Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power with an unknown engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the engine power was reduced. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to approximately 15 MPH and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact attempted several times to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle was unable to be restarted. The contact stated there was an abnormally strong odor of gasoline in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood, and the odor of gasoline was very strong. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while on a trip and traveling at high altitudes, the check engine warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact used a code reader which showed that the barometric pressure sensor was defective. Once the contact returned home, the mass air flow sensor was replaced. The following year while traveling in the same region at high altitude levels, the failure recurred. The contact also stated that the engine booster had started to fail due to ice accumulation in the charge air cooler (CAC), which restricted airflow. As a result of the failure, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH. Upon investigation, the contact discovered Technical Service Bulletin No: 18-NA-069; which the contact linked to the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the engine and entered the vehicle through the A/C vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact exited the vehicle and upon inspecting the exterior of the vehicle, the contact noticed gasoline leaking on the ground. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. An independent mechanic stopped by the residence and inspected the vehicle. The contact was advised that the fuel injectors and another unknown part had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V358000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). …
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 contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road. The message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injectors had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic retained the vehicle and informed the contact that it was unsafe to drive due to a potential fire risk. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for service. …
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.
The contact's daughter-in-law owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle would shut-off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would eventually restart after multiple attempts and would resume normal driving operation. As the failure persisted, the EVAP warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V642000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a fuel odor was detected, and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the rearview camera intermittently failed to display while reversing, and the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak beneath the engine. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic determined that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
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.
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.
Related recalls
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.
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 July 2, 2018.
Fuel System complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 14% of the model year's 700 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-358 (fuel pump, May 31, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.