NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
My car is showing “ Shift To Park “ error on dash and i can’t properly turn off car . Once since the error on screen the doors were locked and my son and i could not get out of the car . The Also when driving the car ,, it does frequent jerking . The car also was doing it one time when we seen smoke coming from under the hood and we could not get out
Car continued to send message "Shift to Park" which required diagnosis and replacement of gear shift assembly by independent service garage because car warranty has expired. Battery would die without message being eliminated. The message infers that the car is not in park which means that the car could roll away injuring someone or damaging property.
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.
Water leaking from under the glove box. Has passenger front and back floor soaked. Foul smell Car losing power in fuel injector. Stalling while driving.p0317 and other codes. Has been inspected by Gateway Buick in past, they charged me 200 dollars and the nhtsa issue said they would not. The vehicle is not running and will not crank.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that shifting the gear shifter into PARK and turning off the vehicle, the engine would continue to run. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that she readjusted the gear shifter for the vehicle to shut-off as needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
While driving 70 mph, I get an Alert that stated reducing speed. And my check engine light came on. This is not the first time. Lucky I was able to get off the Highway without getting into an accident. Also my car sometimes will not cut off because it says my car is in shift even though I have it in park. This is dangerous to have a car reduce speed while driving 70 mph to Abruptly go 40 mph. Last time this happen a month ago no codes came up and the check engine light eventually went off. But now my check engine light is back on again.
Car powered down while driving all the lights lite up on the dashboard. When driving it either speeds up on its own or while driving it will just go slower without me letting up off the gas.
My car always go in engine power reduce mode.
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.
I was driving along this morning at 70mph and all of a sudden I get a warning that engine power is reduced and I drop to 40mph in spite of pressing the accelerator, while the people behind me are rapidly coming up on me. I was able to get off on the side of the road before anything bad happened, but what if I hadn't? This makes me fear for my safety. I killed the vehicle and sat there for a few minutes. When I started it back, that error message was gone, but the check engine light stayed on. After researching, I see this is a common problem that GM is aware of, but hasn't issued a recall. There have been enough people with this problem that a class action lawsuit has been filed. When I called the closest Chevrolet dealership, I was told it would be days before they could even look at it.
The steering wheel is jerking when in the position to turn, and waiting at a light. The STOP ENGINE Feature seems to make the jerk motion and also sends an ALERT MESSAGE which is a quick flash STATING "Steering Assist is REDUCED- Drive with Care". According to a SERVICE BULLETIN Provided by GM BULLETIN #19-NA-182 AUGUST 2019. This is a problem that needs to be corrected, for the safety of my family and others in the vehicle and on the road. Technicians must replace or reprogram the POWER STEERING control module with the latest and most up to date one. I am aware there in no specific RECALLS but this issue is new and I do not feel SAFE and I would like it corrected.
Low engine pressure
I have a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu . Lately after I park my car it’s comes up on my screen to Shift to Park. But the problem is that my vehicle is already in park mode. What I’m trying to find out if there have been any other complaints or concern regarding this issue. I’m 83 years old and I drive my vehicle minimally. It’s only has 9100 in mileage and I’ve taken it to my dealership in Parkville, Md 21234(Jerry’s Chevrolet)since my purchase date in March of 2018. I’ve done every service requested by schedule. I need to know if I take this in is this covered issue under my power train warranty since this controls my car movement. It’s very disturbing to me that it would not be, again I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income and every penny count these days. I look forward to hearing from someone please. My vehicles as in park
Car turns off and dashboard blinks. Assisted steering control not engaged lights up.
Our Malibu won't shift into Park. Displays "Shift to Park" message when the shifter is in the park position and it won't let you turn the car off.
The car is in park but a message shows, on the instrument panel, "shift to park". The car cannot be locked and the warning message stays on because the car thinks it's not in park. This is a recurring problem that was corrected by pushing on the shifter but now the message is staying on.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up. Additionally, the brake pedal was applied but was hard to depress. The engine power reduced message was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V642000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline, engine) was completed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER I have had this issue happen 3 times since owning this car. The last time it happened, my son & I were on the Interstate going 80mph. My 2018 Chevy Malibu quickly slowed to 50mph with no further acceleration. Luckily, I was not far from an exit that we could find a safe place to park. I read to pump the gas pedal a few times, so I did, let the car sit for about 20 min., then we were able to limp to our destination by using cruise control. I have read several complaints online of consumers having this same issue. This is a very dangerous issue to have go on while driving & GM is not seeming to want to fix it. I did not feel safe this last time, for myself nor my child. The time if day was around 4:30-5pm, during heavy traffic. It only takes someone not paying attention or an 18-wheeler, who can not stop well, to cause a major accident.
