IllustrationTHE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CENSOR IS FAULTY AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO START TO POWER DOWN. THIS COMMON IN MANY CHEVROLET MODELS FROM THE IMPALA, TO THE MALIBU AND CRUZE.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
930–25K
16425–50K
14350–75K
7175–100K
36100–150K
18150K+
525 reports with mileage · 312 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 302 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 166 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
222 reportsMY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY A MESSAGE COME ON THE DASH STATING REDUCED ENGINE POWER THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. OUR 2016 MALIBU CURRENTLY HAS 62510 MILES AND UPON RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND IT TO BE LINKED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE, AND ONE PERSONS LAWSUIT
PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN TO AN ALMOST STOP POSITION. WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET OR ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR DECIDES IT WANTS TO SHUT DOWN. ALL ELECTRICAL REGARDING THE FRONT AND BACK CAMERAS HAVE GONE BLACK.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITH A NOTIFICATION SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO WHERE YOU HAVE TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE IT WILL GET BACK TO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. VERY UNSAFE WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 AND IT SLOWS YOU DOWN TO UNDE…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITH A NOTIFICATION SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO WHERE YOU HAVE TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE IT WILL GET BACK TO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. VERY UNSAFE WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 AND IT SLOWS YOU DOWN TO UNDER 20 YOU HAVE TO PULL OFF WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC VERY DANGEROUS.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH CONTROLS VEHICLE SPEED TO ENSURE SAFE DISTANCE STOPPED WORKING RENDERING CRUISE CONTROL INOPERABLE. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE FORWARD CRASH AVOIDANCE TO NOT WORK. VEHICLE TROUBLE CODE UO269-00 STORED WHICH RESULTED IN REPLACING LONG RANGE RADAR MODULE TO CORRECT FOR $1055.00
EVERY TIME I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE AUTO STOP ENGAGES THE ENGINE TURNS OFF, BUT WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE WHOLE DASH DISPLAY GOES OUT, INCLUDING THE TURN SIGNALS. IT TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE FOR THE DASH TO COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIME A DAY, AND IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. …
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EVERY TIME I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE AUTO STOP ENGAGES THE ENGINE TURNS OFF, BUT WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE WHOLE DASH DISPLAY GOES OUT, INCLUDING THE TURN SIGNALS. IT TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE FOR THE DASH TO COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIME A DAY, AND IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. IT SCARES ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
VEHICLE SAYS TO SHIFT TO PARK WHEN ALREADY IN PARK. VEHICLE IS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE SEEMS AS IF IT IS STRUGGLING TO GO AT TIMES. WHEN BLINKERS ARE IN USE , THERE IS NO SOUND AT TIMES THAT IS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH TURNING A TURN SIGNAL ON. ALL ISSUES HAPPENED DURING DIFFERENT OPERATIONS OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE STATIONARY , WHIL…
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VEHICLE SAYS TO SHIFT TO PARK WHEN ALREADY IN PARK. VEHICLE IS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE SEEMS AS IF IT IS STRUGGLING TO GO AT TIMES. WHEN BLINKERS ARE IN USE , THERE IS NO SOUND AT TIMES THAT IS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH TURNING A TURN SIGNAL ON. ALL ISSUES HAPPENED DURING DIFFERENT OPERATIONS OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE STATIONARY , WHILE DRIVING , WHILE IDLED.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN "PARK", TURNING OFF THE ENGINE A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED. THE ENGINE TURNS OFF, ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL ITEMS REMAIN ON. REPEATED RESTARTS ARE REQUIRED TO ELIMINATE THE "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE. NOVEMBER 6 2019 THE "DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.10
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, "ACTION REQUIRED STEERING ASSIST REDUCED" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING JERKED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, BUT THEN RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, "ACTION REQUIRED STEERING ASSIST REDUCED" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING JERKED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, BUT THEN RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COVINA CHEVROLET (635 SOUTH CITRUS AVENUE, COVINA, CA 91723, (626)-732-1100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
WHEN AT A STP LIGHT, AND PRESS EXCELERATOR THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM H WILL GO OUT & CAR HESITATE TO MOVE. THEN, IT WILL KICK ON. ALSO, THIS THROWS MY SIRUS RADIO OUT COMPLETELY & I HAVE TO CUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY TO GET STATION BACK ON OR CALL FOR A REFRESH, BUT LOCAL STATIONS WILL REMAIN. NOW I GET A WARING ABOUT THE …
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WHEN AT A STP LIGHT, AND PRESS EXCELERATOR THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM H WILL GO OUT & CAR HESITATE TO MOVE. THEN, IT WILL KICK ON. ALSO, THIS THROWS MY SIRUS RADIO OUT COMPLETELY & I HAVE TO CUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY TO GET STATION BACK ON OR CALL FOR A REFRESH, BUT LOCAL STATIONS WILL REMAIN. NOW I GET A WARING ABOUT THE STEERING ABILITY-DRIVE CAREFULL.
Official recalls
921V649000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners; Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
Aug 20, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
18V400000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Jun 14, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
May 31, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
16V781000 · Air Bags:side/window
Oct 26, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16079.
16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
16V272000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)
May 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.
16V151000 · Air Bags:side/window
Mar 11, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.
16V125000 · Air Bags:frontal
Mar 2, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.
16V084000 · Electrical System:software
Feb 11, 2016
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.