This page covers 6 recalls, 689 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
26–46 mpg combined
5.1–9 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu cluster heavily around the engine and powertrain. The most widely reported issue is an intermittent "Engine Power Reduced" warning accompanied by the check engine light, where the car loses acceleration or drives sluggishly mid-trip. Owners describe the problem as difficult to reproduce for diagnosis, shutting the engine off and restarting typically clears the warning temporarily, but it returns. Some owners also report the traction control activating alongside the power reduction event. On the powertrain side, a recurring complaint involves the gear shifter sticking in park, requiring owners to work the steering wheel or parking brake to free it before the car will shift. Vehicle speed control complaints largely overlap with the engine power reduction pattern, where the car hesitates or fails to respond when the accelerator is pressed, particularly from a stop.
689
Total Complaints
24
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
14
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has 6 recalls, with the most serious being a fuel pump that can detach and damage its fuel line, creating a fuel leak and raising the risk of fire.
On the drivetrain side, the start-stop accumulator can have missing bolts on its endcap, leading to a transmission oil leak that may progress to a complete loss of power while driving. Separately, a software error in the engine control module on 1.5L turbo models can disable the fuel injectors, preventing the engine from starting or causing it to stall unexpectedly. The rear brake calipers may also have a coating defect that causes gas pockets to form inside the pistons, reducing rear braking performance. Two safety equipment recalls round out the list: the passenger seat sensor may have been installed during prior service without proper calibration, which can cause the airbag to deploy incorrectly in a crash, and the rear seatbelt retractors may be held in place with loose or missing fasteners, meaning a belt may not restrain an occupant properly when it matters most.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear seat belt retractors may have loose or missing fasteners, affecting their secure attachment to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors as needed at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The endcap on the start-stop transmission accumulator may be missing bolts, which could affect transmission operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the accumulator endcap and replace it if bolts are missing, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the engine control module may disable the fuel injectors, preventing fuel from being delivered to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine control module software at no cost to restore fuel injector operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear brake caliper pistons may have inadequate coating, allowing gas pockets to form and reducing rear brake performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will bleed the brake system to remove gas pockets and restore brake performance at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger detection system in the front seat may not be properly calibrated to your vehicle, so it cannot correctly tell the difference between an adult and a child passenger. This could prevent the air bag from deploying when needed or cause it to deploy unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger detection system seat service kit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump can separate from its mounting flange, potentially damaging the high pressure fuel line.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
