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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2025
Exterior LightingStructureUnknown Or Other

Water leaking and running into spare tire compartment in truck. Due to no recall alert and dealership won't do anything, now my dome light shorts out and water stain on ceiling liner by rear window.

NHTSA ODI #11679455

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I gotten the head light changed several times even diagnostic tests and they cant tell me why my low beam and high beam light keeps going out

NHTSA ODI #11462824

36,000 miles · Jan 6, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the shift to park warning message would illuminate on the instrument panel while attempting to park and shut off her vehicle. The contact would be forced to repeatedly move the gear shifter back and forth from the park (P) position until the system recognized the …

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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the shift to park warning message would illuminate on the instrument panel while attempting to park and shut off her vehicle. The contact would be forced to repeatedly move the gear shifter back and forth from the park (P) position until the system recognized the gear shifter in the park (P) position. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train). In addition, the contact mentioned that water had been entering the vehicle and leaking out of the middle taillight. Due to the failure, the middle taillight had become fogged and mildew had accumulated inside the trunk. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #11446444

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2021
Exterior LightingStructure

The 3rd brake light broke(high mount stop lamp) which caused water leakage into the trunk and filled the compartment where the spare tire goes.

NHTSA ODI #11419430

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2021
EngineExterior LightingStructureCrash

ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. INVOLVED IN A COLLISION

NHTSA ODI #11406747

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2021
Back Over PreventionElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANT COMES ON AND BLINKS ON AND OFF AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT UNLOCKS THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR I HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND CAN HEAR THE FLICKERING OF THE LOCK JUST THE OTHER DAY I LOCKED THE DOOR MANUALLY IT UNLOCKED BY ITSELF THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY LOCK.I HAV…

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THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANT COMES ON AND BLINKS ON AND OFF AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT UNLOCKS THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR I HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND CAN HEAR THE FLICKERING OF THE LOCK JUST THE OTHER DAY I LOCKED THE DOOR MANUALLY IT UNLOCKED BY ITSELF THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY LOCK.I HAVE HAD TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY FOR SOME TIME NOW. BACK IN OCTOBER 2020 IT WAS KILLING MY BATTERY CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO GET A BOOST CONSTANTLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS THE ONSTAR SYSTEM AND I PAYED TO HAVE IT REMOVED AND STILL THE PROBLEM STILL IS THERE. BATTERY WAS STILL DYING DUE TO THE LIGHTS COMING ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. I DECIDED TO BUY ANOTHER BATTERY NO LONGER NEED A BOOST BUT THE LIGHT PROBLEM STILL REMAINS AN ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11406255

93,863 miles · Mar 4, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AND BACK INTO PARK YET THE ERROR MESSAGE STATED SHIFT TO PARK. THE CONTACT STATED HE TRIED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AND BACK INTO PARK YET THE ERROR MESSAGE STATED SHIFT TO PARK. THE CONTACT STATED HE TRIED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND THE RADIO REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDWAY CHEVROLET (2323 W BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85023) WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE PARK FAILURE MECHANISM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,863.

NHTSA ODI #11399179

65,000 miles · Dec 1, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

I GET ROUTINE SERVICE TO MY CAR & MY ENGINE IS CLICKING, LOUDLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES ON & OFF & I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY COULD NOT EVEN RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP. SOMETIMES 'SERVICE BATTERY CHA…

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I GET ROUTINE SERVICE TO MY CAR & MY ENGINE IS CLICKING, LOUDLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES ON & OFF & I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY COULD NOT EVEN RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP. SOMETIMES 'SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM' WILL ILLUMINATE BUT IT TOO PICKS AND CHOOSES WHEN TO ILLUMINATE. SOMETIMES IT SHOWS 'BATTERY SAVER ACTIVATED' AND THIS IS THE THIRD BATTERY I'VE PURCHASED! THE ENTIRE CAR WILL STALL/SHUT OFF BUT THE GREEN LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED TO SHOW THE CAR IS ON BUT WHEN I ACCELERATE IT WON'T BUDGE! DANGEROUS CONSIDERING MY CAR COULD STALL AT ANYTIME AND CAUSE A COLLISION. I'VE NEARLY GOTTEN T-BONED TWICE COMING OUT A GAS STATION ENTERING A ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE TRAFFIC WAS COMING FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS! A SERVICE MAN AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP ASKED ME WAS I EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY AUTO START/STOP WHEN I TOLD HIM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. YES! MY CAR PICKS AND CHOOSES WHEN IT WANTS TO DO IT. AND WHEN IT DOES 'RESTART' THE ENTIRE CAR REBOOTS, THE LOCKS RE-CLICK, LIGHTS FLICKER, IT'LL BE IN DRIVE AND ROLL BACKWARDS UNTIL THE IGNITION TURNS OVER! CHEVY OR AT LEAST THE SERVICE TECHS ARE FULLY AWARE OF AN ISSUE AND WON'T FIX IT. SOMETIMES THE CAR JUST WON'T START, ALL THE POWER WILL GO OUT. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I'M OUT & THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE WON'T START AFTER AT LEAST STARTING 20 MINUTES PRIOR! I'VE ALREADY GOT NEW PISTONS, A NEW ALTERNATOR, 3 NEW BATTERIES & GET THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I HAVE A MYCHEVY ACCOUNT & EVERY MONTH MY DIAGNOSTICS REPORT, SHOWS AN ISSUE! IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT & MY CHILD OR I ARE INJURED, WHO IS LIABLE BECAUSE MY CAR DECIDES TO MALFUNCTION IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY? CHEVROLET FOR NEGLECTING TO SERVICE MY CAR BECAUSE THE FREAKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISN'T ON!

NHTSA ODI #11377349

89,000 miles · Mar 13, 2020
Exterior LightingStructure

THIRD REAR BRAKE LIGHT LEAKS/ALLOWS WATER INTO INSIDE OF CAR AND FRAME CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES. WATER LEAKS INTO HEADLINER AND TRUNK AND STAINS INTERIOR. CAR SMILES HUMID. HAPPENS VERY TIME IT RAINS AND WASH CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME PARTS WERE REPLACED, SECOND PARTS STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLE…

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THIRD REAR BRAKE LIGHT LEAKS/ALLOWS WATER INTO INSIDE OF CAR AND FRAME CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES. WATER LEAKS INTO HEADLINER AND TRUNK AND STAINS INTERIOR. CAR SMILES HUMID. HAPPENS VERY TIME IT RAINS AND WASH CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME PARTS WERE REPLACED, SECOND PARTS STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND ISSUE STILL OCCURS. POOR QUALITY PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11317819

70,000 miles · Jan 23, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING THEN CAME BACK ON A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. TWO WEEKS LATER DRIVER SIDE LIGHT WENT OUT. TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING EVEN HIGHBEAMS NOT FUNCTIONAL WHILE DRIVING. ALL LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONAL AT THE MOMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11301297

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.