Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
840–25K
8425–50K
8150–75K
3275–100K
17100–150K
9150K+
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
What owners actually said
695 reports
46,000 miles · Sep 10, 2020
Power Train
MY 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE INTO PARK. THE MESSAGE ON MY DASH SAYS " SHIFT TO PARK " EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK. AND YOU CAN NOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. YOU CAN TRY SHIFTING IT BACK INTO DRIVE OR LOW AND THEN GO BACK TO PARK BUT WE GET THE SAME MESSAGE " SHIFT TO PARK " AND AGAIN EVEN THOUGH…
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MY 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE INTO PARK. THE MESSAGE ON MY DASH SAYS " SHIFT TO PARK " EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK. AND YOU CAN NOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. YOU CAN TRY SHIFTING IT BACK INTO DRIVE OR LOW AND THEN GO BACK TO PARK BUT WE GET THE SAME MESSAGE " SHIFT TO PARK " AND AGAIN EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK, YOU CAN NOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. ISN'T THIS A DANGEROUS SITUATION ?
NHTSA ODI #11354251
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2020
Unknown Or Other
GET "SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE" IT WONT TURN VEHICLE OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11353180
77,000 miles · Sep 4, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DISPLAY READ ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I WASN'T SURE WHAT THAT MEANT SO I PULLED OVER. I TRIED TO PULL OFF AND I HAD NO BRAKES. APPARENTLY SOMETHING IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM BROKE AND MY ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. I TALKED WITH GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT H…
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I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DISPLAY READ ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I WASN'T SURE WHAT THAT MEANT SO I PULLED OVER. I TRIED TO PULL OFF AND I HAD NO BRAKES. APPARENTLY SOMETHING IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM BROKE AND MY ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. I TALKED WITH GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE WITH THIS MODEL CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11353134
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control
WE HAD THE ECM SYSTEM RECAL FIXED (REPROGRAMMED) AND IT WAS OK, BUT NOW A COUPLE MONTHS LATER ITS DOING IT AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND POWER AND SPEED IS REDUCED, WITHOUT WARNING AND WON'T ALLOW ACCELERATION. USUALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS!
NHTSA ODI #11352243
36,400 miles · Aug 26, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
THE POWER SHIFTER IN THE CAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS WITH MANY OF THE OTHER RECENT COMPLAINTS I SEE ON HERE, WHEN I WENT TO TURN OFF THE CAR IT POPPED UP THE "SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING EVEN THOUGH I WAS ALREADY IN PARK AND WOULDN'T POWER OFF THE RADIO OR LIGHTS. IT APPEARS THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THE 2018 MALIBU'…
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THE POWER SHIFTER IN THE CAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS WITH MANY OF THE OTHER RECENT COMPLAINTS I SEE ON HERE, WHEN I WENT TO TURN OFF THE CAR IT POPPED UP THE "SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING EVEN THOUGH I WAS ALREADY IN PARK AND WOULDN'T POWER OFF THE RADIO OR LIGHTS. IT APPEARS THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THE 2018 MALIBU'S AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11351427
15 miles · Aug 25, 2020
Steering
WHILE DRIVING IN COLDER WEATHER ALONG THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH FOR 5 MILES OR LONGER THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY LOCKS IN AT THE TOP POSITION CAUSING A SLIGHT OVER CORRECTIONS WHEN NEEDING TO TURN THE WHEEL TO CHANGE LANES
NHTSA ODI #11351267
8 miles · Aug 25, 2020
Steering
WHILE DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, I WILL GET A WARNING ON THE DASH THAT STATES "STEERING ASSIST REDUCED, DRIVE CAREFUL" THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES, WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #11351265
36,000 miles · Aug 25, 2020
Unknown Or Other
WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE SHIFTER DOES NOT FULLY ENGAGE RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO PARK THE CAR OR TURN IT OFF. THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYS "SHIFT INTO PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER IS ACTUALLY IN PARK.
NHTSA ODI #11351180
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
THE LOCKS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. THE BATTERY HAS TO BE CONSTANTLY JUMPED. THE CAR REJECTED THE ECW MODULE UPDATE.
NHTSA ODI #11350847
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A REDUCED POWER ISSUE IN APRIL 2020. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING LOW POWER WHEN DRIVING, CAUSING SLUGGISHNESS AND TURNING OFF WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MD ON APRIL 4TH AND THE RECALL WAS ADDRESSED. AS OF THIS WRITING, I AM EXPERIENCING …
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MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A REDUCED POWER ISSUE IN APRIL 2020. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING LOW POWER WHEN DRIVING, CAUSING SLUGGISHNESS AND TURNING OFF WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MD ON APRIL 4TH AND THE RECALL WAS ADDRESSED. AS OF THIS WRITING, I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OF LOW POWER WHEN DRIVING/STOPPING AND AM CONCERNED THAT THE ISSUE (1) WAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED, OR (2) WAS MISDIAGNOSED BY CHEVROLET. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE HERE? I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT, AGAIN, AT A CHARGE OF $190, WHICH I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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