2018 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet
"Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on
- 123owner reports
- 38,000median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 18, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
567 of the 698 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 123 of those describe shift to park warning, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Malibu.
Tick what matches of 123 reports
Shift to park warning on other Malibu years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015.
What this problem usually is
This sheet covers a dash message that says "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" when the car is already in Park, or when it's sitting in Drive with the shifter lights glowing. Owners say it won't let them turn the car off, or it flashes up on the highway.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the shifter assembly (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.
All 6 recalls on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Malibu
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Engine coolant boils over. Closed sep 24, 2002.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 20,000 and 53,000 miles, from the 43 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 6 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu that deal with this problem. 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.
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.
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.
2 more on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu page.
What owners wrote
“when turning off it says shift into park have to restart and shift again to park has been recurring more and more. rear makes a rubbing/popping sound when driving and backing up. took it to the shop they tell me it's a defect that Chevrolet knows about. i believe if they know about it it should be corrected. ive only had the car 10 months and these problems are coming up. ive only put 3000 miles on it in 10 months.”
Filed Jun 7, 2023 · 3,000 miles
“Doors do not lock when put into drive. Also when putting into park, car dings and error comes on stating shift to park. Doors have not locked in over 2 years, however at times it does but as of now they are not locked.”
Filed Apr 1, 2022
“The vehicle was sent into the shop for repair four times and I continue to get a shift to park alert on dashboard after the repairs and warranty has passed I was asked to pay for the repairs when the dealership has serviced the car for over a week each time stating they couldnât find the repair light I have contacted gm about the issue this is an act of consumer abuse I would like to be contacted on this matter”
Filed Mar 31, 2022
“Car continued to send message "Shift to Park" which required diagnosis and replacement of gear shift assembly by independent service garage because car warranty has expired. Battery would die without message being eliminated. The message infers that the car is not in park which means that the car could roll away injuring someone or damaging property.”
Filed Dec 17, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 123 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 122 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 92 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 69 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 53 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 30 reports