2018 Chevrolet Malibu power train problems
169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu — 24% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel. The gear shifter was shifted back into drive and then back into park to turn off the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving…”
filed Sep 2, 2026
“Reduced engine light came on ticking noise stopped 2 times on the highway repair lot ran a diagnostic unable to find the issue car is not working found many codes stillunable to fix the issue”
filed Jun 9, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing boltsCampaign 20V668000 · Oct 29, 2020
Power Train problems in other Malibu years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Malibu | 5 | 13% |
| 2023 Malibu | 8 | 12% |
| 2022 Malibu | 23 | 24% |
| 2021 Malibu | 28 | 32% |
| 2020 Malibu | 58 | 29% |
| 2019 Malibu | 66 | 35% |
| 2017 Malibu | 139 | 20% |
| 2016 Malibu | 166 | 20% |
| 2015 Malibu | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 Malibu | 52 | 15% |
| 2013 Malibu | 53 | 6% |
| 2012 Malibu | 49 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.