Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
700 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 284, 5× a quiet Malibu year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu were filed between 29k and 62k miles. You're at 50,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 Malibu owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 50,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 284 (41%) | 29k–62k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 192 (27%) | 35k–60k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 171 (24%) | 26k–60k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 114 (16%) | 42k–65k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 101 (14%) | 14k–61k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 69 (10%) | 18k–99k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 42 (6%) | 14k–72k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Stability control | 21 (3%) | 35k–64k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 50,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 700 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 14 report an injury · 33 say the car was towed.
56 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The cars reduced engine light keeps coming on and off, slowing down on the freeway and the traction lights keep coming on.
I was driving on the highway and suddenly I began to loose speed and my engine check light turned on and my car said engine power reduced.
Once my car is stopped and I shift to 'p'(Park) and I try to turn off my vehicle it still gives me the 'shift to park' message.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 50,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu: 6
The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners. An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts. 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.
An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled. Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 388
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Correct conditions of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely cold weather conditions, CAC Icing, MIL Illuminated with DTCs set
Correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Neighbouring years
2017 Malibu: 705 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2019 Malibu: 193 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year
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Questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
700 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 284, 5× a quiet Malibu year. At 50,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu were filed between 29k and 62k miles. You're at 50,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (284), electrical system (192), transmission and drivetrain (171), speed control (114), fuel system (101). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 29k–62k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 21V-649), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 20V-668), Fuel system (NHTSA 19V-642), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-576) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.