Home · 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 689 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (689)Crash / fire / injury (29)Engine (275)Electrical system (190)Transmission & drivetrain (168)Speed control (110)Fuel system (99)Brakes (67)Steering (40)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (21)Airbags (14)Suspension (13)

Newest first · 689 complaints · page 25 of 28

Dec 8, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR CORRELATION (P2138). ENGINE POWER REDUCED

NHTSA ODI 11287727

Nov 29, 2019

THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2018 MALIBU REMEDY LISTED IS DEALER WILL REPROGRAM ECM SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE ERROR. I MADE THE APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL. HOURS AFTER THE APPOINTMENT A TECHNICIAN FROM THE MURFREESBORO TN CHEVY DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND SAID I HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSIS FEE FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE THEY WANT TO CHARGE THE FEE IS THE RECALL!!! DISHONEST BUSINESS!!!

NHTSA ODI 11282876

Nov 27, 2019Speed control

I PURCHASE A 2018 CHEVY MALIBU IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019 AND NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER HAVING IT, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO GIVE ME ISSUES. AT UNANNOUNCED TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A MESSAGE THAT READS 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED' DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WILL IMMEDIATELY DROP TO 20MPH. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON A CITY STREET WITH A STEEP INCLINE GOING 40MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION WITH THE SUDDEN SPEED CHANGE AND I COULD NOT GO OVER 20MPH. I HAD TO TURN MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AND TRY TO MAKE IT UP THE HILL SAFELY. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING 70MPH IN THE FAST LANE AND THE SPEED DROPPED WITHOUT WARNING TO 20MPH AND WOULD HAVE PUT ME IN A BAD COLLISION IF I DIDN'T THINK QUICK AND TURN THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AND PULL OVER THE SHOULDER ON MY LEFT HAD SIDE. THIS ISSUE IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS MATTER AND COULD RESULT IN MAJOR INJURY OR DEATH. THE CODE THAT IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM I AM SPEAKING OF READS P2138.

NHTSA ODI 11282593

Nov 25, 2019Electrical systemSpeed controlFuel system

IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, MY CAR ACCERATION SHUT DOWN AND I STARTED LOSING SPEED EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ACELLERATOR. AT THIS TIME MY CAR STARTED TO DOWN SHIFT AND THE MORE I STEPPED ON THE ACCELLERATOR NOTHING HAPPENED. MY CAR THEN TURNED OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO PARK AND STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS IN FEAR OF GETTING REAR ENDED. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THEM TO FIX IT AND THE LAST TIME, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE STILL HAVE EXCELERATION ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE GOT A RECALL NOTICE OF SOFTWARE FROM CHEVROLET BUT THE DEALER SHIP IS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIR AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY CAN CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR THIS RECALL. WE WISH TO RECEIVE A NEW CAR FOR SAFETY REASONS. WE ARE TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11282114

Nov 23, 2019AirbagsBody & structureFuel systemCrash1 injury

HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 MY CAR STALLED WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR ALSO MY TIRES CONTINUED TO GO ON FLAT

NHTSA ODI 11281925

Nov 20, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND GO TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT THROWS A "SHIFT TO PARK" CODE ON THE DASH WHEN MY CAR CLEARLY IS IN PARK. I TOOK IT UP TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE QUITE A FEW VEHICLES THAT WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE TWO OPTIONS AS TO WHAT IT COULD BE, SO I PAID FOR THE FIRST OPTION THAT GM RECOMMENDED THEY DO FIRST. THAT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. NOW, I'M BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO BRING IT BACK UP TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND PAY ANOTHER CHUNK OF CHANGE JUST TO GET IT FIXED. IT IS QUITE FRUSTRATING, AS IT TAKES A WHILE FOR ME TO GET MY CAR TO REGISTER THAT IT IS IN PARK, AND IF I DON'T, THEN IT DRAINS MY BATTERY BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T FULLY SHUT OFF. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING AND ANNOYING.

NHTSA ODI 11281467

Nov 17, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN SHIFTING MY CAR INTO PARK, IT WILL CLEARLY BE IN PARK, YET WHEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH, AND NOW JUST LAST NIGHT, IT TOOK ME 15 MINUTES TO GET THE CAR TO STOP THE MESSAGE. ITS BECOMING IRRITATING! IF YOU DO NOT TRY TO FIX THE ISSUE ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THEN YOU'RE BATTERY WILL EVENTUALLY BE DRAINED. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE OTHER CAR OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT IT. I AM WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART, BUT SINCE GM WAS ON STRIKE, MY WAIT IS LONGER.

