Owners have reported 22 crashes, 4 fires and 17 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints157
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with the vehicle's power train, notably the "Shift to Park" error message that persists even when the vehicle is shifted into park. This issue often prevents the vehicle from shutting off properly and is commonly linked to a faulty gear shifter harness or transmission shifter assembly, with complaints appearing around 50,000 to 102,000 miles. Another prevalent problem is the "Engine Power Reduced" message, which leads to sudden deceleration and loss of power, sometimes reducing speed to 20 mph or less, with incidents occurring at various mileages, including as early as 48,000 miles. Safety implications include reports of near-crashes and one injury due to unexpected deceleration, making this a critical consideration for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints120
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report multiple electrical system issues with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, notably involving the "Shift to Park" error, where the vehicle indicates it is not in park despite being stationary, leading to battery drainage and potential stranding. Complaints frequently mention problems with the engine control module (ECM), including loss of power, failure to start, and unexpected shutdowns, often occurring around 80,000 to 101,000 miles. Some owners describe recurring issues even after recall repairs, and a few reports involve fires and a crash, highlighting potential safety risks. Buyers should be aware of these electrical concerns, as the symptoms can affect vehicle operability and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints91
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues related to the "shift to park" error, where the vehicle indicates it is not in park even when it is, preventing the car from turning off. This issue often occurs around 33,000 miles and can leave electrical systems active, causing inconvenience and potential safety concerns. Additionally, multiple complaints describe a "reduced engine power" warning, which causes the vehicle to decelerate unexpectedly, sometimes leading to loss of power steering and brake functionality, with one report mentioning a crash. These issues may persist even after recall repairs, suggesting potential ongoing reliability concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints87
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with the engine suddenly losing power, often accompanied by a "reduced engine power" warning message. This problem can occur at various speeds and may lead to the vehicle stalling or decelerating abruptly, which poses a safety risk, particularly on highways. Complaints also mention difficulties with the car starting, as well as issues with fuel injectors and engine sensors, such as the barometric pressure sensor. These problems are reported across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 58,000 miles. In one case, a crash was associated with these engine issues, and another complaint involved a fire, highlighting potential safety concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints68
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues related to the vehicle's speed control, particularly involving the "Reduced Engine Power" warning and sudden deceleration. Common symptoms include the car unexpectedly dropping to speeds as low as 10-30 mph while driving, often accompanied by warning lights for the traction control and check engine. These incidents occur at various mileages, with some reports indicating problems as early as 70,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with three complaints involving crashes and one injury reported, primarily due to the abrupt loss of speed on highways, which poses a risk of rear-end collisions. Additionally, some owners describe problems with the brake vacuum pump leading to a loss of brake power, further complicating safety concerns.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints37
STEERING
Owners report recurring issues with the steering system in the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, particularly related to the "Steering Assist Reduced" warning. Complaints frequently mention the steering wheel jerking, especially during the auto stop/start function, and instances where the steering becomes tight or unresponsive, often accompanied by various warning messages. Some reports indicate these issues occur at higher mileages, such as around 127,000 miles, but others experience problems much earlier. Safety implications include loss of vehicle control, with one report of injury when a driver hit their head on the steering wheel due to sudden vehicle shutdown. Prospective buyers should be aware of these steering-related issues, as they may affect vehicle operation and safety.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints37
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with the brake system, primarily involving the failure of the brake vacuum pump. Complaints typically describe a hard brake pedal that is difficult to press, resulting in a significant loss of braking power and increased stopping distances. These issues often occur at higher mileages, generally around 50,000 to 120,000 miles. Some reports include incidents of crashes and injuries, emphasizing the potential safety risks associated with this failure. Additionally, the failure of the vacuum pump can lead to engine damage, as metal fragments may enter the engine, compounding repair costs. This information is crucial for potential buyers to consider when evaluating the vehicle's reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report multiple issues with the fuel and propulsion system of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, primarily involving sudden loss of power and stalling. Common symptoms include the vehicle failing to accelerate, engine misfires, and the "check engine" light illuminating. Some complaints indicate that problems occur after a certain mileage, such as around 70,000 miles, or following specific events like ECM reprogramming. Safety implications are noted, with several owners expressing concerns about the risk of accidents due to the vehicle's unpredictable performance, especially when merging onto highways or driving in traffic. These reports suggest potential issues with components like the fuel pump driver control module, fuel injectors, and accelerator pedal position sensor.
Owner complaints13
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners report that the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu frequently experiences issues with the fuel system, particularly involving fuel injectors and fuel pump failures. Common symptoms include strong fuel odors, stalling, and loss of motive power, often accompanied by warning lights such as "Engine Power Reduced." These issues are reported at varying mileages, with some occurring around 50,000 to 123,000 miles. One complaint involves a crash where the vehicle continued to move forward despite attempts to stop, highlighting potential safety implications. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially when considering vehicles with higher mileage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with air bags not deploying during crashes, with seven out of ten complaints involving crashes and ten injuries noted. Common symptoms include air bags failing to deploy upon impact and unexpected air bag deployment without collision. Complaints often describe these issues occurring at various mileages, with specific instances reported at approximately 1,000 and 96,336 miles. Safety implications are significant, as non-deployment of air bags during collisions is associated with injuries, including broken bones and head trauma. Used car buyers should be aware of these air bag issues, particularly in vehicles with higher mileage, as they may affect safety in the event of a crash.
Severity signals: 7 crash, 0 fire, 10 injury reports
