2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Dodge Charger
Two midsize cars, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2018 Chevrolet
Malibu
5/10
Fine to drive, cheap to insure, but the 1.5T's vacuum pump problem can eat a whole engine at 60-80k miles — know that before you sign.
VS
2018 Dodge
Charger
6/10
Last of the great affordable rear-drive sedans, but treat the electronics like they're held together with duct tape and prayer.
Milo scores the 2018 Dodge Charger higher — 6/10 against 5/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Chevrolet Malibu |
Dodge Charger |
| Known failure points | 6 | 7 |
| NHTSA complaints | 694 | 122 |
| Safety recalls | 6 | 6 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 52 | 58 |
| Cheap to own | 58 | 62 |
| Fun factor | 38 | 78 |
| Holds value | 35 | 55 |
| Enthusiast cred | 15 | 70 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
1.5L turbo (LFV) vacuum pump seal failure sending metal debris through the engine, damaging the exhaust camshaft and timing components
$4,000–$7,50055k–90k mi
2018 Dodge Charger
Hemi lifter/cam failure (5.7L, shared MDS lifter design issue across FCA V8s)
$2,500–$5,50080k–120k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
2018 Malibu Premier or LT with the 2.0L Turbo (RPO LTG) and 9-speed automatic — more power, no vacuum pump drama, plus better interior materials and adaptive cruise on Premier.
✅ 2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Charger R/T with the Road & Track Group or Track Pack — 5.7 Hemi, Brembo brakes, and the adaptive damper suspension without Scat Pack insurance costs.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
First report free · then $10
Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.