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
698 reports, newest first.
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
Engine, May 2, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 70MPH AND A WARNING POPPED UP ON THE DASH AND SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 20MPH. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON A REGULAR CITY STREET WHILE GOING 40MPH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED
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.
Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2021
THE PASSENGER SIDE LED LIGHT (DAY TIME/FOG LIGHT) HAS GONE OUT. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND RAN ACROSS A LOT OF CHEVY OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AT THE EXACT SPOT. IF THERE ISN'T A RECALL THEN ONE SHOULD DEFINITELY BEEN IN ORDER. LED LIGHT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT AND I SHOULDN'T BE CHARGED AN ARM AND A LEG TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
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.
Engine, Apr 25, 2021
ENGINE GOES INTO POWER REDUCED MODE REGULARLY AND PREVENTS ME FROM DRIVING. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AS WELL. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR, I AM ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN, BUT IT IS HAPPENS MORE AND MORE OFTEN.
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.
Power train, Apr 21, 2021
WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE (SHIFT TO PARK LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH). IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 9 TIMES A WEEK. VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN I CAN NOT TURN THE CAR OFF.
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
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.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 9, 2021
I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK IN JUNE . I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS AND THINKING IT'S ONLY MY BATTERY BACK TO BACK . I'VE BEEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHERE MY CAR WOULD JUST COME OFF . ONE TIME JSO POLICE HAD TO GIVE MY CAR A JUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AT A LEFT TURNING LIGHT. MY CAR HAVE STOPPED ON BEACH BLVD WHICH WAS EARLY IN THE DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET . IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO GET A PORTABLE JUMP STARTER. I LOOKED INTO IT & GOT BRAND NEW PARTS FOR SO MANY THINGS AND ONE DAY IT JUST WOULDN'T CRANK ANYMORE . THE LIGHTS AND RADIO AND EVERYTHING COME ON AND EVERYTHING BUT IT'S NOT CRANKING ANYMORE . I CALLED MANY CHEVROLETS AND WAS INFORMED BY THAT MANY 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S WERE RECALLED AND NO DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN IS TRYING TO HELP ME . THE GAS GOES OUT THE CAR VERY FAST AND EVERYTHING. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR MONTHS BUT NOW IT'S FINALLY TO THE POINT WHERE IT WON'T COME ON AGAIN . I'M ONLY 19 AND WAS JUST 18 WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR ON MY OWN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND NOW I'M STUCK WITHOUT ANYTHING TO DO.
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
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 6, 2021
DURING AUTO STOP FEATURE OF 20108 MALIBU, CAR WILL POP UP WITH "STEERING ASSIST REDUCED, PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE" MESSAGE AND DISAPPEAR. CAR WILL ALSO SHUT OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING AUTO STOP. CHEVY DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CALIBRATE CAR TO FIX ISSUE.
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, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2021
WHEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL IS ON AND FOOT ON BRAKES THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIGHT UP AND WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRY TO RECRANK A MESSAGE STATED NO GASOLINE.
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.
Suspension, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 16, 2021
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND SAY SLOW ENGINE POWER
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.
Engine, Mar 8, 2021
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER REDUCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SLOWED DOWN WITH NO POWER. THIS ALSO HAPPENED 2 WEEKS AGO. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A RECALL ITEM, BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANY.
Engine, Mar 1, 2021
THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/ WITCH D/E
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