2018 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical Problems

A software error in 1.5L turbo model disable fuel injectors, preventing the engine from starting or causing a sudden stall while driving. It’s been confirmed to be an previously opened recall that was fixed by previous owner. But, is happening again to me. Yet I’m being told It has been closed and cannot be fixed unless I pay out of pocket. There are warning signs that pop up like reduced speed while I am driving etc. which reduces my speed and is incredibly unsafe.

NHTSA ID

11753826

Incident

Jun 6, 2025

JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE CAR IS RECEIVING ERROR: "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS APPEAR TO BE A KNOW ISSUE FOR 2018 CHEVY MALIBU HYBRID. CAR CUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC

NHTSA ID

11751389

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 93,000. The contact stated that while attempting to trade the vehicle with the dealer, the dealer declined the trade due to a possible odometer fraud. The dealer discovered from the Carfax report that the mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11746683

Incident

Dec 20, 2025

Mileage

98,000 mi

I keep having the shift to park issue. I had it repaired January 2022 and is beginning to have this issue again.

NHTSA ID

11744080

Incident

May 4, 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

NHTSA ID

11743065

Incident

May 13, 2026

I went to put my car in park and it was saying "Shift to Park" on my dashboard even though I was already in park. I know that there was a lawsuit that was won for this very defect but my car is not recalled for this and I feel every Malibu should be especially if almost every Malibu is experiencing the same issue Nationwide. It cannot be a coincidence. Also I have been having issues with a knocking noise on the back of the car when I am driving and I'm being told it's also another common issue with Malibu's known as the Knuckles that need replaced which are not cheap. If these are common issues on every Malibu then every Malibu needs to be recalled for the issue to be fixed not just certain ones. My Malibu has not had one recall but has had the same issues that other Malibu's had with multiple recalls done.

NHTSA ID

11742533

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

Shift to Park!!! everytime i shut my car off

NHTSA ID

11742474

Incident

Dec 18, 2025

My 2018 Malibu is stalling, it is covered under Recall N192221960, and the dealer is refusing to properly scan or fix the issue. They did the recall and the car is still doing the same thing but worse.

NHTSA ID

11741758

Incident

Apr 14, 2026

The check engine light keeps coming on and off with a warning that the engine power is being reduced. The dealership's service center can't locate the issue. The car's traction warning went off and the car's speed was reduced while driving. This happened twice in the same day. When you shut the car off and turn it back on the warning goes away and the car drives normal. This is very unsafe. Had this happened on the highway there could have been a serious accident.

NHTSA ID

11735731

Incident

May 5, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11733336

Incident

Apr 18, 2026

Mileage

75,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an oil leak coming from the engine. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Power Reduced" and "Service Stabili-trak" were displayed. Occasionally, the automatic emergency braking activated unexpectedly, and while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle also decelerated and stalled occasionally. Additionally, the volume on the radio was stuck, the steering wheel command controls failed to operate as needed, and the air compressor was recently replaced. The contact associated the failures with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (POWER TRAIN), 19V642000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE), 18V400000(AIR BAGS), and 18V358000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with air compressor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,842.

NHTSA ID

11730437

Incident

May 10, 2023

Mileage

150,842 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11726386

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

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!

NHTSA ID

11722672

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11711621

Incident

Jan 12, 2026

When putting the car in park it and powering the car off it will say shift to park but car is already in Park. Then it will real stalibark and my wheel will sometimes lock.

NHTSA ID

11695987

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

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.

NHTSA ID

11693251

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11692209

Incident

Oct 2, 2025

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.,

NHTSA ID

11691535

Incident

Oct 4, 2025

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)

NHTSA ID

11691347

Incident

Jul 30, 2024

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, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11690374

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11677993

Incident

Jun 28, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11676993

Incident

Jul 23, 2025

Mileage

50,206 mi

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 .

NHTSA ID

11666973

Incident

Jun 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that 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.

NHTSA ID

11643630

Incident

Feb 19, 2025

Mileage

186,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11637836

Incident

Dec 9, 2024