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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2021 | ENGINE | Several times I have had the engine light come on and a warning of Engine Power Reduced. I have had it checked several times and some it was not able to be diagnosed but others the various modules were replaced - but the issue is not fixed. What is it going to take to have this brought to NHTSA attention as well as GM to get this corrected on a recall? I have almost been hit by 18 wheelers on the freeway due to my car dropping from 75 MPH to 30 MPH and there is nothing you can do when you are on a busy freeway in a construction zone but pray. I have read SEVERAL statements and reports of this happening over and over with other owners. I will definitely loan my car to an investigator at NHTSA or Mary Barra, President of GM, and let them see how safe they feel in a situation when this happens, especially when you have grandchildren or your own children in the car. It has been reoccurring since I purchased the car in 2018 with only 4 miles on the odometer so the information gathered below is only a fraction of the information that is needed. Maybe a selection on the "Was there a crash" and "Was there an injury or fatality?" should be "ALMOST, BU THANK GOD, NO" | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | whenever i put my car in park, i get a warning message to put my car in park, even though it is already in park. i have to jiggle the shifter for the warning to go away. sometimes i can't even tell if the car is in park or not | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ENGINE | My car will not start. And it turn off at stop lights and when does the gas saving shut off, it doesn't turn back over. Im pretty sure it's the fuel injectors | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The car doesn't start when I press the starter button. It clicks, turns off, and then factory resets all the dash electronics. It's been doing it ever since I got the car and even when at a stop while the car was on, the fuel saving systems will shut off my car at the light but it won't turn back on when I start to lift my foot off brakes. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE TOP SECTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT SECURE THE PASSENGER CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ALSO, BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT IMMEDIATELY DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING OF THE BOTTOM TORSO, BACK, NECK, AND HEAD INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,336. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS AND POLICE REPORT. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 96,336 |
| May 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | There was an issue with the Engine and Transmission System. My Engine light came on and I received a warning that the Engine Power is Reduced and I had to pull over because the speed of the car reduced to 20 miles an hour. This happened a month again and then the car would not start. We bought a new battery and everything was fine until today were it happened again. I have to travel on the highway a lot and cannot have that happen again or I can be in trouble by causing an accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | MY ENGINE POWER REDUCED SIGNAL ON MY 2018 MALIBU LT COMES ON ON MY DASH. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A FEW ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP. I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL REPLACED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT ARE TOO CHEAP TO DO A RECALL ON IT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE ONE DAY BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT WILL FALL ON THE HANDS OF THE CAR COMPANY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 62,000 |
| May 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | WAS DRIVING THE MALIBU ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING 75 MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN VEHICLE STARTED TO SLO DWN AND ON THE DASHBOARD APPEARED - ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOT SAFE AS I DO TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE. I HAD TO MAKE MY WAY OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE, TURN CAR OFF AND THEN TURN BACK ON AND DRIVE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SO FAR WITH THE MOST RECENT MAY 7, 2021 | Crash: No Fire: No | 79,500 |
| May 2021 | ENGINE | I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 70MPH AND A WARNING POPPED UP ON THE DASH AND SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 20MPH. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON A REGULAR CITY STREET WHILE GOING 40MPH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED | Crash: No Fire: No | 68,958 |
| Apr 2021 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING AT OVER 65 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2018 MALIBU STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR. I SAW THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WERE ON AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE SAYING "ENGINE POWER REDUCED." WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. HIGHWAY WAS BUSY BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND GET TO WORK. AFTER A FEW HOURS, I STARTED CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON, BUT THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE WAS GONE. AFTER SEEING SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE, I FEEL GM SHOULD PERMANENTLY FIX THIS ISSUE AS IT COULD HAVE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES. | Crash: No Fire: No | 44,700 |
| Apr 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | THE PASSENGER SIDE LED LIGHT (DAY TIME/FOG LIGHT) HAS GONE OUT. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND RAN ACROSS A LOT OF CHEVY OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AT THE EXACT SPOT. IF THERE ISN'T A RECALL THEN ONE SHOULD DEFINITELY BEEN IN ORDER. LED LIGHT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT AND I SHOULDN'T BE CHARGED AN ARM AND A LEG TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WHEN I PUT CAR IN PARK A MESSAGE COMES UP ON THE DASH TO SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOU CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. CAR HAS 100K WARRANTY BUT DEALER SAYS THIS SAFETY SWITCH NOT COVERED OR RECALLED. READING ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. SHOULD BE RECALLED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 76,000 |
