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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,153 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Chevrolet Malibu drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #102

Jun 272023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Shift to park but vehicle us in park engine control module, causing engibe power to be dropped reduced

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #101

Jun 232023

Malibu

  • miles
DIC shows service shift to park. Don't know for sure that car is in park. Dealer confirmed the problem. Dealer has replaced shift lock switch and jumper harness for over $500. DIC stated shift to park after the car was in park. Audio warnings. Has occurred intermittently for about 4 weeks.

- Prescott, AZ, USA

problem #100

Jun 042023

Malibu

  • miles
vehicle not in park error on display, when the vehicle has been put in park. have to flick the shift lever a couple of times for the error to go away, wont let you shut vehicle off, wont let you start the vehicle.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #99

May 242023

Malibu

  • 16,940 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel with an audible alarm sounding. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 16,940.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #98

May 252022

Malibu

  • miles
I have a 2018 Malibu with a very long list of major issues. The Engine loses power constantly along with a -??Engine Reduced Power-?? warning and check engine light. I get a constant -??shift to park-?? message even after placed in park. All the steering wheel buttons/controls do not work. With the exception of the cruise control. Car almost red lines after the power message displays when you try to increase the speed of the vehicle. The back axle/suspension/hubs make a very loud popping sound when I back up or drive forward. Both back wheel assemblies make a very loud wobble noise when driving. Almost like the assemble is going bad. The Auto Stop/Start causes a lot of issues. It causes the car to jerk horribly and that-??s when you hear the popping in the back axles the most. Idk if there is an option to turn this off in this model. But, if there is I can-??t access the message center because the steering wheel controls/buttons don-??t work. Also upon restart the car runs extremely rough and tries to die. The car has really bad powertrain issues. The car not only loses almost all power-??.. but, also acts like the transmission is slipping when taking off from a dead stop. Causing it to jerk really bad when the transmission actually catches. The brake system also seems like it has a lot of issues. Here recently the brakes seem like they don-??t want to stop the car and that leads to pressing the brake pedal down harder resulting in the brake finally stopping the car in almost a dead stop. This could cause a rear end collision or a collision after your designated stopping point. Every time it rains my trunk gets soaked with water leading to a horrible mildew smell and damaged property in the trunk. Also, the steering wheel will start wobbling uncontrollably when driving down the road and then just stops. It causes a violent shake in the front end until it stops. I-??m sure I missed a few things just because of how long the list is. I-??m hoping for a solution to these problems.

- Denison , TX, USA

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problem #97

Jan 152020

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles
The contact's niece owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed unknown repairs on the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- East Saint Louis, IL, USA

problem #96

Dec 032022

Malibu

  • 64,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to recognize the gear shifter being shifted to park(P). The -??Shift to Park-?? message was displayed on the instrument panel. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the failure was a known issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,400.

- Kirkwood, IL, USA

problem #95

Jan 012022

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. While in the park position, the shift to park message was displayed. The vehicle was slow to move. While adding fuel to the tank, the fuel would bubble at the top and stop. While driving approximately 35 mph, a 2018 GMC Terrain crashed into the front end of the vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to her hip, soft tissue, lower back, whiplash, and neck and medical attention was provided. There was a police report filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

- Greeley, CO, USA

problem #94

Dec 132022

Malibu

  • miles
Was driving to work when suddenly my check engine light comes on and I get a warning reading -??reduce power to engine-?? could feel the power literally reduce. Car won-??t go pass 30MPH could hear the engine trying to accelerate but struggling too. This is the second time it happens, have noticed other complain about this on going issue with 2016-2018 models

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #93

Nov 222022

Malibu

  • 21,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was in a park, he noticed that a warning light indicating that the vehicle was not in park was illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a knocking noise at the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000. The VIN was not included.

- Paris, KY, USA

problem #92

Nov 212022

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Please see General Motors Technical Service Bulletin 19NA206.745.57. There is a problem that occurs with the transmission shifter. Even though the driver has shifted into Park, the switch inside the shifter assembly triggers a message "Shift to Park." At times, the ignition cannot be turned off and the driver has to keep trying. My Malibu was affected by this issue.

- Hixson, TN, USA

problem #91

Nov 092022

Malibu

  • miles
Brake Power Booster, vehicle not starting. Not catching, brakes when completely out couldn-??t stop

- Belleville , MI, USA

problem #90

Sep 102022

Malibu

  • miles
When I shift the car into park the dashboard gives me a message that the car needs to be shifted into park. This is an intermittent problem and does not occur every time I shift to park. When I get this message I am not sure if the vehicle is actually in park. The problem has been diagnosed by the dealership. The defective part has been replaced by the dealership. The only message I received is the one on the dash stating to "shift to park".

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #89

Mar 232022

Malibu

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" A defect in the cam shaft solenoids causes a notice that "Engine Power is Reduced." At that point, the engine begins to struggle to accelerate from a stop, and from increasing speed while on the highway. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The unpredictability of the defect and its affect while driving poses a large threat to safety, particularly on the highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The dealership service rep not only confirmed the defect, but also confirmed that the issue persists across multiple GM models yet no recall exists. Again, this is a KNOWN defect with GM engines, as confirmed directly by the dealership. Despite this, no remedy was offered, I was told it's neither covered by my manufacturer's warranty or recall. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes. I was given a video explanation of the issue and also told directly of these persistence of the defect across multiple lines. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No warning prior to the failure. The defect and "Engine Power Reduced" message both first presented in March of 2022, less than a year into my ownership of the car -- and while my car was still under its 60,000 mile warranty.

- Parchment, MI, USA

problem #88

Jun 012022

Malibu

  • miles
The stability track system comes on the vehicle slows down and stops in traffic. Then it says shift to park and will not start. The computer often displays reduce engine power.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #87

Aug 192022

Malibu

  • miles
Shift to park light comes on when it was already put in park and shut car off.

- Dewitt, MI, USA

problem #86

Aug 272022

Malibu

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the "Shift to Park" message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The contact attempted multiple maneuvers to turn off the vehicle and was eventually successful. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for service. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

- Burbank, IL, USA

problem #85

Aug 282022

Malibu

  • miles
I was driving 35 mph when the message "reduced engine power" and it noticably slowed down. The check engine light is still on. I researched recalls/problems with the 2018 Chevy Malibu and this is one major one I found.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #84

Aug 122022

Malibu

  • miles
I was leaving the gas station and when I got ready to pull off into traffic the car stalled. Flashed a message saying the automatic steering was disabled or something drive with care. I go out this morning and it won't start at all. It cranks but won't turn.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #83

Apr 262022

Malibu

  • miles
While im driving the stabilitrack warning will pop on then the engine light & immediately after my car will jerk to a almost stop. Then when I try to press on the gas peddle it will go slow but my peddle power goes to a 4. The dealership said it was my tire speed sensors so I got them replaced all to STILL have the same problem. It will also read power stirring not available & shift to park even tho I-??m already in park.

- Norton Shores, MI, USA

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