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2018 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 700 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the engine (41% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). It is 15th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Engine
285 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v642000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, engine). The recall repair was performed at autonation Chevrolet waco (located at 1625 n valley mills dr, waco, tx 76710, ([phone]). Shortly after the vehicle was…
I was driving to my destination and started to feel my car like jumping when it was accelerating also everytime I park it stutters when I put it in park. I also heard on the news that there was a recall on Malibu,so I checked the VIN number and it should there was a maintenance recall on my car something about the…
Electrical
192 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
When car is stationary waiting for red light to change, the car will shut off and power cycle showing stabilitrak error message before turning back on. This also occurs when the car is stationary and engine is off for several hours.
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.
Transmission
171 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, shift linkage/cable/rod.
While driving on the freeway at speeds of up to 80 MPH at random times the car will suddenly slow itself down to 20 MPH and the dash will message that engine power is reduced. It's a serious problem that is dangerous to not only the people in the vehicle but all other vehicles on the road also.
When placing my car in park, a warning comes on that my car is not in park which then causes me to be unable to turn the vehicle off. I then have to go through each gear and jiggle the shifter numerous times to get it to turn off the vehicle. This sometimes takes up to a half hour of sitting in my vehicle doing that.…
Other or unspecified
151 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles.
When put in park a message shows shift to park. I have to shove it into park before car would turn off. When stopping and making turns there is a sloushing sound (water) coming from the dash. I got both items fixed out of my own pocket because my extended warranty did not cover the air pocket but it did cover shift to…
'engine being reduced' popped up while I was driving on the highway. My speed was then slowed down to 20mph. This is very dangerous!! Went to autozone to have a diagnosis test performed results said it was throttle body/accelerator pedal.
Speed control
114 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
My car reduced its engine power and slowed down from 60 miles down to 20 miles while driving on the high way with a tank truck behind me. I have never been so scared in my life. The engine reduced its power three times now! I was told there was a recall on this and the issue was fixed but clearly it wasn't! I have…
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.
Fuel system
101 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, delivery.
Since july 2019 my vehicle has continually shown a check engine light with the message, power engine reduced on the dashboard. When this occurs, the rpms increase drastically and vehicle can not go over 30 MPH. This has happened on highways and main roads. It is very dangerous because I can be going 65 MPH on the…
The contact's daughter-in-law owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle would shut-off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would eventually restart after multiple attempts and would resume normal driving operation. As the failure persisted, the…
Brakes
69 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to reduce speed. As a result, he collided with the vehicle in the right lane on the rear driver's side. No air bags were…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the message "engine power reduced" was displayed and the vehicle would not properly accelerate above 30 MPH. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop, and the pedal was firm when…
Steering
42 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 15,500 miles.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu with 15, 300 miles. Since the last recall work was completed, while driving on the highway around 65 MPH, the steering wheel had an increase of tension then it suddenly releases all tension which could potentially lead to a rapid over correction. The problem feels similar to a magnetic break…
During operations while turning car locked up; lost power, lost steering. With engine running the radio and AC shut off. Drifted to shoulder of road. Illuminated dash lights: power steering drive with care, traction control, emergency brake, ABS light, temp showed cold, no gear indicator light. Operated car less than…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: caliper
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (285 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); electrical (192 complaints, typically around 46,500 miles); transmission (171 complaints, typically around 43,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 20, 2021 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
- It is 15th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints, with 700 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.