2018 Chevrolet Malibu: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu: 6 recalls, 700 owner complaints and up to 30 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V358000 · 2018 · 895 vehicles
What's wrong: The high pressure fuel pump May detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Why it matters: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V400000 · 2018 · 66 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger pps seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #18V576000 · 2018 · 210,628 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear brake caliper pistons May have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Why it matters: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Engine, Electrical Vehicle recall #19V642000 · 2019 · 177,282 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l turbo engines. An error in the engine control module (ECM) software May result in the fuel injectors being disabled.
Why it matters: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and May cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #20V668000 · 2020 · 194,105 vehicles
What's wrong: The start/stop accumulator endcap May have missing bolts.
Why it matters: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and May progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source May increase the risk of fire.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #21V649000 · 2021 · 402 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear seat belt retractors May be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Why it matters: An improperly secured seat belt retractor May not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 17 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (281): the most common themes are warning light on (102), stalls / loses power (72).
- Electrical (192): the most common themes are electrical failure (51), stalls / loses power (51).
- Transmission & drivetrain (171): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (104), warning light on (48), stalls / loses power (32).
- Other / unknown (151): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (28), noise or vibration (17).
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has 700 owner complaints, ranking #17 of 29 Malibu model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 667). Complaints peaked in 2021 (126 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 45,390 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (703 complaints, 4 recalls), 2019 (192 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
Owners have filed 700 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (281), electrical (192), transmission & drivetrain (171).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA ratings run up to 30 mpg combined (1.5 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.