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2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

307 reports with mileage · 388 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 279 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 191 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 169 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports4 fire reports14 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

17 reports
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50,000 miles · Feb 29, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power with an unknown engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the engine power was reduced. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. T…

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The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power with an unknown engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the engine power was reduced. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to approximately 15 MPH and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact attempted several times to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle was unable to be restarted. The contact stated there was an abnormally strong odor of gasoline in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood, and the odor of gasoline was very strong. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and saw gasoline in a puddle underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not been taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact had not informed the manufacturer of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V642000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11574627

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2021
Fuel System, Gasoline

The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, the contact was not able to fill the fuel tank to full capacity. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the air control valve sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not rep…

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The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, the contact was not able to fill the fuel tank to full capacity. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the air control valve sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI #11439883

40,000 miles · Aug 11, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact's daughter-in-law owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle would shut-off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would eventually restart after multiple attempts and would resume normal driving operation. As the failure persisted, the EVAP warning l…

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The contact's daughter-in-law owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle would shut-off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would eventually restart after multiple attempts and would resume normal driving operation. As the failure persisted, the EVAP warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V642000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #11428667

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2019
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING DISCONNECTED FUEL INJECTOR. CONSUMER ALSO EXPLAINS VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND IT NOT ACCELERATING. *AS *JS

NHTSA ODI #11277890

29,196 miles · Oct 24, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW PO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW POWER MODE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL AS THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND IT CRASHED INTO A BOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH CRAIN CHEVROLET (9911 I-30, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72209, (501) 436-4484) AND WAS INFORMED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO THE COLLISION DEPARTMENT AND THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HER APARTMENT FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO TOUCH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET DEALER SO THAT IT COULD BE ASSESSED BY AN INVESTIGATOR. AFTER SOME BACK AND FORTH WITH THE ORIGINAL DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GWATNEY CHEVROLET (1301 T P WHITE DR, JACKSONVILLE, AR 72076, (501) 295-4448) WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,196.

NHTSA ODI #11270641

2,141 miles · Oct 9, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BALTIMORE (6633 SECURITY BLVD, BALTIMOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BALTIMORE (6633 SECURITY BLVD, BALTIMORE, MD 21207, (410) 265-7777) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5537893606. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,141.

NHTSA ODI #11267245

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON CHEVROLET AT 888-312-6558 (LOCATED AT 31201 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON CHEVROLET AT 888-312-6558 (LOCATED AT 31201 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11266774

Official recalls

6

21V649000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners; Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

19V642000 · Electrical System:software; Engine; Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors

Sep 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine

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.

Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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.

Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors

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.

Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

18V400000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jun 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.