Ninth generation
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
The most reported problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is shift to park warning, with 123 complaints, usually around 38,000 miles.
- 698owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 23involved a crash
- 48,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 26, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Malibu doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has 698 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 3.9 times the median of 177 for 2018 sedans on this site. Of the 12 Malibu model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- At 78 complaints for each year on the road, the 2018 runs close to the 2017 (70) and 3.2 times the 2019 (24).
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Shift to park warning has 123 complaints and stalling has 122, out of 698 in all. A quarter of the 43 owners who gave a mileage for shift to park warning saw it by about 20,000 miles, and half by about 38,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 29 of the 698 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 23 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 17 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 9 of 23, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Shift to park warning has a recall on the same system (20V-668). Stalling and misfire have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 126 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 64. So far in 2026, 46 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: "shift to park" or "service shifter" warning comes on, 123 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
698 complaints is 2.5 times the median 2018 model on this site and 3.9 times the median 2018 sedan. Among the 7 Malibu model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet filed 1,066 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. 69 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
"Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 6 bulletins · 123 complaints
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of seeing an intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle is in Park.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of seeing an intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle is in park.
4 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of message displaying shift to park when in park.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Shift to Park message on the Driver Information Center. Technician will find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P1AEE, P1AEF, P1AF0, P1AF2, and P1E22.
This engineering informational bulletin ends the need for information from the field on vehicles that have the condition of Shift to Park Message Displayed.
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from the filed on vehicles that have the condition of Shift to Park Message Displayed.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 6 bulletins · 122 complaints
This service bulletin advises the tech that the rotational Clicking Noise Heard After Engine Shut Down may be normal characteristics of the vehicle.
This service bulletin provides a procedure to inspect and possibly repair terminals that may be damaged to correct customer concerns of Loss of Power, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, Gauges Inoperative and/or Multiple Warning Lights/Messages ...
4 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates that a rotational clicking noise heard after engine shut down is a design characteristic and no repairs should be attempted.
This Preliminary information communicates A vehicle may have a concern of running poor and stalling. No trouble codes may be set referencing this condition. Fuel trims around -20% may be observed on both banks.
This Preliminary information communicates a possible BCM and/or circuit 5985 concern if DTC P0747 sets during engine shut down when the transmission is in park or neutral when no hydraulic/mechanical transmission concerns are present.
18009 - Service Update. The bootloader version for the engine control module (ECM) was incorrectly released, and may result in a no-start or stall, and P062B, P0171/P0172, P1133/P2195/P2196 or P300 diagnostic trouble codes to set.
Check engine light or misfire 30 bulletins · 92 complaints
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce ...
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
28 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of dtc p0299 p0234 setting due to oil/moisture cndensate freezing in Turbocharger Wastegate Regulator Solenoid Valve (TCV) during cold weather driving
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Reduced Engine Power, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTCs P0101, P0172, P0299, P0506, and/or P1101 Set.
This service bulletin provides repair procedures, depending on model year, to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with DTC P0172, P06DE and/or P0521 Set.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of an Engine Misfire, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P0300 Set.
This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of a misfire occuring due to a broken center insulator on the spark plug.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P06DE set in the Engine Control Module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by.
This technical bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a condition of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTCs P0615, P0617, P305C, P305D, P305E and/or P3054 Set.
Plus 18 older ones not listed here.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 8 bulletins · 69 complaints
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
Rear Brake Squeak Type Noise Involved Region or Country North America and N.A. Export Regions Condition Some customers may comment on a squeak type noise heard from the rear brakes when cold.
6 more on this problem
This Technical bulletin provides a procedure to correct conditions of Service Stabilitrak Message on DIC, Rear Stop Lamps Inoperative, Traction Control Light On with DTCs C0595, C0277, U0422 Set.
This Bulletin provides information, tips and graphics regarding specific Hybrid vehicle hydraulic brake system failures, emphasizing disc brake caliper guide pin failures.
18308 - Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain vehicles, may have a condition in which the right-hand knuckle wheel speed sensor (WSS) hole is machined approximately 1.6mm off location.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a crank but engine does not start concern.Technician will use this publication to reset the battery low state of charge concern after extended crank ...
This Technical bulletin provides information for rear brake pad replacement to correct a squeak type noise heard from the rear brakes when cold.
Rear Brake Squeak Type Noise Condition Some customers may comment on a squeak type noise heard from the rear brakes when cold. This noise will typically occur on first brake apply when the brakes are cold.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 14 bulletins · 53 complaints
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of seeing an intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle is in park.
This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with inspection and repair instructions for vehicles with Service Engine Soon lamp when locking, unlocking, going into gear, and when vehicle is running.
12 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Navigation radio does not have a global positioning system location but OnStar is able to accurately locate the vehicle.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the HMI module to correct a condition of Radio Control (ICS) Display Does Not Remain Off at Times after it Has Been Turned Off in the Radio Settings Menu due to a software concern.
This informational bulletin provides information for the technicians on multi-media infotainment tester (MIT), does not function properly when diagnosing infotainment complaints, which may lead to mis-diagnosis.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to clear the codes and re-evaluate the XM radio channels to correct a condition of audio muting when listening to some Sirius XM channels but if they change channels they will find others that experience normal ...
This preliminary information bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for the customer concern of a blank radio with/without audio, by checking the the wiring harness, ECU and reprograming the HMI software update, if the wiring or ECU are not the cause.
This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
This informational bulletin provides information to the customer on the radio display "info pages" being blank and to make sure to select in the "active info pages" menu.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D-37 history in the Vehicle Communication Interface Module or telematics communication interface control module.
Rear View Camera Guidelines Not Present at Times Condition Some customers may report that the Rear View Camera (RVC) guidelines are temporarily not available at times but the RVC will remain on during the concern.
Plus 2 older ones not listed here.
Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails 1 bulletin · 34 complaints
This service bulletin informs dealers that a new Power Brake Booster Vacuum Cap will need to be replaced when installing the revised Power Brake Booster Vacuum Pipe to correct DTCs being set due to misrouting of brake booster vacuum pipe.
Battery dies or the car will not start 1 bulletin · 30 complaints
This engineering information PI ends the need for information from the field regarding wire harness chafe at the battery tray. If you encounter a vehicle with this condition, refer to SI for further diagnosis.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 3 bulletins · 20 complaints
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of "Steering Assist Is Reduced" Message and One of The Following DTCs Are Set: C056D, U0415.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles thatmay have Service Front Camera, Service Lane Departure Warning, and Service Lane Keep Assist Message.
1 more on this problem
This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
Complaints filed by year
126 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 6 recalls on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Shift to park warning, with 123 of the 698 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 38,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Of the 308 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 27,000 miles and half by about 48,000.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has about as many complaints as the 2017 and more complaints than the 2019: 78 a year against 70 and 24.
How many 2018 Chevrolet Malibu complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
29 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for shift to park warning on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 20V-668. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.