I just went and picked up my car after having the recall cone.. Vin#[XXX].The car stalled on me when trying to trying to accelerate I almost got hit because of this...This has happen way to many times. This repair was supposedly done on 07/07/2021. Also this car had the same issue and a recall was done back in 2019. This car is totally not safe. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Shifter wouldn’t shift to park position, so car wouldn’t turn off. Sometimes took over a half hour of trying to get this to work. Used part 84687729 control and 84733196 harness. Also have had problem with leak in rear area where antenna is attached which caused water to pour into back right rear seat. When replaced the person said the screws were not tightened down fully which caused the leak.
My 2018 Malibu has the "Shift to Park" issue. I have an appointment with a Chevy dealer this week. I hope I don't have to pay for the repair.
When car restarts after being in Auto stop start mode the steering wheel jerks uncontrollably. The car obviously has a suspension problem. Dealership failed to repair issue properly after several attempts. Also appears dealer made false diagnosis to prevent repairs under bumper to bumper warranty. GM Dealer also refused to repair issue under Power train warranty. Another dealer wanted $555 just to check issue. A couple of weeks ago I suddenly lost control of the vehicle. I was at a red light. Car went into auto stop start mode. When light changed and car restarted, as I proceeded to take off the steering wheel jerked away from my hands, and I lost control of the wheel and car. Luckily it was a single turning lane and no other vehicle was next to me turning. I pulled off side of the road in shock. I drove about half mile and warning light displayed on dash. Warning Message States STEERING ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE" what was a brand new 2018 Chevrolet Malibu purchased in 2019 is now unsafe and inoperable. This steering component issue along with several others were brought to dealerships attention and were not acknowledged and were dismissed. After several other failed attempts this dealership purposely ignored this issue months ago while car was still under bumper to bumper warranty. Dealership also refused to repair this issue under powertrain warranty. 2018 Chevy Malibu has had 5 recalls to my knowledge. This has been spontaneously producing white smoke from underneath the hood on several occasions. I have video and witnesses. This car was sold as a brand new car. This car had recalls at the time of purchase and never disclosed the recall information. Also be advised that I cranked the car today just to keep the battery in tack because car has been sitting since June 10. The car choked, head lights went flickering, car could barely stay on. it appears to be an engine issue. These cars should not be on the road. They are not safe.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the contact had to pump the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. Additionally, the "Shift to Park" warning message was displayed even after the vehicle was in PARK. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer initially diagnosed that the brake pedal needed lubrication. The dealer lubricated the brake pedal; however, the failure recurred with a chemical odor detected. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the brake pump system and shift gear were faulty. The dealer replaced the brake pump system however, the chemical odor was still detected and the "Shift to Park" warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
The car doesn't start when I press the starter button. It clicks, turns off, and then factory resets all the dash electronics. It's been doing it ever since I got the car and even when at a stop while the car was on, the fuel saving systems will shut off my car at the light but it won't turn back on when I start to lift my foot off brakes.
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
whenever i put my car in park, i get a warning message to put my car in park, even though it is already in park. i have to jiggle the shifter for the warning to go away. sometimes i can't even tell if the car is in park or not
There was an issue with the Engine and Transmission System. My Engine light came on and I received a warning that the Engine Power is Reduced and I had to pull over because the speed of the car reduced to 20 miles an hour. This happened a month again and then the car would not start. We bought a new battery and everything was fine until today were it happened again. I have to travel on the highway a lot and cannot have that happen again or I can be in trouble by causing an accident.
MY ENGINE POWER REDUCED SIGNAL ON MY 2018 MALIBU LT COMES ON ON MY DASH. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A FEW ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP. I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL REPLACED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT ARE TOO CHEAP TO DO A RECALL ON IT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE ONE DAY BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT WILL FALL ON THE HANDS OF THE CAR COMPANY.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING AT OVER 65 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2018 MALIBU STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR. I SAW THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WERE ON AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE SAYING "ENGINE POWER REDUCED." WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. HIGHWAY WAS BUSY BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND GET TO WORK. AFTER A FEW HOURS, I STARTED CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON, BUT THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE WAS GONE. AFTER SEEING SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE, I FEEL GM SHOULD PERMANENTLY FIX THIS ISSUE AS IT COULD HAVE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES.
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
WHEN I PUT CAR IN PARK A MESSAGE COMES UP ON THE DASH TO SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOU CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. CAR HAS 100K WARRANTY BUT DEALER SAYS THIS SAFETY SWITCH NOT COVERED OR RECALLED. READING ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. SHOULD BE RECALLED.
THE PASSENGER SIDE LED LIGHT (DAY TIME/FOG LIGHT) HAS GONE OUT. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND RAN ACROSS A LOT OF CHEVY OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AT THE EXACT SPOT. IF THERE ISN'T A RECALL THEN ONE SHOULD DEFINITELY BEEN IN ORDER. LED LIGHT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT AND I SHOULDN'T BE CHARGED AN ARM AND A LEG TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
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.
WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY I RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND A WARNING THAT THE ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED. AFTER ALL OF THOSE WARNINGS MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO 20 MPH AND WOULD NOT SPEED UP.
