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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

Power Train complaints

166 reports
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75,000 miles · Jun 29, 2020
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 30-35 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 30-35 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE VIVA CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 5915 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX 79925, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AN UNKNOWN COMPUTER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #11331554

54,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

PROBLEM HAS HUGE ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. *DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN MODERATELY HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TRAVELING AT A 65-70 MPH TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, I BEGAN RECEIVING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" MESSAGE ON MY INFO SCREEN. * THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON (AND I IMMEDIATELY START COUNTING HOW MUCH TIME AN…

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PROBLEM HAS HUGE ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. *DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN MODERATELY HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TRAVELING AT A 65-70 MPH TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, I BEGAN RECEIVING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" MESSAGE ON MY INFO SCREEN. * THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON (AND I IMMEDIATELY START COUNTING HOW MUCH TIME AND MONEY THIS WILL COST ME). * THERE IS A SLIGHT JERK/PULL OF THE CAR WHERE IT IMMEDIATELY STARTS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED DOWN TO 20-30 MPH. * I'VE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP THE CAR (I PRAY I AM ABLE TO DO THIS SAFELY). *EVENTUALLY, I FOUND THAT BY SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF COMPLETELY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CAR SOMEHOW "RESETS" AND DRIVES NORMALLY. * OCCASIONALLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD GO AWAY IMMEDIATELY UPON RE-IGNITION. OTHER TIMES THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER A COUPLE DAY. * THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES DURING WITHIN A (1) HOUR COMMUTE TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330049

71,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING THE GEAR SHIFTER TO THE PARK POSITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THE TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK MESSAGE. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING THE GEAR SHIFTER TO THE PARK POSITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THE TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK MESSAGE. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DOORS FAILED TO REMAIN SECURELY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #11330021

27,000 miles · Jun 17, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN BY CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPT AND I HAVE CHECKED OTHER FORUMS. WHEN YOU SHIFT CAR TO PARK AND TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR, IT TELLS YOU TO SHIFT TO PARK. THE CAR WON'T SHUT OFF. I HAD TO SHIFT BACK AND FORTH QUITE A FEW TIMES FOR IT TO FINALLY WORK. SERVICE REPLACED THE "HARNESS" FOR ROUGHLY $100 WHI…

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SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN BY CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPT AND I HAVE CHECKED OTHER FORUMS. WHEN YOU SHIFT CAR TO PARK AND TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR, IT TELLS YOU TO SHIFT TO PARK. THE CAR WON'T SHUT OFF. I HAD TO SHIFT BACK AND FORTH QUITE A FEW TIMES FOR IT TO FINALLY WORK. SERVICE REPLACED THE "HARNESS" FOR ROUGHLY $100 WHICH WORKED TEMPORARILY BUT STARTED IN AGAIN. SO NEW SHIFTER HAS BEEN ORDERED AT COST OF APPROX $350. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE HAD. MINE IS A 2016 WITH VERY LOW MILES. THEY HAVE LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH '16, '17 AND SOME '18. I HATE FIXING AGAIN AND HAVE IT HAPPEN IN ANOTHER 20K MILES..... RECALL PLEASE?!?! *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329389

124,579 miles · Jun 15, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE GEAR SHIFT IS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. IT'S NOT MOVING AND STUCK IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329025

28,000 miles · Jun 9, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF AS IT DOES NOT REGISTER THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK WHEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327911

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHEN I PLACE THE CAR IN PARK AND HIT THE BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF IT KEEPS TELLING ME THE SHIFT TO PARK WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. I WILL HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THE MESSAGE TO STOP SHOWING UP. I WILL HAVE TO SHIFT IT TO DRIVE AND PARK MULTIPLE TIMES AS WELL TO GET THE MESSAGE TO GO AWAY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPE…

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WHEN I PLACE THE CAR IN PARK AND HIT THE BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF IT KEEPS TELLING ME THE SHIFT TO PARK WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. I WILL HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THE MESSAGE TO STOP SHOWING UP. I WILL HAVE TO SHIFT IT TO DRIVE AND PARK MULTIPLE TIMES AS WELL TO GET THE MESSAGE TO GO AWAY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SOME TIME NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327587

17,000 miles · Jun 5, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRY TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE WILL NOT SHUT OFF. IT KEEPS RUNNING. IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT KNOW IT IS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY BUT KEEPS ON RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327361

15,000 miles · May 15, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

SHIFT TO PARK CABLE WENT OUT ONE TIME WITHIN FIRST COUPLE MONTHS. NOW ITS BAD AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. ROOF LEAKED FROM THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. REDUCED POWER MESSAGE ON DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324673

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

COMPONENT POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #11322316

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.