MYRModel Year Report

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

● Typical for this model
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
697
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2018

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 697 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2000 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 697 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1986 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 1999 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2007 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2013 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 697 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025

2018: 697 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002567
2003569
20041,147
2005975
20061,116
2007977
2008987
20091,509
20101,360
2011978
2012907
2013836
2014351
2015270
2016836
2017703
2018697
2019190
2020196
202188
202297
202366
202441
202510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

40% · 279 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2023-11-16

Also filed under Vehicle speed control and steering

Just bought the car and the car is receiving error: "Shift to park". This appear to be a know issue for 2018 chevy Malibu hybrid. Car cut off in middle of…

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-19

Also filed under Electrical system and steering

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-16

Also filed under Service brakes

Electrical system

28% · 192 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and fuel gauge.

CRASHFIRE

Power train

24% · 169 reports

Most commonly citing floor shift and gear position indication (prndl).

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

16% · 114 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

12% · 84 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2018-07-02Fuel system, gasoline18V358000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2018-08-07Air bags18V400000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2018-10-11Service brakes, hydraulic18V576000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-10-16Electrical system, engine, fuel system, gasoline19V642000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2020-12-15Power train20V668000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2021-09-17Seat belts21V649000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2018 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 279 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 192 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 169 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 18V358000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 18V400000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V576000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 19V642000 · Electrical system, engine, fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 20V668000 · Power train
  • Recall 21V649000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.