OVER HEATING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON I -71 ABOUT 10 MI BEFORE COLUMBUS OH. I STOPPED AND SAW COOLANT POURING OUT . I PURCHASED ANTIFREEZE AND MADE IT TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. THE NEAREST GARAGE FOUND THAT THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE RADIATOR IN PLACE BROKE, CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO SHIFT. THE SHIFT CAUSED THE BOUGIE WHEELFOR THE SERPINTINE BELT TO RUB A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR BELT. IT WAS NECESSARYTO REMOVE THE FRONT END TO DO THE REPAIRS. TOTAL COST $600 BY THE TIME ANTIRFREEZE COST WAS ADDED IN
WAS DRIVING THE MALIBU ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING 75 MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN VEHICLE STARTED TO SLO DWN AND ON THE DASHBOARD APPEARED - ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOT SAFE AS I DO TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE. I HAD TO MAKE MY WAY OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE, TURN CAR OFF AND THEN TURN BACK ON AND DRIVE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SO FAR WITH THE MOST RECENT MAY 7, 2021
DURING AUTO STOP FEATURE OF 20108 MALIBU, CAR WILL POP UP WITH "STEERING ASSIST REDUCED, PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE" MESSAGE AND DISAPPEAR. CAR WILL ALSO SHUT OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING AUTO STOP. CHEVY DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CALIBRATE CAR TO FIX ISSUE.
I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK IN JUNE . I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS AND THINKING IT'S ONLY MY BATTERY BACK TO BACK . I'VE BEEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHERE MY CAR WOULD JUST COME OFF . ONE TIME JSO POLICE HAD TO GIVE MY CAR A JUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AT A LEFT TURNING LIGHT. MY CAR HAVE STOPPED ON BEACH BLVD WHICH WAS EARLY IN THE DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET . IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO GET A PORTABLE JUMP STARTER. I LOOKED INTO IT & GOT BRAND NEW PARTS FOR SO MANY THINGS AND ONE DAY IT JUST WOULDN'T CRANK ANYMORE . THE LIGHTS AND RADIO AND EVERYTHING COME ON AND EVERYTHING BUT IT'S NOT CRANKING ANYMORE . I CALLED MANY CHEVROLETS AND WAS INFORMED BY THAT MANY 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S WERE RECALLED AND NO DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN IS TRYING TO HELP ME . THE GAS GOES OUT THE CAR VERY FAST AND EVERYTHING. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR MONTHS BUT NOW IT'S FINALLY TO THE POINT WHERE IT WON'T COME ON AGAIN . I'M ONLY 19 AND WAS JUST 18 WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR ON MY OWN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND NOW I'M STUCK WITHOUT ANYTHING TO DO.
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"
THE CAR US UNDER 60,000 MILES THREE YEARS OLD AND ALREADY BREAKING DOWN. THE AIR FLOW SENSOR OUT OF SELF-TEST RANGE, TURBOCHARGE ENGINE UNDERBOOST PROBLEMS AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR PERFORMANCE IS ALSO PROBLEMATIC, MAKING THE CAR STOP INSTANTLY AND SPORADICALLY CREATING A HIGH IMMINENT DANGER OF CRASHING AND SERIOUS INJURIES. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FAR ENOUGH TO STOP BEFORE REAR-ENDING ME. HAD IT BEEN A SEMI-TRUCK I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY RECALLED AND CORRECTED!!!
WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY MALIBU IT STALLS OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING REDUCING MY SPEED TO 20 MPH WHEN I'AM ON THE FREEWAY. AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE HOME I SEEN A NOTIFICATION THAT SAID POWER REDUCE SYSTEM IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN AND AS A RESULT OF THE STALLING I WAS REAR ENDED FROM THE REAR AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS CAR.
WHEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL IS ON AND FOOT ON BRAKES THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIGHT UP AND WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRY TO RECRANK A MESSAGE STATED NO GASOLINE.
THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE TOP SECTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT SECURE THE PASSENGER CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ALSO, BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT IMMEDIATELY DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING OF THE BOTTOM TORSO, BACK, NECK, AND HEAD INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,336. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS AND POLICE REPORT.
I TURNED ON MY CAR AND IT SAID 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' ON THE SCREEN AND I COULD ONLY ACCELERATE UP TO 35MPH. I WAS GOING UP HILL IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS BARELY MOVING. TURNS FELT MUCH SLOWER GOING UPHILL WHEN DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE COMES ON AND SPEED IS CUT TO BELOW 35 MPH.
2018 MALIBU SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE. THIS ISSUE IS VERY COMMON AND PEOPLE ARE BEING CHARGED $700 PLUS DOLLARS BY DEALERSHIPS TO FIX. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND SAY SLOW ENGINE POWER
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.
This vehicle was involved in a crash on the driver side door and now the problem is with the airbag pop up and the HAVC isn’t wanting to work either.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after placing the gear shifter into PARK, the "shift gear lever to park" warning message was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, the battery remained active. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026