2018 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 192about this part
- Share
- 27%of 700 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,560miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 192 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 27% of the 700 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,560 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The power shifter in the car needed to be replaced. As with many of the other recent complaints I see on here, when I went to turn off the car it popped up the shift to park warning even though I was already in park and wouldn't power off the radio or lights. It appears this is a consistent problem with all of the 2018 Malibu's and should be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #11351427, filed 2020-08, 36,400 miles“After turning on my heater and driving the car 10 minutes the car caught fire. I smelled something burning when I parked and got out of the vehicle, but thought it was coming from outside the vehicle. I came back to my car 2 hours later and the fire department had been out and the front end of my car was completely charred.”
NHTSA complaint #11355089, filed 2020-09, 24,000 miles“Once my car is stopped and I shift to 'p'(park) and I try to turn off my vehicle it still gives me the 'shift to park' message. The shift gear has previously been replaced by the car dealership. However and unfortunately, it started to do it again. It has under 36,000 miles on it and we thought the issue had been fixed already but it started to do it again less then a year later.”
NHTSA complaint #11326517, filed 2020-05, 29,000 miles“Car turned off in the middle of the road. Engine was completely off as well as no lights were on. So I could not put it on neutral to push it out of the road. I had several near misses where it could have gone badly. Also, took it to the dealership and nothing was found. Car still turns off for no apparent reason”
NHTSA complaint #11338289, filed 2020-07, 78,000 miles“When my car cut off at the light and when it try to start back up it stale for a second and says stabilize then start up. When I start the car up it says the same thing. It erase all my favorite on the radio and reset everything. Been doing this for about two weeks now”
NHTSA complaint #11343971, filed 2020-08, 59,610 milesRelated recalls
- 19V642000Sep 6, 2019General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM)…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2018
Related service bulletins
- 11017876Apr 10, 2025This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct conditions of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely cold weather conditions, CAC Icing, MIL Illuminated with DTCs set.
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017443Apr 2, 2025This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013149Jan 17, 2025This service bulletin provides information to the customer about the rear camera guidelines not being present at times due to the VBM taking over the rear camera option.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% |
| 2024 | 18 | 41% |
| 2023 | 12 | 17% |
| 2022 | 33 | 33% |
| 2021 | 30 | 33% |
| 2020 | 57 | 29% |
| 2019 | 62 | 32% |
| 2018 | 192 | 27% |
| 2017 | 161 | 23% |
| 2016 | 222 | 26% |
| 2015 | 68 | 25% |
| 2014 | 86 | 25% |
| 2013 | 376 | 45% |
| 2012 | 291 | 32% |
| 2011 | 235 | 24% |
| 2010 | 295 | 22% |
| 2009 | 368 | 24% |
| 2008 | 233 | 24% |
| 2007 | 113 | 12% |
| 2006 | 142 | 13% |
| 2005 | 180 | 18% |
| 2004 | 151 | 13% |
| 2003 | 289 | 51% |
| 2002 | 259 | 46% |
| 2001 | 285 | 40% |
| 2000 | 199 | 22% |
| 1999 | 144 | 18% |
| 1998 | 130 | 13% |
| 1997 | 87 | 20% |
| 1980 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
281 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
171 complaintsOther or unknown
153 complaintsVehicle speed control
114 complaintsFuel system
101 complaintsBrakes
69 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsElectronic stability control
21 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology