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2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hev
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
11 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 22, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 11 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2018 Chevrolet Malibu HEV 4 DR FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 10%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hev, plotted where owners report it happening.
Transmission & drivetrain
36%4 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“The car has a reoccuring problem where is stalls in the middle of driving the vehicle. A warning comes up to shift to park. The car then restarts, runs extremely rough…”
Electrical system
36%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The car has a reoccuring problem where is stalls in the middle of driving the vehicle. A warning comes up to shift to park. The car then restarts, runs extremely rough…”
Fuel system
27%3 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“THE CAR LOST POWER WHILE I WAS OPERATING IT. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF PARKING IT ON A CITY STREET.”
Engine
27%3 complaints
“THE CAR LOST POWER WHILE I WAS OPERATING IT. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF PARKING IT ON A CITY STREET.”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 11 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 1 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking any seller before you hand over money:
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU HEV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every Malibu Hev model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hev against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.