2018 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems
104 of the 709 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 104 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2019: 21 · 2020: 19 · 2021: 21 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 7
Half of the 52 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 14,000 and 60,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
709 complaints in all about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 7 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Fuel/Propulsion System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
One of my first problems with this car is the “shift to park” error message. This message on the dashboard indicating that my gear is not in P (park) when in fact it is . This error will not allow me to turn off my car even though I am parked.
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 car stalls while driving. I have to pull over and shut the car off and turn it back on to fix the issue but it does it sometimes a few times a day
After my 'recall' reprogramming update on the ECM... A month or 2 later, I started to have loss of power issues while driving. Got home it sat for a couple of mins, then went away. Happened again. Had my car scanned to see what the code was, an 'apps' P2138 code, accelerator pedal position sensor issue.
Pulling into traffic car lost power, engine knocking big time, engine light on, stabitrak off. Almost rear ended. Pulled over in traffic restarted. Car has had software done. Filling out at dealership. Thes cars should be recalled. What are you waiting for
What is on file about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 19V642000 ModerateSep 6, 2019 · 177,282 vehicles
- 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.
- 18V358000 HighMay 31, 2018 · 895 vehicles
- 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.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Source: the same files- engine problems 289 complaints
- electrical problems 196 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 175 complaints
- brake problems 72 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre fuel system problems common on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 104 owner complaints naming the fuel system on this model year (15% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 19V642000, 18V358000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do fuel system problems show up on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 40,019 miles; half of them between 14,000 and 60,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.