Chevrolet Malibu Common Problems

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

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

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

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

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

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues with the "Shift to Park" error, where the vehicle fails to recognize it is in park, leading to difficulties in turning off the vehicle and potential battery drainage. Complaints also describe problems with unintended acceleration or loss of power, often accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes such as P0299 and P2714. These issues typically arise around 50,000 to 100,000 miles and can pose safety risks, including roll-away hazards and sudden stalling in traffic. Buyers should be aware of these recurring problems, as they may require significant repairs or replacements of components like the gear shifter assembly or transmission.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report that the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu frequently experiences issues with the "Shift to Park" malfunction, where the vehicle does not recognize it is in park, preventing it from shutting off properly. This issue is often mentioned alongside problems with the vehicle's Start/Stop system, which can cause the car to stall unexpectedly at traffic lights or while driving. Some complaints indicate these malfunctions occur in vehicles with low mileage, around 13,500 miles, while others occur after several years of ownership. Safety implications are noted, including one crash reportedly linked to a malfunctioning Apple CarPlay system, and a fire originating from the driver's door electrical system. Buyers should be aware of these patterns when considering this model.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 3 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu's power train, particularly involving "Shift to Park" errors and intermittent loss of power. Complaints often describe scenarios where the vehicle fails to recognize when it is in park, preventing the car from being shut off and potentially draining the battery. Additionally, multiple owners mention sudden loss of power while driving, with some experiencing the vehicle decelerating unexpectedly and failing to accelerate, sometimes accompanied by a "Power Reduced" message. These problems are reported across a wide range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 18,000 miles and others at over 100,000 miles. Safety implications include potential for the vehicle to roll away if not properly in park and loss of control due to sudden power reduction, which could be concerning for prospective buyers.