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
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2023
Today is 41 days with noises coming out of my car to 41 days to shift to park message again today my car wanted to turn off at the stop luckily I made it home to parking and again shift to park message came on GM supervisor never called me to NHTSA never helps so who do I run to for help I don't want to be injured or killed in this car on August 18,2023 while driving lost power to no gas no brakes to driving like this for five minutes to shutting down I'm I to be injured or killed in that when nhtsa gonna help me GM should be shut down and NHTSA should not say there helping you both are jokes....Help me and help all of us that have making complaints on these dam cars.....
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2023
Today my car made noise at the stop then getting home at drive way more noise to turning off the car shift to park message came on if GM is keep this defect hidden why NHTSA not making them implement recall or replace or repurchase this car help me and help owners that own 2018 Chevy Malibus I don't want others to get injured or killed in there car help me and help owners that own 2018 Chevy Malibu why have NHTSA if I or no one else gets the help we need make GM do what they need to do or close gm down like my car shuts me down
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2023
Made noises out while I was driving at right now I drove home to again shift to park message omg this is to much please help me today again gm said no to replacement no repurchase this is my only car please help me
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2023
Just now my car made noises shift to park message came on I called general Motor just now they refuse to fix my car and refuse to replace or repurchase my car who can help me with this please NHTSA help me or referred me to who can help me this is my only car please help me
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2023
Just got here to savemart my car made noises to again shift to park message to scary see if I make it home something needs to be done gm needs to fix this car or close gm down id love to see gm shut down like this car shuts down this is my only car please help me by then fixing my car or replace it or repurchase it is hate to be injured or killed in this car
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2023
Someone needs to take this seriously if I injured myself or kill others with this car GM says no to my request of repurchase since my break down on August 18 to now I continue to get shift to park message this is my only car please help me that you implement a recall ASAP this is the only car I have I ask they fix this problem repurchase or replace my car this is the only car I have someone help me please help me just got into my driveway coming from store and again I get shift to park message please help me
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2023
Just now I got out from church and again shift to park message came on please help me it's my only car
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2023
Made noise just now and shift to park message just now and dealers says there's nothing wrong with my car and gm don't want to repurchase my car please help me this is my only car
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 17, 2023
Warning lights never come up for the five years I've had it On August 18, 2023 while driving I lost power to no gas no brakes to driving like this for five minutes at the end shift to park message came on I was scared thank God I didn't die. On September 15,2023 Ed Denas dealership stated my car fine I disagree with them as again shift to park message comes up. On September 17, 2023 when I parked at my driveway I got the message shift to park. Please help me and please help 2018 Chevy Mailbu customers. That gm implement the recall or gm replacement or gm repurchase these 2018 Chevy Malibu this is the only car I have please help me. Thank you
Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2023
When I shift car in park, it won’t let the car turn off and keeps saying “shift to park”
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2023
I recently purchased this vehicle used from the dealership. I have noticed that when I shift to park and turn the vehicle off it pops up the warning “Shift to Park”. It takes multiple attempts of turning the car back on and shifting back and forth to get the car to actually shift to park. I have looked up this issue and found that I am not alone in this problem and that apparently it is a known issue with the transmission shift cable adjuster causing a discrepancy between the transmission and the gear shift. As far as safety I am worried that I can’t trust the gear shift when I shift it into park. As far as the rest I have not yet contacted my dealership. I just wanted to write this up as it seems like a well known issue and many people have been asking for a recall to fix this.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2023
No warnings was given.it was scary.my car lost power to 20 mph it drove to where I was able to safely get off the road gave me error messages to shutting down. I sure don't want this happening to others
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2023
Vehicle shut down in traffic lost all power as I'm pushing my Vehicle to a safe location in neutral it starts back up without me starting it there was a recall for this year make and model the recall numbers are N192221960 NHTSA # 19V642 Date Issued: Sep 06, 2019 those problems are infact the same issues I am having
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2023
I drive my car everyday as usual but here lately my car shuts off while I’m driving and my dash goes completely black and I have no power and it doesn’t start back up
Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2023
Vehicle will not shut off when in park. Vehicle displays a "Park to Shift" message although Vehicle is in park. This causes the vehicle to not shut down completely and if it takes to long to shut off the battery will die. It can take anywhere from 2 minutes to all day to get it to shut off. This is a known problem among many GM Chevy owners and needs to be recognized as a recall. This issue happens everytime vehicle is shut off and put in to park which can be frustrating.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2023
