Complaint volume
687 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Chevrolet Malibu Complaints
687 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, grouped by component category.
687 Total complaints
23 Crash reports
4 Fire reports
14 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, power train. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 23 crash reports, 4 fire reports, 14 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 305 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 47,979 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, power train?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu complaints?
23 Crash
4 Fire
14 Injury
0 Fatality
33 Towed
10 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Malibu complaint categories?
ENGINE 74
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 70
POWER TRAIN 57
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 31
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 17
STEERING 17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE 17
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE 16
687 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 93,000. The contact stated that while attempting to trade the vehicle with the dealer, the dealer declined the trade due to a possible odometer fraud. The dealer discovered from the Carfax report that the mileage was 98,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 98,000 |
| Jun 2026 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I keep having the shift to park issue. I had it repaired January 2022 and is beginning to have this issue again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving on the interstate and attempting to exit the ramp at 40-45 MPH, the brakes failed. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V576000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, confirmed there was no recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 150,000 |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 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 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The shift to park is a problem it killed my battery because the car stays on and when I was driving the car turned off in the middle of turning causing someone to almost hit me this is the 3rd time that happened to me but the shift to park has been a problem since I got this car and Chevy does nothing about it | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I went to put my car in park and it was saying "Shift to Park" on my dashboard even though I was already in park. I know that there was a lawsuit that was won for this very defect but my car is not recalled for this and I feel every Malibu should be especially if almost every Malibu is experiencing the same issue Nationwide. It cannot be a coincidence. Also I have been having issues with a knocking noise on the back of the car when I am driving and I'm being told it's also another common issue with Malibu's known as the Knuckles that need replaced which are not cheap. If these are common issues on every Malibu then every Malibu needs to be recalled for the issue to be fixed not just certain ones. My Malibu has not had one recall but has had the same issues that other Malibu's had with multiple recalls done. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Shift to Park!!! everytime i shut my car off | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | My 2018 Malibu is stalling, it is covered under Recall N192221960, and the dealer is refusing to properly scan or fix the issue. They did the recall and the car is still doing the same thing but worse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Whenever I go to park my car, I get a " Please shift to park message. This means I am not able to turn off the car because I continuously try to get the park to identify as parked. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | The vacuum break booster went out. My check engine light came on and it said power reduced I’m not sure exactly. Because my power didn’t reduce but my car seems to be misfiring. Luckily I was going to be turning at a light and there was a few cars in front of me so I wasn’t going fast. As I got closer to the car in front of me I applied my breaks. They would not move and were hard and I gave it all I had to try to get my car to stop and thank god it did. Then my car stalled. I tried to start it and it just kept cranking but wouldn’t turn over, it also would not turn off till about the 3 times I push then button it finally turned off. Yes my safety and others would surely been at risk I wouldn’t have been able to stop in time if someone pulled in front of me or stopped suddenly I would not have been able to stop. If a child ran into the street I inn o way could’ve stopped! My step dad is a mechanic and he also ran a test on the check engine light and it threw 7 codes from this occurring. It didn’t give me no time it was very sudden. Once the engine power reduced appeared on my dash the check engine light came on and my car began misfiring in less then 45 seconds I went to apply the breaks and they were hard and I could barely stop. That was when I was almost about to be at a full stop so I wasn’t going very fast at all and I almost rear ended the person in front of me waiting to turn at the light. Then my car stalled. It all happened within 1 min 30 seconds from the warning my engine power was reduced but my engine power wasn’t not reduced either, and from then my check engine light and it all only took less then 2 minutes to all occur. It was sudden, no warning to think my breaks would not work at all and very quickly it could’ve been so much worse I can’t even imagine. Very alarming and fearful or my life and others from this occurring with no time to react and no idea what happened was going to. I will not buy a Chevy Malibu again and I was going to! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter was intermittently stuck in park(P). The contact turned the steering wheel, engaged and disengaged the parking brake several times, per the Owner's manual instructions, and the gear shifter was able to shift out of park(P). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure recurred. The mechanic was able to move the gear shifter out of park(P) after several attempts. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the vehicle and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The contact contacted two dealers, who advised that there was no availability for an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 89,992. | Crash: No Fire: No | 89,992 |
| Apr 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving and stopped at a traffic light, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that five minutes after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 75,000 |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after 20 minutes of consecutive driving, the vehicle drove sluggishly and lost power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the check engine warning light was reset, but the diagnostic result was not provided. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic where a diagnostic test could not be performed because the machine was unable to remain connected to the ECM. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed. The contact stated that an unknown software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that three fuel injectors were weak, there was a crack in the lower oil pan, and that the oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was partially repaired by replacing the oil pan, but the fuel injectors were not replaced. The contact stated that on several occasions during the summer, after turning the vehicle off, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The vehicle was turned on and the shifter was shifted several times and was turned off several times until the correct gear selection was recognized. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 116,000 |