| Apr 2021 | ENGINE | ENGINE GOES INTO POWER REDUCED MODE REGULARLY AND PREVENTS ME FROM DRIVING. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AS WELL. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR, I AM ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN, BUT IT IS HAPPENS MORE AND MORE OFTEN. | Crash: No Fire: No | 107,978 |
| Apr 2021 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY I RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND A WARNING THAT THE ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED. AFTER ALL OF THOSE WARNINGS MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO 20 MPH AND WOULD NOT SPEED UP. | Crash: No Fire: No | 51,340 |
| Apr 2021 | POWER TRAIN | WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE (SHIFT TO PARK LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH). IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 9 TIMES A WEEK. VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN I CAN NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | OVER HEATING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON I -71 ABOUT 10 MI BEFORE COLUMBUS OH. I STOPPED AND SAW COOLANT POURING OUT . I PURCHASED ANTIFREEZE AND MADE IT TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. THE NEAREST GARAGE FOUND THAT THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE RADIATOR IN PLACE BROKE, CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO SHIFT. THE SHIFT CAUSED THE BOUGIE WHEELFOR THE SERPINTINE BELT TO RUB A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR BELT. IT WAS NECESSARYTO REMOVE THE FRONT END TO DO THE REPAIRS. TOTAL COST $600 BY THE TIME ANTIRFREEZE COST WAS ADDED IN | Crash: No Fire: No | 38,000 |
| Apr 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY MALIBU IT STALLS OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING REDUCING MY SPEED TO 20 MPH WHEN I'AM ON THE FREEWAY. AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE HOME I SEEN A NOTIFICATION THAT SAID POWER REDUCE SYSTEM IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN AND AS A RESULT OF THE STALLING I WAS REAR ENDED FROM THE REAR AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS CAR. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 84,500 |
| Apr 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | ECM NEEDS FIXING | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2018 MALIBU SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE. THIS ISSUE IS VERY COMMON AND PEOPLE ARE BEING CHARGED $700 PLUS DOLLARS BY DEALERSHIPS TO FIX. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK IN JUNE . I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS AND THINKING IT'S ONLY MY BATTERY BACK TO BACK . I'VE BEEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHERE MY CAR WOULD JUST COME OFF . ONE TIME JSO POLICE HAD TO GIVE MY CAR A JUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AT A LEFT TURNING LIGHT. MY CAR HAVE STOPPED ON BEACH BLVD WHICH WAS EARLY IN THE DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET . IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO GET A PORTABLE JUMP STARTER. I LOOKED INTO IT & GOT BRAND NEW PARTS FOR SO MANY THINGS AND ONE DAY IT JUST WOULDN'T CRANK ANYMORE . THE LIGHTS AND RADIO AND EVERYTHING COME ON AND EVERYTHING BUT IT'S NOT CRANKING ANYMORE . I CALLED MANY CHEVROLETS AND WAS INFORMED BY THAT MANY 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S WERE RECALLED AND NO DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN IS TRYING TO HELP ME . THE GAS GOES OUT THE CAR VERY FAST AND EVERYTHING. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR MONTHS BUT NOW IT'S FINALLY TO THE POINT WHERE IT WON'T COME ON AGAIN . I'M ONLY 19 AND WAS JUST 18 WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR ON MY OWN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND NOW I'M STUCK WITHOUT ANYTHING TO DO. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WHEN CAR IS PLACED INTO PARK AND ENGINE IS TURNED OFF A 'SHIFT TO PARK' MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE IS ALREADY PLACED IN PARK AND IS NOT DETECTING IT | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,000 |
| Apr 2021 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | DURING AUTO STOP FEATURE OF 20108 MALIBU, CAR WILL POP UP WITH "STEERING ASSIST REDUCED, PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE" MESSAGE AND DISAPPEAR. CAR WILL ALSO SHUT OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING AUTO STOP. CHEVY DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CALIBRATE CAR TO FIX ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 48,000 |
| Apr 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | THE CAR US UNDER 60,000 MILES THREE YEARS OLD AND ALREADY BREAKING DOWN. THE AIR FLOW SENSOR OUT OF SELF-TEST RANGE, TURBOCHARGE ENGINE UNDERBOOST PROBLEMS AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR PERFORMANCE IS ALSO PROBLEMATIC, MAKING THE CAR STOP INSTANTLY AND SPORADICALLY CREATING A HIGH IMMINENT DANGER OF CRASHING AND SERIOUS INJURIES. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FAR ENOUGH TO STOP BEFORE REAR-ENDING ME. HAD IT BEEN A SEMI-TRUCK I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY RECALLED AND CORRECTED!!! | Crash: No Fire: No | 60,100 |
| Mar 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | WHEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL IS ON AND FOOT ON BRAKES THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIGHT UP AND WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRY TO RECRANK A MESSAGE STATED NO GASOLINE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,324 |
| Mar 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | I TURNED ON MY CAR AND IT SAID 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' ON THE SCREEN AND I COULD ONLY ACCELERATE UP TO 35MPH. I WAS GOING UP HILL IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS BARELY MOVING. TURNS FELT MUCH SLOWER GOING UPHILL WHEN DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 51,000 |