2018 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 11th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 697 complaints, 6 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Engine as the top problem area at 49% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Malibu years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 697
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24.5 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2018 Chevy Malibu problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine339 (49%)
- Electrical System198 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain170 (24%)
- Other153 (22%)
- Fuel System101 (14%)
- Brakes86 (12%)
- Steering41 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (2%)
- Airbags14 (2%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags sometimes fail to deploy in low-speed or moderate-speed crashes, including impacts under 25 mph.
- Drivers report sudden loss of braking assist accompanied by a StabiliTrak warning light, leading to loss of control.
- Some vehicles unexpectedly move forward or fail to hold in park even when the brake pedal is depressed.
- Engine stalling occurs at moderate speeds, sometimes with a 'reduced engine power' message and inability to accelerate.
- Owners describe repeated brake lock-up incidents in stop-and-go traffic, occurring more than once on the same vehicle.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V649000Aug 20, 2021Seat Belts402 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor
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.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
- NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
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 crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
- NHTSA 19V642000Sep 6, 2019Engine177,282 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192221960.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, with a complaint index of 50 that ranks 11th worst among 21 model years of the Malibu.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Engine issues make up 49% of complaints, followed by Electrical System at 28% and Transmission & Powertrain at 24%. Median mileage at failure for the top engine problem area is 50,000.
- Does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2018 Malibu covering seat belts, transmission, engine (ECM software affecting fuel injectors), brakes, airbags, and fuel system. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Malibu compare to other Malibu years?
- Its complaint index of 50 is better than years like 2009 (100) and 2010 (95), which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2019-2025 model years, most of which earn Good or Best verdicts.