NHTSA ODI 11280682

Nov 11, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK, THE CAR DOES NOT REGISTER THAT IT IS IN PARK. THE CAR THEN HAS TO BE TURNED ON, THE SHIFTER MOVED BACK TO DRIVE, AND THEN BACK TO PARK AGAIN. THE CAR THEN HAS TO BE SHUT OFF AGAIN, AND IF I AM LUCKY, THE MESSAGE GOES AWAY. IF IT DOES NOT, I HAVE TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL THE MESSAGE DOES GO AWAY. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE SPECIFICALLY IN CHEVROLET MALIBUS DATING BACK TO THE 2016 MODEL. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE GIVEN THAT IT IS WIDESPREAD AND THE FACT THE GM MAKES PEOPLE PAY TO REPAIR THEIR FAULTY PARTS OUT OF WARRANTY IS RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA ODI 11279356

Nov 5, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED OFTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB STALL CHEVROLET (7601 ALVARADO RD, LA MESA, CA 91942, (619) 460-1311) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE SERVICED, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI 11278221

Nov 4, 2019Fuel systemEngine

2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING DISCONNECTED FUEL INJECTOR. CONSUMER ALSO EXPLAINS VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND IT NOT ACCELERATING. *AS *JS

NHTSA ODI 11277890

Oct 28, 2019BrakesEngineCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF A REPORT WAS GENERATED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE PELVIC AREA AND AROUND HER WAIST FROM THE SEAT BELT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,500.

NHTSA ODI 11271586

Oct 25, 2019Electrical systemEngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT AUTONATION CHEVROLET WACO (LOCATED AT 1625 N VALLEY MILLS DR, WACO, TX 76710, (254) 236-6415). SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SEIZE AND WAS MOVED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER BACK AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 11271080

Oct 24, 2019Fuel systemTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW POWER MODE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL AS THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND IT CRASHED INTO A BOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH CRAIN CHEVROLET (9911 I-30, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72209, (501) 436-4484) AND WAS INFORMED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO THE COLLISION DEPARTMENT AND THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HER APARTMENT FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO TOUCH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET DEALER SO THAT IT COULD BE ASSESSED BY AN INVESTIGATOR. AFTER SOME BACK AND FORTH WITH THE ORIGINAL DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GWATNEY CHEVROLET (1301 T P WHITE DR, JACKSONVILLE, AR 72076, (501) 295-4448) WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,196.

NHTSA ODI 11270641

Oct 18, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF MARLOW HEIGHTS (4400 BRANCH AVE, MARLOW HEIGHTS, MD 20748, (240) 455-3386) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE FOLLOWING FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND: 1119835548, SD19835789, AND DOC5228009. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND POWER SUPPLY CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5585224979. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,521.

NHTSA ODI 11269421

Oct 16, 2019Fuel system

I WAS TOLD THAT MY ECM MAIFUNCTION REPAIR RECALL FIX WAS NOT WAS YET AVAILABLE BY MY DEALERSHIP,GARRETT MOTERS, CO0LIDGE, AZ 85128. THE RECALL 3 ISN192221960. I AM WORRIED ABOT IT BECOSE I NEED TO DRIVE 30 MILES ROUND TRIP SOME ON THE I 10 ABOUT 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK FOR DOCTOR APPTS AND SHOPPING FOR GROCERIES. WHICH CAN CASUSE A RARE CASE OF ENGINE STALL AT SPEED.

NHTSA ODI 11268956

Oct 14, 2019Engine

I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST AUG. 2018. FIRST THE LEFT BLINKER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT GOES ON BUT DOESN'T RETRACT BACK. I BROUGHT IT BACK TWICE AND IT STILL DOES IT. THIS MORNING 14 OCT 2019, I WENT TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE DASH BOARD STARTED TO LIGHT UP. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE CAR TOLD ME I HAD NOT GAS, WHICH I DID. I TRIED PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULD BARELY MOVE. I BACKED UP INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND IT SEEMED OK. I AM BRINGING IT TO MIDDLETOWN CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK. MIND YOU I USED THE CAR SATURDAY NIGHT AND IT WAS TOTALLY FINE. VERY WEIRD. I'M HOPING THEY FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT WITH OUT A HASSLE SINCE IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I'LL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED.

