2018 Chevrolet Malibu: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 26, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · IL

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 reduced power to the engine and the car would hesitate to gain speed as well. My safety and others were put to risk because my brakes stopped working so I could’ve caused an accident. When we trying to find what was wrong with it through a code reader we had noticed the piece had shattered inside of the engine. No insurance, police or manufacturer has inspected the issue.

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Engine · 141,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights were flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the vehicle. The contact refuted the mechanics findings and had the vehicle towed back to the residence. The contact then stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power with the message "Engine Power Reduced" displayed. The contact pulled over to the shoulder and turned off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the failure reoccurred. Despite the failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there was a warranty on the vehicle that covered the failure; however, the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2024 · Acceleration, Fuel system · RI

car pauses after stopping at lights and stop signs and in stop-n-go traffic and won't go as soon as gas pedal is pressed. It hesitates then jerks forward once the gas is activated. Check engine warning is for stop/start transmission accumulator sensor! Cost to repair over $1300 and seems to be the same issue seen in thousands of 2018 malibu's that have been recalled??? My car does not show an active recall??? Chevy rep Andrea at 1‑800‑222‑1020 said sorry no recall for your car and to contact you with complaint? This issue almost caused my wife to have accidents after the car lurched forward after stopping. We were also beeped at many times as cars behind us were frustrated we could not move for 10-20 seconds after stopping! [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Car is being repaired now by Belise Chevrolet Warwick RI 877‑553‑0957. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Electrical · FL

Mass air flow sensor has been replaced 3 times. Keeps going bad causing hiccups and hesitation. Very dangerous at times

Filed Jul 14, 2021 · Engine · 20,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact's mother owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light while depressing the accelerator pedal to move forward, the vehicle began to hesitate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The contact stated a month later after she had an oil change performed on the vehicle, she saw smoke exiting from the rear vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer Bomnin Chevrolet Dadeland (8455 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33143:(305) 669-2709) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The contact towed the vehicle to a third local dealer Bomnin Chevrolet West Kendall (11701 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177:(305) 964-3099) and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact towed the vehicle to a fourth local dealer Ed Morse Sawgrass Chevrolet Service Center (14401 W Sunrise Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33323:(888) 366-8808) and the mechanic was also unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated after the vehicle was serviced at Ed Morse Sawgrass Chevrolet Service Center, she began to experience failure with the gear shifter, the auto start, the steering gear, the suspension, and the brakes. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to Ed Morse Sawgrass Chevrolet Service Center and had the gear shifter, the auto start, the steering gear, the suspension, and brakes replaced. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure and the vehicle was not operable. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 27,000 miles · OH

Vehicle experienced reduced power before learning about and addressing the recall. A couple of months following my vehicle began to shut off and restart while giving various error messages. This occurred while going speeds less than 35 MPH and while stopped. The dealership determined it was a faulty battery censor and was not covered under the warranty. I have had the part replaced and did not experience any issues for roughly 2 weeks. My vehicle today gave a error message that engine power is reduced and the check engine light is on. It is also hesitating/jumping when switching from drive to either reverse or park.

Filed Oct 3, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 5,687 miles · AL

I have had my malibu about 4 months now, I purchased it with 500 miles on it. I started having problems with accelerating shortly after the purchase. I was merging on to the interstate and trying to speed up to the speed of traffic. I was already over into the next lane and had no where to go. I pressed the gas but the car would not exceed 25 miles per hour. I was looking in the rearview mirror watching another car rapidly approaching from the rear and after a few very frightening seconds maybe 20, the car finally decided to accelerate. This same problem persisted the entire trip. After reaching my destination and calming my nerves. I did some research about the car ( I should have before I bought it) and found out about a problem with the ECM. I called the dealer and scheduled a time to bring it in. The dealership was very helpful and preformed the update I found a bulletin about online. The car performed a lot better for short trips. After driving for a while I felt comfortable enough to take longer trips. I'm noticing the car still hesitates when turning, when it gets hot, and sometimes just at random when driving I can feel it lose power and kick back in, and the engine shakes when I'm idling and the engine is hot like a shutter kinda thing until I pull off again. I tried to take the car back to get a second update done but the service department at the dealership said it was common with that car and what I was experiencing was the turbo lag. There was nothing they could offer to remedy the problem. I am so disappointed with this purchase it's the first new car I ever bought and I'm scared it's going to break down or someone hit me while driving because I can't get out of the way. I bought a new vehicle with the expectation of not having any problems and just doing regular maintenance and I got burned big time.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Acceleration · 20 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, the vehicle vibrated abnormally while driving on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to petro chevrolet (4012 14th st, pascagoula, ms 39567, (228)813-0262) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20.

Filed Jul 31, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 5,000 miles · WI

Vehicle frequently has an issue accelerating. When pulling out into traffic or departing from a red light, the vehicle fails to move more than approximately 5 miles an hour for approximately 5-10 seconds. You can have the gas pedal pushed to the floor and still the car has serious hesitation and delay of acceleration. This is extremely dangerous. It is a mystery if you are going to pull out into traffic and not move or maybe the car will accelerate normal. You will not know until you try!

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · 18 miles · MD

I purchased mt 2018 chevy malibu in october 2018, brand new. My vehicle experiences low power/hesitation at all speeds. This is especially evident when turning/pulling out onto an intersection from a stop. There is no acceleration at all. I took it to the dealer & test drove it with the mechanic. During the drive, the car displayed the symptoms and I was told it is because of the '6 speed automatic transmission and also the auto stop'. The car would not accelerate to pull out into an intersection. I put the car in park and when shifting back to drive the transmission slammed into gear and the accelerator barely responded and the car constantly revves over 5,000 RPM's.the car does not accelerate when I push the gas pedal, even when I push it to the floor and seems like the car has no power. This is a serious safety issue as I have almost been hit multiple times by oncoming traffic. A recall definitely needs to be released before someone gets injured or killed. Current problems I have had since day 1 of owning the vehicle: 1.going at a steady pace then pressing the gas, the car does not want to go. 2.taking off from a stop, the car does not want to go. 3.pulling into traffic without coming to a complete stop, I try to accelerate and the car does not want to go. 4.going normal speed and trying to accelerate, the car does not want to go. 5.revving over 5000 rpms 6.revving over 5000 rpms and not going anywhere. 7.making a turn, the car is trying to 'coast' and does not go when I press the gas.

Filed Jun 5, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 14,000 miles · IA

I bought the vehicle in april 2019 with 14,000 miles on it. Since then, the vehicle experiences low power/hesitation at low speeds. This is especially evident when turning/pulling out onto an intersection from a stop. There is no acceleration at all. I took it to the dealer & test drove it with the mechanic. During the drive, the car displayed the symptoms. However, when the mechanic drove it himself, he could not duplicate it. I mentioned the technical service bulletin #19na-032. According to them, this bulletin is not applicable to my vehicle's VIN. In doing my own research, my VIN falls within the tsb's range. This is a serious safety issue as I've almost been hit multiple times by oncoming traffic. A recall definitely needs to be released before someone gets injured or killed.