TO JUST DRIVE IT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON TO BRING IT BACK IN. MY ISSUE IS WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR THE LIGHT WILL BE OFF AND THEY NEVER HAVE ANY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK. I HAVE CONTACTED GM DIRECTLY AND BASICALLY BEEN TOLD THE SAME AS THE DEALER TO JUST DRIVE IT TIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I FEEL THAT NOT ONLY MY SAFTEY BUT THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD IS IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF THIS. I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AT THIS POINT/ BETWEEN INSURANCE AND MY LEASE PAYMENT IM PAYING $500 A MONTH FOR A CAR THAT IM NOW NERVOUS DRIVING NOT JUST THAT NOW IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE THAT IVE HAD IT IN FOR TWICE IM GONNA BE STUCK WITH TRYING TO COME UP WITH AN EXTRA $1000 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. ANY HELP I CAN GET WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2019
23000 MILES ON A USED VEHICLE. ACCELERATION/LOW POWER, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY POWER UNTIL 4000 RPMS, GAS PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED DOWN AND STILL TAKES IT TIME TO ACCELERATE. MPG IS CURRENTLY AVERAGING 18 MPG ADVERTISED AS 27-37 MPG
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 31, 2019
VEHICLE FREQUENTLY HAS AN ISSUE ACCELERATING. WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC OR DEPARTING FROM A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE MORE THAN APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AN HOUR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS. YOU CAN HAVE THE GAS PEDAL PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND STILL THE CAR HAS SERIOUS HESITATION AND DELAY OF ACCELERATION. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT IS A MYSTERY IF YOU ARE GOING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND NOT MOVE OR MAYBE THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE NORMAL. YOU WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL YOU TRY!
Engine, Jul 6, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - WHEN I PUT IN PARK AND TURN OFF ENGINE, IT IS STILL RUNNING. I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE PARK SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT GOES OFF. THIS IS REOCCURRING MORE AND MORE. BAYSIDE IN PRINCE FREDERICK, MD HAS SAID OTHERS HAVE COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM ALSO.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 2, 2019
MY CAR IS LAGGING WHEN I COME FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT SPUTTERS AT TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE. MY CAR IS ALSO MAKING A VIBRATION NOISE WHEN I ACCELERATE, SLOW DOWN, TURNING, ON HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS AND WHEN I'M COASTING. THIS START HAPPENING WHEN MY VEHICLE REACHED 13,000 MILES. I ALMOST GOT INTO FOUR ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THERE NEED TO BE A RECALL ASAP! I'M PRETTY SURE THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE ONE UNTIL SOMEONE DIES BECAUSE OF IT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 18, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY 2018 MALIBU WITH ONLY 7500 MILES ON IT, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND I ALMOST WAS IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. A LOT OF LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE GAUGES WENT TO ZERO. AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED THAT SAID SOMETHING LIKE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE GAS GAUGE AND OTHERS ACTED LIKE THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AS TRAFFIC IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA IS VERY HEAVY. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART IT AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART FOR 10 MINUTES. WHEN IT DID RESTART THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND THE CAR STILL HAD VERY LIMITED POWER. THIS NEEDS FIXED ASAP. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM IN NOVEMBER OF 2018. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE POWER PROBLEM WHEN I HAD THE FIRST SERVICE OIL CHANGE DONE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AND NOW I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PRODUCT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO FIX. PLEASE FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS LIFE THREATENING.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2019
I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2019 WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOW POWER/HESITATION AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT WHEN TURNING/PULLING OUT ONTO AN INTERSECTION FROM A STOP. THERE IS NO ACCELERATION AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER & TEST DROVE IT WITH THE MECHANIC. DURING THE DRIVE, THE CAR DISPLAYED THE SYMPTOMS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE MECHANIC DROVE IT HIMSELF, HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. I MENTIONED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #19NA-032. ACCORDING TO THEM, THIS BULLETIN IS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE'S VIN. IN DOING MY OWN RESEARCH, MY VIN FALLS WITHIN THE TSB'S RANGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT MULTIPLE TIMES BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A RECALL DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RELEASED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 30, 2019
MY CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2018. STARTING IN APRIL OF 2018, WITH A LITTLE OVER 3000 MILES ON THE CAR, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT WHEN I DROVE THE CAR WITH A COLD START (MORNINGS AND AFTER A FULL DAY OF WORK) THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ME PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I WOULD PUSH DOWN, AND IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS FOR THE CAR TO ACTUALLY ACCELERATE AT ALL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALMOST EVERY DAY FOR NEARLY A MONTH. MULTIPLE TIMES, I HAVE PULLED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY CROSS TRAFFIC BECAUSE MY CAR LITERALLY WOULDN'T GO. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER TWICE NOW, AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PULL ANY CODES OR FIND ANY ISSUES WRONG WITH IT. THESE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. ## VIN PASSED ## CHEVROLET, MALIBU, 2018 ##
