Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2018 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Seat belts: rear/other, retractor · Seat belts: critical fasteners
NHTSA campaign 21V649000 · reported August 20, 2021 · General Motors, LLC · 402 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Power train: automatic transmission
NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · reported October 29, 2020 · General Motors LLC · 194,105 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- The 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 risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- The fix
- 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 recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Engine · Electrical system: software · Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system, injectors
NHTSA campaign 19V642000 · reported September 6, 2019 · General Motors LLC · 177,282 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192221960.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, disc, caliper
NHTSA campaign 18V576000 · reported August 30, 2018 · General Motors LLC · 210,628 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- The risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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 Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Air bags: sensor, occupant classification
NHTSA campaign 18V400000 · reported June 14, 2018 · General Motors LLC · 66 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
NHTSA campaign 18V358000 · reported May 31, 2018 · General Motors LLC · 895 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
- The risk
- A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Oct 8, 2026 · Power train
On 10/8/26 My vehicle failed in the middle of traffic as I was driving the car forcefully slowed down. When I proceeded to press the gas the car began driving in reverse putting me in immediate danger causing 2 different car to almost hit me from behind. I put the car in park , turned on my hazard lights and got out…
Oct 4, 2026 · Steering
My chevy stopped while driving. The engine light came on and engine power reduced. The brakes locked up and I could not go anywhere. Code P1101, Vacuum Pump Failure and ECM came up. Financing this vehicle. Have not been able to drive it in 3 weeks.
Sep 26, 2026 · Service brakes
I was driving in town through a stoplight when I noticed my brakes stopped working. Also when I had stopped the car still in drive and the car had shut off completely in the middle of the road and was not able to turn back on. The car would keep trying start but none were successful. My car also stated that there was…
Sep 21, 2026 · Engine
Examatory mark appears on the dashboard say that engine speed as reduced
Sep 18, 2026 · Power train · 181,385 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle while in park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact shifted in and out of park(P) and wiggled the gear shifter several times, but the failure persisted and the vehicle could not be started. The…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 8, 2026.