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

What owners actually said

837 reports

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2019

Electrical SystemEngineSteering

MY HORN DOESN'T WORK SOMETIMES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, RADIO STOP WORKING SOMETIMES,WHEN TURNING ON THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONER IT SOUNDS LIKE SPARKS COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF THAT AREA

NHTSA ODI #11197085

60,000 miles · Apr 15, 2019

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

TAKATA RECALL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND A REDUCE POWER INDICATOR SAID REDUCE ENGINE POWER, THE CAR GOES FROM 70MPH TO 40 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE PUTTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN GRAVE DANGER

NHTSA ODI #11196471

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2019

Unknown Or Other

2016 CHEVY MALIBU CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING ON. IT STATES REDUCE ENGINE SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY AND I AM UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I CAN ONLY GO 30-40MPG. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE TIMES NOW. THE LATEST WAS TODAY. THEY HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI #11196444

40,000 miles · Apr 12, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

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HI, I LEASED A 2016 CHEVY MALIBU. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, MY ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY LOWERED AND A NOTIFICATION POPPED UP SAYING THE SAME. THE RPM INCREASED TO 5+ SINCE I WAS TRYING TO TAKE EXIT AND THE CAR WAS LOSING CONTROL. I EVENTUALLY GOT TO GM SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR GOT BAD WHICH WOULD COST $150+ TO REPLACE. HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE THEN AND ONCE A MONTH THE SAME NOTIFICATION POPS UP AND LOWERS MY ENGINE POWER UNTIL I TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON. EACH TIME I DO THIS, I HAVE TO SUDDENLY STOP MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER. THE SENSOR IS NOT BAD, THE CAR JUST SENSES THAT THE SENSOR IS BAD AND REDUCES POWER. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SCAM WHERE GM WANTS TO MAKE MORE MONEY. MOREOVER, I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS WHERE PEOPLE DESCRIBE HOW THEY ALMOST LOST CONTROL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE AND GM SHOULD FIX THIS AS A RECALL. I WANT GM TO ACCEPT THAT THEY INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PART AND WILL FIX IT. THANKS. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11195856

62,000 miles · Apr 10, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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THIS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, I WAS AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE WENT INTO START/STOP, THE RADIO CUT OFF, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT CRAZY WITH WARNINGS. THE CAR WOULD NOT CUT BACK ON, I WAS UNABLE TO EVEN USE ME HAZARDS. I HAD NO ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR WHATSOEVER. I HAD TO LITERALLY KEEP PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE TO EVEN GET OUT OF IT. FINALLY HAD SOMEONE COME HELP ME PUSH IT OFF TO THE SIDE, JUMPED IT AND IT WAS FINE. EVER SINCE IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 20 MORE TIMES THAT THE RADIO CUTS OFF AND ON THEN THE CAR DIES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT THIS POINT. EACH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT BY THE TIME I GET IT STARTED AGAIN IT IS OFF. THEN RANDOMLY THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON AND OFF AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO GET THE CODE READ, BUT NOTHING. THIS IS UNSAFE AND VERY SCARY.

NHTSA ODI #11195406

105,680 miles · Apr 8, 2019

Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MAILBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERNAL THROTTLE PEDAL FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED THE SPEED TO DECREASE DRASTICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DENOOYER CHEVROLET (127 WOLF RD, ALBANY, NY 12205) WHERE THEY REPLA…

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NHTSA ODI #11194590

30,000 miles · Apr 8, 2019

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

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WHEN STARTING TO PROGRESS FROM A STOP, THE MALIBU WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, AND THEN WHEN IT DOES GO IT, SURGES FORWARD. IT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT INCREASES OVER TIME. THIS ALL OCCURS WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WERE THEY HAVE KEPT IT FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF WELL OVER A MONTH, BUT CLAIM THAT WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN PREDOMINATELY DURING THE SPRING/SUMMER MONTHS, AND IS LESS FREQUENT DURING THE MUCH COLDER FALL/WINTER MONTHS. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER. MY WIFE IS REFUSING TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR THAT HER OR OUR CHILDREN WILL BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR WILL NOT PROCEED ONCE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11194546

12,000 miles · Apr 7, 2019

Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK IT WILL NOT GO INTO PARK AND YOU HAVE TO MESS WITH IT FOR A FEW MINUTES TO GET INTO PARK. WHEN INTO A FORUM AND IT SEEM TO BE A COMMON ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11194471

7,000 miles · Apr 7, 2019

Power Train

2016 MALIBU 1.5 LITER ENGINE HAD RECALL FOR IGNITING TIMING CAUSES CRACKED PISTONS...7000 MILES THEY UPDATED THIS PROBLEM, BUT WAS TO LATE BY THEN AT 28000 MILES NEEDED ALL NEW PISTONS RODS BEARINGS REBUILT THE ENGINE TOP HALF, BUT NOW 2 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS RETURNED TO DEALER

NHTSA ODI #11194446

45,100 miles · Apr 5, 2019

Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY 'REDUCE ENGINE POWER' CAME ON FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE LIGHT. I WAS GOING 75 AND GREATLY SLOWED DOWN TO 50 MPH AND ALMOST GOT IN A SERIOUS CAR CRASH. THERE IS A LOT OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!

NHTSA ODI #11194081

Official recalls

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.

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

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)

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.