NHTSA ODI 11268328

Oct 11, 2019Engine

I WAS DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION AND STARTED TO FEEL MY CAR LIKE JUMPING WHEN IT WAS ACCELERATING ALSO EVERYTIME I PARK IT STUTTERS WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK. I ALSO HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MALIBU,SO I CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER AND IT SHOULD THERE WAS A MAINTENANCE RECALL ON MY CAR SOMETHING ABOUT THE ENGINE

NHTSA ODI 11267894

Oct 9, 2019Fuel systemElectrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BALTIMORE (6633 SECURITY BLVD, BALTIMORE, MD 21207, (410) 265-7777) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5537893606. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,141.

NHTSA ODI 11267245

Oct 9, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED LEFT AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE CONTACT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION AT AN EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS RECEIVING PHYSICAL THERAPY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER AND HEADLIGHT RAMP ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE AIR BAG WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE SALVAGE TITLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE OF THE SALVAGE TITLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASING USED FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,988. *TT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11267339

Oct 7, 2019Fuel systemElectrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V642000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON CHEVROLET AT 888-312-6558 (LOCATED AT 31201 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11266774

Oct 3, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD FLASH RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM UPGRADE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED CLARK CHEVROLET (801 W BUSINESS 83, MCALLEN, TX 78501, 956-307-6557) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL HIM BACK TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. LATER THAT DAY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI 11265922

Oct 3, 2019EngineFuel system

I HAVE HAD MY MALIBU ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW, I PURCHASED IT WITH 500 MILES ON IT. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATING SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE. I WAS MERGING ON TO THE INTERSTATE AND TRYING TO SPEED UP TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ALREADY OVER INTO THE NEXT LANE AND HAD NO WHERE TO GO. I PRESSED THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 25 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR WATCHING ANOTHER CAR RAPIDLY APPROACHING FROM THE REAR AND AFTER A FEW VERY FRIGHTENING SECONDS MAYBE 20, THE CAR FINALLY DECIDED TO ACCELERATE. THIS SAME PROBLEM PERSISTED THE ENTIRE TRIP. AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION AND CALMING MY NERVES. I DID SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE CAR ( I SHOULD HAVE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT) AND FOUND OUT ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE ECM. I CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED A TIME TO BRING IT IN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY HELPFUL AND PREFORMED THE UPDATE I FOUND A BULLETIN ABOUT ONLINE. THE CAR PERFORMED A LOT BETTER FOR SHORT TRIPS. AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE I FELT COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO TAKE LONGER TRIPS. I'M NOTICING THE CAR STILL HESITATES WHEN TURNING, WHEN IT GETS HOT, AND SOMETIMES JUST AT RANDOM WHEN DRIVING I CAN FEEL IT LOSE POWER AND KICK BACK IN, AND THE ENGINE SHAKES WHEN I'M IDLING AND THE ENGINE IS HOT LIKE A SHUTTER KINDA THING UNTIL I PULL OFF AGAIN. I TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO GET A SECOND UPDATE DONE BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS COMMON WITH THAT CAR AND WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WAS THE TURBO LAG. THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OFFER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS PURCHASE IT'S THE FIRST NEW CAR I EVER BOUGHT AND I'M SCARED IT'S GOING TO BREAK DOWN OR SOMEONE HIT ME WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE WAY. I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE WITH THE EXPECTATION OF NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS AND JUST DOING REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND I GOT BURNED BIG TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11266008

Sep 30, 2019Speed control

THIS ISSUE HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY...THE FIRST TIME I WAS GOING 55 MPH DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL POWER FROM THE GAS PETAL. I COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT BETWEEN REVERSE AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE TO GET THE GAS PEDAL TO WORK AGAIN. A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER THAT DAY I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I LOST POWER FROM THE GAS PETAL. ON THAT OCCASION, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A GAS STATION BUT BEFORE I COULD GET COMPLETELY STOPPED THE CAR STALLED OUT. I CALLED ONSTAR TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC REPORT ON THE VEHICLE, IT CAME BACK WITH A P0137 CODE THAT SAYS THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 19V642 THAT IS THE TRUE ISSUE. THIS RECALL STATUS IS SHOWING INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11259011

Sep 30, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCKED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE IN THE PAST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,844.

NHTSA ODI 11265241

Sep 29, 2019Engine

I CAME TO A STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN GREEN LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR STALLED, WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER 5TH ATTEMPT CAR RESTARTED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX, SO THEY HAVE CONTACTED GM. STILL WAITING FOR RESPONSE ; ITS BEEN 10 DAYS. CAR HAS 6300 MILES ON IT. EVENT OCCURRED ON CITY ST, AFTERNOON TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 11258830

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Working with the data? Download all 689 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Eco verdict →