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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2021
Car turns off and dashboard blinks. Assisted steering control not engaged lights up.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2021
I was driving along this morning at 70mph and all of a sudden I get a warning that engine power is reduced and I drop to 40mph in spite of pressing the accelerator, while the people behind me are rapidly coming up on me. I was able to get off on the side of the road before anything bad happened, but what if I hadn't? This makes me fear for my safety. I killed the vehicle and sat there for a few minutes. When I started it back, that error message was gone, but the check engine light stayed on. After researching, I see this is a common problem that GM is aware of, but hasn't issued a recall. There have been enough people with this problem that a class action lawsuit has been filed. When I called the closest Chevrolet dealership, I was told it would be days before they could even look at it.
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Aug 10, 2021
I have a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu . Lately after I park my car it’s comes up on my screen to Shift to Park. But the problem is that my vehicle is already in park mode. What I’m trying to find out if there have been any other complaints or concern regarding this issue. I’m 83 years old and I drive my vehicle minimally. It’s only has 9100 in mileage and I’ve taken it to my dealership in Parkville, Md 21234(Jerry’s Chevrolet)since my purchase date in March of 2018. I’ve done every service requested by schedule. I need to know if I take this in is this covered issue under my power train warranty since this controls my car movement. It’s very disturbing to me that it would not be, again I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income and every penny count these days. I look forward to hearing from someone please. My vehicles as in park
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2021
Shifter wouldn’t shift to park position, so car wouldn’t turn off. Sometimes took over a half hour of trying to get this to work. Used part 84687729 control and 84733196 harness. Also have had problem with leak in rear area where antenna is attached which caused water to pour into back right rear seat. When replaced the person said the screws were not tightened down fully which caused the leak.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING AT OVER 65 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2018 MALIBU STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR. I SAW THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WERE ON AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE SAYING "ENGINE POWER REDUCED." WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. HIGHWAY WAS BUSY BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND GET TO WORK. AFTER A FEW HOURS, I STARTED CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON, BUT THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE WAS GONE. AFTER SEEING SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE, I FEEL GM SHOULD PERMANENTLY FIX THIS ISSUE AS IT COULD HAVE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2021
WHEN I PUT CAR IN PARK A MESSAGE COMES UP ON THE DASH TO SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOU CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. CAR HAS 100K WARRANTY BUT DEALER SAYS THIS SAFETY SWITCH NOT COVERED OR RECALLED. READING ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2021
OVER HEATING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON I -71 ABOUT 10 MI BEFORE COLUMBUS OH. I STOPPED AND SAW COOLANT POURING OUT . I PURCHASED ANTIFREEZE AND MADE IT TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. THE NEAREST GARAGE FOUND THAT THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE RADIATOR IN PLACE BROKE, CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO SHIFT. THE SHIFT CAUSED THE BOUGIE WHEELFOR THE SERPINTINE BELT TO RUB A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR BELT. IT WAS NECESSARYTO REMOVE THE FRONT END TO DO THE REPAIRS. TOTAL COST $600 BY THE TIME ANTIRFREEZE COST WAS ADDED IN
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2021
ECM NEEDS FIXING
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
2018 MALIBU SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE. THIS ISSUE IS VERY COMMON AND PEOPLE ARE BEING CHARGED $700 PLUS DOLLARS BY DEALERSHIPS TO FIX. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2021
WHEN CAR IS PLACED INTO PARK AND ENGINE IS TURNED OFF A 'SHIFT TO PARK' MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE IS ALREADY PLACED IN PARK AND IS NOT DETECTING IT
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2021
WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK. THEN TURN ENGINE OFF. THE CAR SAYS I NEED TO PUT IN PARK
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2021
MY CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 62,000 MILES AT ABOUT 28,000 MILES THE WARNING WAS COMING ON REDUCED SPEED I'D BE ON THE ROAD AND THE CAR WOULD START SLOWING DOWN AND EVEN SOMETIMES ON THE INTERSTATE AND RECENTLY STARTED COMING ON AGAIN I COULD FEEL A POPPING LIKE IN THE GAS PEDAL. THEN THE OTHER DAY I WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT AND THE SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE CAME ON WHEN I WENT TO PULL OFF IT JUST JUMPED. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO BACK IT UP I WASN'T EVEN ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING IN THE PARKING LOT FOR HOURS UNTIL IT DIED. THEN BEFORE THIS THE CAR MOVED SO SLOW IT HARDLY TOOK OFF. OTHER CARS HAVE TO GO AROUND ME. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND JUST SEEMS LIKE ISSUE AFTER ISSUE. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED AND REIMBURSE PEOPLE FOR THESE VEHICLES.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 7, 2021
SO MANY ISSUES, CAR CURRENTLY NOT STARTING. CODES WERE FOR BRAKE BOOSTER AND MAF SENSORS, REPLACED BOTH. STILL WON'T START. OPEN RECALL EMC, CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED RECALL IS FREE BUT SINCE IT WON'T START I HAVE TO PAY 125 SO THEY CAN HOOK IT TO COMPUTER. SHIFT TO GEAR HAPPENS WEEKLY, CAR WILL BE IN PARK. STABILTRACK CAME ON A FEW TIMES, BUT GOES AWAY. IT TELLS ME ICY CONDITIONS ON EVAN WARM DAYS, DISPLAY WILL GO BLACK BU USUALLY RANDOMLY COMES ON. THE WORST IS THE REDUCED ENGINE MODE. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON. I HAVE BEEN ON THE STREET DOING ABOUT 35 MPH AND IT DOES IT ALSO ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS WITH 4 KIDS IN THE CAR, TERRIFYING AND DANGEROUS. I AM SURE I'M FORGETTING THINGS I HAVE JUST COME TO NOT FEEL SAFE OR COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR, LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS NO HELP. TOOK A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT THAT WAS 20000 MILES AGO, HAPRNS RANDOMLY AND ALMOST IN CLUSTERS. I CAN GO A MONTH OR 2 WITH NOTHING AND THEN IT'S 2-4 TIMES A DAY FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS, AND THEN STOPS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2021
TWO TIMES MY VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WELL AND MY VEHICLE SPEED WAS AUTOMATICALLY REDUCE TO ABOUT 20 MPH ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH WITH THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON THE ENTIRE DAY EVEN AFTER POWERING DOWN MY VEHICLE. ALSO THERE IS A LOUD WATER NOISE WHEN COMING TO A STOP LIKE WATER IS RUNNING THROUGH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. THIS WATER NOISE OCCURRED WITH MY 2013 MALIBU AS WELL AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING THESE TYPES OF ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 28, 2020
WHEN PUT IN PARK A MESSAGE SHOWS SHIFT TO PARK. I HAVE TO SHOVE IT INTO PARK BEFORE CAR WOULD TURN OFF. WHEN STOPPING AND MAKING TURNS THERE IS A SLOUSHING SOUND (WATER) COMING FROM THE DASH. I GOT BOTH ITEMS FIXED OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE AIR POCKET BUT IT DID COVER SHIFT TO PARK WITH A $50 DEDUCTIBLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW SO NOT SURE WHY ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING. I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THESE ITEMS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED SEEING THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD.
