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.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 8, 2020
CAR TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OFF AS WELL AS NO LIGHTS WERE ON. SO I COULD NOT PUT IT ON NEUTRAL TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE ROAD. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHERE IT COULD HAVE GONE BADLY. ALSO, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. CAR STILL TURNS OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON
Power train, Jul 7, 2020
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO PARK VEHICLE WILL GIVE MESSAGE SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK WHEN IT CLEARLY IS IN PARK. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF OR MESS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT FOR A LITTLE WHILE FOR THE MESSAGE TO FINALLY GO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ITSELF WILL NOT POWER OFF UNTIL THE MESSAGE GOES AWAY. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND CHEVY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ASAP! THESE ARE BRAND NEW CARS THAT ARE DOING THIS AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY ISSUES WITH IT BEING A BRAND NEW CAR. THEY NEED TO MAKE IT A SERVICE BULLTIN AND OR RECALL.
Wheels, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 6, 2020
THE CAR STALLS WHILE I'M DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS REGULAR STREETS TURNING NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAR FULL TANK PROPER OIL LEVELS ETC
Engine, Jun 28, 2020
WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THE CAR WILL SAY "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND WILL NOT LET ME ACCELERATE. THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY OR MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT HAS DONE THIS ONCE BEFORE AT A STOPLIGHT WHERE THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT OFF.
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2020
WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, A MESSAGE COMES ON THE DASH SAYING 'SHIFT TO PARK'. THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK, BUT THE CAR DOESN'T PICK THAT UP. IT IS A KNOWN CHEVY ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE YET TO RECALL. HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jun 18, 2020, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I WAS FORCED TO GO OVER A CARDBOARD BOX THAT HAPPENED TO BE ON MY LANE. I FELT IT HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF MY CAR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I SMELLED SMOKE AND I WAS ALSO ALERTED BY SURROUNDING DRIVERS TO PULL OVER. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND RAN OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO ABOUT 100FT AWAY. I COULD SEE FLAMES IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME I REACHED OUT TO EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THEY GOT TO THE LOCATION, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2020
THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT IT DOES IT SOMETIMES A FEW TIMES A DAY. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHILE PRESSING THE PUSH TO START BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REED CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 4500 RAEFORD RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28304, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 29, 2020
ONCE MY CAR IS STOPPED AND I SHIFT TO 'P'(PARK) AND I TRY TO TURN OFF MY VEHICLE IT STILL GIVES ME THE 'SHIFT TO PARK' MESSAGE. THE SHIFT GEAR HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT STARTED TO DO IT AGAIN. IT HAS UNDER 36,000 MILES ON IT AND WE THOUGHT THE ISSUE HAD BEEN FIXED ALREADY BUT IT STARTED TO DO IT AGAIN LESS THEN A YEAR LATER. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 22, 2020
AUTO STOP JUST STOPED WORKING ALSO WHEN I PUT IT ON PARK IT SHOWS 'SHIFT TO PARK' BUT THE VEHICLE IS ON PARK ALREADY. *TR
Power train, May 21, 2020
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION NOT ENTERING IN PARKING , CAUSING VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACK IF PUT ON PARKING. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES . THIS MIGHT BE A SENSOR OR AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE GEAR SELECTOR, BECAUSE IF YOU WIGGLE THE SELECTOR SOMETIMES IT WILL GO AWAY. VEHICLE WILL SHOW MESSAGE VEHICLE NOT IN PARKING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I GOT AN ALERT ON THE DASH INDICATING 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. CAN'T ACCELERATE. CAN'T GO MORE THAN 30 MPH. NO OPEN RECALLS IN MY VEHICLE, BUT SEEMS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUE? *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 20, 2020
WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED CONTROL WAS ON THE CAR POWERED DOWN ALMOST MADE US WRECK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY THE POWER DOWN ALERT THE CAR WAS DRAGGING IN SPEED AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE IS ONLY 35000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 16, 2020
SINCE JULY 2019 MY VEHICLE HAS CONTINUALLY SHOWN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH THE MESSAGE, POWER ENGINE REDUCED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE RPMS INCREASE DRASTICALLY AND VEHICLE CAN NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS AND MAIN ROADS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CAN BE GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DROPS DOWN TO 30MPH. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE ATTACHED MULTIPLE SERVICE RECORDS WHERE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE WORKED ON, BUT YET THE ISSUE STILL OCCURS AT ANYTIME. THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE AND ALTHOUGH HE DEALERSHIPS SAY THEY FIXED IT FOR MY VEHICLE, IT STILL OCCURS. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN AN ANSWER OR HAD THE PROBLEM RESOLVED AND IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM. THERE LAST REASONING FOR NOT GIVING ME A RESOLUTION WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE WAITING ON SERVICE RECORDS, YET I CALLED THE DEALERSHIPS AND HAD THE SERVICE RECORDS IN LESS THAN AN HOUR. *TR
Suspension, May 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, AN UNUSUAL SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN CHEVROLET DEALER, LOCATED IN CHESTER, VA, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE THE SHOCKS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 4, 2020
IT KEEPS GIVING THE SHIFT TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ITS IN FULL PARK ALREADY.
