Complaint volume
689 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
689 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, grouped by component category.
689 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
689 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 |
| Mar 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | WHILE DRIVING ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE COMES ON AND SPEED IS CUT TO BELOW 35 MPH. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,000 |
| Mar 2021 | SUSPENSION,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND SAY SLOW ENGINE POWER | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | WHILE DRIVING THE ERROR MESSAGE " POWER REDUCED" AND WILL ONLY DO ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE AND AT LEAST A COUPLE OF LAW FIRMS HAVE CLIENTS FOR THE LEMON MALIBU 2018 MODEL. FIRST TIME THIS OCCURED, I WAS GOING UP A HILL WITH A TRUCK BEHIND MEAND NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. | Crash: No Fire: No | 45,000 |
| Mar 2021 | ENGINE | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER REDUCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SLOWED DOWN WITH NO POWER. THIS ALSO HAPPENED 2 WEEKS AGO. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A RECALL ITEM, BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20,000 |
| Mar 2021 | ENGINE | THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/ WITCH D/E | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK. THEN TURN ENGINE OFF. THE CAR SAYS I NEED TO PUT IN PARK | Crash: No Fire: No | 28,000 |
| Feb 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE GAVE A WARNING OF 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. MY CAR QUICKLY DROPPED TO 20MPH AND I WAS UNABLE ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND ME AND I WAS SCARED I WAS GOING TO BE REAR ENDED. I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON WHICH ALLOWED ME TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AGAIN BUT ONLY AT A CAPACITY OF 40MPH. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED LATER THAT DAY IT NEEDED SOMETHING WITH AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND PEDAL SENSOR REPLACED. I ALSO LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF AND FEEL THAT THEY NEED TO RECALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. THERE'S NO REASON A VEHICLE SHOULD BE DROPPING TO 20 MPH UNEXPECTEDLY ON A HIGHWAY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 65,000 |
| Feb 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | WHILE DRIVING MY ENGINE AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND A SENSOR POPPED UP THAT READ 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY SPEED WAS REDUCED. I CAN'T AND COULD NOT SPEED UP. | Crash: No Fire: No | 51,123 |
| Feb 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS | DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. SEAT IS LOCKED IN THE FORWARD POSITION AND WILL NOT MOVE BACKWARDS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,000 |
| Feb 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | AFTER PULLING OUT OF A CONVENIENT STORE, ONTO A MAIN ROAD FOR ABOUT A HALF A MILE MY CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED AND A DISPLAY APPEARED IN MY DASH ENGINE POWER REDUCED , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT APPEARED. I COULDN'T DRIVE NO MORE THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR .. SCARY MOMENT, SO GLAD NOTHING WAS COMING BEHIND ME. CAR IN SHOP! THIS NEED TO BE FIX IT'S A MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR KIND OF CAR SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED FIX THE PROBLEM FOR FREE GMC | Crash: No Fire: No | 69,387 |
| Feb 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CAR ISSUED WARNING REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON. CAR THEN WOULD NOT DRIVE FASTER THAN 30 MPH. VERY SUDDEN AND WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING THIS HAPPENED. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC WAS TOLD ACCELERATION PEDAL SENSOR WAS BAD. THIS IS NOT A COVERED REPAIR AND COST $800. THIS SUDDEN REDUCTION OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD | Crash: No Fire: No | 52,224 |
| Feb 2021 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULDN'T RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER ON DASH CLUSTER WAS VISIBLE WHEN IT RESTARTED. DEALERSHIP PLACED NEW BATTERY & IT WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN RETURNED WHILE DRIVING IN THE 45 MPH RANGE, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THEN SLOW ACCELERATION FROM A STOP SIGN. SEEMS THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR THIS ISSUE WITH NO RECALL IN PLACE AT THIS TIME. | Crash: No Fire: No | 51,000 |
| Feb 2021 | ENGINE | ENGINE POWER REDUCED | Crash: No Fire: No | 73,206 |
| Feb 2021 | ENGINE | CUT CAR OFF WOULDNT START UP REPLACED VVT SOLENOIDS AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS HAD BATTERY TESTED HAD IT TESTED ON COMPUTER ALL CODES CLEAR AND BEING TOLD IT MAY BE ONE OR MORE CRACKED PISTONS CAR WAS IDLEING NORMAL IN PARK | Crash: No Fire: No | 97,000 |
| Feb 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | THE ONSTAR SYSTEM SHOCKED MY HUSBAND. THE CAR WON'T START SOMETIMES. THE DASH BOARD READS DIFFERENT THINGS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE YARD WITH NOTHING PLUGGED UP TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 46,407 |