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 that a "shift to park turn the vehicle off" message was displayed while the vehicle was in the park position. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. The steering wheel was tight. After slowing down, the driver depressed the start/stop button, and the vehicle shut off and restarted. The vehicle was randomly shut down. After waiting, the vehicle restarted. While depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal, unidentifiable noise detected, and the vehicle came to a sudden halt. While driving at 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly stopped, and she hit her head on the steering wheel but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was pulsating while driving. There was a sound of water going through the vehicle. The vehicle was slow to accelerate and then moved violently. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel would jerk to the left. Additionally, the vehicle inadvertently rolled backward while at a full stop. The steering assist warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,379.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking, and the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,605.
Recently my car had been shutting off at stops. I know chevys shut down when at stops but now it shuts down my radio lights go off locks on doors unlock then lock. then when it turns back on it says driving assist is reduced drive with caution. Then another alert pops up saying doors are unlocked. Now when I'm driving sometimes it slows down on its own and won't let me go faster. It's very scary when on freeway cause I'm worried it's not going to speed back up and I'm going to get rear ended. Another alert With the first letter S comes on but it turns off so fast I can't see what the word is. It been stalling when I'm at a stop. It does turn back on after a few seconds. The engine light comes on periodically and eventually turns off. …
Steering asst warning came on. This happened in 2022 when I got the vehicle and it's now happening again. When stopped with foot on brake and auto stop engaged , you take foot off brake steering wheel jerks and steering asst warning comes on. There is also a problem with shift to park. Vehicle shifted into park vehicle doesn't recognize that it in park and vehicle can't be shut off until it recognizes that it's actually in park. Chevy knows this is an issue and will cover it under bumper to bumper warranty but will not fix it under a recall or outside of bumper to bumper warranty. Vehicle has a p1101 code that comes and goes. Engine filter has been replaced, throttle body has been cleaned, MAF sensor has been replaced, and the issue continues to persist. There is no know way to fix this. Rear seat belt doesn't work. Vehicle came like that. Vehicle has had multiple issues. …
While driving high speed such as are on the highway vehicle jerks and has gotten worse now so aggressively it almost jerks from my grip to the left. It's without notice and over correcting at those speed could cause my vehicle to roll, or jerking into on coming traffic or into another vehicle to the left of me and the direction each time it's occurred it's jerked to the left. I've previously blamed it on the road or the wind when it's happened since I've had it now almost 5 years. Now it's getting so bad I'm afraid of my safety and others in my vehicle or other drivers I might be thrown into when it jerks violently and without warning. This is my only form of transportation and I owe money left in the vehicle and feel I'm being put in harms ways as well as other that could be impacted in my vehicle or other drivers.
The steering wheel is jerking when in the position to turn, and waiting at a light. The STOP ENGINE Feature seems to make the jerk motion and also sends an ALERT MESSAGE which is a quick flash STATING "Steering Assist is REDUCED- Drive with Care". According to a SERVICE BULLETIN Provided by GM BULLETIN #19-NA-182 AUGUST 2019. This is a problem that needs to be corrected, for the safety of my family and others in the vehicle and on the road. Technicians must replace or reprogram the POWER STEERING control module with the latest and most up to date one. I am aware there in no specific RECALLS but this issue is new and I do not feel SAFE and I would like it corrected.
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.
The steering wheel is jerking when in the position to turn, and waiting at a light. The STOP ENGINE Feature seems to make the jerk motion and also sends an ALERT MESSAGE which is a quick flash STATING "Steering Assist is REDUCED- Drive with Care". According to a SERVICE BULLETIN Provided by GM BULLETIN #19-NA-182 AUGUST 2019. This is a problem that needs to be corrected, for the safety of my family and others in the vehicle and on the road. Next, the car shut off and the command center went blank,
My check engine light will come on, a message will pop up on the screen saying, "steering assist reduced drive with care." When i come to a stop and my car goes into auto stop the car will completely shut down. This can be in the middle of the street or during traffic. It will take my car awhile to start back up. I was told it is a sensor that is going bad consistently, this has happened to me 3 times. This is a known issue with a lot of Chevy Malibu.
Steering complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the model year's 700 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.