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

Oct 2026

Engine power reduced car shuts off and will not start

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2026
Feb 2026

I was driving on the freeway with my kids in the car at 60 mph and without warning I get an engine power reduced message and then my car losing power and starts dropping speeds down to 35 mph within seconds. I have cars speeding up behind me and I can't go any faster than 35 mph on the freeway so I am forced to quickly pull to the side of the freeway before I get hit. This was one of the post scariest situations for me any my children. I had to turn the car off and sit for awhile before I could start it back up and pray it made it home and didn't do it again. It has randonly done this for no rhyme or reason and no codes are showing when it's happening. I have no recalls on my car so this is something I believe Chevy needs to fix before someone gets seriously hurt.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2026
Apr 2025

Engine Reduced Power Light on dash. Vehicle stalling

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2025
Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the injector seals had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,660.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2025
Feb 2025

!Engine Power is Reduced

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2025
Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the messages "Engine Power Reduced", "Shift to Park", and an unknown message were displayed intermittently. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was pushed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2025
Aug 2024

Vehicle suddenly went into reduced engine power mode and nearly caused a crash. We pulled off to the side of the highway. Turned the car off and waited for about 5 minutes with our small children in the back seat. Restarted the car and check engine light remains on but the reduced engine power warning turned off. This just happened today and have not been to the dealership. Hoping Chevy recognizes this safety issue and issues a recall as many others have reported the same issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2024
Jan 2024

Engine Power Reduced Defect in Chevy Malibu Vehicles. Had the "engine power reduced" message show up countless times.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2023
Jan 2024

Check Engine Light constantly comes on . Pedal position sensor is faulty. engine power reduced pops up

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2023
Jan 2024

Reduced engine power message pops up when I’m driving at 45 or lower speed. First time this happened was about 4 months ago, and couldn’t drive faster than 30 mph. After starting my vehicle a couple of times the message goes away. This reduced engine power message is almost a daily thing, but now it doesn’t affect my speed anymore, I can go at 65 mph and even with that warning light on.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2024
Oct 2023

While driving, my car’s dash suddenly showed a warning message that state “engine power reduced”. I was driving around 45mph at the time of the incident.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2023
Oct 2023

Engine power reduced

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2023
Aug 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH and overtaking another vehicle, the vehicle decelerated to 45 MPH unintendedly, with the "Engine Power Reduced" message displayed. The contact exited the highway and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly and also occurred while driving 25 MPH. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2022
Oct 2022

I was driving app. 41 miles per hour in heavy Friday traffic on 10/7/2022 and the check engine light lit up and the car dropped to about 20 miles per hour and would not pick up speed. The rpm was staying on about 3000. I pulled over and called my husband. We set for awhile and restarted the car and the light went off and it drove as normal

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2022
Oct 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the vehicle's reduce engine warning light would illuminate at various speeds. The contact would pull over unlock then lock the vehicle in order for the vehicle's warning light to no longer illuminate and to regain proper function. While driving 75 mph when the engine warning light stating reduced speed illuminated. The mph dropped to about 25 mph. The vehicle's OnStar displayed a message stating that the antilock brake system was detected and the vehicle powered off shortly after. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the crankshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that their vehicle was not included in any recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2022
Sep 2022

Experienced electrical issues and engine issues since car was purchased in 2019. The car will stall randomly if stopped at a light or moving slowly in traffic. The breaks also skip when slowing down, I taken by break check and they advised the breaks where good, just had them done 2 years ago, max. I had the batteries replaced twice in the last 2 years,there is no faulty in the battery. Right now my car is not working at all, the breaks became stiff while driving, constant error saying "Reduced Engine Power". The car would turn over but it will not hold. I took it to my local mechanic, who advised he replaced all parts that could be the issue but the car still will not run right. He states it's and Engine or computer issue. There are a few recalls already issued by chevy, my car was made in July of 2017, and the issues described is the exact same issues I'm having.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2022
Jul 2022

On 3 occasions, my vehicle has displayed the message “Engine Power is Reduced.” It has 83, 990 miles. I took it to the dealership to have them check it out, but I was told they couldn’t check it because the check engine light was no longer on. This is a problem because the warning will come on, then the check engine light turns off after the car has been turn off. The Chevy dealership says there is a three day wait for them to conduct a diagnostic, but what are the chances the check engine light will remain on? After having gone through this process on three separate occasions, the check engine light hasn’t appeared the next day. I have read about how others may be experiencing this problem and they do not have some resolution to this kind of problem. My wife generally drives this car, so I fear for her as she travels to and from work.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2022
Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with ECM module failure. The dealer informed the contact that the ECM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,285.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2022
Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, causing the power steering and power brake functionality to become inoperable. The contact stated he was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact had managed to coast off to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle and he was able to drive the vehicle to his destination. The contact stated that the failure started off as an intermittent failure, but gradually had become a constant failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the vehicle had to be towed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer on several occasions to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the radio would randomly switch through the preselected stations. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2018
Jun 2022

I am driving and all of a sudden car "reduces power" and won't let me go over 20 mph. Sometimes it dies completely even on the highway. Out if no where, it shows "Reduced Engine Power" on the dash and won't go over 20 mph. This has almost caused a few accidents with my baby in the backseat, too. This has happened several times

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2021
Mar 2022

While driving o Leo noticed temp gauge going up. Pulled into a parking area. All my antifreeze had drained through a hole in the lower radiator hose. It had worn through because it was against a pully.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2022
Mar 2022

While driving at 55 miles my vehicle displayed engine speed reduced on the dashboard. My vehicle slowed down to only 20 miles in the middle of traffic And wouldn’t pick of speed.I had to put my hazard’s lights on and get to the side of the road as quickly as possible. I turn the car off than turned it back on same thing on dash engine powered reduced. I haven't took the car to the dealership yet

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2022
Feb 2022

My car always go in engine power reduce mode.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2021
Jan 2022

My daughter was driving and the engine power is reduced message appeared on her dashboard. Once it appeared she couldn’t go more than 20 miles an hour and this is dangerous.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2022
Dec 2021

Driving at a speed 55-65 engine power being reduced light comes on and vehicle slows to about 40 speed while engine light is on. It goes in and out like this for days then it does it again. Vehicle was repaired at Chevy dealer 3/18/21. Now it’s doing it again.

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

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

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.