repaired · 2023 Q2
Seat belts: critical fasteners
Risk. An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2018 Chevrolet MalibuProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 701 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the engine. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-649 the manufacturer reports only 70% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has problems
701 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
282Engine5 crash/fire/injury
193Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
171Power train3 crash/fire/injury
114Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
84Fuel/propulsion system1 crash/fire/injury
61Service brakes
42Steering
21Electronic stability control (ESC)
17Fuel system, gasoline
9117 other systems16 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 282 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 193 | 4 |
| Power train | 171 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 114 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 84 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 61 | 6 |
| Steering | 42 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 21 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 17 | 1 |
| 17 other systems | 91 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2018 Chevrolet Malibu recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2021 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Disc: caliper
Risk. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Show 2 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q4
Sensor: occupant classification
Risk. In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
50kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 133 engine complaints. 89% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 44% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
37under 30k miles119under 100k miles14100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other Malibu year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Malibu median. How we score
0120245321134439767899227215675691,1489751,1199779891,5111,36397890783735127084170570119320390100734612
'73'74'75'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'86'89'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2018 Chevrolet Malibu safety ratings
2018 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.2% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
In owners' words
What Malibu owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My car smells like something is burning yesterday after driving 60 miles. Today Saturday I turned on the car for the first time and it smelled like there is something burning on the dash board, yesterday I smelled it outside the car and today since I didn't drive much it smelled inside the car and…
On 10/8/26 My vehicle failed in the middle of traffic as I was driving the car forcefully slowed down. When I proceeded to press the gas the car began driving in reverse putting me in immediate danger causing 2 different car to almost hit me from behind. I put the car in park, turned on my hazard…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel. The gear shifter was shifted back into drive and then back into park to turn off the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving…
Own a 2018 Malibu?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.