Is the 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU reliable?

The 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU has 1198 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU?

Top problems: ENGINE (279 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (188 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (169 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU?

The 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU is approximately $1,601/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Chevrolet MALIBU

Q: Is the 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU often stolen?

The Chevrolet MALIBU was the #19 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 5,300 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU has 1198 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 561. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving my 2018 chevy malibu ls that i haven't owned for more then 30 days and my check engine light came on in the driveway when i started it up to let it warm since it was winter so i took it to christenson chevrolet in highland indiana and the code u01b0 came up which is the battery sensor . There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 21 crash reports 11 injuries

1198

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

279 complaints

23%

• I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY MALIBU LS THAT I HAVEN'T OWNED FOR MORE THEN 30 DAYS AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I STARTED IT UP TO LET IT WARM SINCE IT WAS WINTER SO I TOOK IT TO CHRISTENSON CHEVROLET IN HIGHLAND INDIANA AND THE CODE U01B0 CAME UP WHICH IS THE BATTERY SENSOR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC STOP FEATURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE IN MOTION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ZEIGLER CHEVROLET SCHAUMBURG (1230 E GOLF RD, SCHAUMBU
• THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WAS CRUISING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, IT DID SO FOR A SPLIT SECOND. THE NEXT TIME WAS AT MY HOUSE, I NEEDED TO GO RUN TO THE STORE. I TRIED STARTING IT. IT SAID "SHIFT TO PARK" BUT I WAS IN PARK. THEN IT SAID "SERVICE STABILITRACK SYSTEM", AND THEN SOMETHING ALONG TH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY MALIBU LS THAT I HAVEN'T OWNED FOR MORE THEN 30 DAYS AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I STARTED IT UP TO LET IT WARM SINCE IT WAS WINTER SO I TOOK IT TO CHRISTENSON CHEVROLET IN HIGHLAND INDIANA AND THE CODE U01B0 CAME UP WHICH IS THE BATTERY SENSOR ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU

Based on 514 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 46K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

166

30-60K

204

60-100K

103

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 40K mi · 51 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Reported earliermedian 75K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 15K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 22K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 29K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 137 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION14/06/2018

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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

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.

Above-average theft risk

#19 most stolen in 2025

The Chevrolet MALIBU was the #19 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 5,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Popular midsize sedan

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,334/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Chevrolet MALIBU

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,601

Full coverage / month

$133

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1601

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet MALIBU Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2018 MALIBU, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1198 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY MALIBU LS THAT I HAVEN'T OWNED FOR MORE THEN 30 DAYS AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I STARTED IT UP TO LET IT WARM SINCE IT WAS WINTER SO I TOOK IT TO CHRISTENSON CHEVROLET IN HIGHLAND INDIANA AND THE CODE U01B0 CAME UP WHICH IS THE BATTERY SENSOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MY RIGHT BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHT KEEP SHORTING OUT. IT WILL BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN STOP WORKING. ALSO, THE INTERIOR CARPET IS TOO SHORT AND KEEP COMING OUT OF THE TRIM IN THE FRONT AREA S OF THE VEHICLE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW 9/28/2018 WITH 2 MILES ON IT. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE CAR WILL STICK AT 3400 RPM'S, MAKING ALMOST NO POWER, WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR WILL DO THIS FROM A STOP OR TRYING TO PASS A CAR. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR 4 DAYS, THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AS IT DOESN'
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: MY RIGHT BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHT KEEP SHORTING OUT. IT WILL BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN STOP WORKING. ALSO, THE INTERIOR CARPET IS TOO SHORT AND KEEP COMING OUT OF THE TRIM IN THE FRONT AREA S OF THE VEHICLE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)