Power train, Apr 20, 2020
CAR SAYS SHIFT TO PARK ON DASH MONITOR WHEN CAR GEAR SHIFT IS DEFINITELY IN PARK. CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT AFTER DRIVING.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 18, 2020
ON 4/5/2020, WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, THE CAR LOST PROPULSION. IT READ ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND STABILITRAC HAD ACTIVATED. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR. MY VERY FIRST ENCOUNTER WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (I-270) THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED (PER RECALL) ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IT HAS DONE THE VERY EXACT THING AT LEAST THREE (3) TIMES SUBSEQUENT OF THE RECALL MANDATE. EVERY TIME I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR THE MOTOR WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE. I HAVE MADE THIS COMPLAINT TO GENERAL MOTORS, PRIOR TO THIS LATEST EVENT ON 4/5/2020, MY COMPLAINT HAD BEEN DISMISSED. I AM BEING FORCED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE; KNOWING IT POSES A SERIOUS RISK OF ACCIDENT OR DEATH TO ME AND OTHER MOTORIST. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A SIDE RESIDENTIAL STREET A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY RESIDENCE. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT THE ALWAYS THE CASE AND THIS IS A CONTINUOUS EVENT. I LIVE WITHIN A 3/4-MILE RADIUS OF BALTIMORE'S SEA-PORT, TRAIN & TRUCK TERMINAL AS WELL AS INTERSTATES I-895 & I-95'S (HARBOR AND FORT MCHENRY TUNNEL). I TRAVEL THE I-895 TUNNEL TO WORK EVERYDAY. AFTER SEVERAL RECALL ATTEMPTS TO FIX, THIS CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. WHEREAS, WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS, IT LOSES ENGINE POWER AND STALLS WHILE IN MOTION. INCLUDED ARE ONSTAR ONBOARD DIAGNOSIS REPORTS AND SERVICE RECORDS AFTER THE INITIAL RECALL SERVICING OF THE CAR.
Electrical system, Apr 6, 2020
SHIFT TO PARK APPEARS WHEN CAR IS DEFINITELY IN PARK ALREADY
Power train, Engine, Apr 3, 2020
MY TRANSMISSION HAS HAD MULTIPLE REPAIRS SINCE I'VE GOTTEN MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO GO IN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE THEY FIXED THE TRANSMISSION BUT ONCE I GOT IT BACK IT INSTANTLY HAD ANOTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUE. IT HAS ALSO HAD THE SHIFTER REPLACED, WHICH IS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 26, 2020, crash
THE RECALL ECM CAUSED ENGINE TO STALL AS I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL, I ACCELERATED TO MAKE UP FOR THE DELAY AND VEERED INTO A PARKED CAR CAUSING MY CAR TO OVER TURN ON THE HOOD. I WAS INJURED AND CAR RENDERED TOTALLED. THIS WAS MY SECOND ACCIDENT. I WAS SIDESTEPPED ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY ENTIRE SIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS ON HIGHWAY WHEN CAR LOST POWER DUE TO ECM MALFUNCTION. (RECALL ISSUE THAT WAS LOOKED AT BUT NEVER RESOLVED). I HAVE PHOTOS AVAILABLE. I HAVE ASKED VARIOUS DDEPARTMENTS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND GM FINANCIAL FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE BUT TO NO AVAIL.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 25, 2020
MY CAR REDUCED ITS ENGINE POWER AND SLOWED DOWN FROM 60 MILES DOWN TO 20 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY WITH A TANK TRUCK BEHIND ME. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED IN MY LIFE. THE ENGINE REDUCED ITS POWER THREE TIMES NOW! I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THE ISSUE WAS FIXED BUT CLEARLY IT WASN'T! I HAVE CHILDREN AND I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW BECAUSE OF THIS!!!!!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 16, 2020
CAR ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. SYSTEM SAYS 'ENGINE POWER REDUCE' AND 'SERVICE STABILITRAK.' BRAKE CLICKS AND LOCKS WHEN BEEN PRESSED DOWN, STEERING WHEEL ALSO LOCKS.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 11, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE VEHICLE OWNER/DRIVER HER DAUGHTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AS POWER WAS REDUCED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL BODY SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,447.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 10, 2020
WARNING MESSAGES LIGHT UP "STEERING POWER IS DIMINISHED, DRIVE WITH CARE", SOMETHING PERTAINING TO BRAKES AND BATTERY, THE WARNINGS FLASH SO QUICKLY I CAN'T READ THEM ALL. THE CAR GOES DEAD WHEN I STOP, SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY WITH DASH LIGHTS GOING COMPLETELY OUT, THEN A VERY SLOW RESTART AS THE LIGHTS BRIGHTEN VERY SLOWLY. AFTER THE THIRD TIME YESTERDAY AND TODAY I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN "PARK FOR IT TO RESTART AT A STOP LIGHT AND NOW IT WILL NOT START AT ALL,