The Lemon Index2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 347 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 217, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 26 to 46 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2016–2024 Chevy Malibu, 15.1M views. The 2018 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.3M views
Chevrolet Malibu with "Start/Stop" (2016-2024) - New Battery InstallThe Battery Shop · 320K views · 7 videos - Transmission & shifter726K views
2016 + Chevy Malibu Shifter Error FAST FIX (Shift To Park Message) Traverse Volt Cadillac Buick gmNoNonsenseKnowHow · 470K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors686K views
2014 (2013-2016) Chevrolet Malibu LS 2.5 Code P16D0 (P16D1) Intake Solenoid Valve ReplacementFixIT · 261K views · 5 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring584K views
👉 AT NIGHT 2016 Chevrolet Malibu - Interior and Exterior LightingMikesCarInfo · 175K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door240K views
Chevy Malibu AC Recharge 2016- 2023Flashback502 · 127K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition212K views
2018 CHEVY MALIBU NO CRANK/ NO START UP ISSUE...DIY DIAGNOSIS -FIXED...Peter L · 73K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS141K views
2022 HARD Brake Pedal On Chevy Malibu, Equinox FIXMenjicar · 74K views · 2 videos - Cooling system84K views
Chevy Malibu Thermostat Change! 2013-2016Flashback502 · 84K views
Before you buy, watch
Chevy Malibu 9th Gen 2016-2022 common problems, issues, defects, recalls and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 172K views
2016-2022 Chevy Malibu 9 Problems and Issues Before You BuyFixIT · 79K views
2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier - Exterior and Interior Walk AroundFrontSeatReviews · 1.1M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 711 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 63K miles on the car (312 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 25K–61K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 35K–59K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 24K–61K miles
Recalls 6
- seat belts 2021
The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- electrical 2019
An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.
Show all 6 recalls
- brakes 2018
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- airbags 2018
During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1066 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Preliminary information communicates the following to the dealer
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Malibu HEV 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1400–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Car doesnt want to start. Its happend more then 3 times. And also loses power when on...
2018 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 11257435
More owner reports
The locks will lock/unlock on their own. The battery has to be constantly jumped. The car rejected the ecw module update.
NHTSA complaint 11350847
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.
NHTSA complaint 11277890
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 217; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (46%), electrical (24%) and transmission & drivetrain (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu get?
26 to 46 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,100 and 63,200 miles. The middle report was at 45,400 miles, from 312 complaints.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $1400 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works