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.
Engine, Aug 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE EACH TIME AFTER BEING REFUELED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COGGIN CHEVROLET (10880 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256, (904) 342-6447) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEAVER CHEVROLET (3494 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207, (904) 398-3036) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE PLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND INFORMED THEM THAT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Power train, Engine, Aug 16, 2019
I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN TWICE FOR MY ISSUE NOW. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AS I WAS GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY LAST TIME WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. BOTH DEALERS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FOR THIS ISSUE HAVE PULLED THE SAME TROUBLE CODE AND NEITHER WILL REPAIR THE KNOCK SENSOR THAT THE CODE IS FOR. I KEEP GETTING TOLD TO JUST DRIVE IT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON TO BRING IT BACK IN. MY ISSUE IS WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR THE LIGHT WILL BE OFF AND THEY NEVER HAVE ANY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK. I HAVE CONTACTED GM DIRECTLY AND BASICALLY BEEN TOLD THE SAME AS THE DEALER TO JUST DRIVE IT TIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I FEEL THAT NOT ONLY MY SAFTEY BUT THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD IS IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF THIS. I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AT THIS POINT/ BETWEEN INSURANCE AND MY LEASE PAYMENT IM PAYING $500 A MONTH FOR A CAR THAT IM NOW NERVOUS DRIVING NOT JUST THAT NOW IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE THAT IVE HAD IT IN FOR TWICE IM GONNA BE STUCK WITH TRYING TO COME UP WITH AN EXTRA $1000 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. ANY HELP I CAN GET WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2019
23000 MILES ON A USED VEHICLE. ACCELERATION/LOW POWER, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY POWER UNTIL 4000 RPMS, GAS PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED DOWN AND STILL TAKES IT TIME TO ACCELERATE. MPG IS CURRENTLY AVERAGING 18 MPG ADVERTISED AS 27-37 MPG
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2019
THE AIR CONDITIONING WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO! I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A DRIVER , DRIVING IN 100+ HEAT. THE CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU AND CRUSE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AND NEEDED FREON AND THAT WAS DONE AND IT WORKED FOR A HALF DAY. IT STARTED ON FIRST DAY OR PURCHASE 7/23-31/2019
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 31, 2019
VEHICLE FREQUENTLY HAS AN ISSUE ACCELERATING. WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC OR DEPARTING FROM A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE MORE THAN APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AN HOUR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS. YOU CAN HAVE THE GAS PEDAL PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND STILL THE CAR HAS SERIOUS HESITATION AND DELAY OF ACCELERATION. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT IS A MYSTERY IF YOU ARE GOING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND NOT MOVE OR MAYBE THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE NORMAL. YOU WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL YOU TRY!
Exterior lighting, Jul 30, 2019
HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM GOES OUT AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB TWICE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 26, 2019
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM WHICH OVERSEES THE TIMING AND SPARK NECESSARY TO IGNITE FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. GM AND CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS ARE CLAIMING THERE IS NO PROBLEM HOWEVER ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ON-STAR REPORTS PROBLEMS AND NOTHING IS FIXED. BRAND NEW CAR WITH 8600 MILES AND LESS THEN A YEAR OLD.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2019
'ENGINE BEING REDUCED' POPPED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY SPEED WAS THEN SLOWED DOWN TO 20MPH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!! WENT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS TEST PERFORMED RESULTS SAID IT WAS THROTTLE BODY/ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH, WHEN AN ERROR MESSAGE CAME UP SAYING 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND SOMETHING ABOUT TRACTION CONTROL. THEN MY SPEED WAS REDUCED AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER SO I WOULD AVOID BEING HIT BY ONCOMING 18 WHEELERS. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON, BUT SPEED WAS OK. I READY THAT THIS COULD BE DUE TO THE THROTTLE BODY OR THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR. WHAT CAN I DO????
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2019
I PURCHASED MT 2018 CHEVY MALIBU IN OCTOBER 2018, BRAND NEW. MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOW POWER/HESITATION AT ALL SPEEDS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT WHEN TURNING/PULLING OUT ONTO AN INTERSECTION FROM A STOP. THERE IS NO ACCELERATION AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER & TEST DROVE IT WITH THE MECHANIC. DURING THE DRIVE, THE CAR DISPLAYED THE SYMPTOMS AND I WAS TOLD IT IS BECAUSE OF THE '6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND ALSO THE AUTO STOP'. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO PULL OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WHEN SHIFTING BACK TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND THE ACCELERATOR BARELY RESPONDED AND THE CAR CONSTANTLY REVVES OVER 5,000 RPM'S.THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL, EVEN WHEN I PUSH IT TO THE FLOOR AND SEEMS LIKE THE CAR HAS NO POWER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT MULTIPLE TIMES BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A RECALL DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RELEASED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. CURRENT PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNING THE VEHICLE: 1.GOING AT A STEADY PACE THEN PRESSING THE GAS, THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO GO. 2.TAKING OFF FROM A STOP, THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO GO. 3.PULLING INTO TRAFFIC WITHOUT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO GO. 4.GOING NORMAL SPEED AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO GO. 5.REVVING OVER 5000 RPMS 6.REVVING OVER 5000 RPMS AND NOT GOING ANYWHERE. 7.MAKING A TURN, THE CAR IS TRYING TO 'COAST' AND DOES NOT GO WHEN I PRESS THE GAS.
