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: other or unspecified
151 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2024
The gear shift keeps saying shift to park when it is in park and there is no recall on this issue on my car but other malibu vehicles and mine is doing the same thing as others
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2024
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND WITHIN FIRST DAYS DISPLAY SAID "SHIFT TO PARK" EVEN THOUGH I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. NEXT PROBLEM, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, DISPLAY SAID "SERVICE REAR VISION CAMERA." THESE ARE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEMS FOR DRIVER AND OTHERS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2024
UNKNOWN - When try to park, the Shift to Park fails. The car will notify me to shift to park when it is already in park. All electrical is still on when I walk away.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2024
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM NOTE CAME ON, JUST REPLACED THE ALTERNATER AND GOT A NEW BATTERY PUT ON. EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOOD AND THIS KEEPS COMING ON.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 16, 2024
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2024
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.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 15, 2024
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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2024
SHIFT TO PARK COMING ON EVERY TIME THAT I AM TRYING TO PARK... AND I HAVE TO START AND STOP ABOUT 4 OR MORE TIMES BEFORE IT WILL GO OFF ...
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2024
While driving my check engine light comes on and then I have a warning come on my screen on the dashboard that my car is shutting down power. So while I’m driving, at any point in time my car shuts down the power and I have to quickly pull over wherever I am so that I do t get into an accident Then shut my car off and wait a little bit and then turn it back on and keep driving. I looked into my car and my car was part of a recall in 2019. Supposedly the recall was completed BUT my car is doing the exact same thing again with the ECM that was supposed to be fixed.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2024
Sunroof…I was driving down the road on march 12,2024 at 2pm and was doing 35 mph and had my sunroof open and all of sudden the glass cracked and broke a little at me a little going into my eyes while driving I was the only one on road and nothing was around nothing flew and hit it it just broke and was like what the hell.. I’ve had sunroofs in all my cars and never shattered at me..so I’m filling this app out to see for answers because that just don’t do that out of nowhere..
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Jan 26, 2024
I put the car in park and got a message shift to park. I then wasn’t able to shut my car off. The car is only 6 years old! This should not be happening!!!
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2024
On Jan 22,2024 while driving on the interstate the speed was unexpectedly instantly reduced, the car would not accelerate over 60 mph and the service engine light came on, the car was safely driven off the highway then towed to the dealership. My safety as well as the safety of other drivers on the highway was at risk when the car suddenly decreased to 60 mph from 75 mph which could have caused a collision. The inspection at the dealership confirmed that the issue was the intercooler for turbo found moisture/oil frozen in charge air cooler causing restriction in induction system, and the part design has been updated to help prevent the issue from happening again. My issue is that if the part has been updated that means that GM is aware of the issue and should be responsible for the cost of the part or there should have been a recall on the part. The consumer should not have to be responsible for the cost of the part or the repair to the vehicle. It is unknown if the part was inspected by an insurance representative but it was inspected by the dealership where the car was purchased. There were no prior warnings, lights or lamps occurring before the date of the incident. I feel like Gm should cover the cost of the repair, the total cost should no fall on the consumer and the vehicle manufacturer should take responsibility for the defective part.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2024
The car's Reduced Engine Power light comes on and the engine drops power. It just happens at any time while driving. I've had oil changes done, engine cleanings done but nothing changes.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 10, 2024
While driving on highway, check engine light came on as well as message saying "Engine power reduced". Car immediately decelerated on the highway and brakes pedal became rock hard and unable to press.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 21, 2023
Vehicle will not stay started will stop when ever even while driving. I haven’t driven the car in 8 months because it’s not safe.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 31, 2023
Service Stabilitrak warning will pop up on my dash. The car loses power. Push on the gas and it sputters. Had it serviced by GMC 2 years ago and now it is happening again. More frequent in colder weather. There are thousands of reddit posts about this same issue from other 2018 Chevy Malibu owners. GMC refuses to acknowledge it is a quality or performance issue on their end.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2023
My turbo failed while I was on a very busy highway, causing me from going 70mph to 35mph in a matter of seconds and almost being hit. This put my life and my friends life at risk since we were in the left lane. Now that I’ve been fighting with the dealership ti help make this right they found a GM warranty that fixed and updated electrical sensors. We fixed that first because at the time we thought that was what it was. My turbo gave out again up in the mountains almost killing me and my friend a second time on a busy road. We made it to a parking lot and called a tow truck. Now the stabiltrak is showing up and the car refuses to start, it makes a whooshing sound and doesn’t start completely. (There is fuel, oil, etc). I was sold an unsafe vehicle and now I’m stuck paying 500$ a month for a car that’s unsafe and refuses to work even when it’s been fixed. The dealership is refusing to help me, I’m at a loss. I still owe 18k and I can’t have an in working car sitting in my apartment complex, it will get towed and cost me more money.. I need help. I was sold a car that almost killed me twice and no one seems to care.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2023
Just now car drove rought made it home to shutting down shift to park message came on I was not on the first recall list
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2023
Just now coming home my car made noises when I parked it said shift to park Friday GM said I'm to repair the problem with my studies it's gm hidden defects I was not on the first recall I seen on goggle NHTSA please help me with this car problems and please help 513 complaints as well on the 2018 Chevy Malibu breakdowns
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2023
Wanted to shut off just now at the stop intersection and when I got home shift to park message came on
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2023
While waiting at the stop just now my car made noises to wanting to stop on me luckily I made it home when I parked again it gave me shift to park message
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2023
Just now my car made odd noises to wanting to stop I got home and shift to park message came on well NHTSA help me GM don't want to help
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2023
Just not my car drove very odd to noises to shift to park message
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 1, 2023
Coming to Walmart at the stop waiting for the light to turn green my car made noises parking at Walmart shift to park message came on. I was not on the first recall list I need help GM should fix the problem repurchase my car or replace it
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2023
Just now I got back from leaving my son to work at the stop loud loud loud noises in my hood to sound like transmission noise to wanting to shut down again luckily I made it home again shift to park message came on I have a month half calling GM to asking to speak to a supervisor no response to emailing gm CEO to no reply who do I run to nhtsa for help yet no help who do I run to that can help me before I get injured or killed in this car this is my only car I'm asking it be fixed replace or repurchase I was not on the last recall list help help help help