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPM GAUGE INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION GEARS FAILED TO CHANGE OVER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY TO PREVENT A CRASH. INITIALLY, PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET (1005 W EHRINGHAUS ST, ELIZABETH CITY, NC 27909, 252-338-9100) WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE WITH THE SERVICE CENTER MANAGER. FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NOT PROVIDED. A DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE CONTACT AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPACER PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED FOR TWO DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WANTED THE VEHICLE BOUGHT BACK BY THE DEALER IF THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Power train, Engine, May 25, 2019
PURCHASED 2018 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 4,200 BUT NEW DUE TO IT BEING A DEALER COURTESY CAR ON 12/18/18, ON 1/7/19 THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WHEN SHIFTING BACK TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND THE ACCELERATOR BARELY RESPONDED AND THE CAR REVVED TO OVER 5,000 RPM'S. I TOOK INTO SUPERIOR CHEVROLET ON 1/8/19, ON 1/11/19 THEY STILL DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. ON 1/4/19 THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE CONNECTING THE CAR TO A MACHINE THAT WOULD SUPPLY THE SMALLEST SPECS OF THE CAR TO SEND TO GM ENGINEERS, ON 1/16/19 THE GM ENGINEERS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). TCM WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR WAS PICKED UP ON 1/18/19. ON 5/22/19 WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND AGAIN AND REVVED TO 5,500 RPM'S. IT TOOK APPROX ONE MINUTE FOR THE ACCELERATOR TO RESPOND IN THE MEANTIME I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SUPERIOR CHEVROLET ON 5/23/19 REPORTING THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT RESPOND AGAIN AS IT HAD IN JANUARY. THE TECHS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AGAIN AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR HOME TO SEE IF IT WOULD DUPLICATE, IT DID NOT. ON 5/24/19 I WAS ADVISED THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER AND THAT SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM THIS TIME. THE FIRST FAILURE HAPPENED AT APPROX 4,700 MILES. THE SECOND OCCURRING AT APPROX 11,700. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON THE 3RD FAILURE THE ONSTAR DIAGNOSTIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. *JS
Engine, May 24, 2019
I BOUGHT MY CAR A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF I HAVE A CERTIFIED WARRANTY. THE WARNING THAT POPS IS WHEN I START MY CAR SAY 'REDUCE ENGINE POWER' AND IT MESSES WITH MY LIGHTS AS WELL AS MY GAS PEDAL TO WHERE I CAN'T GO. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY.
Engine, May 24, 2019
CAR WILL LOSE POWER WHEN DRIVING. I WAS TURNING LEFT CROSSING TRAFFIC AND IT LOST POWER. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR 3 SECONDS ESSENTIALLY IT FELT LIKE THE CAR STALLED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL RUNNING. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 3 OTHER TIMES AS WELL.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2019
THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AFTER WARMING UP. VEHICLE SPUTTERS DURING ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AS I PULLED OUT AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THERE ARE NO LIGHTS OR CODES PRESENT. ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUMS THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS (19-NA-32); IT NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL...THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Apr 13, 2019
I WAS RECENTLY GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2018 MALIBU AND HAD ABSOLUTELY NOOOO ENGINE POWER FOR ACCELERATION! LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET ONTO THE MEDIAN BEFORE I WAS REAR ENDED BY THE FAST MOVING CARS! SIMULTANEOUSLY THE 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED', 'SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL', AND 'THE 'TRANSMISSION' SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON! THEN AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT, I WENT TO STOP AT THE LIGHT AND I HAD NOOOO BRAKES! LUCKILY I PUSHED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND GOT MY CAR TO STOP WITHOUT A SECOND TO SPARE! I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT 99% OF DRIVERS WOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED, OR SERIOUSLY INJURED SOMEONE ELSE IN THE PROCESS OF CRASHING THEIR CAR! I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF CARS , FROM RACING MULTIPLE C5 AND C6 CORVETTES, BUT THIS PROBLEM HAD ME STUMPED FOR A WHILE. I TOOK THE MALIBU TO MULTIPLE GM SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, AND NONE OF THE MECHANICS COULD COME UP WITH A REASON WHY ALL THOSE SYSTEMS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND MULTIPLE MECHANICS ALL SAID IT WAS EITHER THE BRAKE BOOSTER OR THE MASTER CYLINDER. I JUST DIDN'T SEE EITHER OF THOSE PARTS BEING THE REASON FOR THAT MUCH OF AN EFFECT ON THE CAR, AND LUCKILY I REMEMBERED THAT GM TRUCKS WERE HAVING A MAJOR ISSUE LOSING BRAKES DUE TO THE VACUUM PUMP. SO AFTER AN INSPECTION I FELT PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT WAS MY BRAND NEW MALIBU'S PROBLEM, SO I WENT TO THE PARTS COUNTER AND DROPPED $330 ON MY WARRANTIED MALIBU, AND SURE ENOUGH THE CAR WAS FINE AFTER THAT! HOWEVER, A MAJOR CONCERN OF MINE IS THAT THE OE VACUUM PUMP WAS MISSING CHUNKS OF METAL, AND CLEARLY THOSE CHUNKS OF METAL ARE FLOATING AROUND IN MY ENGINE! SO DESPITE MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AND EVEN EXTRA MAINTENANCE, MY CONFIDENCE IS NOT VERY HIGH, AND I'M CONSTANTLY WAITING FOR THE CAR TO HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE NEW VACUUM PUMP, ENGINE OR BRAKES!
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 12, 2019
I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 54 DAYS AS OF TODAY AND AT 47 DAYS INTO OWNING THE CAR, IT IS STARTING TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE STATIONARY WHEN THE AUTO-OFF SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST 20 MINS MINIMUM UNTIL THE CAR WOULD START AGAIN. WHILE TRYING TO START THE CAR, IT WOULD SAY BATTERY NEEDS RECHARGE/SERVICE STABILITRAK. SINCE HAVING THIS ISSUE THE A/C ALSO STOPPED WORKING.