Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Owners filed 700 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA between Oct 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (281).

Complaints
700
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
23
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine281
  2. Electrical system192
  3. Power train171
  4. Vehicle speed control114
  5. Fuel/propulsion system84
  6. Service brakes61
  7. Steering42
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)21
  9. Fuel system, gasoline17
  10. Air bags14
  11. Suspension13
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic10
  13. Exterior lighting9
  14. Back over prevention7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20171
201812
201985
2020120
2021126
2022104
202384
202456
202564
202648

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11770015

Electrical system

192 reports2 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11767199

Power train

171 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026Power trainODI 11765388

Vehicle speed control

114 reports3 crashes
“My chevy stopped while driving. The engine light came on and engine power reduced. The brakes locked up and I could not go anywhere. Code P1101, Vacuum Pump Failure and ECM came up. Financing this vehicle. Have not been able to drive it in 3 weeks.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026Steering, Vehicle speed controlODI 11768885

Fuel/propulsion system

84 reports1 crash
“A software error in 1.5L turbo model disable fuel injectors, preventing the engine from starting or causing a sudden stall while driving. It’s been confirmed to be an previously opened recall that was fixed by previous owner. But, is happening again to me. Yet I’m being told It has been closed and cannot be fixed unless I pay out of pocket. There are warning signs that pop up like reduced speed while I am driving etc. which reduces my speed and is incredibly unsafe.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11753826

Service brakes

61 reports6 crashes
“I own a 2018 Chevy Malibu. At approximately 57,000 miles, the original engine experienced a vacuum pump failure that resulted in catastrophic engine damage. The engine was replaced by General Motors under the vehicle's warranty. I then drove the vehicle for approximately another 52,000 miles with the warranty replacement engine. At that point, I experienced a sudden loss of braking while driving. My vehicle was again diagnosed with a vacuum pump failure, and the vacuum pump was replaced. Approximately one week after the vacuum pump replacement, the warranty replacement engine suffered catastrophic failure. The repair facility diagnosed cylinder #3 scoring and informed me that the engine required replacement. I was told that the engine failure was related to the vacuum pump failure. Because the warranty replacement engine was no longer covered under warranty, General Motors initially declined to cover the repair. Initially, neither General Motors nor the Chevrolet dealership was willing to accept responsibility for the issue. After continued discussions, General Motors ultimately agreed to provide partial financial assistance as a goodwill adjustment. However, I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakes, EngineODI 11754547
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.