Recall homework
There are 6 official recalls listed for this model year. Before buying, use the VIN to confirm which campaigns are still open and ask for dealer repair records on completed work.
Vehicle report
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Recalls, consumer complaints, safety ratings, fuel cost estimate, and next steps from official public data sources.
6 Total recalls
Aug 20, 2021 Latest recall date
679 Complaint reports
$1,775 Estimated fuel cost
Buyer interpretation
What this record means before you buy
The useful question is not just whether this page has records. It is what those records should make you verify before money changes hands.
Owner complaint pattern
Owner complaints most often mention engine, unknown or other, power train. Scan those categories before the test drive so you know what symptoms, warning lights, or service history to ask about.
Service bulletin signal
580 manufacturer communications are listed. These are not recalls, but they can reveal repair instructions, warranty extensions, software notices, or known service patterns.
Ownership-cost check
The fuel-cost estimate is based on a representative EPA match, not every trim. Confirm the actual engine, drivetrain, and tire setup before comparing this listing with another year or model.
Questions to ask the seller
- Can you show the current VIN recall status for this 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Do you have dealer invoices or campaign paperwork for the listed recall repairs?
- Have you noticed any issues related to engine, unknown or other, power train?
- Can I review recent maintenance records before the test drive?
Used-car checklist
Thinking of buying this vehicle?
Use our buyer checklist to know what to inspect, ask, and verify before the test drive.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu Regular Gasoline
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Safety ratings
Official safety ratings were found for 1 tested variant of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
Safety ratings can vary by tested body style, trim, drivetrain,
or variant. Do not assume every trim has the same rating unless
the official record says so.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
Verify with official VIN lookup6 official recalls on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. 43 matched quarterly completion reports are available.
Latest recall: August 20, 2021
Recall data is based on official records. This page is not an official VIN
recall check. Always confirm open recalls with an official VIN lookup, the
manufacturer, or an authorized dealer.
Completion reports are campaign-level, delayed, and not VIN-specific.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Consequence | Remedy | Date | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21V649000 | 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. | 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. | Aug 2021 | 2023-2 |
| 20V668000 | 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. | 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. | Oct 2020 | 2023-2 |
| 19V642000 | 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. | 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. | Sep 2019 | 2021-1 |
| 18V576000 | 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. | 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. | Aug 2018 | 2020-1 |
| 18V400000 | 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. | 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. | Jun 2018 | 2019-4 |
| 18V358000 | 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. | 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. | May 2018 | 2019-4 |
Are there federal defect investigations for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Official records show 1 federal defect investigation matched to the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
0 open 1
closed
Investigations are not recalls. They show official defect reviews
and may close without a recall, or may reference a related
campaign when one exists.
| Action | Status | Component | Subject | Opened | Related recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DP22005 | Closed | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM | Pedestrian alert sounds | Jan 2023 | 22V063000 |
Are there manufacturer notices for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Official records show 580 manufacturer communications on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
1 warranty 3 service campaigns 0 software/OTA
Manufacturer communications are not recalls. They can include
service bulletins, repair instructions, warranty extensions,
software updates, service campaigns, and other notices.
| Date | Type | Component | Summary | ID / document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available. | 11030974 |
| Mar 2026 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance. | 11030091 |
| Mar 2026 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect. | 11030092 |
| Jan 2026 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance. | 11027601 |
| Nov 2025 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. | 11025755 |
| Sep 2025 | Other | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH | 11023091 |
| Sep 2025 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information. | 11024324 |
| Aug 2025 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance. | 11022084 |
| Aug 2025 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775. | 11021792 |
| Jun 2025 | Service Campaign | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase. If such a notice is not provided to GM, then the vehicle owner is prevented from seeking civil penalties in litigation. Vehicle owners of the affected vehicles will be mailed an owner’s manual and warranty insert containing this information in English and Spanish. | 11019670 |
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Malibu complaints?
ENGINE 74
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 70
POWER TRAIN 57
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18
STEERING 17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE 17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 16
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE 16
679 total complaints on record
How much does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel?
Estimated annual cost $1,775 $148/month at 12,000 miles/year
Effective efficiency 30.4 MPG
Energy used 394 gal/yr
Price assumption $4.50 $/gal
Assumptions: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG · Regular Gasoline · efficiency ratings from official public data when available · fuel price default: official public data (U.S. average, Jun 3, 2026)
292 g/mi CO2Fuel score 7/10Smog 7/10SmartWay