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2018 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 6 NHTSA recalls and 682 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

F
23/100

Avoid This Year — 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is among the worst-performing model years for this vehicle. NHTSA data shows high complaint and recall activity. Strongly consider a different model year.

6
NHTSA Recalls
6 recalls on record
682
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
23
Crashes + Injuries
4 fire reports

Own or buying a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?

Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.

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NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Chevrolet Malibu (6)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Chevrolet dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #18V400000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #18V576000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #18V358000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #19V642000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #20V668000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V649000
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Most Common Problems — 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Based on 682 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Power Train
157
Electrical System
122
Unknown Or Other
92
Engine
88
Vehicle Speed Control
68
Service Brakes
38
Steering
38
Fuel System
15
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Chevrolet Malibu — Complaints by Year

Spike in a year = known problem year. The 2018 model year is highlighted.

2012 904 complaints 2013 921 complaints 2014 361 complaints 2015 266 complaints 2016 854 complaints 2017 715 complaints 2018 682 complaints 2019 187 complaints 2020 188 complaints 2021 74 complaints 2022 81 complaints

⚠ Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2016 — These model years show significantly elevated complaint activity.

✅ Best model years: 2019, 2020, 2021 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has 6 recalls and 682 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have?
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has 6 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu are: Power Train, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Engine. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu safe to buy?
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 6 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year Chevrolet Malibu should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Chevrolet Malibu are: 2019, 2020, 2021. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2016.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.