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2020
WHEN PUT IN PARK, VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK UPON ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WILL NOT CUT THE ELECTRIC SIGNAL TO THE CAR. SOMETIMES RESTARTING THE ENGINE WORKS BUT I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE AT LEAST A BLOCK RECENTLY TO GET THE ELECTRIC SIGNAL TO CUT OFF. IT HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES IN MY VEHICLE STARTING ON DECEMBER 24TH 2020
Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME AND STARTED BACK UP. THIS WAS VERY SCARY, THANKFULLY I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. I WAS THINKING IT WAS A BATTERY ISSUE BUT AFTER GETTING MY BATTERY CHECKED THAT SEEMED TO NOT BE THE CASE. THE SAME PROBABLY HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART CAUSING OTHER PEOPLE IN VEHICLES TO BLOW THEIR HORN OR CURSE ME OUT WHILE GOING AROUND ME! I DID GET A WARNING SIGN ON DASHBOARD THAT STATES STABILITRAC. I DID TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP TODAY BUT FEAR THE OUTCOME WILL NOT BE RESOLVED. I'M JUST TOO SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR AT THIS POINT IN THE FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ALONG LIKE NORMAL AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. WE CANNOT GET IT TO START. WE TRIED JUMPING IT, BUT NO LUCK. I HAVE A BRAND NEW BATTERY, SO IT'S NOT THE BATTERY.
Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2020, fire
NARRATIVE FROM DRIVER: "ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2020, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:45 AM, I LEFT MY RESIDENCE LOCATED IN BOCA RATON, FL WITH MY GSA VEHICLE (TAG G10 3884V) TO DRIVE TO THE MOBIL LUBE OIL EXPRESS (MOBIL) LOCATED AT 90 NW SPANISH RIVER BLVD, BOCA RATON, FL. THE MOBIL IS APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE. I DROVE DIRECTLY FROM MY RESIDENCE TO THE MOBIL AND DID NOT MAKE ANY STOPS. AS I WAS DRIVING AROUND THE BACK OF THE MOBIL BUILDING TO PULL INTO ONE OF THE BAYS FOR AN OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR IN A PARKING SPACE BEHIND THE MOBIL AND EXITED THE CAR. MOMENTS LATER, FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. UPON SEEING THE FLAMES, I CALLED 911, WHO THEN CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE IN THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, I CALLED GSA WHO CALLED A TOWING COMPANY (WESTLAKE TOWING) TO TOW THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE MOBIL PARKING LOT AS THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND IT IS INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE GSA CAR."
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2020
CAR WON'T SHIFT TO PARK, WHILE IT'S ALREADY IN PARK AND CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. CHEVROLET SHOULD RECALL THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. MY CAR WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND NOW I'M HAVING THIS ISSUE AND I KNOW IT'S NOTHING I HAVE DONE TO CAUSE IT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2020
WHEN MY CAR IS IN PARK, MY SYSTEM IS NOT PICKING UP THAT IT IS IN PARK WHICH MEANS I CANT TURN OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLES BATTERY TO DIE. YOU HAVE TO LITERALLY JAM THE SHIFTER IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO READ IT, WHICH EVENTUALLY DOESN'T WORK EITHER.
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2020
THE VEHICLE HAS A MESSAGE THAT POPS UP ON THE DASH SAYING "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. THIS DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND PARKED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2020
GET "SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE" IT WONT TURN VEHICLE OFF.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2020
THE POWER SHIFTER IN THE CAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS WITH MANY OF THE OTHER RECENT COMPLAINTS I SEE ON HERE, WHEN I WENT TO TURN OFF THE CAR IT POPPED UP THE "SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING EVEN THOUGH I WAS ALREADY IN PARK AND WOULDN'T POWER OFF THE RADIO OR LIGHTS. IT APPEARS THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THE 2018 MALIBU'S AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2020
WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE SHIFTER DOES NOT FULLY ENGAGE RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO PARK THE CAR OR TURN IT OFF. THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYS "SHIFT INTO PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER IS ACTUALLY IN PARK.