Power train, Jul 14, 2019
REGARDING BULLETIN NO.: 18-NA-297: HISTORICALLY, IF A VEHICLE IS NOT IN "PARK" THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH PREVENTS THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. IN THE CASE OF THE CHEVY MALIBU, AND SIMILARLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THIS IS NOT THE CASE. WHILE THE DISPLAY READS, "SHIFT TO PARK," THE OPERATOR CAN STILL START THE VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT A DEAD BATTERY AS A RESULT OF THIS MALFUNCTION IS AN INCONVENIENCE, BUT IF LEFT UN-REPAIRED, THIS COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE LUNGING IF THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN ANY FORWARD GEAR, OR REVERSE. I BELIEVE THAT THE TERM "NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH," HAS BEEN REPLACED BY GENERAL MOTORS IN ORDER TO AVOID USING THE WORD SAFETY. RATHER, THEY USE TERMS LIKE "BCM," AND "SHIFTER ASSEMBLY," TO CIRCUMVENT CRITICISM OF A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM. AS THE AVERAGE MILEAGE APPEARS TO BE JUST SHORT OF THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION, GM IS LEAVING A SIZABLE REPAIR BILL TO CONSUMERS THAT CAN AFFORD TO PAY IT, AND FORCING "BACK YARD WORK AROUNDS" TO THOSE WHO CAN NOT. I WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA LOOK FURTHER INTO THE ISSUE, AS WELL AS THE SEMANTICS EMPLOYED BY GENERAL MOTORS. SINCERELY, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY CAR STALLS WHEN I'M AT THE LIGHT. IT TAKE ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE IT GET IN FULL SPEED.
Engine, Jul 6, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - WHEN I PUT IN PARK AND TURN OFF ENGINE, IT IS STILL RUNNING. I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE PARK SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT GOES OFF. THIS IS REOCCURRING MORE AND MORE. BAYSIDE IN PRINCE FREDERICK, MD HAS SAID OTHERS HAVE COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM ALSO.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THREE MONTHS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHISWELL CHEVROLET OF THURMONT (111 FREDERICK RD, THURMONT, MD 21788) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING ACCORDING TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 2, 2019
MY CAR IS LAGGING WHEN I COME FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT SPUTTERS AT TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE. MY CAR IS ALSO MAKING A VIBRATION NOISE WHEN I ACCELERATE, SLOW DOWN, TURNING, ON HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS AND WHEN I'M COASTING. THIS START HAPPENING WHEN MY VEHICLE REACHED 13,000 MILES. I ALMOST GOT INTO FOUR ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THERE NEED TO BE A RECALL ASAP! I'M PRETTY SURE THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE ONE UNTIL SOMEONE DIES BECAUSE OF IT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 18, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY 2018 MALIBU WITH ONLY 7500 MILES ON IT, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND I ALMOST WAS IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. A LOT OF LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE GAUGES WENT TO ZERO. AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED THAT SAID SOMETHING LIKE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE GAS GAUGE AND OTHERS ACTED LIKE THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AS TRAFFIC IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA IS VERY HEAVY. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART IT AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART FOR 10 MINUTES. WHEN IT DID RESTART THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND THE CAR STILL HAD VERY LIMITED POWER. THIS NEEDS FIXED ASAP. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM IN NOVEMBER OF 2018. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE POWER PROBLEM WHEN I HAD THE FIRST SERVICE OIL CHANGE DONE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AND NOW I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PRODUCT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO FIX. PLEASE FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS LIFE THREATENING.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2019
I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2019 WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOW POWER/HESITATION AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT WHEN TURNING/PULLING OUT ONTO AN INTERSECTION FROM A STOP. THERE IS NO ACCELERATION AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER & TEST DROVE IT WITH THE MECHANIC. DURING THE DRIVE, THE CAR DISPLAYED THE SYMPTOMS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE MECHANIC DROVE IT HIMSELF, HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. I MENTIONED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #19NA-032. ACCORDING TO THEM, THIS BULLETIN IS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE'S VIN. IN DOING MY OWN RESEARCH, MY VIN FALLS WITHIN THE TSB'S RANGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT MULTIPLE TIMES BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A RECALL DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RELEASED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 30, 2019
MY CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2018. STARTING IN APRIL OF 2018, WITH A LITTLE OVER 3000 MILES ON THE CAR, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT WHEN I DROVE THE CAR WITH A COLD START (MORNINGS AND AFTER A FULL DAY OF WORK) THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ME PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I WOULD PUSH DOWN, AND IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS FOR THE CAR TO ACTUALLY ACCELERATE AT ALL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALMOST EVERY DAY FOR NEARLY A MONTH. MULTIPLE TIMES, I HAVE PULLED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY CROSS TRAFFIC BECAUSE MY CAR LITERALLY WOULDN'T GO. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER TWICE NOW, AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PULL ANY CODES OR FIND ANY ISSUES WRONG WITH IT. THESE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. ## VIN PASSED ## CHEVROLET, MALIBU, 2018 ##
