2018 Chevrolet Malibu: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2018 / chevrolet / malibu
known issues	8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-10)
complaints	695 on file (2017-10-24 → 2026-09-02)
recalls	6
investigations	0
fars	156 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Engine power reduced warning with loss of propulsionENGINE47 complaints2023-10 → 2026-07malibu-2018-engine-power-reduced

11717742 I was driving on the freeway with my kids in the car at 60 mph and without warning I get an engine power reduced message and then my car losing power and starts dropping speeds down to 35 mph within seconds
11561528 The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MHP, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed and the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. The contact stated that the speed would no longer exceed 30 MPH
11607867 The pedal assembly is malfunctioning, causing the vehicle to throw an error and suddenly reduce the speed of the vehicle dramatically, often to dangerous levels, i.e. reducing the vehicle speed to below 30MPH suddenly on a highway

Fuel injector and fuel line leaks with fuel odorFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6 complaints2024-02 → 2026-04malibu-2018-fuel-leak-odor

11675625 The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the engine and entered the vehicle through the A/C…
11699741 The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine was difficult to turn over. The TPMS warning light was illuminated
11646309 The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated

Turbocharger failure and charge air cooler icingENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE4 complaints2023-10 → 2025-06malibu-2018-turbo-charge-air-cooler

11665798 The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the turbo charger warning lights illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended
11567903 On Jan 22,2024 while driving on the interstate the speed was unexpectedly instantly reduced, the car would not accelerate over 60 mph and the service engine light came on, the car was safely driven off the highway then towed to the dealership
11643747 The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while on a trip and traveling at high altitudes, the check engine warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact used a code reader which showed that the barometric pressure sensor was defective

Rear suspension knuckle clunking noiseSUSPENSION3 complaints2024-09 → 2025-10malibu-2018-rear-knuckle-clunk

11691397 I keep hearing a clunking noise in the rear of my car and it gets louder at low speeds and when I turn when stopped
11616663 The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear end of the vehicle made an abnormal popping and clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to TSB Number…
11691400 The rear knuckles on these cars are constantly going bad and the parts are expensive and so is the labor

Shift to Park message preventing engine shutoffELECTRICAL SYSTEM68 complaints2023-09 → 2026-07malibu-2018-shift-to-park-message

11752481 When placed into park and try to turn the car off, the vehicle's dashboard still says "shift to park". It's already in park but not registering. The vehicle will not shut off
11608073 When I turn my vehicle off, it displays “shift to park” I am trapped in my car because it does not turn off all the way and the door will not lock. I have to wiggle and re-crank several times to attempt to get my vehicle to shut off
11717394 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Premier with approximately 50,000 miles displayed a persistent “Shift to Park” message. The vehicle would not consistently recognize that it was in park, preventing the vehicle from shutting off properly and creating a safety concern

Brake vacuum pump failure with hard brake pedalSERVICE BRAKES32 complaints2023-10 → 2026-08malibu-2018-brake-vacuum-pump-failure

11653853 I am filing a complaint regarding a brake vacuum pump failure in my 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The failure of the vacuum pump led to a complete loss of brake assist, making the brake pedal significantly harder to press
11750766 While coming down McClure pass in Colorado my brakes failed. The the car went to engine power reduced mode. After getting the car to an independent mechanic I was told that the vacuum pump failed and exploded the parts into the camshaft
11614221 Brake pedal became hard to press down and could not stop car without having to jam down on the pedal. Per dealership the vacuum pump malfunctioned causing metal to enter engine

Transmission accumulator hesitation from a stopPOWER TRAIN4 complaints2023-11 → 2026-01malibu-2018-transmission-accumulator

11556792 The car fails to accelerate once it comes to a complete stop, traffic lights, etc. The car will rev up to 5000 RPMs but will not reach 10 mph
11598692 car pauses after stopping at lights and stop signs and in stop-n-go traffic and won't go as soon as gas pedal is pressed. It hesitates then jerks forward once the gas is activated. Check engine warning is for stop/start transmission accumulator sensor!
11673401 The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle shuddered and jerked abnormally. On one occasion the vehicle stalled in the middle of a busy intersection

Rearview camera intermittent display failureELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION3 complaints2025-10 → 2026-03malibu-2018-backup-camera-failure

11693251 The backup camera for this vehicle is starting to fail and the view is blurry. Additionally, it seems that this also is affecting the rear traffic alert as I almost crashed into someone at a parking lot when trying to back out of a space
11697873 The back up camera cuts out while backing up. The lines vanish and leave only the picture
11722672 The rear camera comes “loose” and does not register all the time. It seems to be a simple electric issue; possibly an electrical short

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
695	2017-10-24	2026-09-02	23	4	ENGINE:279; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:191; POWER TRAIN:169; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:151; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:111

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
18V400000	14/06/2018	AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION	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.	In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.	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.
18V576000	30/08/2018	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER	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.	A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.	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.
18V358000	31/05/2018	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP	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.	A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.	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.
19V642000	06/09/2019	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE	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.	Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.
20V668000	29/10/2020	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	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.	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.	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.
21V649000	20/08/2021	SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS	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.	An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.	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.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	156	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/chevrolet/malibu

@misc{wrenchpro_2018_chevrolet_malibu_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2018 Chevrolet Malibu},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/chevrolet/malibu}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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