2018 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 4, 2026NCAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11768885 · source
2. Filed Sep 26, 2026ILBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11767199 · source
3. Filed Jul 30, 2026ILElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   A software error in 1.5L turbo model disable fuel injectors, preventing the engine from starting or causing a sudden stall while driving. It’s been confirmed to be an previously opened recall that was fixed by previous owner. But, is happening again to me. Yet I’m being told It has been closed and cannot be fixed unless I pay out of pocket. There are warning signs that pop up like reduced speed while I am driving etc. which reduces my speed and is incredibly unsafe.

   NHTSA complaint #11753826 · source
4. Filed Jun 9, 2026INElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Reduced engine light came on ticking noise stopped 2 times on the highway repair lot ran a diagnostic unable to find the issue car is not working found many codes stillunable to fix the issue

   NHTSA complaint #11743065 · source
5. Filed May 5, 2026RIElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The check engine light keeps coming on and off with a warning that the engine power is being reduced. The dealership's service center can't locate the issue. The car's traction warning went off and the car's speed was reduced while driving. This happened twice in the same day. When you shut the car off and turn it back on the warning goes away and the car drives normal. This is very unsafe. Had this happened on the highway there could have been a serious accident.

   NHTSA complaint #11735731 · source
6. Filed Apr 10, 202680,000 miMICrashTowedAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving very slowly into a parking space, the brake pedal was pressed to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and suddenly accelerated forward at a very high rate of speed and crashed into a furniture store showroom window. During the incident, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken…

   NHTSA complaint #11730355 · source
7. Filed Nov 22, 2025UTBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   After diagnostic troubleshooting from DTCs on a check engine light, it was discovered that the brake vacuum pump connected to the engine was completely nonfunctional. Previous symptoms included stiff brake, loss of brake power at random brake periods which could have cause and accident with other drivers, and finally malfunctioning sensors attributed to the exhaust system. This also led the vehicle to be unable to pass state regulated Emissions testing because of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11701025 · source
8. Filed Oct 28, 2025FLElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   When putting the car in park it and powering the car off it will say shift to park but car is already in Park. Then it will real stalibark and my wheel will sometimes lock.

   NHTSA complaint #11695987 · source
9. Filed Oct 8, 2025FLElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Every so often I get an indication of engine power reduced, but every time I go in to get it checked it's off. I have recently just learned through research online that the issue is caused by a certain condition that gives false reading to the electronics. I have contacted GM and GM financial about the recalls on my cars of the same year. I have not been in a wreck but I have had the issue of engine reduced power in the middle of traffic. Cox Chevrolet in Bradenton has turn…

   NHTSA complaint #11692209 · source
10. Filed Oct 4, 2025OHBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSuspension

    The rear knuckles on these cars are constantly going bad and the parts are expensive and so is the labor. So we have to pay a fortune to fix a common issue that GM should be recalling and fixing for the people who buy these vehicles. It's crazy how common this issue is and it's still not recalled. If you hear a clunking/rattling noise coming from the back of your car then it's almost certainly a knuckle problem.

    NHTSA complaint #11691400 · source
11. Filed Jul 28, 2025NCBrakesOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

    I was informed the vacuum pump went bad and rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle would lose acceleration, shut off during auto stop and caused me to block traffic. The brakes also locked up, which almost caused me to crash in a residential neighborhood. I tried to see if there was a recall on this but I was told the recalls were handled in January of 2020 but I started driving the vehicle between July and August of 2020. This incident I'm reporting just happend 3…

    NHTSA complaint #11676690 · source
12. Filed Sep 30, 2024CABrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11617221 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology