general problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving and stopped at a traffic light, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that five minutes after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 19v642000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, engine); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Shift to park indicator comes on after shifting parking gear to park. Car fails to detect that it is in park even when it is.

The rear camera comes “loose” and does not register all the time. It seems to be a simple electric issue; possibly an electrical short. I believe it can be easily “fixed” (temporarily) by opening the trunk and running fingers over the camera, it should not happen. I purchased my Malibu new and seldomly drive, approximately 25k miles. I maintain proper maintenance and ensure cleanliness to avoid dust or particles inside the camera or electric components. This should not happen. The wiring should not become loose nor cause the camera to turn off. Chevy dealerships do not acknowledge the issue and expect the car owners to repair the entire electrical system. Definitely should be a recall item!.

The vehicle shut off in the middle of the street. I had to get it jumped to start again. There was a fuel leak. Car is still smelling like fuel after getting it repaired. The vehicle doesn't alert if your close to a car or anything.

I get a engine power reduced warning and check engine light is on for 3 start cycles and goes away. Auto start/stop after stopping, lights flicker and power is slow to come back on upon auto start and I get a power steering reduced warning. ,.

Every so often I get an indication of engine power reduced, but every time I go in to get it checked it's off. I have recently just learned through research online that the issue is caused by a certain condition that gives false reading to the electronics. I have contacted gm and gm financial about the recalls on my cars of the same year. I have not been in a wreck but I have had the issue of engine reduced power in the middle of traffic. Cox Chevrolet in bradenton has turn me away about the issue gm financial is giving me the runaround neither one mention anything about a recall instead I get a estimate $400 /$808. 50/1900. 41 all to fix ecm as I told the mechanic I was driving with no problem through the day me and the kids at the park when it was time to leave the car sounded like it just didn't have no gas. We was stuck tell 10:45 we waited two hours for the tow truck. I have onstar and get monthly reports on my car. When the check engine light comes on onstar has no indication that's why I believe it is the same ecm. I was told by Chevrolet maher service manager of st pete to get my car off their lot as I said before I got a estimate of 400 that went up to 800 and all I did was ask why.

The backup camera for this vehicle is starting to fail and the view is blurry. Additionally, it seems that this also is affecting the rear traffic alert as I almost crashed into someone at a parking lot when trying to back out of a space. I will soon have no rear camera or cross traffic alerts.

Hello, I own a 2018 chevy Malibu. I previously had the recall repair completed for ecm malfunction. Unfortunately, I am still experiencing the same problem that the recall was for. Since then, the issue has returned, and I am concerned that the original remedy did not resolve the safety concern. Can you please advise me on the next steps to have this issue re-inspected and corrected? thank you for your time and assistance. Sincerely, rayshonette woods.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failure of the battery and fuel pump. The contact was informed that the ground wire and fuel tank needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact about a recall on the malfunctioning ecm. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,206.

The mechanic discovered that the battery control module harness had been damaged by water intrusion inside the vehicle. This damage prevented the vehicle from powering on, rendering it completely non-responsive.

I have searched the prior recalls and I’m having the same problem that were said to be fixed. I would like the car check again for the recalls that said to be fixed and checked for all reacalls . The car turns of unexpected without warning . At random times the low power mode is always on and when I push down in the pedal it doesn’t respond well at all . I have invested countless money into fixing issues with this car .

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The “engine power reduced” message was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle decelerated to 45 mph unintendedly. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 19v642000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, engine). The local dealer was contacted and provided the contact with an estimate for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

Engine power reduced light keeps coming on while driving and the car stalls and won't go over 20mph. Several repairs later and it is still happening almost daily. It has nearly caused an accident several times. This needs to be fixed and a recall for the issue needs to be issued by chevy. With this many people experiencing this problem, why isn't chevy obligated to address the issue?.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop, the engine auto start/stop system engaged, causing the engine to shut off; however, the electrical system then became inoperable. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal to resume driving, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and rolled to a stop. The stabili-trak and electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. A message advising to open and to close the windows was displayed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autozone, where it was diagnosed that there were debris in the throttle. The contact was advised to drive at high speeds on the highway to correct the failure. The contact followed the instructions; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

When I turn off my vehicle the shift to park indicator pops up.

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 and stalls out. It then signals to shift to park again. The car is extremely unsafe. I took the vehicle to gm dealer and they said the car is "confused" between running on the battery and combustible engine. I have seen several similar issues with the cheverolt Malibu hybrid. I think gm knows they have an issue and one of the reasons they discontinued the model.

Car keeps giving a “shift to park” message when vehicle is already in park. Leaving the vehicle running and draining the battery, let me stranded a few times because it was dead. Tried almost everything to get it to go away but it keeps giving the same message everytime I go to park it and vehicle won’t shut off. Very inconvenient and unsafe, doesn’t seem to be a recall or fix for this issue.

On 11/2/24, dashboard was displaying "shift to park" message when car was turned off and in park, ignition button displayed orange. Was advised by service advisor that this is a known Chevrolet issue but no recall issued to date. The fix required a park switch replacement; jumper park switched was installed on 11/7/24.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low power mode warning illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure occurred three times today. In addition, the contact stated that the night before, the vehicle was started, however the vehicle did not start as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle went into auto theft mode. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the failure previously occurred in July 2024. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a recall repair was performed. The recall repair consisted of reprogramming of the ecm and realignment of the oat sensor. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,265.

While driving the speed suddenly reduced and brakes locked up on me. I was lucky enough to be able to veer to the left and get off the busy street without crashing into anyone or anything. When I stopped the car cut off and would not start back up even with a jump. This happened to me twice before and they did a recall on the same part. I need ot fixed again. I also had to replace the battery every time including this time.

When parking it says shift to park even when I’m already in park. The dealer says it’s the shifter however after seeing numerous other vehicles with this issue I believe it’s electrical.

Service battery charging system note came on, just replaced the alternater and got a new battery put on. Everything else is good and this keeps coming on.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon turning their vehicle off a message on the dashboard remained illuminated that stated " shift into park" while the electrical components of the vehicle remained on. The contact drove her vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was faulty wire it somewhere in her electrical system, and she was also informed of an undisclosed recall that could be of probable cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

The pedal assembly is malfunctioning, causing the vehicle to throw an error and suddenly reduce the speed of the vehicle dramatically, often to dangerous levels, I. E. Reducing the vehicle speed to below 30mph suddenly on a highway. The vehicle will randomly experience the malfunction in the pedal assembly with no apparent pattern or reasoning. The issue is remedied by turning the vehicle on and off again. Additionally, the code clears most often within 24 hours.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was left on the side of the roadway. The contact called the dealer where the vehicle was purchased and was advised that he had to pay to have the vehicle towed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was aware of an open recall on the vehicle, NHTSA campaign number: 19v642000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, engine). The failure mileage was unknown.

Purchased a car for financing from barret motors and 2300 lakeview pkwy, rowlett, TX and as soon as I drove it off the lot on [xxx] the engine light popped on. I immediately called and was told to just take it to chevy/GMC for servicing but was not told why, but just because the engine light was on I was told to go. I couldn’t take an appointment ASAP because I just started a new job which they also knew. The car has had a recall since 09-06-19 for an engine control module. Which is a serious issue and this car never had it completed and sold me a car with possible engine issue and did not inform there’s a recall on the vehicle for almost 5 years now. I took the car to get serviced at chevy for the recall on 09/09/2025 and now I am facing multiple issues with the car from it not being done years ago. The recall was n192221960 and it’s major so to sell a car before getting the properly service and I have been financing the vehicle for a year now. Never not once late and I am now being told there’s nothing can be done. I have photos of the car having the engine light pop on the same day u financed this vehicle. Barret knew a serious engine problem was effecting this car for 5 years and still deciding to sell it to me for financing on [xxx]. I need immediate assistance. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

When I turn my vehicle off, it displays “shift to park” I am trapped in my car because it does not turn off all the way and the door will not lock. I have to wiggle and re-crank several times to attempt to get my vehicle to shut off. My battery has gone dead several times because I simply couldn’t turn the car off with the shift to park displaying.

This car has the shift to park issue that was under a recall for 2016 to 2019 chevy Malibu. However gm refuses to put my VIN in the system so this issue can be repaired. This is a 2018 Malibu which should have been on that recall list.

Since I got the car, if I let it go in auto stop, it has a hard time accelerating when I push the gas. It has gotten worse and now it has a hard time accelerating in general. When I push the gas it sounds really loud like it’s struggling to go. I realized this is a safety issue for me and others when my car wasn’t going at the light of a busy intersection, or when I’m getting onto a highway and my car isn’t picking up speed. This makes it scary for people already on the highway as iam causing them to brake unexpectedly. Every time my check engine light comes on I take it to the dealership. It’s been taken in for repairs multiple times but this issue still keeps coming back.

This is a known issue with the 2018 chevy Malibu and other gm vehicles, where the vehicle is in park, but the car does not register that it is in park, and will not shut off. This has been happening in my Malibu, and is a large safety concern for me.

Regular electrical issues that cause the steering assistance to become disable while driving. Faulty sensors that the Chevrolet certified service center cannot resolve, engine light has been on for over 6 months. Faulty mass airflow sensor invalid data received from anti-lock brake system (abs) control see attachment for additional codes over 2 years. I have contacted as many people as possible in order to understand the issue and find a resolution. Began having electrical issues since may 2022. Dyer Chevrolet in lake wales florida has all the records.

My car keeps saying please put in park, even after the car is parked. If I don’t turn on and off the car multiple times shifting from park to reverse to get it to not say put in park, my lights in my car stay on and the battery will eventually die. Seems electrical, and afraid of it says please put in park, is it really in park if it says that?.

Engine power reduced indicated on dash and engine light came on while I was driving.

Reduced power to engine . Previously had recall for this issue, which was replaced by chevy service center. About a year later I had the same problem but had to pay out of pocket because there were no active recalls on the issue. As of today, I am receiving the same “reduced power to engine” error and check engine light keeps coming on. This happens randomly but frequently almost every single day. Error will shut off after restarting car and then happens again not long after. I’ve had this issue with multiple chevy Malibus that I have owed and there is currently a class action lawsuit against gm for this exact issue.

Saturday morning this is now the 3rd time it's been fixed and safe to drive. Once by the dealership in baltimore towson area. Check engine light came on I ran diagnostic I bought at the store to get the codes come to find out class actions for wrongful death because company knew about it. As I also see hundreds of he same complaints here. My wife on 695 95 baltimore MD at the merge. She went from 60mph to 35mph. Then the car shut off with zero control of steering. Once in neutral she slightly touch the brakes which let it start up. Thank god no one was killed we have 2 beautiful 6 n 7 yr old girls what would I tell them. This needs addressed it happens after the batt needs changed I know 4 other owners 1 had just got one that's what triggered his same codes problems. Im I've googled it but not one person solves it. It's gotta do w the start stop system.