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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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100,000 miles · Sep 15, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE CAR WENT INTO AUTO STOP MODE, THE BRAKES STARTED LOOSING PRESSURE I LET OFF OF THE BRAKES IT CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ALMOST HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN IT FINALLY KICKED INTO GEAR AND SAID SERVICE STABILITRAK AND AND ALSO SAID POWER ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE THEN HAD THE CODES P3055 AND P305…

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I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE CAR WENT INTO AUTO STOP MODE, THE BRAKES STARTED LOOSING PRESSURE I LET OFF OF THE BRAKES IT CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ALMOST HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN IT FINALLY KICKED INTO GEAR AND SAID SERVICE STABILITRAK AND AND ALSO SAID POWER ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE THEN HAD THE CODES P3055 AND P3056 AND THE CAR HAS 100,000 MILES AND IS SERVICED REGULARLY

NHTSA ODI #11355156

69,000 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Power TrainSuspension

WHEN PARKING MY VEHICLE IN PARK, IT WILL NOT NOTICE THE CAR IS PARKED AND THE ON LIGHT WILL COME ON. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER FOR THE ON LIGHT TO GO OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED BEFORE, NOW IT'S DOING THE SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE.. AND THE BACK END IS MAKING A VERY BAD BUMPING NOISE. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAY THAT THEY REPL…

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WHEN PARKING MY VEHICLE IN PARK, IT WILL NOT NOTICE THE CAR IS PARKED AND THE ON LIGHT WILL COME ON. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER FOR THE ON LIGHT TO GO OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED BEFORE, NOW IT'S DOING THE SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE.. AND THE BACK END IS MAKING A VERY BAD BUMPING NOISE. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAY THAT THEY REPLACED PARTS AND IT'S DOING THE SAME THING. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11355001

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND PRESSING THE OFF BUTTON, THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK (6252 E VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, NORFOLK, VA 23502) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND PRESSING THE OFF BUTTON, THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK (6252 E VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, NORFOLK, VA 23502) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION HARNESS AND SHIFTER CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED AND REMAINED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK IN RELATION TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11353844

69,139 miles · Aug 30, 2020
Power Train

WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK IT WONT SHUT OFF AND GIVES THIS MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT.

NHTSA ODI #11352179

19,000 miles · Aug 26, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THEIR DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, AFTER SWITCHING TO THE PARK POSITION THE "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE HAD DISPLAYED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHUT OFF. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THEIR DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, AFTER SWITCHING TO THE PARK POSITION THE "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE HAD DISPLAYED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHUT OFF. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE SHIFT TO PARK PREVENTS THE START BUTTON FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE .

NHTSA ODI #11351422

19,000 miles · Aug 24, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED RECOGNIZE THAT IT WAS IN PARK, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO TURN OFF AND LOCK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED RECOGNIZE THAT IT WAS IN PARK, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO TURN OFF AND LOCK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MORAN CHEVROLET FORT GRATIOT (4511 24TH AVE, FORT GRATIOT TWP, MI 48059, (812) 202-4062) WHO REPLACED THE SHIFTER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF *AS

NHTSA ODI #11350951

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2020
Power Train

SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE. I WILL PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN OFF THE CAR AND A NOTIFICATION COMES ON THE SCREEN THAT STATES 'SHIFT TO PARK' I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY START MY CAR, SHIFT TO REVERSE THEN BACK TO PARK AND THEN SHUT OFF MY CAR UNTIL THE MESSAGE DOESN'T APPEAR.…

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SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE. I WILL PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN OFF THE CAR AND A NOTIFICATION COMES ON THE SCREEN THAT STATES 'SHIFT TO PARK' I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY START MY CAR, SHIFT TO REVERSE THEN BACK TO PARK AND THEN SHUT OFF MY CAR UNTIL THE MESSAGE DOESN'T APPEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE YET A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED.

NHTSA ODI #11349692

59,858 miles · Jul 15, 2020
Power Train

GETTING AN ERROR ( SHIFT TO PARK) WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AFTER ATTEMPTING TO GO FROM DRIVE TO PARK TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. I START VEHICLE ON AGAIN AND SHIFT TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK AND IT THEN GOES AWAY AND SLOWS ME TO TURN VEHICLE OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11339497

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2020
Power Train

I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURN OFF BUT I GET THE MESSAGE SHIFT INTO PARK. SOME TIMES I DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I CAN LOCK THE DOORS. I LOOKED UP RECALLS THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THIS. BUT IT SAYS MY CAR ISN'T LISTED. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11337512

52,500 miles · Jul 1, 2020
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION AND MAKES A HUMMING NOISE AT ALL SPEEDS. WHEN HARD BRAKING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DOBB'S TIRE AND AUTO CENTER AND THEN DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH EXCESSIVE RIGHT, FRONT MOVEMENT AT THE TRANSMISSION. POSSIBLY AN INTERNAL STUB AXLE? REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL S…

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VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION AND MAKES A HUMMING NOISE AT ALL SPEEDS. WHEN HARD BRAKING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DOBB'S TIRE AND AUTO CENTER AND THEN DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH EXCESSIVE RIGHT, FRONT MOVEMENT AT THE TRANSMISSION. POSSIBLY AN INTERNAL STUB AXLE? REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM OCTOBER 2019 STATING THE SAME ISSUE. REPAIR SHOP ALSO HAD ANOTHER 2016 MALIBU IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND UPON THEIR MULTI-POINT INSPECTION THEY ALSO FOUND EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT WITH THE RIGHT, FRONT AXLE AT THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11337051

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.