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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

837 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS LOCKING, UNLOCKING, AND TURNING ON MY CAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY GETS TURNED ON IT WILL SAY THAT THE KEYS ARE NOT DETECTED. OR WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WILL TELL ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. TAKATA RECALL - ABOUT ONCE A MONTH WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, A LOUD BUZZING…

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TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS LOCKING, UNLOCKING, AND TURNING ON MY CAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY GETS TURNED ON IT WILL SAY THAT THE KEYS ARE NOT DETECTED. OR WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WILL TELL ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. TAKATA RECALL - ABOUT ONCE A MONTH WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMES ON FOR AROUND 30 SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI #11111166

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2018
Power Train

WHEN CAR IS PUT IN PARK, AN ERROR "SHIFT TO PARK" APPEARS ON THE DASH. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO REGISTER THAT THE GEAR IS PUT INTO PARK.

NHTSA ODI #11110752

38,800 miles · Jul 11, 2018
Electrical System

MY MALIBU ALL OF SUDDEN STARTED SENDING A MESSAGE WHEN I GO TO TURN THE CAR OFF THAT MY CAR NEEDS TO SHIFT TO PARK. I HAVE THE CAR IN PARK, BUT IT IS NOT REGISTERING IT IS IN PARK. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, IT HAPPENS 90% OF THE TIME WHEN I GO TO TURN THE CAR OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11110739

47,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018
Visibility/wiper

LEAK THROUGH 3RD BREAK LIGHT CAUSES MOISTURE TO BUILD UP IN CAR AND ONCE IT RAINS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGS UP AND CAN YOU CAN NOT SEE DEFROST CANNOT FIX THIS ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE BUILD UP OF MOISTURE FROM THE LEAK IN THROUGH THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT

NHTSA ODI #11110436

39,000 miles · Jul 5, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I HAVE TAKEN MY 2016 MALIBU PREMIER 2.0 TURBO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PARK ASSIST SENSORS GOING OUT. NOW, THEY ARE OUT AGAIN, AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO PAY A $250 DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I AM NOT AGREEING WITH THIS BECAUSE THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I HAV…

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I HAVE TAKEN MY 2016 MALIBU PREMIER 2.0 TURBO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PARK ASSIST SENSORS GOING OUT. NOW, THEY ARE OUT AGAIN, AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO PAY A $250 DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I AM NOT AGREEING WITH THIS BECAUSE THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR OF THIS SAME COMPONENT. NOW THE SERVICE ADVISOR HAS CONTACTED ME SAYING THE ENTIRE MODULE HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM ITSELF. I PURCHASED THE CAR SEPT. 21, 2016, IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN SO SOON, NOW I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE SAME WORK TO THE DONE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THIS REPAIR, INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE SYSTEM UPDATE. THESE PARK ASSIST SENSOR ALERTS WHEN SOMEONE IS WALKING IN FRONT OR BEHIND THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS ANOTHER VEHICLE BEING IN A 'BLIND SPOT". THE ALERT IS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL AT NIGHT , WHEN IN AN AREA WITH PEDESTRIANS AND SMALL CHILDREN, AND BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS.

NHTSA ODI #11109657

22,000 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Engine

OIL LIGHT CAME ON TOOK CAR IN TO GET OIL CHANGED AND FIX NAIL IN TIRE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON PRE IGNITION. ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED AND OIL AND OIL FILTER WAS CHANGED

NHTSA ODI #11104118

37,300 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Engine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR HAD TURNED OFF 2 TIMES AND WAS STALLING ALSO SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED

NHTSA ODI #11104117

42,600 miles · Jun 26, 2018
EngineStructure

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER. ALSO WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE CAR FROM REAR BRAKE LIGHT

NHTSA ODI #11104115

49,000 miles · Jun 26, 2018
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

CAR WAS LEAKING FLUID AND WHEN DRIVING CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI #11104113

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2018
Exterior LightingPower TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WITHIN FIVE MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO MORE THAN ONE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. INTEGRITY CHEVROLET OF CHATTANOOGA (2110 CHAPMAN RD, CHATTANOOGA, TN, 423-535-9455) AND MOUNTAIN VIEW CHEVROLET (310 E 20TH ST, CHATTANOOGA, TN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WITHIN FIVE MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO MORE THAN ONE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. INTEGRITY CHEVROLET OF CHATTANOOGA (2110 CHAPMAN RD, CHATTANOOGA, TN, 423-535-9455) AND MOUNTAIN VIEW CHEVROLET (310 E 20TH ST, CHATTANOOGA, TN, 423-266-0181) WERE CONTACTED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN IT RELEASED, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A PASSERBY ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED A CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11103414

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.