Seat belts: critical fasteners
Free remedy
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.
Research · Midsize Cars
2018 Chevrolet MalibuRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 700 owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. Most complaints involve engine (281) and electrical system (192). The EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
26–30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Aug 2021
Owner complaints
700
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Power train: automatic transmission
Free remedy
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 and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Electrical system: software
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
700 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2017 – Oct 2026
- Engine281
- Electrical system192
- Power train171
- Vehicle speed control114
- Fuel/propulsion system84
- Service brakes61
- Steering42
- Electronic stability control (esc)21
- Fuel system, gasoline17
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Malibu model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 452 |
| 1998 | 999 |
| 1999 | 800 |
| 2000 | 944 |
| 2001 | 739 |
| 2002 | 596 |
| 2003 | 611 |
| 2004 | 1,698 |
| 2005 | 1,393 |
| 2006 | 1,387 |
| 2007 | 992 |
| 2008 | 1,017 |
| 2009 | 1,511 |
| 2010 | 1,365 |
| 2011 | 978 |
| 2012 | 907 |
| 2013 | 924 |
| 2014 | 363 |
| 2015 | 270 |
| 2016 | 865 |
| 2017 | 727 |
| 2018 | 700 |
| 2019 | 193 |
| 2020 | 200 |
| 2021 | 90 |
| 2022 | 99 |
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2025 | 12 |
- Crashes reported
- 23
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 17
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine
281 reports3 crashes1 fire
“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 lights and got out of the vehicle . I called my husband immediately luckily I was not far from home, and had him push my car out of the street . It’s currently still there.”
Electrical system
192 reports2 crashes2 fires
“I was driving in town through a stoplight when I noticed my brakes stopped working. Also when I had stopped the car still in drive and the car had shut off completely in the middle of the road and was not able to turn back on. The car would keep trying start but none were successful. My car also stated that there was reduced power to the engine and the car would hesitate to gain speed as well. My safety and others were put to risk because my brakes stopped working so I could’ve caused an accident. When we trying to find what was wrong with it through a code reader we had noticed the piece had shattered inside of the engine. No insurance, police or manufacturer has inspected the issue.”
Power train
171 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle while in park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact shifted in and out of park(P) and wiggled the gear shifter several times, but the failure persisted and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was diagnosed by three independent mechanics, and it was determined that the failure was associated with the transmission and the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The dealer was notified of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was 181,385.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd · Automatic 9-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,150 | 292 |
| Malibu Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | $3,050 | 344 |
- 30mpg comb.
- 26mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 12012
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2018 Malibu questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
Owners filed 700 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (281), electrical system (192), power train (171). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu at 26–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
How safe is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026