Complaint volume
679 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
679 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, grouped by component category.
679 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 303 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 47,477 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
32 Towed
10 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Malibu complaint categories?
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
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | Driving on my way to work and the check engine light came on with the traction control light. A message was displayed that said the engine’s power was reduced.. My speed also decreased to about 20-25 MPH and it was hard trying to get it back about that without the car sounding all funny. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | I was driving on a crowded city street in St. Louis and my car suddenly reduced power and I saw a message on my dash that said Engine Power Reduced! I could not go faster than 15 miles an hour and had to pull into a gas station. I restarted my car and still had the message. I restarted again and the check engine light was still on, but I was able to drive at a normal speed. My concern is that I was a short distance from getting on a busy interstate highway and it could have happened while I was on the highway and could have been struck by a car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My 2018 Chevy Malibu has been working fine then all of a sudden the warning light came on and the message warning light read ENGINE POWER REDUCED While I was driving on the freeway at 60 mph dropping my speed to 25mph instincts told me to pull over, so I did! Then I tried to drive again still no power it was like a strong pullback! So I again pulled over and turned my car engine off! Let it sit a few hours before driving up to local automotive parts store to use the ODII code reader and it read the code P2138 Throttle/ Pedal Position Sensor Correlation The part to order is $120.00 I am not able to get it today so I googythe problem and found out that this is a possible RECALL ??!!?? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | I have owned this vehicle for 3 months now, since week two "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME I TOOK IT IN TO MISSION BAY CHEVY IN SAN DIEGO THE PROBLEM WENT FROM EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE TO NON STOP. I WAS UABLE TO GET AN ANSWER FROM THEM IN WEEKS. FINALLY I WENT BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM 4X TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. AND IT KEEPS COMMING BACK AFTER DAYS. IM PAYING $500 MONTHLY FOR THIS CAR AND IM RUNNIN GOUT OF OPTIONS THIS IS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO REDUCE POWER ON THE FREE WAY AT SPEED OF 23MPH TO 35MPH. THERE WAS ALREADY A CLASSACTION LAW SUITE FOR THIS PROBLEM. AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP GETTING IT FIXED ITS CLEARLY A DEFECT THAT KEEPS COMING BACK, I HAVE READ SEVERAL CONSUMER REPORTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I NEED A FUNCTIONING CAR AND I DONT KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ENGINE | My daughter was driving and the engine power is reduced message appeared on her dashboard. Once it appeared she couldn’t go more than 20 miles an hour and this is dangerous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | SEATS | Driver seat not moving. This rode came out of the bottom of seat that causes the seat to move front to back. The the left side the seat moves | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | Reduced power mode warning came on and 3 seconds later I went from 70mph to 10mph on a freeway and could only do about 10 from that point on, the accident that was avoided would have been deadly if I wasn’t in the right lane to immediately pull over Took it to the mechanic and he said that there’s a recall that the dealership REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE even tho we got a reading of #n1-82188250-01 told the manufacturer and there fixing it Monday My question is why has this not been recalled?? I do not feel safe, I do not want this car I WANT THIS PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED by ppl who care and can do something, what is Chevy waiting for someone to die before this is addressed??? This is so criminal put a RECALL OUT | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ENGINE | I am driving and all of a sudden car "reduces power" and won't let me go over 20 mph. Sometimes it dies completely even on the highway. Out if no where, it shows "Reduced Engine Power" on the dash and won't go over 20 mph. This has almost caused a few accidents with my baby in the backseat, too. This has happened several times | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Vehicle jerks when accelerating. Loses power. Usually will stop after turning the car off for a few minutes. Different engine codes have came up (camshaft position timer, air intake system) no one can seem to find the problem | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE | A few days after I got my in October 2018 my car did not start! I pressed the push start and it turned on but wouldn’t “start.” It went back to normal shortly after that but then randomly “steering issues” started happening. THEN my car would LITERALLY STOP at lights and take a minute to turn back on. Or I would be trying to get speed and my CAR WOULD NOT GO. Do you know how unsafe that made me feel especially having a 5 year old and 2 year (when it happen in the last they where obviously 3 and a new born) but it was scary. The check engine light comes on and off. And TODAY MY CAR did what it do a here and there it shut off… and then on a BUSY road WOULD NOT GO. I had to sit and wait until my family could help push my 2 year old car off the busy road with my 2 babies in the car. It was horrible. Im paying so much for a car I CONSISTENTLY have issues with. Im scared to drive my own car. Now im being told my car needs a new battery, a weird part is needing to be replaced. I have had the same issues taken it to the shop and told everything is good. Oil changes kept up etc. everyone I know that has a Malibu has issues with their Malibu’s | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | While driving engine warning function low power. Would not accelerate above 20mph. Defective accelerator pedal assembly and sensor. