2018 Chevrolet MALIBU HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
45,175 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 11 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 45.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4; Engine: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11299931 · 2020-01-16 (January 16, 2020)
THE CAR LOST POWER WHILE I WAS OPERATING IT. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF PARKING IT ON A CITY STREET.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11373457 · 2020-11-06 (November 6, 2020)
THE CAR SAYS IT IS NOT IN PARK WHEN IT IS. IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF BECAUSE IT IS NOT IN PARK.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11373457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421044 · 2021-06-15 (June 15, 2021)
Engine lost power on interstate highway. While this did not result in a crash/ rear end collision, the potential for such injury seems high. 1-2 days prior there were some warning lights (check engine light). Called a dealership Tuesday morning and earliest service appointment was in one week but they assured me that the car was drivable in the meantime. On Wednesday afternoon my son was driving on the interstate and there was a new message “engine power reduced”, and a sudden loss of power. Eventually got the car to nearest Chevrolet dealers…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11450678 · 2022-02-06 (February 6, 2022)
As I was driving with cruise control on a freeway at 70 mph the car suddenly displayed a warning to reduce speed. I continued to try to get to the next exit but almost instantly it started reducing my power and slowed me down to a crawl. I pulled over on the freeway and it would not restart. The tow truck to it to a chevy dealer and the next morning they called asking for details as the car started right up and they drove it around for 10 minutes without issue. They kept the vehicle all day but were unable to recreate the problem so they to…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11536255 · 2023-08-03 (August 3, 2023)
Shift to park message comes up when driving and car turns off. Also check engine light comes on for code hybrid/EV powertain control module. The car was towed to a dealership and has been in service for 3 weeks and they can't figure out problem. I did pick car up once due to not being able to diagnosis problem and check engine light with same code and shift to park message came on hours later and took it back next day.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539968 · 2023-08-22 (August 22, 2023)
Noticed the rear center mounted stop lamp was cracked on the left side and found there was a substantial leak of water into the trunk from said lamp. This particular vehicle is the hybrid which makes this dangerous as the water is dripping over the high voltage battery. Vehicle has not yet been inspected.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11553392 · 2023-11-03 (November 3, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The shift-to-park warning light was illuminated. The contact could pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, the battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicl…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11553392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590593 · 2024-05-24 (May 24, 2024)
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart. The contact stated while restarting the vehicle, the contact heard a rattling sound. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to the dealer but was unofficially diagnosed with failed fuel injectors. The contact was informed that the battery and the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactu…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,349 miles reported. Look up ODI 11590593 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.