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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2023
Electrical SystemPower Train

*Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor- It is available upon request. * Due to the malfunction of the accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, the check engine light comes on and it flashes "engine reduced power" which slows the car down to a very low rate of speed not allowing the driver to go any faster. I was on the highwa…

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*Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor- It is available upon request. * Due to the malfunction of the accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, the check engine light comes on and it flashes "engine reduced power" which slows the car down to a very low rate of speed not allowing the driver to go any faster. I was on the highway going speeds of around 75mph and that light came on and slowed my vehicle down which caused the car behind me to almost run into the back of my vehicle. I've had this occurrence with this problem several times. * UNKNOWN *UNKNOWN *No, absolutely nothing prior to the check engine light and "engine reduced power". The issue is sporadic and happens at any given moment. There is no warning that alerts when this happens.

NHTSA ODI #11560801

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

My car enters a reduced engine power mode causing my car to slow down during high speeds with a potential acciden…. the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, the ‘Engine Power is Reduced’ message will display. I have called GM and was told it wouldn't be covered, I have talked to the dealer and taken…

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My car enters a reduced engine power mode causing my car to slow down during high speeds with a potential acciden…. the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, the ‘Engine Power is Reduced’ message will display. I have called GM and was told it wouldn't be covered, I have talked to the dealer and taken it in before but I can't afford to keep paying a $150 fee to have my car looked at. I have been having this issue since April

NHTSA ODI #11558039

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

My 2016 Chevy Malibu that does not have many miles on it is shifting into, Reduced Engine Power Mode. When this comes on I cannot accelerate up to speeds and can only go about 25 MPH. It is dangerous that my car can go from highway speeds to this slow. I have had 0 issues before this started happening and other Malibus have been…

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My 2016 Chevy Malibu that does not have many miles on it is shifting into, Reduced Engine Power Mode. When this comes on I cannot accelerate up to speeds and can only go about 25 MPH. It is dangerous that my car can go from highway speeds to this slow. I have had 0 issues before this started happening and other Malibus have been recalled for this same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11554408

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I'm having a problem with the car going into park. When it's in park, the doors will not lock in the vehicle will Just drain the battery.

NHTSA ODI #11550242

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

My 2016 Malibu is a piece of shit. Randomly, and this cannot be anticipated or reproduced, I will be driving and the car will say "engine power has been reduced". This is dangerous! It takes me from 70 mph on the highway to 15 mph almost immediately. I cannot speed up. It has almost caused at lease 5 accidents. It happens …

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My 2016 Malibu is a piece of shit. Randomly, and this cannot be anticipated or reproduced, I will be driving and the car will say "engine power has been reduced". This is dangerous! It takes me from 70 mph on the highway to 15 mph almost immediately. I cannot speed up. It has almost caused at lease 5 accidents. It happens on the freeway, regular roads etc. and Chevrolet refuses to issue a recall to fix it. I can't take it into a dealership because it cannot be reduced and Chevrolet was EXTREMELY rude. They said you issue recalls and I need to contact you. The most recent date this happened was 9/25/2023 but it has happened many other times.

NHTSA ODI #11547033

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2023
Electrical System

The accelerates by itself while driving the car cut off and won’t crank. While driving all kind of light a signals come across the dashboard. It’s dangerous for me to drive I’ve replaced battery, alternator and map censor. My sister has a Cruze and her car is doing the something my friend has a Malibu and it is doing the same th…

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The accelerates by itself while driving the car cut off and won’t crank. While driving all kind of light a signals come across the dashboard. It’s dangerous for me to drive I’ve replaced battery, alternator and map censor. My sister has a Cruze and her car is doing the something my friend has a Malibu and it is doing the same thing as my vehicle. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11535596

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2023
Electrical SystemPower Train

When the vehicle is shifted (manual transmission) from any gear into park, and the vehicle is turned off, the "Shift into Park" warning appears. I verified it was in the park. Warning stays on from 1-5 minutes, leaving all outside marker and headlights on until the sensor engages and the vehicle returns to proper state (outside …

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When the vehicle is shifted (manual transmission) from any gear into park, and the vehicle is turned off, the "Shift into Park" warning appears. I verified it was in the park. Warning stays on from 1-5 minutes, leaving all outside marker and headlights on until the sensor engages and the vehicle returns to proper state (outside marker and headlights shut off and interior dome light turns on for exiting the vehicle. This occurs each time the vehicle is driven, and the malfunction has caused a reduced battery power (eventually replacement) and outside light replacement from unnecessary use. Losing battery power has left us stranded, and the loss of outside lighting reduces our visibility for other drivers to see the vehicle. Upon research, this has been reported and reproduced numerous times to the manufacturer, dealers, and NHTSA with no solutions reached except charging the customer to repair the issue (this is unacceptable). There were no warnings and the symptoms started approximately 2-3 years after purchased in 2016 and still continue (brand new car).

NHTSA ODI #11531544

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

Shift to park displayed when gear was already in park I was traveling on the highway when I felt the speed decline and engine speed reduced was then displayed. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI #11531104

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Ever time I put car in park it say shit to park I have to restart the car 3 or 4 time and move shift stricken more then 3 time to finally make it go off

NHTSA ODI #11527495

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

While driving, my car will read reduce power engine, and go to 40mph and then i have to pull over and turn off my car and restart, sometimes it will dismiss the problem and drive normal but sometimes it goes right back to reduce power engine and 40mph again. My gears sometimes will be stuck in park.

NHTSA ODI #11520091

Official recalls

9

21V649000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.