74 complaints reported

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
74
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2021

For over two years now I have been getting a reduced engine power when I drive. The car becomes slow and it is very dangerous especially on the highway. I have almost crashed a couple of times due to this issue. Once I turn the car off and on it goes off but off late that no longer works for me. This has been constant and has made my car useless. I can’t even go anywhere with it. A recall needs to me done because this is heartless and painful. Spending much on a car that I can’t even drive anymore.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2021
Nov 2021

The second morning in a row my 2018 Chevy Malibu overheated. Early in the morning, the temperature out was about 45-50 degrees, I was driving on the highway about 65-70 mph, I turned on the heater and my cars temperature gage immediately shoots up and the "overheating engine" warning lights start flashing. Confused I pulled over popped the hood there were no signs of smoke or over heating sounds coming from the motor. I got back into the car, turned off the engine, turned it back on, and the temperature gage immediately falls to normal temperature. Happened two mornings in a row now.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2021
Oct 2021

The engine shut down while driving and about caused me to wreck. Luckliy traffic was light. Jack Schmitt Chevrolet said it was a factory defect in the turbo function of the car and Chevrolet would not pay for the repaires. $2290 I was charged. They also said it was not the software issue of the outstanding recall for this same car that was causing this same exact problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2021
Sep 2021

The contact's grandson owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his grandson was driving 65 MPH, the reduced engine power warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to stall. His grandson was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle off the highway. The contact then met his grandson in a parking lot where the vehicle would not restart, and the check engine and reduced engine power warning lights were illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and he was informed that the failure was related to a defective camshaft. The contact did not believe the stated cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 61,030.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2021
Sep 2021

Keep getting a warning on my dashboard saying that the engines power is reduced.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2021
Sep 2021

2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCESSORIES STAY ON WHEN TURNING THE ENGINE OFF. THE DASHBOARD READS SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR IS IN PARK. THE ACCESSORIES THEN TURN OFF AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2021
Aug 2021

While driving on the highway my car decelerated from 60 mph to 25 mph in an instant. This almost caused a major fatal crash. My check engine light is on saying engine power reduced.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2021
Aug 2021

I was driving on the highway when my vacuum pump went out. Lucky I know how to handle a brake less situation. This should have never happened especially with a 2018 chevy malibu. We need a recall on all 2018 vacuum pumps. This will probly happen to more people if you dont.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2021
Aug 2021

Several times I have had the engine light come on and a warning of Engine Power Reduced. I have had it checked several times and some it was not able to be diagnosed but others the various modules were replaced - but the issue is not fixed. What is it going to take to have this brought to NHTSA attention as well as GM to get this corrected on a recall? I have almost been hit by 18 wheelers on the freeway due to my car dropping from 75 MPH to 30 MPH and there is nothing you can do when you are on a busy freeway in a construction zone but pray. I have read SEVERAL statements and reports of this happening over and over with other owners. I will definitely loan my car to an investigator at NHTSA or Mary Barra, President of GM, and let them see how safe they feel in a situation when this happens, especially when you have grandchildren or your own children in the car. It has been reoccurring since I purchased the car in 2018 with only 4 miles on the odometer so the information gathered below is only a fraction of the information that is needed. Maybe a selection on the "Was there a crash" and "Was there an injury or fatality?" should be "ALMOST, BU THANK GOD, NO"

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2021
Aug 2021

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER REDUCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SLOWED DOWN WITH NO POWER. THIS ALSO HAPPENED 2 WEEKS AGO. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A RECALL ITEM, BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2021
Aug 2021

ENGINE POWER REDUCED

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2021
Jul 2021 Fire

The contact's mother owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light while depressing the accelerator pedal to move forward, the vehicle began to hesitate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The contact stated a month later after she had an oil change performed on the vehicle, she saw smoke exiting from the rear vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer Bomnin Chevrolet Dadeland (8455 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33143:(305) 669-2709) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The contact towed the vehicle to a third local dealer Bomnin Chevrolet West Kendall (11701 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177:(305) 964-3099) and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact towed the vehicle to a fourth local dealer Ed Morse Sawgrass Chevrolet Service Center (14401 W Sunrise Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33323:(888) 366-8808) and the mechanic was also unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated after the vehicle was serviced at Ed Morse Sawgrass Chevrolet Service Center, she began to experience failure with the gear shifter, the auto start, the steering gear, the suspension, and the brakes. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to Ed Morse Sawgrass Chevrolet Service Center and had the gear shifter, the auto start, the steering gear, the suspension, and brakes replaced. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure and the vehicle was not operable. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, while driving approximately 80 mph, the vehicle stalled. Another time while driving approximately 50 mph the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was slow to start and several attempts were made before the vehicle started. The contact stated while stopped, the vehicle was slow to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The accelerator pedal and system update were performed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Jul 2021

Low engine pressure

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2021
May 2021

My car will not start. And it turn off at stop lights and when does the gas saving shut off, it doesn't turn back over. Im pretty sure it's the fuel injectors

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2021
Apr 2021

ENGINE GOES INTO POWER REDUCED MODE REGULARLY AND PREVENTS ME FROM DRIVING. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AS WELL. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR, I AM ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN, BUT IT IS HAPPENS MORE AND MORE OFTEN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2021
Apr 2021

The check engine light came on and after getting it diagnose I recieved a P1101 code indicating air mass flow problem. After replacing the sensor I later received an engine power reduce on the dashboard. I received that warning while driving on the interstate and my vehicle started reducing speed possibly causing an accident.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2021
Mar 2021

CUT CAR OFF WOULDNT START UP REPLACED VVT SOLENOIDS AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS HAD BATTERY TESTED HAD IT TESTED ON COMPUTER ALL CODES CLEAR AND BEING TOLD IT MAY BE ONE OR MORE CRACKED PISTONS CAR WAS IDLEING NORMAL IN PARK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2021
Feb 2021

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2021
Jan 2021

REDUCE ENGINE POWER CAME ON

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2021
Jan 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOUNTAIN VIEW CHEVROLET, INC. (1079 W FOOTHILL BLVD UPLAND, CA 91786, (909) 353-7103) WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2020
Jan 2021

THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/ WITCH D/E

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2021
Nov 2020

THE CARS REDUCED ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF, SLOWING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY AND THE TRACTION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. AFTER BEING PAID THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2020
Nov 2020

P2138 CODE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2020
Oct 2020

MY WIFE PURCHASED A NEW 2018 CHEVY MALIBU ON JULY 3, 2018. IN OCTOBER 2019, WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (N192221960) INFORMING MY WIFE THE MALIBU HAD A SAFETY ISSUE. THE NOTICE STATED: "THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AT SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.' CONCERNED, I HEEDED THE WARNING. SINCE THEN THIS CAR BUT OUR LIVES AT RISK TWO TIMES. EACH TIME ANOTHER PART WAS REPLACED NUMEROUS MALIBU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS TERROR AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO GM AND THE DEALER TO NO EFFECT. I DON'T BELIEVE THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. IT IS PAST TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2020

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Quick Summary

The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has 74 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.