when turning off it says shift into park have to restart and shift again to park has been recurring more and more. rear makes a rubbing/popping sound when driving and backing up. took it to the shop they tell me it's a defect that Chevrolet knows about. i believe if they know about it it should be corrected. ive only had the car 10 months and these problems are coming up. ive only put 3000 miles on it in 10 months.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2023
Car keeps saying shift to park after being in park. Does not allow car to turn off at all. I literally sat in the car for 30 minutes trying to get it to work. I just purchaswd this car in January and this should not be happening. Please assist
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2023
After shifting gear into park, notification on instrument panel reads Shift to Park. The vehicle does not completely turn off. This happens intermittently and is becoming more frequent.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2023
The rear liner had water indications, with an odor of mildew in the car. I couldn't drive around with mildew in my car. I notuved shortly after i purchased yhe vehicle that the brake light was cracked. I didmt think much of it, thought it was just a cosmetic thing. It was taken to my dealership and they confirmed the water was getting in through the cracked brake light. I did a little research and it seems to be a common issue with Malibu's. No warning other than the smell, that made me check the back seat.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 23, 2023
2018 Chevy Malibu over 5 times this happens since we bought it brand new it has "Reduced Engine Power" error come on and the car can't accelerate over 30 miles per hour. This is a continued problem all the time and very dangerous when we are on the tollway that has a 70-mph speed limit, and you can't get the car to go over 30 mph. This same problem happens on our 2017 Chevy Malibu that we bought brand new since we owned it too and I have already put in a complaint filed today! This is extremely dangerous and takes you a long time to get home when you can only go 30 mph or less because of the "Reduced Engine Power" Limit. GM needs to recall these Malibu's and fix the dangerous "Reduced Engine Power" error because it's dangerous to the driver in rush hour traffic and on the tollway traffic with no ability to go over 30 mph. All these Malibu's need to be fixed properly and its GM's responsibility to ensure safety for their customers lives.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 31, 2022
Engine reduced while driving
Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2022
I am the first owner of a 2018 Chevy Malibu. This car was displayed on the showroom floor. Shortly after purchasing this vehicle a new “computer” was needed. Following the new computer, my Chevy Malibu would be at approximately 70MPH and would “engine lock” its speed causing it to suddenly go from 70MPH to 20MPH while on a freeway. During this time my Chevy Malibu would reeve at approximately 5,000 RPMS and would not go over 20MPH. I brought this to GMs attention and they appeared to have very little concern. As a mother of two and a Police Officer I was very upset with GM. My vehicle has “engine locked” itself multiple times and has been towed to a dealership. Fast forward, my car, will not turn off and I’m unsure if it is going into “park”. I have replaced the “wire harness” or “transition switch” where my shifter is located. It has been approximately two months since replacing this part. My Chevy Malibu is once again not going into park and will not turn off. I am concerned my car will roll away while I am at work or out in town and cause serious injuries. GM does not seem to care about these issues. Issues being, the “shift to park” and the “limp mode” issues that my car continues to have. As a Police Officer I know that this could be VERY dangerous and I would like a solution to this issue or a new vehicle. This vehicle is not safe.
Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2022
Shifter sometimes does not recognize it was put in park. Trouble getting it to recognize park and turn off electronics. Class action law suite may be in the process with multiple models. Happened multiple times and more frequently.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 11, 2022
12/27/2021 I started my car to leave work & noticed a loud tap. I've worked for dealerships in the past & was part owner of my own repair shop for many years. Popped the hood, checked the oil level which was good, & figured I'd be fine to drive it home to park it & then hook the scanner up. Mid-way home I received an engine performance notification on my dash, but other than that it seemed safe with no diminished speed. Less than 3 miles from home I went to stop at a red light & had the hardest brake pedal I've ever felt in my life. I was fortunate nobody was around me so I put all the weight of my body on the pedal to stop the car at the light. The engine was sputtering & the steering felt tight & it felt like it was stalling, with a green turn arrow I risked crossing the highway & was able to safely park in the community's rec center. I'm not one who is quick to take anything to the dealership because many times the techs are lazy, so I hit the web & found two things. One - there is an extended warranty on the TPS sensor which is the entire gas pedal itself. This could explain the engine performance notification, but not the lack of brakes. Upon hours & hours of additional reading I found the problem - the vacuum brake pump. We ordered it & replaced it but I can tell you my engine likely needs an additional camshaft replacement for it to ever be right again. Two codes remain: P0014 & P0017 - Exhaust camshaft/crankshaft position not plausible. What was the condition of the vacuum pump? It was SHATTERED & had spewed chunks of metal directly into my engine. I was lucky that day, had I gotten 1/4 mile down the road I could have wound up in a lake instead of a parking lot. GM should be ASHAMED of this design & it's continued failure to not only address the issue, but lie about it in the process. First owner, failure occurred at 54,500 miles - no warranty. What scares me the most, is how many times the same owner has had this pump fail again & again.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 28, 2022
I was driving around 50 MPH and the car began to sputter and it wasn't getting in gas. It slowed down to 20 MPH and I had to stop on side of road. It behaved as if it were out of gas, but it had a qtr tank of gas. It would not start after I stopped it. I took it dealership and they still do not have an answer. There should be a recall on this. Numerous reports that are similar to my scenario.