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: fuel/propulsion system
84 reports, newest first. Show all
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
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!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 26, 2019
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM WHICH OVERSEES THE TIMING AND SPARK NECESSARY TO IGNITE FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. GM AND CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS ARE CLAIMING THERE IS NO PROBLEM HOWEVER ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ON-STAR REPORTS PROBLEMS AND NOTHING IS FIXED. BRAND NEW CAR WITH 8600 MILES AND LESS THEN A YEAR OLD.
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, 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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2019
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 6 MONTHS AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC WITH THE GAS PUSHED DOWN IT SLOWS AND THEN LUNGES. IT ALSO CAN HAPPEN WHEN GOING WITH THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC. (FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING). THE FIRST TIME THEY FOUND PUMP PLUNGER DAMAGE AND LOOSE PIN IN FUEL CAM FOLLOWER. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPROGRAMMED EXAM WITH LATEST CA LIBERATIONS. I AM HERE NOW FOR THE 3 TIME. THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I WORRY FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND KIDS WHEN DRIVING.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 6, 2019
I PURCHASED MY 2018 MALIBU IN AUGUST 2018. I WAS GETTING AN AVERAGE 28 MPG UNTIL MY FIRST OIL CHANGE IN DECEMBER 2018. AFTER THAT, I STARTED GETTING 20-27 MPG CITY AND 14-20 MPG HIGHWAY. THIS CAR WILL USE AN ENTIRE TANK OF GAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 210 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO A CERTIFIED GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE CAR HAS NO SERVICE CODES. I HAVE SPOKE TO A GM MANAGER, AND SHE TOLD ME BASICALLY THE SAME THING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR. I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY I GOT EXCELLENT GAS MILEAGE FROM THE CAR DURING THE FIRST 6000 MILES AND NOW IT FLUCTUATES ON CITY ROADS AND IS AWFUL ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE NEVER DROVE A CAR THAT GOT BETTER CITY MILES THAN HIGHWAY. THE CAR IS ALSO VERY HESITANT AND SHIFTS HARD AT TIMES WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS NOT AN EVERY DAY OCCURRENCE, BUT HAPPENS 6 OR 7 TIMES A WEEK.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2019
SOMETIMES, WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED ACCELERATION IS IMMEDIATE AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMS ACCEPTABLY WITH A SMOOTH AND CONSISTENT RATE OF ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS FOR A WHILE, NOT FOR A CONSISTENT PERIOD OF TIME, AND EVENTUALLY ACCELERATION KICKS IN AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMS ACCEPTABLY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY, WITH NO NOTICEABLE SPUTTERING, NO GEAR CHANGE AND DOES NOT KICK INTO ACCEPTABLE ACCELERATION (I HAVE NOT TESTED THE VEHICLE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WHEN IT HAD THIS RESPONSE SO ACCELERATION MIGHT EVENTUALLY KICK IN). INTERMITTENT DELAYED ACCELERATION HAPPENS WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT A STOP OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. INTERMITTENT DELAYED ACCELERATION IS A SAFETY HAZARD. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY WITH HEAVY TRUCKS TRAVELING AT 75 MPH OR MORE, THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE WITH INTERMITTENT DELAYED ACCELERATION WOULD NOT KNOW IF IT WOULD BE SAFE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. IF ACCELERATION WAS SMOOTH AND CONSISTENT, THE DRIVER COULD ANTICIPATE THE VEHICLES PERFORMANCE AND MERGE SAFELY. IF DELAYED ACCELERATION OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE MIGHT BE ABLE TO MERGE SAFELY PROVIDING THE FREEWAY ONRAMP HAD ENOUGH LENGTH AND THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAD ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN VEHICLES. HOWEVER, SINCE THE DELAYED ACCELERATION IS INTERMITTENT AND WHEN IT OCCURS, THE DELAY IS NOT CONSISTENT, THE MERGING VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY BE REAR-ENDED BY A HEAVY TRUCK RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.