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2018 Chevrolet Malibu: won't start

26 of the 701 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu describe won't start.

owner complaints
26
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
55,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 215 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

What owners say

Filed Jan 10, 2026 · Engine · TX

Engine power reduced car shuts off and will not start

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Fuel system · SC

On [XXX] while driving at highway speed on [XXX] in Columbia SC vehicle lost power and shut down. Was able to move to emergency lane. Car would not start. Called AAA for tow back to Chevrolet dealer in York SC. Dealer performed diagnostic test and found fuel pump driver control module had failed. Part was replaced and car returned to service. Car mileage at time of failure 70,949 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 30, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

While driving the speed suddenly reduced and brakes locked up on me. I was lucky enough to be able to veer to the left and get off the busy street without crashing into anyone or anything. When I stopped the car cut off and would not start back up even with a jump. This happened to me twice before and they did a recall on the same part. I need ot fixed again. I also had to replace the battery every time including this time.

Filed Oct 11, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · GA

My car just stopped in the middle of the road , and would not start again for a few minutes. Then is was in low power mode , no brakes either after that , found that problem to be a bad Vaccum pump , which G M didn’t even have , and a faulty Accelerator Pedal sensor !

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Electrical · KY

On 9/22/22 I drove 2018 Chevy Malibu about 3 blocks and low fuel light displayed. The gas needle went past E. I had about a quarter tank when I last drove it. I drove about 2 miles, going 50 MPH and it began to sputter and reduced speed to 20 MPH. Very dangerous situation, but I pulled off on side of road. When tow arrived driver got in car and the gas needle moved back up to almost qtr tank and no low fuel lights or warning sound was generated, engine turned over but it would not start. Had it towed to gas station and put gas in it, still would not start. It was not out of gas. The reading was incorrect. Towed to dealership and they still have not found the problem over a week later. Stated it could be an electrical problem. Electrical service repair tech is checking it. I have seen similar scenarios reported on this site. GMC/Chevrolet needs to do a recall. This is a dangerous situation. Luckily I wasn't on a very busy road.

Filed Sep 28, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · KY

I was driving around 50 MPH and the car began to sputter and it wasn't getting in gas. It slowed down to 20 MPH and I had to stop on side of road. It behaved as if it were out of gas, but it had a qtr tank of gas. It would not start after I stopped it. I took it dealership and they still do not have an answer. There should be a recall on this. Numerous reports that are similar to my scenario.

Filed Sep 24, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · GA

The stability track system comes on the vehicle slows down and stops in traffic. Then it says shift to park and will not start. The computer often displays reduce engine power.

Filed Aug 13, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · WI

I was leaving the gas station and when I got ready to pull off into traffic the car stalled. Flashed a message saying the automatic steering was disabled or something drive with care. I go out this morning and it won't start at all. It cranks but won't turn.

Filed Jul 12, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · NV

Engine power reduced notification came on the dashboard and car deaccelerated down to less than 25 miles an hour on the highway on multiple occasions. On the last occasion about 2 months ago the notification came on again, the car stalled and would not start up again. This was in ongoing traffic and I could have been seriously injured if people behind me were unable to stop in time. I sat in the middle of traffic for 45 minutes until fire and rescue came and pushed my car out of the road and onto the shoulder until the tow truck came.

Filed May 9, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Certain @018 Chevy malibu models has a recall for asoftware problem could disable the fuel injectors And im currently having this issue where my vehicle will not start all of the time and is misfiring.

Filed Mar 29, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · LA

Vehicle won't start and dealership determine it was the battery. Replaced battery now vehicle shuts off completely when making a complete stop. Vehicle will maintain in normal operation if shifted into neutral upon stopping. The vehicle was taken to Harper Motor Dealership where it was determine the starter was bad. After replacing the starter the next the problem remained. Took the vehicle back the next day and after three days it was determined a GM expert was needed to determine the issue. One week later and a proposed bill of $3500 to repair I decided to write this down. This appears to be a major safety issue that could cause harm or death. This has been an issue since 2013 in the Malibu and the issue has still not been corrected.

Filed Jan 2, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · TX

A few days after I got my in October 2018 my car did not start! I pressed the push start and it turned on but wouldn’t “start.” It went back to normal shortly after that but then randomly “steering issues” started happening. THEN my car would LITERALLY STOP at lights and take a minute to turn back on. Or I would be trying to get speed and my CAR WOULD NOT GO. Do you know how unsafe that made me feel especially having a 5 year old and 2 year (when it happen in the last they where obviously 3 and a new born) but it was scary. The check engine light comes on and off. And TODAY MY CAR did what it do a here and there it shut off… and then on a BUSY road WOULD NOT GO. I had to sit and wait until my family could help push my 2 year old car off the busy road with my 2 babies in the car. It was horrible. Im paying so much for a car I CONSISTENTLY have issues with. Im scared to drive my own car. Now im being told my car needs a new battery, a weird part is needing to be replaced. I have had the same issues taken it to the shop and told everything is good. Oil changes kept up etc. everyone I know that has a Malibu has issues with their Malibu’s

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

EngineReported September 6, 2019 · 177,282 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Disabled fuel injectors would prevent the engine from starting and may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 19V642000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu won't start

Is won't start a common problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?

26 of 701 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu (4%) mention won't start. The model year with the most reports is 2002.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?

There is 1 recall and 215 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Check engine light 154Loss of power 94Stalling 54Jerking 22Brake failure 16Hesitation 11Won't shift 9Engine failure 8Knocking 8No deployment 7Start-stop 6ABS 5Backup camera 5Battery drain 5Fuel smell 5Harsh shifting 5Headlights 5Warning lights 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

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