2018 Chevrolet Malibu
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1997 | 443 |
| 1998 | 976 |
| 1999 | 789 |
| 2000 | 922 |
| 2001 | 721 |
| 2002 | 566 |
| 2003 | 569 |
| 2004 | 1147 |
| 2005 | 975 |
| 2006 | 1115 |
| 2007 | 977 |
| 2008 | 987 |
| 2009 | 1509 |
| 2010 | 1357 |
| 2011 | 976 |
| 2012 | 904 |
| 2013 | 834 |
| 2014 | 349 |
| 2015 | 267 |
| 2016 | 834 |
| 2017 | 696 |
| 2018 | 687 |
| 2019 | 188 |
| 2020 | 190 |
| 2021 | 74 |
| 2022 | 86 |
| 2023 | 49 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
40% of complaints: engine — 273 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that a "shift to park turn the vehicle off" message was displayed while the vehicle was in the park position. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231116
27% of complaints: electrical system — 187 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE23% of complaints: power train — 158 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY16% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 109 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that a "shift to park turn the vehicle off" message was displayed while the vehicle was in the park position. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231116
12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 83 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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.
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.
Campaign 18V358000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V400000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Campaign 18V576000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 19V642000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 20V668000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 21V649000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2018 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (273 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (187 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (158 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 18V358000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V400000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V576000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V642000 (electrical system, engine, fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V668000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V649000 (seat belts) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.