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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,469 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2018 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #109

Jan 052023

Malibu

  • miles

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

When putting gear shift into park the driver display on dashboard said not in park. The car would not fully shut off causing a safety problem. Could not lock vehicle. Was draining the battery. My extended warranty covered $382.59. I paid $177.32.

- Garden City , MI, USA

problem #108

Feb 222023

Malibu

  • miles
Cam-driven Brake Booster Vacuum failure without warning. My engine died, my brake pedal and steering wheel stiffened, while in moderate traffic. I had use excessive brake force to slow my vehicle to a stop. Currently have 78,012 miles as it is sitting in the repairs shop. This is the first time it has happened, but I worry it may happen again because upon further research, it is a very common part failure.

- Barstow, CA, USA

problem #107

Nov 182022

Malibu

  • miles
On Nov. 18th 2022 while driving on county Rd at 55mph I slowed to make a left turn. As I went to accelerate at about 30mph the vehicle lost power, I pulled over shut off the vehicle. I started the vehicle and the engine symbol appeared, I continued to drive, I had power so I entered the interstate. About 2 min. of driving The vehicle went from 70mph to 40mph. I pulled into a dealership to see if I could get the vehicle looked at. They said they were booked up that it would be about ten days. I continued to my destination there were no other issues beside the engine light staying on. At a half tank of gas I filled up, when I went to leave the The engine light was off. No other issues since.

- Westfield, WI, USA

problem #106

Oct 262022

Malibu

  • miles

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

I paid a significant amount to have my car fixed after bringing it initially the first time in May. Since then I have had to return my car multiple times every other month because the engine light continues to come on and they don-??t know why. I have worked directly with JR and have gotten no result. The engine light continues to come on and they continue to not be able to know why, they keep my car for multiple days and can-??t explain why the light is on or what they did to remove it and then it comes on a few days or months later with the same issue that they cannot explain. I bought my car in over five times already I have contacted corporate to no avail. When I brought it back the second time they claimed a bunch of things were wrong with it that weren-??t wrong the first time, every time there is a new issue but they can-??t describe what is the cause of the issue or can they give me an explanation on what keeps happening the last time they claim it was an electrical malfunction but could not explain any details and waited until they were closing to contact me. My engine light has since come back on which means I would have to bring it in again. I contacted corporate they were supposed to call me back, never heard from anyone. I-??ve been working directly with JR who I constantly contact and he does not follow up at all or call me back like he says he would and the issue continues to happen and he is very aware of it for my initial review. They have to leave my car there for multiple days to not get updates to not get any information, they don-??t look at it they don-??t even know what-??s going on with it, it doesn-??t even make any sense at all now I-??m driving a car that could potentially be unsafe and I-??m bringing it to the only dealership that is closest to me Chevrolet and they can-??t even help. My car is a 2018 Chevy Malibu that I take extremely good care of yet no one knows why the engine light keeps coming on.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #105

Oct 082022

Malibu

  • miles
My car will stop and have no power now the heat shut off and won-??t come back on it-??s just doing some crazy stuff I looked up all the recalls for 2018 Malibu and it was a lot so why mines isn-??t listed

- Akron , OH, USA

problem #104

Oct 042022

Malibu

  • miles
I received a recall letter in 2019 for N192221960. The engine control module software needed to be updated. I have taken my car to the Moran chevy dealership on Gratiot perhaps 3 times before. I was driving yesterday, Oct 4th and my car did the same thing again: Reduced engine power while I was on the freeway. It would not allow me to accelerate past 40 mph very dangerous. They informed me that the repair would not be covered, which was surprising to me, because I thought with that frequency it would be. Each time they told me it was something different. This time I am being told that the price is $862 ECM needed work, and oxygen sensor and fuel injector services. I then received a call letting me know that the price was reduced to $693 and that the ECM was updated already (after I had called letting them know I called GM direct about the recall and was waiting to hear back).

- Clinton Twp, MI, USA

problem #103

Jan 202019

Malibu

  • miles

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

My car constantly gives an error saying the power is being reduced to the engine. It was repair 3 months after I bought it but it didn't fix the issue. These cars a danger to everyone around us. They reduce speeds to very low numbers even on the freeway, when yielding to turn left the car won't go but will drift into oncoming traffic, and many times the car won't shut off. It says it's not in park but it is. The seatbelts look like they're secured but with one good tug they'll come apart. And I slide when braking even without snow or rain. Mine I'd always broke down and no one will help me. I pay 475 a month for a car that doesn't work and is dangerous to me and my special needs child and everyone around us. Please do something.

- Washington Terrace , UT, USA

problem #102

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 #101

Aug 102022

Malibu

  • miles
When I come to a complete stop and take back off, my car flashes a warning " steering assist reduced. Drive with care" this just started 4 days ago. Within those 4 days, every time it starts back up all lights flash on then back off. My check engine light has not gone back off since 1 day ago. I have done research and I have realized that this is a common problem for this make and model car. Most complaints regard power steering control. I'm wondering what can be done, because there has not yet been a recall for this issue and it is a complete safety hazard, especially with children in the car. I would hate for any lawsuits to come from something that could have been avoided.

- Clinton, NC, USA

problem #100

Aug 012022

Malibu

  • miles
When going to shut off the vehicle the display comes on "shift to park" and will not allow the engine to shut down. Must turn car back on, place into a gear, place into park and turn off power again. This has occurred multiple times over the past few days. It will also take 3 or 4 cycles to finally get the car to shut down completely.