| Apr 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a fuel odor was detected, and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the rearview camera intermittently failed to display while reversing, and the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak beneath the engine. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic determined that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 130,000 |
| Apr 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an oil leak coming from the engine. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Power Reduced" and "Service Stabili-trak" were displayed. Occasionally, the automatic emergency braking activated unexpectedly, and while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle also decelerated and stalled occasionally. Additionally, the volume on the radio was stuck, the steering wheel command controls failed to operate as needed, and the air compressor was recently replaced. The contact associated the failures with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (POWER TRAIN), 19V642000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE), 18V400000(AIR BAGS), and 18V358000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with air compressor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,842. | Crash: No Fire: No | 150,842 |
| Apr 2026 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving very slowly into a parking space, the brake pedal was pressed to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and suddenly accelerated forward at a very high rate of speed and crashed into a furniture store showroom window. During the incident, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 80,000 |
| Apr 2026 | TIRES | I had a tire installed by a repair shop approximately one month ago. I recently discovered that the tire installed on my vehicle is the incorrect size. My vehicle requires size 225/55R17, but the shop installed size 245/45R17. This creates a safety concern due to improper fitment, which can affect handling, stability, and overall vehicle performance. I only discovered the issue after experiencing a separate flat tire and inspecting all tires on the vehicle. I contacted the business to have the issue corrected, but they refused to assist me. During multiple phone calls, both the manager and assistant manager were dismissive, unprofessional, and terminated the calls without providing any resolution. The incorrect tire remains on the vehicle, and the business has failed to correct their error. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | AIR BAGS | The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her son was driving down the road at 35 MPH, he switched lanes into a blind spot and was t-boned by another vehicle traveling at the same speed. The contact stated the impact occurred on the driver's side, left front, and passenger doors, which caused the vehicle to spin out. The contact stated the passenger side then struck a light pole during the spin. The contact stated the driver's side windows were broken, and the entire passenger side of the vehicle was smashed. The contact stated that not a single air bag deployed during either impact. The contact stated no warning lights appeared on the dashboard prior to or during the incident. The contact stated a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was later moved to a body shop, where it was declared totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 168,000 |
| Mar 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Shift to park indicator comes on after shifting parking gear to park. Car fails to detect that it is in park even when it is. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that the brake was inoperable, and the contact was unable to properly stop the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the mileage requirements for special coverage were not met. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 180,000 |
| Mar 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The rear camera comes “loose” and does not register all the time. It seems to be a simple electric issue; possibly an electrical short. I believe it can be easily “fixed” (temporarily) by opening the trunk and running fingers over the camera, it should not happen. I purchased my Malibu new and seldomly drive, approximately 25k miles. I maintain proper maintenance and ensure cleanliness to avoid dust or particles inside the camera or electric components. This should not happen. The wiring should not become loose nor cause the camera to turn off. Chevy dealerships do not acknowledge the issue and expect the car owners to repair the entire electrical system. Definitely should be a recall item! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | STEERING,POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | In 2020, I received multiple red recall notices in the mail regarding a safety issue. I scheduled an appointment with a Chevrolet dealership in Los Angeles and have a voicemail confirming the appointment. At the time, I did not follow through with ensuring the repair was fully completed, which I take responsibility for. However, the vehicle has continued to experience the same dangerous symptoms. My vehicle continues to display sudden “Engine Power Reduced” warnings while driving at freeway speeds. The car abruptly slows down and limits acceleration, forcing me to pull over and turn the vehicle off and back on to reset it. During these events, the steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn, creating a dangerous situation, particularly at high speeds. The vehicle also appears to have ongoing issues with the push-button start/stop system. Although I did not pursue the issue further at the time, I am now seeking to have it properly addressed because the safety risk remains and another family member is currently driving the vehicle. When I recently attempted to verify the recall status, both the Chevrolet website and other sources show no open recalls. However, the symptoms persist exactly as before, I cannot find the little red notices that were sent but I do have a voicemail from someone at Chevy confirming the appointment that I made because of the recall notices. This issue presents a serious safety hazard due to sudden loss of engine power and steering assist on highways. I respectfully request investigation into whether the recall was improperly marked as completed. Furthermore, can you provide me with the full recall and service history on my VIN including closed recalls and warranty repairs? I know recalls do not expire so I’m confused as to why no one wants to help me now. I appreciate your time. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was a failure near the fuse box. Additionally, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle while the brake pedal was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. The ECM and PCM were diagnosed, and DTC: P0689 was retrieved. The vehicle was undrivable. An appointment was scheduled; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired due to the cost of the diagnostic test. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who checked the spark plugs, cylinders, and fuses; however, the vehicle still failed to start. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure; however, the contact was placed on hold. The contact disconnected the call because no one returned to the call. The failure mileage was 123,334. | Crash: No Fire: No | 123,334 |
| Feb 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Shift to park error message appears on dash after turning off the vehicle. I have to turn back on the vehicle and take it out of park and shift it back and forth from park to drive then back to park to get the vehicle to turn off. This first January 2020. It was fixed in February 2020. This issue has started again in November 2025. The same error code and same results as the car won't cut off unless you push start it and shift out of park and back a few times. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |