2018 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 281about this part
- Share
- 40%of 700 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 281 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 40% of the 700 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“When driving my 2018 chevy Malibu it stalls out while I'm driving reducing my speed to 20 MPH when I'am on the freeway. As I continue to drive home I seen a notification that said power reduce system it happens very often and as a result of the stalling I was rear ended from the rear and it is very dangerous for me to continue driving this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11408517, filed 2021-04, 84,500 miles“I was driving on a busy highway doing 70mph and a warning popped up on the dash and said engine power reduced and the car slowed down to 20mph. I almost got rear ended and had to pull over to the side of the road. This has also happened on a regular city street while going 40mph. This is very dangerous and needs to be corrected”
NHTSA complaint #11414791, filed 2021-05, 68,958 miles“I was driving in a neighborhood about 15 MPH. My car began to shake, the engine light was blinking, stability track light was on, and an icon came up saying that the 'service stablitrek.' I had little control over the steering and I felt no traction while trying to pull over. I also have a problem where the car prompts a shift to park, even though my car is in park.”
NHTSA complaint #11364304, filed 2020-10, 50,000 miles“I was driving the vehicle and all of a sudden the check engine light came on and the display read engine power reduced. I wasn't sure what that meant so I pulled over. I tried to pull off and I had no brakes. Apparently something in the braking system broke and my engine was destroyed. I talked with GM and they told me that it has happened before with this model car.”
NHTSA complaint #11353134, filed 2020-09, 77,000 miles“My car randomly displayed a message on the dashboard that said engine power reduced traction light and check engine light appeared and it brought my speed limit to around 20 while I was on a busy street. I turned the car off and got the power back but has done it 3 more time in 2 days. Very scary with 2 babies in the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11385665, filed 2020-12, 70,200 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
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11020254May 7, 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in…
- 11019503Apr 18, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California…
- 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.
- 11017443Apr 2, 2025This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set.
- 11017263Mar 25, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 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.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 13 | 18% |
| 2022 | 29 | 29% |
| 2021 | 15 | 17% |
| 2020 | 59 | 30% |
| 2019 | 65 | 34% |
| 2018 | 281 | 40% |
| 2017 | 253 | 36% |
| 2016 | 304 | 36% |
| 2015 | 70 | 26% |
| 2014 | 125 | 36% |
| 2013 | 204 | 24% |
| 2012 | 99 | 11% |
| 2011 | 160 | 16% |
| 2010 | 115 | 8% |
| 2009 | 61 | 4% |
| 2008 | 62 | 6% |
| 2007 | 28 | 3% |
| 2006 | 33 | 3% |
| 2005 | 49 | 5% |
| 2004 | 17 | 1% |
| 2003 | 47 | 8% |
| 2002 | 22 | 4% |
| 2001 | 26 | 4% |
| 2000 | 19 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 0% |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
192 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 28, 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