2018 Chevrolet Malibu VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 673 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. Severity signals include 22 crash-related complaints and 4 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (157), Electrical System (120), Unknown Or Other (91).
Malibu reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Chevrolet Malibu before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Most-reported 2018 Chevrolet Malibu issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Power Train157
- Electrical System120
- Unknown Or Other91
- Engine87
- Vehicle Speed Control68
- Steering37
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Test for 'Shift to Park' error message when turning off the vehicle
- Check for 'Engine Power Reduced' warning during a test drive
- Inspect brake pedal feel for excessive stiffness indicating vacuum pump issues
- Verify all recall repairs have been completed, especially ECM updates
- Ensure smooth acceleration without hesitation or lag
2018 Malibu recalls (6)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2018 Malibu. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- SEAT BELTSNHTSA 21V649000Aug 20, 2021
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.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
- POWER TRAINNHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy
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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINENHTSA 19V642000Sep 6, 2019
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.
Consequence: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNHTSA 18V576000Aug 30, 2018
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.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 18V400000Jun 14, 2018
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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018
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.
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
Used-market value
2018 Chevrolet Malibu resale snapshot
Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu on the road
144,542 2018 Chevrolet Malibu units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
With a 72/100 score against a 77/100 segment average, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu lands below the class norm for reliability. That gap points to a mixed record rather than a consistently strong one, raising buyer risk above what the segment typically delivers.
Complaints are not confined to a single system. Powertrain and electrical concerns lead, with additional volume in engine and vehicle speed control, indicating multiple areas where owners report problems. The presence of a sizable “unknown or other” share further suggests the complaint picture isn’t tightly defined by one dominant pattern. Recall activity is elevated, reinforcing that this model year carries more corrective action than a limited-recall vehicle.
Overall, the data supports a moderate-to-elevated reliability risk level versus the segment.
What you get in a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu report
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2018 Chevrolet Malibu — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
With a 72/100 score against a 77/100 segment average, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu lands below the class norm for reliability. That gap points to a mixed record rather than a consistently strong one, raising buyer risk above what the segment typically delivers.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
The most-reported 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problem areas are: Power Train (157), Electrical System (120), Unknown Or Other (91).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.