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2018 Chevrolet Malibu recalls & problems

The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has 6 safety recalls and 700 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (281 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints700filed by owners
Crashes · fires23 · 4reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2018 Chevrolet Malibu in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Seat beltsAug 20, 2021

Rear/other › Retractor

Recall 21V649000402 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.

Components: Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor; Seat belts › Critical fasteners

Power trainOct 29, 2020

Automatic transmission

Recall 20V668000194,105 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
EngineSep 6, 2019

Engine

Recall 19V642000177,282 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.

Components: Engine; Electrical system › Software; Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 30, 2018

Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 18V576000210,628 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Air bagsJun 14, 2018

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 18V40000066 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
Risk
In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
Fuel system, gasolineMay 31, 2018

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 18V358000895 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2018 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.2%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Chevrolet Malibu HEV 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.2%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2018 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Malibu

30mpg combined
City / highway27 / 36 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

Malibu

26mpg combined
City / highway22 / 32 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine28131250,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Fuel gauge; Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer19222046,560 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)17230143,300 mi
Unknown or other15111037,403 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal11430251,670 mi
Fuel/propulsion system8410129,000 mi
Service brakes6160324,112 mi
Steering4200115,483 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)2110050,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Fuel injection system › Mass air flow (maf) sensor1710076,000 mi
Air bags14901122,494 mi
SuspensionRear › Shock absorber13000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.