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, 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
Electrical system, Seats, Feb 16, 2021
DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. SEAT IS LOCKED IN THE FORWARD POSITION AND WILL NOT MOVE BACKWARDS.
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.
Engine, Feb 8, 2021
ENGINE POWER REDUCED
Engine, Feb 3, 2021
CUT CAR OFF WOULDNT START UP REPLACED VVT SOLENOIDS AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS HAD BATTERY TESTED HAD IT TESTED ON COMPUTER ALL CODES CLEAR AND BEING TOLD IT MAY BE ONE OR MORE CRACKED PISTONS CAR WAS IDLEING NORMAL IN PARK
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 2, 2021
THE ONSTAR SYSTEM SHOCKED MY HUSBAND. THE CAR WON'T START SOMETIMES. THE DASH BOARD READS DIFFERENT THINGS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE YARD WITH NOTHING PLUGGED UP TO DRAIN THE BATTERY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2021
MY 2018 MALIBU HAS A FEATURE THAT WHEN THE CAR STOPS THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES AND ENGINE WILL START BACK WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE MY CAR HAS SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN WHEN I'VE COME TO A STOP ALL POWER SHUTS DOWN THE HEAT THE RADIO EVERYTHING
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.
Engine, Jan 27, 2021
REDUCE ENGINE POWER CAME ON
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.
Power train, Jan 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS FIANC WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE WITH THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE DISPLAYED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON ANOTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARMEN CHEVROLET SERVICE & PARTS DEPARTMENT (41 GREENFIELD AVE, ARDMORE, PA 19003) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
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, 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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 17, 2021
WHEN I'M SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AWAITING MY TURN TO PROCEED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK THE CAR IS FINE. AFTER SITTING AT THE LIGHT AND IT'S TIME TO DRIVE, I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BREAK AND MY CAR SHUTS COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN I APPLY A LITTLE GAS THE CAR TURNS BACK ON AND IT MALFUNCTIONS EVEN MORE. MY DASH BOARD GOES HAYWIRE WITH DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES. IT SAYS THE FUEL IS LOW WHICH IT IS NOT, I COULD HAVE A FULL TANK. THE BACK DOOR IS UNLOCKED, I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT MESSAGE BEFORE UNTIL THE MALFUNCTION. MY BLINKER TONE EVEN CHANGES AND MY CAR IS RELUCTANT TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE NOW.
Engine, Jan 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOUNTAIN VIEW CHEVROLET, INC. (1079 W FOOTHILL BLVD UPLAND, CA 91786, (909) 353-7103) WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
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
Steering, Jan 9, 2021
2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A FLAT SMOOTH ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL WILL STICK IN THE STRAIGHT POSITION. IT REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO BREAK FREE FROM THIS POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND EXTRA CORRECTION IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN CONTROL. IT HAS HAPPENED ALMOST EVERYDAY SINCE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2021.
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.