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPM GAUGE INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION GEARS FAILED TO CHANGE OVER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY TO PREVENT A CRASH. INITIALLY, PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET (1005 W EHRINGHAUS ST, ELIZABETH CITY, NC 27909, 252-338-9100) WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE WITH THE SERVICE CENTER MANAGER. FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NOT PROVIDED. A DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE CONTACT AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPACER PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED FOR TWO DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WANTED THE VEHICLE BOUGHT BACK BY THE DEALER IF THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Power train, Engine, May 25, 2019
PURCHASED 2018 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 4,200 BUT NEW DUE TO IT BEING A DEALER COURTESY CAR ON 12/18/18, ON 1/7/19 THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WHEN SHIFTING BACK TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND THE ACCELERATOR BARELY RESPONDED AND THE CAR REVVED TO OVER 5,000 RPM'S. I TOOK INTO SUPERIOR CHEVROLET ON 1/8/19, ON 1/11/19 THEY STILL DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. ON 1/4/19 THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE CONNECTING THE CAR TO A MACHINE THAT WOULD SUPPLY THE SMALLEST SPECS OF THE CAR TO SEND TO GM ENGINEERS, ON 1/16/19 THE GM ENGINEERS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). TCM WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR WAS PICKED UP ON 1/18/19. ON 5/22/19 WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND AGAIN AND REVVED TO 5,500 RPM'S. IT TOOK APPROX ONE MINUTE FOR THE ACCELERATOR TO RESPOND IN THE MEANTIME I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SUPERIOR CHEVROLET ON 5/23/19 REPORTING THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT RESPOND AGAIN AS IT HAD IN JANUARY. THE TECHS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AGAIN AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR HOME TO SEE IF IT WOULD DUPLICATE, IT DID NOT. ON 5/24/19 I WAS ADVISED THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER AND THAT SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM THIS TIME. THE FIRST FAILURE HAPPENED AT APPROX 4,700 MILES. THE SECOND OCCURRING AT APPROX 11,700. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON THE 3RD FAILURE THE ONSTAR DIAGNOSTIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. *JS
Engine, May 24, 2019
I BOUGHT MY CAR A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF I HAVE A CERTIFIED WARRANTY. THE WARNING THAT POPS IS WHEN I START MY CAR SAY 'REDUCE ENGINE POWER' AND IT MESSES WITH MY LIGHTS AS WELL AS MY GAS PEDAL TO WHERE I CAN'T GO. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY.
Engine, May 24, 2019
CAR WILL LOSE POWER WHEN DRIVING. I WAS TURNING LEFT CROSSING TRAFFIC AND IT LOST POWER. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR 3 SECONDS ESSENTIALLY IT FELT LIKE THE CAR STALLED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL RUNNING. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 3 OTHER TIMES AS WELL.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2019
THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AFTER WARMING UP. VEHICLE SPUTTERS DURING ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AS I PULLED OUT AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THERE ARE NO LIGHTS OR CODES PRESENT. ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUMS THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS (19-NA-32); IT NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL...THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2019
AT ANY GIVEN TIME, WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND SHIFT LEVER SET TO 'PARK', THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SCREEN DISPLAYS A 'SHIFT TO PARK' MESSAGE EVEN WITH THE LEVER SET TO THE 'PARK' POSITION. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE IN 'PARK' HOWEVER, BATTERY POWER TO THE VEHICLE REMAINS AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINS ON AND HONKS THREE TIMES IF THE KEY FOB IS NOT IN RANGE. IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NEVER FULLY IN 'PARK' MODE OR THAT THE VEHICLE IS NEVER FULLY TURNED OFF AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF UNATTENDED.
Vehicle speed control, May 10, 2019
MY VEHICLE OFTEN DOESN'T NOT ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. RPM WILL READ BETWEEN 3 AND 4 RPM SPEED WILL NOT GO ABOVE 5 TO 10 MPH. THIS IS A RANDOM OCCURRENCE BUT HAS BECAME MORE FREQUENT IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. IT'S HAPPENING ALMOST DAILY. LAST OCCURRENCE WAS THIS MORNING ABOUT 8:30AM. IT HAPPENS WHEN COMING FROM A STOP. I CAN PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR STILL WILL NOT GO ABOVE 5 TO 10 MPH. RPMS WILL STILL SHOW NORMAL RANGE FOR ACCELERATION. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE 5TH TIME ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME IT COULDN'T BE REPAIRED JUST YET BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR HAS NOT FAILED COMPLETELY, ALTHOUGH IT IS CLEAR THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE. DEALER STATED REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND CAR WON'T ACCELERATE, INDICATING THAT THE SENSOR HAS FAILED COMPLETELY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN MY VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT NORMAL SPEED.