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | My vehicle had the reduced power dash warning and check engine light on while I was driving down the interstate at 65 I lost my power speed reduced to 45 and my stability light came on as well it could have caused a serious accident had it been day time with traffic flying at 70 to 75 mph rear ending me I was able to get off the freeway safely last night when the incident occurred and safely make it to a parking lot there doesn’t seem to be a current recall on my car with my vin number at this time but it is a year and model that has known issues also the other issue is vehicle not registering into park even when I put shifter in park possibility is a loose shifter cable | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Driving on I20 in heavy traffic all doing 75MPH the car lost all power.Although I had plenty of gas it did no good pumping the gas pedal .Fortunatly I was in the left lane and coasted to the shoulder before anyone collided with me. If I was in the right lane I am sure a collision would have occured as traffic would not have allowed me to get to the shoulder.After several hours I got towed 70 miles to the dealership.There was absolutely no warning of a problem prior to the incident. According to the dealership the fuel pump sensor shorted out and no gas could get to the engine.The car is still at the dealers as they have not gotten the backlogged part to repair the vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Fuel injectors went out on my car I had no power to drive | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ENGINE | Driving at a speed 55-65 engine power being reduced light comes on and vehicle slows to about 40 speed while engine light is on. It goes in and out like this for days then it does it again. Vehicle was repaired at Chevy dealer 3/18/21. Now it’s doing it again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Reduced power mode came on and the fuel injectors arnt going to the emc | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | POWER TRAIN | Car continued to send message "Shift to Park" which required diagnosis and replacement of gear shift assembly by independent service garage because car warranty has expired. Battery would die without message being eliminated. The message infers that the car is not in park which means that the car could roll away injuring someone or damaging property. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ENGINE | For over two years now I have been getting a reduced engine power when I drive. The car becomes slow and it is very dangerous especially on the highway. I have almost crashed a couple of times due to this issue. Once I turn the car off and on it goes off but off late that no longer works for me. This has been constant and has made my car useless. I can’t even go anywhere with it. A recall needs to me done because this is heartless and painful. Spending much on a car that I can’t even drive anymore. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the contact had to pump the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. Additionally, the "Shift to Park" warning message was displayed even after the vehicle was in PARK. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer initially diagnosed that the brake pedal needed lubrication. The dealer lubricated the brake pedal; however, the failure recurred with a chemical odor detected. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the brake pump system and shift gear were faulty. The dealer replaced the brake pump system however, the chemical odor was still detected and the "Shift to Park" warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 18,000 |
| Dec 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Vehicle slows way down and loss of power. Engine power reduced. On heads up display. Seems to use alot of gas when this happens. I need to pull over and shut off car. Wait a bit and then restart. And get back on road. It did this 3 times in my commute to work. Also was snowing that morning and was slippery out so very dangerous almost was involved in an accident but luckily not. Seems to do this more in the colder Temps. It has happened however in summer also but not as often. I have read many complaints about this issue. I am not sure why GM has not figured this issue out yet. Very concerned. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Check in light is on. They told me it was something with the idle sensor the fixed it. Not even 24 hours later it’s back on they tell me it the vacuum pump & it cost 800 buck. I do some research and noticed on not the only driver with this problem They tell me I can still drive it but nobody told me pieces of the pump could damage the engine also so what do I do now | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Vehicle is experiencing a electrical issue. When auto stop stops the car, it displays the message "drive assistance reduced, drive with care". The Vehicle does not jave any light displaying a issue but the car is loosing power once it starts after auto stop. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | MY VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT DOESNT WANT TO START AFTER BEING AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN WHEN MY FEET IS RELEASED OFF THE BREAK IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO START BACK UP. ALSO I HAVE ISSUES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE AND THEY RECEIVED A CODE DEALING WITH THE WIRING ON THE BATTERY NOT THE ACTUAL BATTERY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ENGINE | The check engine light came on and after getting it diagnose I recieved a P1101 code indicating air mass flow problem. After replacing the sensor I later received an engine power reduce on the dashboard. I received that warning while driving on the interstate and my vehicle started reducing speed possibly causing an accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE | The second morning in a row my 2018 Chevy Malibu overheated. Early in the morning, the temperature out was about 45-50 degrees, I was driving on the highway about 65-70 mph, I turned on the heater and my cars temperature gage immediately shoots up and the "overheating engine" warning lights start flashing. Confused I pulled over popped the hood there were no signs of smoke or over heating sounds coming from the motor. I got back into the car, turned off the engine, turned it back on, and the temperature gage immediately falls to normal temperature. Happened two mornings in a row now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |