2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 45,174miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 46 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 49 city / 43 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and engine (3). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,174 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 295 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 53 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 29 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system4 36%
- Engine3 27%
- Fuel system3 27%
- Other or unknown3 27%
- Air bags1 9.1%
- Exterior lighting1 9.1%
- Seat belts1 9.1%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Engine lost power on interstate highway. While this did not result in a crash/ rear end collision, the potential for such injury seems high. 1-2 days prior there were some warning lights (check engine light). Called a dealership Tuesday morning and earliest service appointment was in one week but they assured me that the car was drivable in the meantime. On Wednesday afternoon my son was driving on the interstate and there was a new message “engine power reduced”, and a sudden loss of power. Eventually got the car to nearest Chevrolet dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11421044, filed 2021-06Transmission and drivetrain: “To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to report a serious issue concerning the recall history of my vehicle and to request an investigation into what appears to be unresolved and inaccurately closed recalls. Vehicle Information: •Make/Model/Year: 2018 Chevy Malibu hybrid •Date of Purchase: 2018 (I have been the sole owner since) Several safety recalls were previously listed for my vehicle on your website and through the manufacturer, but I recently checked again and now it states there are zero open recalls. …”
NHTSA complaint #11670074, filed 2025-06Engine: “As I was driving with cruise control on a freeway at 70 mph the car suddenly displayed a warning to reduce speed. I continued to try to get to the next exit but almost instantly it started reducing my power and slowed me down to a crawl. I pulled over on the freeway and it would not restart. The tow truck to it to a chevy dealer and the next morning they called asking for details as the car started right up and they drove it around for 10 minutes without issue. They kept the vehicle all day but were unable to recreate the problem so they told me there was nothing they could do. …”
NHTSA complaint #11450678, filed 2022-02Fuel system: “One of my first problems with this car is the “shift to park” error message. This message on the dashboard indicating that my gear is not in P (park) when in fact it is . This error will not allow me to turn off my car even though I am parked. …”
NHTSA complaint #11647214, filed 2025-03Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,000 and 53,349 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu Hybrid FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 49 | 43 | 46 | $1,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 295 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11024324Sep 4, 2025Electrical system, Fuel system. This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 11 | 45,174 | 0 | — | 46 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 22 | 14,725 | 0 | — | 46 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 24 | 28,609 | 1 | — | 46 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 25 | 59,000 | 0 | — | 29 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 7 | 70,580 | 0 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (Malibu Hybrid, 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 46 mpg combined, 49 city and 43 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,174 miles and the middle half falls between 37,000 and 53,349 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.