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: vehicle speed control
113 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Aug 25, 2021
REDUCED ENGINE POWER I have had this issue happen 3 times since owning this car. The last time it happened, my son & I were on the Interstate going 80mph. My 2018 Chevy Malibu quickly slowed to 50mph with no further acceleration. Luckily, I was not far from an exit that we could find a safe place to park. I read to pump the gas pedal a few times, so I did, let the car sit for about 20 min., then we were able to limp to our destination by using cruise control. I have read several complaints online of consumers having this same issue. This is a very dangerous issue to have go on while driving & GM is not seeming to want to fix it. I did not feel safe this last time, for myself nor my child. The time if day was around 4:30-5pm, during heavy traffic. It only takes someone not paying attention or an 18-wheeler, who can not stop well, to cause a major accident.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 23, 2021
While driving 70 mph, I get an Alert that stated reducing speed. And my check engine light came on. This is not the first time. Lucky I was able to get off the Highway without getting into an accident. Also my car sometimes will not cut off because it says my car is in shift even though I have it in park. This is dangerous to have a car reduce speed while driving 70 mph to Abruptly go 40 mph. Last time this happen a month ago no codes came up and the check engine light eventually went off. But now my check engine light is back on again.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 16, 2021
MY ENGINE POWER REDUCED SIGNAL ON MY 2018 MALIBU LT COMES ON ON MY DASH. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A FEW ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP. I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL REPLACED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT ARE TOO CHEAP TO DO A RECALL ON IT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE ONE DAY BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT WILL FALL ON THE HANDS OF THE CAR COMPANY.
Vehicle speed control, May 11, 2021
WAS DRIVING THE MALIBU ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING 75 MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN VEHICLE STARTED TO SLO DWN AND ON THE DASHBOARD APPEARED - ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOT SAFE AS I DO TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE. I HAD TO MAKE MY WAY OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE, TURN CAR OFF AND THEN TURN BACK ON AND DRIVE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SO FAR WITH THE MOST RECENT MAY 7, 2021
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.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 23, 2021
WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY I RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND A WARNING THAT THE ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED. AFTER ALL OF THOSE WARNINGS MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO 20 MPH AND WOULD NOT SPEED UP.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 17, 2021, crash
WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY MALIBU IT STALLS OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING REDUCING MY SPEED TO 20 MPH WHEN I'AM ON THE FREEWAY. AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE HOME I SEEN A NOTIFICATION THAT SAID POWER REDUCE SYSTEM IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN AND AS A RESULT OF THE STALLING I WAS REAR ENDED FROM THE REAR AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS CAR.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 5, 2021
THE CAR US UNDER 60,000 MILES THREE YEARS OLD AND ALREADY BREAKING DOWN. THE AIR FLOW SENSOR OUT OF SELF-TEST RANGE, TURBOCHARGE ENGINE UNDERBOOST PROBLEMS AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR PERFORMANCE IS ALSO PROBLEMATIC, MAKING THE CAR STOP INSTANTLY AND SPORADICALLY CREATING A HIGH IMMINENT DANGER OF CRASHING AND SERIOUS INJURIES. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FAR ENOUGH TO STOP BEFORE REAR-ENDING ME. HAD IT BEEN A SEMI-TRUCK I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY RECALLED AND CORRECTED!!!
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 22, 2021
I TURNED ON MY CAR AND IT SAID 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' ON THE SCREEN AND I COULD ONLY ACCELERATE UP TO 35MPH. I WAS GOING UP HILL IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS BARELY MOVING. TURNS FELT MUCH SLOWER GOING UPHILL WHEN DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE COMES ON AND SPEED IS CUT TO BELOW 35 MPH.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2021
WHILE DRIVING THE ERROR MESSAGE " POWER REDUCED" AND WILL ONLY DO ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE AND AT LEAST A COUPLE OF LAW FIRMS HAVE CLIENTS FOR THE LEMON MALIBU 2018 MODEL. FIRST TIME THIS OCCURED, I WAS GOING UP A HILL WITH A TRUCK BEHIND MEAND NEARLY REAR ENDED ME.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 19, 2021
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE GAVE A WARNING OF 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. MY CAR QUICKLY DROPPED TO 20MPH AND I WAS UNABLE ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND ME AND I WAS SCARED I WAS GOING TO BE REAR ENDED. I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON WHICH ALLOWED ME TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AGAIN BUT ONLY AT A CAPACITY OF 40MPH. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED LATER THAT DAY IT NEEDED SOMETHING WITH AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND PEDAL SENSOR REPLACED. I ALSO LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF AND FEEL THAT THEY NEED TO RECALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. THERE'S NO REASON A VEHICLE SHOULD BE DROPPING TO 20 MPH UNEXPECTEDLY ON A HIGHWAY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 16, 2021
WHILE DRIVING MY ENGINE AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND A SENSOR POPPED UP THAT READ 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY SPEED WAS REDUCED. I CAN'T AND COULD NOT SPEED UP.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 16, 2021
AFTER PULLING OUT OF A CONVENIENT STORE, ONTO A MAIN ROAD FOR ABOUT A HALF A MILE MY CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED AND A DISPLAY APPEARED IN MY DASH ENGINE POWER REDUCED , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT APPEARED. I COULDN'T DRIVE NO MORE THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR .. SCARY MOMENT, SO GLAD NOTHING WAS COMING BEHIND ME. CAR IN SHOP! THIS NEED TO BE FIX IT'S A MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR KIND OF CAR SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED FIX THE PROBLEM FOR FREE GMC
