CarProblemIndexSource: NHTSAData retrieved 2026-07-01

2018 Chevrolet MALIBU — Recalls, Complaints & Buying Checklist

Quick summary

Recalls: 6 official NHTSA recall(s) on record, e.g. Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification.

Most-reported issue: Power Train (159 owner reports of 686 total).

Before you buy: owners reported issues most often with Power Train, Electrical System — worth having these checked on a used example.

VIN check: confirm any open recall by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Used-car buying checklist

Based on this model’s reported issues. Tick as you inspect.

Owner-reported complaints by category

Counts are voluntary reports to NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold — they are not a failure rate or safety ranking.
Power Train159
Electrical System122
Unknown Or Other92
Engine88
Vehicle Speed Control68
Steering39
Service Brakes39
Fuel System15
Fuel/Propulsion System15
Air Bags11

Official recalls

Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification — campaign 18V400000 (14/06/2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may h…

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper — campaign 18V576000 (30/08/2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Bu…

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump — campaign 18V358000 (31/05/2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2…

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Electrical System:Software — campaign 19V642000 (06/09/2019)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Contro…

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission — campaign 20V668000 (29/10/2020)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse a…

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners — campaign 21V649000 (20/08/2021)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors…

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Compare related vehicles

Previous year: 2017 Chevrolet MALIBUNext year: 2019 Chevrolet MALIBURival: 2018 Nissan ALTIMARival: 2018 Ford FUSIONSame class: 2018 Honda ACCORDSame class: 2018 Honda CIVICSame class: 2018 Nissan SENTRA
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Source: U.S. NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov), public domain. Data retrieved 2026-07-01 · data v0.1.
This page is general information, not medical, legal, or safety advice. Complaint data is voluntarily reported to NHTSA and is unverified; a complaint count is not a danger or failure rate. Always confirm open recalls for a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the manufacturer.