YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#4 most-complained of 7 Malibu Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 4th worst out of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical system issues, especially false 'not in park' warnings, account for 45% of complaints.

Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
46
49 city / 43 hwy

Top 2018 Chevy Malibu Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System5 (45%)
  2. Engine4 (36%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain4 (36%)
  4. Fuel System3 (27%)
  5. Other3 (27%)
  6. Airbags1 (9%)
  7. Seat Belts1 (9%)

What owners report

  • Owners report a false 'shift to park' warning even though the car is already in park, which prevents the engine from shutting off.
  • Some drivers describe the engine losing power suddenly while driving, including on interstate highways, sometimes preceded by a check engine light.
  • Several owners say the vehicle stalls mid-drive, displays the shift-to-park warning, then restarts and runs rough before stalling again.
  • One complaint describes a cracked rear stop lamp allowing water to leak into the trunk near the high-voltage hybrid battery.
  • A separate report describes the vehicle losing power and failing to restart, requiring a tow, with a rattling sound heard during the restart attempt.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2020Jun 2021Aug 2023May 2024Mar 2025
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2020 to Jun 2025; peak Jan 2020 (3).

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
49 MPG
Highway
43 MPG
Combined
46 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,400
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Malibu Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002008200920102016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Avoid10024146
2017Caution6722046
2018Caution5011046
2019No verdict172046

All Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid reliable?
NHTSA lists a Complaint Index of 50 for the 2018 Malibu Hybrid, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other years of this model. It ranks 4th worst among 7 model years with data.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Malibu Hybrid?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, making up 45% of complaints, largely tied to a false 'not in park' warning that keeps the car from shutting off.
Does the 2018 Malibu Hybrid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2018 model year.
How does the 2018 Malibu Hybrid compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 50 is lower than the 2016 (100, Avoid) and 2009 (83, Avoid) model years, but higher than years like 2008 (33, Good) and 2019 (17).
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Malibu Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 46 mpg combined, 49 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, with an annual fuel cost of $1,400.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.