Vehicle speed control, Feb 11, 2021
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CAR ISSUED WARNING REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON. CAR THEN WOULD NOT DRIVE FASTER THAN 30 MPH. VERY SUDDEN AND WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING THIS HAPPENED. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC WAS TOLD ACCELERATION PEDAL SENSOR WAS BAD. THIS IS NOT A COVERED REPAIR AND COST $800. THIS SUDDEN REDUCTION OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 10, 2021
CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULDN'T RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER ON DASH CLUSTER WAS VISIBLE WHEN IT RESTARTED. DEALERSHIP PLACED NEW BATTERY & IT WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN RETURNED WHILE DRIVING IN THE 45 MPH RANGE, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THEN SLOW ACCELERATION FROM A STOP SIGN. SEEMS THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR THIS ISSUE WITH NO RECALL IN PLACE AT THIS TIME.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 2, 2021
I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WAS ON MY INFORMATION DISPLAY AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. JUST HAPPENED OUT OF THE BLUE. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 64,000 MILES ON MY MALIBU. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET AND NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS, IF I WAS ON A HIGHWAY. THEN AFTER I LIMPED THE CAR HOME I TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT SEEMED NORMAL, BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I AM GETTING RID OF THIS CAR HAS HAD 5 RECALLS OF VARIOUS PROBLEMS SO FAR. ON ONE OCCASION THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS...TRYING TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 1, 2021
ON JANUARY 11 2021 WHILE DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY MALIBU TO WORK I RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE WARNING ON MY DASH, MY MESSAGE STATING "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" CAME ON AND MY CAR SUDDENLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED SPEED FROM 50 TO 20MPH. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER MOTORIST AND HAD TO MANUEVER MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, REESTARTED IT AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALER AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE THE NEXT MORNING. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR ISSUE AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK ON JANUARY 13TH 2020.TODAY, FEBRUARY 1ST 2020 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID BEING HIT AGAIN AND STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY CAR IS NOW BACK AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. AFTER EXPECTING THE ISSUE WAS FIXED AND WOULDNT HAPPEN AGAIN, I AM EXTREMELY FEARFUL FOR MY SAFETY (AND THOSE AROUND ME) IN THIS CAR. I AM A WORKING MOTHER AND NEED TO RELY ON MY CAR TO GET MY FAMILY TO WORK AND SCHOOL.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 31, 2021
WHEN I DRIVE I'M LOSING ENGINE POWER WHERE MY SPEED IS REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I'VE LOOKED UP THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A RECALL ON MALIBU'S 2016-2018. I HAVEN'T GOT A RECALL ON MY CAR YET BUT THIS DEFECT IN THESE CARS ARE RIDICULOUS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME ASAP ABOUT THIS DEFECT. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ON THE ROADS. MY SPEED IS REDUCED WHILE I'M DRIVING.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 28, 2021
WHILE IN MOTION THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED THEN THE CAR SLOWED TO A SPEED OF 20 MPH. UPON STARTING M VEHICLE A WEEK A LATER THE ENGINE REDUCTION WARNING CAME ON AGAIN. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED NOW I'M BEING TOLD IT'S THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR . WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 26, 2021
I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN SUDDENLY CAR DECELERATED TO 20MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING POPPED UP ALONG WITH A ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS EVEN AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING CAR.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 20, 2021
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY SPEED WAS INSTANTLY REDUCED AS I WAS DRIVING. SOMETIMES IT GOES OFF AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION BUT I COULD BE ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS AND IT WILL OCCUR, CAUSING A SUDDEN SLOWER SPEED.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 17, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND AS I HIT 55 MPH I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE READING, 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' AND THE ABS LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT BOTH LIT UP. I ALSO COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY LONGER. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, I DID NOT GET A MESSAGE HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL WAS LIT BUT NOT THE ABS LIGHT. I DROVE TO AN AUTOZONE GOT HE CODE READ AND IT WAS P2138. I LOOKED UP ONLINE AND IT SEEMS AS IF THOUSANDS ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH 2016-2018 MALIBU'S AND CRUZES. I'M ALSO AWARE GM HAS HAD A LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM OVER THIS.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 13, 2021
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACKING LIGHT, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP , LOW ENGINE AND CAN'T EXCEED 45 ~ 50 MPH ALL HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 8, 2021
WHILE GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON MY 2018 MALIBU, I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION ON MY DASH THAT SAID MY ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER. AFTER CLEARING THE NOTIFICATION, MY CAR DROPPED IN MPH AND I COULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 60MPH. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER THAT, MY MPH DROPPED AGAIN AND I COULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 25 MPH WHILE MY RPMS WERE SPIKING AT 4000. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE ACCELERATION SENSOR IS BAD AND I HAD TO REPLACE MY ACCELERATOR AND WAS FOREWARNED THAT THIS IS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM GIVEN THERE'S A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALREADY OUT THERE. BUT I WANTED TO ADD TO THE MASSES SO CHEVY IS FORCED TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE PEOPLE GET SERIOUSLY HURT.