This score reflects NHTSA safety data only — recalls, complaints, and crash ratings. It does not include title status, accident history, or odometer records. Verify hidden history with VIN Pro Plus →
Composite rating based on recalls, complaints, crash ratings, and vehicle age.
VIN 1G1ZD5ST5JF191860 identifies a sedan — the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu LT (1LT). This specific unit was assembled at the KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, UNITED STATES (USA) facility, one of Chevrolet's North American production plants. It is equipped with FWD/Front-Wheel Drive and a 1.5L 4 Cyl engine.
This vehicle carries a significant 6 open NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include air bags:sensor:occupant classification, service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper, fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. All recalls must be repaired by a Chevrolet dealer at no charge to the owner. Contact a dealer with this VIN before finalizing any purchase. Verify current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The EPA rates this vehicle at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), which represents moderate fuel economy. Annual fuel cost is estimated at $3050 at national average gas prices. It scores 5/10 on the EPA greenhouse gas scale, emitting 354 g CO₂/mile.
Based on vehicle class, trim, and U.S. market data, this 2018 Chevrolet Malibu LT (1LT) falls in an estimated used-market range of $8,300–$12,000. The high recall count may suppress resale value — factor this into price negotiation. Verify actual market value with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds using specific mileage and condition.
Important limitation: This free VIN report does not include odometer/mileage history, accident records, flood or fire damage, number of previous owners, or title/lien status. Get the full history with VIN Pro Plus for $4.99 — scroll down to unlock it. Use this report alongside a full history check, an independent pre-purchase inspection, and a NICB stolen vehicle check for the most complete picture before buying.
Plant CompanyFairfax AssemblyPlant CityKANSAS CITY
Plant StateKANSASPlant CountryUNITED STATES (USA)
Plant ZIPNot availableDest. MarketNot available
Vehicle Descriptor1G1ZD5ST*JFGVWRClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Recall & Safety Summary
Total Recalls6Recall StatusActive recalls found
Overall Risk LevelHigh RiskABSIncluded
ESCIncludedTraction ControlIncluded
Safety Ratings
Overall Rating5 StarsFront Crash Rating5 Stars
Side Crash Rating5 StarsRollover Risk4 Stars
Safety Recalls
18V40000014/06/2018
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly...
Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018....
18V57600030/08/2018
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper...
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact...
18V35800031/05/2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from...
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began...
19V64200006/09/2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the fuel injectors being disabled.
Risk: Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM...
20V66800029/10/2020
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6...
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The...
21V64900020/08/2021
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021....
TSBs are manufacturer repair instructions issued to dealerships. They are not safety recalls. If you're experiencing an issue, ask your dealer if a TSB applies.
NoneNHTSA
No bulletins found
No technical service bulletin records returned for this vehicle.
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Emissions Testing
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OBD-II Check Engine Code Lookup
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Owner Complaints
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE07/29/2026
I’ve reported this problem but as I got into...
I’ve reported this problem but as I got into the repair their was far more damaged that was caused due to the vacuum pump. It took out my...
UNKNOWN OR OTHER07/23/2026
When placed into park and try to turn the...
When placed into park and try to turn the car off, the vehicle's dashboard still says "shift to park". It's already in park but not registering. The vehicle...
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE07/19/2026
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE CAR IS RECEIVING...
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...
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE07/16/2026
While coming down McClure pass in Colorado my brakes...
While coming down McClure pass in Colorado my brakes failed. The the car went to engine power reduced mode. After getting the car to an independent mechanic I...
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM06/26/2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu....
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...
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM06/15/2026
I keep having the shift to park issue. I...
I keep having the shift to park issue. I had it repaired January 2022 and is beginning to have this issue again.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL06/09/2026
REDUCED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TICKING NOISE STOPPED 2...
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...
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE06/09/2026
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact...
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving on the interstate and attempting to exit the ramp at 40-45 MPH, the brakes failed....
Negotiation tip:
This vehicle has 6 open recall(s). Use this as leverage — ask the seller to confirm all recalls are resolved or reduce the price accordingly. Unresolved recalls cost dealers time and money to fix.
Automated checks against common VIN fraud indicators. Always verify with a paid history report and independent inspection.
✓Check digit (position 9) validates
✓VIN is exactly 17 characters
✓No invalid characters (I, O, Q not present)
✓Year position (pos 10) matches decoded model year
✓Manufacturer decodes to a known brand
✓Not a repeated-character test/placeholder VIN
Manual checks to do in person: Compare the VIN on the dashboard (visible through windshield), driver door jamb sticker, engine block, and title — all must match exactly. A cloned or re-VINed vehicle will show inconsistencies.
No model-specific issue notes in our database for this year. The 691 NHTSA complaints filed provide the best available signal — review them in the Owner Complaints section above.
Estimated national average for this vehicle: $1,590/year. Your actual rate depends on your driving record, location, age, and coverage level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does VIN 1G1ZD5ST5JF191860 decode to?+
VIN 1G1ZD5ST5JF191860 decodes to a 2018 CHEVROLET Malibu LT (1LT), assembled in KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, UNITED STATES (USA).
How many recalls does this 2018 CHEVROLET Malibu have?+
This 2018 CHEVROLET Malibu has 6 open recalls on record with NHTSA. Recalls are safety-related and should be resolved by a dealership at no charge to the owner.
Is it safe to buy a 2018 CHEVROLET Malibu with open recalls?+
Open recalls don't necessarily mean the vehicle is unsafe to drive, but they should be addressed promptly. Contact a CHEVROLET dealer with this VIN to confirm which recalls have been completed and schedule any outstanding repairs — they are always free of charge.
What is the estimated value of this 2018 CHEVROLET Malibu?+
Based on vehicle age, body type, trim level, and U.S. market data, this 2018 CHEVROLET Malibu LT (1LT) is estimated at $8,300–$12,000. Verify with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds for a precise appraisal based on mileage and condition.
Is this VIN check really free?+
Yes — the core VIN check on VinForFree is free with no signup required. All data is sourced from public records including NHTSA, the EPA, and official government databases.
What fuel economy does a 2018 CHEVROLET Malibu get?+
According to EPA data, the 2018 CHEVROLET Malibu gets approximately 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway). Estimated annual fuel cost is $3,050.