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2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 6safety recalls
- 711owner complaints
- 24crash reports
- 4fire reports
- 17injuries reported
711 complaints, against an average of 366 for the other 13 Chevrolet Malibu model years.
Every Chevrolet Malibu model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
The components named most often in the 711 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2018 Chevrolet Malibu owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 711 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu been recalled?
6 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Seat Belts: Critical Fasteners 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.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System: Software 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.
Risk: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Disc: Caliper 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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags: Sensor: Occupant Classification 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump 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.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
What do 2018 Chevrolet Malibu owners report?
12 of the 711 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
On 10/8/26 My vehicle failed in the middle of traffic as I was driving the car forcefully slowed down. When I proceeded to press the gas the car began driving in reverse putting me in immediate danger causing 2 different car to almost hit me from behind. I put the car in park , turned on my hazard lights and got out of the vehicle . I called my husband immediately luckily I was not far from home, and had him push my car out of the street . It’s currently still there.
My chevy stopped while driving. The engine light came on and engine power reduced. The brakes locked up and I could not go anywhere. Code P1101, Vacuum Pump Failure and ECM came up. Financing this vehicle. Have not been able to drive it in 3 weeks.
I was driving in town through a stoplight when I noticed my brakes stopped working. Also when I had stopped the car still in drive and the car had shut off completely in the middle of the road and was not able to turn back on. The car would keep trying start but none were successful. My car also stated that there was reduced power to the engine and the car would hesitate to gain speed as well. My safety and others were put to risk because my brakes stopped working so I could’ve caused an accident. When we trying to find what was wrong with it through a code reader we had noticed the piece had…
Examatory mark appears on the dashboard say that engine speed as reduced
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle while in park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact shifted in and out of park(P) and wiggled the gear shifter several times, but the failure persisted and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was diagnosed by three independent mechanics, and it was determined that the failure was associated with the transmission and the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The dealer was notified of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The failure…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel. The gear shifter was shifted back into drive and then back into park to turn off the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, started to lose automotive power, and then continued driving; however, the vehicle operated at reduced power and failed to exceed 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The…
I own a 2018 Chevy Malibu. At approximately 57,000 miles, the original engine experienced a vacuum pump failure that resulted in catastrophic engine damage. The engine was replaced by General Motors under the vehicle's warranty. I then drove the vehicle for approximately another 52,000 miles with the warranty replacement engine. At that point, I experienced a sudden loss of braking while driving. My vehicle was again diagnosed with a vacuum pump failure, and the vacuum pump was replaced. Approximately one week after the vacuum pump replacement, the warranty replacement engine suffered…
A software error in 1.5L turbo model disable fuel injectors, preventing the engine from starting or causing a sudden stall while driving. It’s been confirmed to be an previously opened recall that was fixed by previous owner. But, is happening again to me. Yet I’m being told It has been closed and cannot be fixed unless I pay out of pocket. There are warning signs that pop up like reduced speed while I am driving etc. which reduces my speed and is incredibly unsafe.
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE CAR IS RECEIVING ERROR: "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS APPEAR TO BE A KNOW ISSUE FOR 2018 CHEVY MALIBU HYBRID. CAR CUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC
REDUCED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TICKING NOISE STOPPED 2 TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY REPAIR LOT RAN A DIAGNOSTIC UNABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE CAR IS NOT WORKING FOUND MANY CODES STILLUNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE
The check engine light keeps coming on and off with a warning that the engine power is being reduced. The dealership's service center can't locate the issue. The car's traction warning went off and the car's speed was reduced while driving. This happened twice in the same day. When you shut the car off and turn it back on the warning goes away and the car drives normal. This is very unsafe. Had this happened on the highway there could have been a serious accident.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop, the engine auto Start/Stop system engaged, causing the engine to shut off; however, the electrical system then became inoperable. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal to resume driving, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and rolled to a stop. The stabili-trak and electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. A message advising to open and to close the…
2018 Chevrolet Malibu: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 711 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu; the most common categories were engine (284, 39.9%), electrical system (196, 27.6%), power train (175, 24.6%). There are 6 safety recalls. 24 complaints mention a crash, 4 mention a fire, 17 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Across 711 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (39.9% of complaints), electrical system (27.6% of complaints), power train (24.6% of complaints), vehicle speed control (16.3% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (12.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu; the most recent (campaign 21V649000, 2021-08-20) concerns Seat Belts: Critical Fasteners. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
127 of the 711 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu (17.9%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "My chevy stopped while driving. The engine light came on and engine power reduced. The brakes locked up and I could not go anywhere. Code P1101, Vacuum Pump Failure and ECM came up. Financing this vehicle. Have not been able to drive it in 3 weeks." (NHTSA complaint 11768885, October 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Chevrolet Malibu stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
84 of the 711 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu (11.8%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "A software error in 1.5L turbo model disable fuel injectors, preventing the engine from starting or causing a sudden stall while driving. It’s been confirmed to be an previously opened recall that was fixed by previous owner. But, is happening again to me." (NHTSA complaint 11753826, July 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2018 Chevrolet Malibu start?
27 of the 711 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu (3.8%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "On [XXX] while driving at highway speed on [XXX] in Columbia SC vehicle lost power and shut down. Was able to move to emergency lane. Car would not start. Called AAA for tow back to Chevrolet dealer in York SC." (NHTSA complaint 11654757, April 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Malibu
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2018 only; combines NHTSA's entries for MALIBU and MALIBU HEV.