- Dekalb, IL, USA

problem #99

Aug 022022

Malibu

  • miles

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

Something draining my battery done put a new battery in it no lights or anything on when I get out been going on for bout 3 months now

- Mullins , SC, USA

problem #98

May 272022

Malibu

  • miles
I-??ve brought the car in for the same thing -??engine power reduced -?? and they never were able to fix has been going on since February of 2019. codes related to the engine power reduced still occurred and are occurring on my vehicle, reported it to Gm ( have the emails) they offer me $2500 for a new car but won-??t put it towards fixing this car, as it-??s not a guaranteed fix as the vehicle has been brought in over 4-5 times for the same engine power reduced and never fixed it. I received a letter from GM regarding they will cover anything to do with -??engine power reduced -?? at no charge and now they won-??t fix it. The last email gm said to report it to the dealership giving me the run around. This is one of MANY almost got in an accident today on the highway cause I was going 70 and it dropped to 40 out of no where of course with the engine power reduced message. I need help, please. I been going on since I bought the vehicle in 2019. Gm is doing nothing but taken advantage of for years

- Chelsea, MI, USA

problem #97

May 152022

Malibu

  • miles
I got the error message, "Shift to Park" after putting my car in park. Thus, my car would not fully turn off, affecting the battery. This is a known issue with various make, models, and years of Chevrolet vehicles. If this had happened anywhere but home, if would have left me stranded. The dealership confirmed it was a known issue as they have had to fix many of these vehicles. The bill was extremely pricey.

- Sedalia, MO, USA

problem #96

Nov 162021

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle Stop feature engaged independently as designed, causing the engine to stop running. However, upon releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled and shut off. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The contact shifted into the park, depressed the pedal, and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #95

May 132022

Malibu

  • miles
Component/System: Transmission shift control not correctly sensing vehicle has been placed in parked condition. Symptom: After parking and shutting off engine, message is displayed "Shift to Park" and car dings and lights and electronics will not turn off. Started about a week ago and was intermittent. Jiggling the transmission shift handle would always cause message to go away and electronics to turn off. Today, no amount of manipulating the transmission control handle will shut off the message. Tried to leave car in garage but lights and radio kept running. Decided to manually shut off lights and radio/info system hoping system will time out and shut down on its own. Finally got in contact with dealership who recommended I disconnect the battery cable until I can get the car into the shop. Safety concern: Though transmission can be verified as being in park, electronics will not shut down, thereby potentially allowing the electrical system to drain battery and not allowing car to be started when needed. Also, a bit concerned it was suggested by dealership I disconnect battery cable to eliminate power drain while "Shift to Park" error is occurring. Problem reproduced/confirmed by dealer: Not yet as the problem had a rapid onset from intermittent to full time over the course of a week. Having a bit of difficulty getting appointment scheduled that will get problem investigated and fixed. Loaner cars were discontinued last December and I live too far from dealership to be driven home. Inspection: No inspection has yet occurred; however, I have taken picture of "Shift to Park" message while transmission control handle is in the park position. Prior indications: There were no other signs of a problem. "Shift to Park" simply started and was intermittent over the course of a week. Jiggling the transmission control handle would quickly resolve the issue, then today, it has no impact.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #94

Apr 292022

Malibu

  • miles
UNKNOWN. Stabilitrak, power steering drive with care, and steering assist is reduced drive with care light turned on. I was on the freeway with my newborn and the car was slowly giving out and suddenly stopped while in the carpool lane. Took it to the car dealer and did a diagnostics and codes u100, u0101, u0415, and u0073 popped up. This is the second time this same exact thing has happened to me same messages popped up so I took it to the dealer and codes p0300 came out and p050D came out. This malfunction could have caused a serious injury to myself or my family.

- Paramount , CA, USA

problem #93

Feb 162022

Malibu

  • miles
The car is going slow when you put it on drive a jumps then when you press on the gas it goes real slow then it kicks in at a faster level but when am at like 30 mlp it Jenks as if it wants to lock on

- Bakersfield , CA, USA

problem #92

Mar 152022

Malibu

  • miles
Car does not recognize when it is in park despite attempt by dealer to fix

- Smithville, MO, USA

problem #91

Mar 112022

Malibu

  • miles
Driving at highway speed and the speed decreased to 20 mph engine power reduced along with engine light came on extremely unsafe. Purchased Dec 10, 2018 39,000 miles. Kids and myself could-??ve been hurt.

- Indianapolis , IN, USA

problem #90

Sep 272021

Malibu

  • miles
The harness and shifter solenoid went bad in my car. When I was on the highway, it stalled causing me to have to pull over onside the road. I nearly got hit in the rear by an 18-wheeler. There was an TSB on the make, model, and year of the car, but GM did not inform their customers of the issue and the dangerous situation one could be in if the car decided to malfunction in the middle of traffic. I was almost rear-ended from behind by an 18-wheeler while on the highway going 60 miles per hour. I also was stranded on the side of the road because they said they could not send anyone out. Malcolm Cunningham Chevrolet, a local Chevy dealer is aware of the issues with the vehicles, but when I bought my vehicle into the shop to get fixed, they lied and said I had wasted something in my car. They provided no pictures of the spills or pictures of the parts with the contamination that they claimed it had on it. The only person that inspected my car was Logan and the other technicians at Malcolm Cunningham Chevrolet in Augusta, Georgia. No, there was no warning lights indicating my harness and solenoid needed to be checked.

- Waynesboro, GA, USA

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