2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 861 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 17 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat belts, critical fastenersAug 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.
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V649000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationJun 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.
In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 18V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpMay 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.
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 18V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 16V781000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionJul 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."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
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."
If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V272000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowMar 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."
Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V151000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalMar 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.
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V125000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareFeb 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."
An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V084000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
311 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Dec 30, 2017
"REDUCED ENGINE POWER" WARNING CAME AND POWER WAS SUDDENLY REDUCED AND VEHICLE SPEED REDUCED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELLING 70MPH ON AN INTERSTATE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS AS THE SPEED DROPPED TO 40 MPH.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 22, 2017
SEPTEMBER 2017 STABLITYTRACK WARNING CAME ON AFTER WEEKS CHEVY TOLD ME THEY WERE PUTTING A NEW ENGINE IN. WENT TO PICK UP CAR 10/4/2017 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON LEFT CAR, SERVICE SAID IT WAS A CRACKED CONNECTOR AND REPLACED. DEC 22 TODAY ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED ALERT COMES ON AND CAN'T GO OVER 20MPH WAS ON THE HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 4, 2017
I DECIDED TO LEASE A 2016 MALIBU OF FEBRUARY 2016. THE CAR WAS GREAT UNTIL MONTHS LATER I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL ON THE FREEWAY IN OCTOBER 2016, WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO REDUCE SPEED ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DASHBOARD DISPLAY REDUCE SPEED ENGINE, THEN IMMEDIATELY MY CAR WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 30 MPH TO 20MPH. I MANAGE TO GET MY CAR TO THE EMERGENCY LANE OF THE FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED THAT FOLLOWING WEEK, WITH COMPLICATIONS OF TRYING TO GET A RENTAL CAR SO I CAN GO TO WORK AND SCHOOL. 2017 OCTOBER 31ST, I WAS DRIVING TO GO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL. I WAS ON A MAJOR STREET. MY CAR WENT INTO REDUCE SPEED ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH. MY CAR WENT FROM 35 TO 20 MPH'S AGAIN. I MANAGED TO PULL INTO A NEAR BANK. SHAKEN UP I PARKED MY CAR AND TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON WITHIN FIVE MINUTES. THE LIGHT WAS STILL DISPLAY ON MY DASHBOARD. I DROVE TO MY SON SCHOOL. I COULDN'T DRIVE OVER 10 MPH. IT NORMALLY TAKE 10 MINUTES TO DRIVE TO MY SON SCHOOL IT 25. IT TOOK EVEN LONGER TO GET BACK HOME. NOVEMBER 30TH, SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. ONCE AGAIN I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE DRIVING THE REDUCE SPEED ENGINE CAME ON. MY CAR SLOWED DOWN. I HAD CARS BEHIND ME HONKING THEIR HORNS AT ME NEARLY CAUSING A FEW ACCIDENTS. I MANAGE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I DID NOT WANT TO BE STUCK ON THE FREEWAY WHILE IT WAS DARK. I WAS STRANDED AT A NEARBY GAS STATION FOR CLOSE TO TWO HOURS. THE PROBLEMS I KEEP HAVING WITH THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. I REFUSE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE ME OR MY SON OUR LIVES.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 21, 2017
ENGINE AUTO START/STOP EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE (WHEN AT STANDSTILL IN DRIVE SHIFT POSITION) ENGINEERING MODIFICATION NEEDED ENGINE AUTO START/STOP NEEDS TO HAVE A DRIVER DETECTOR (IN SEAT) ADDED TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM INADVERTANTLY DRIVING FOWARD WITHOUT DRIVER IN THE DRIVER SEAT. IT IS ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL FOR THOSE NEW DRIVERS NOT USED TO THE FUEL SAVING START/STOP ENGINE. IT HAPPENED TO ME RECENTLY AND I WAS UNAWARE CAR WAS NOT IN PARK AS ENGINE WAS IN "AUTO STOP POSITION" AND SILENT. AS I GOT OUT AND SHUT DOOR, CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITH NOBODY IN THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS FAST ENOUGH TO CHASE AFTER IT, OPEN DOOR, AND SLAM ON THE BRAKES WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS HAS ALMOST HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I WOULD RECCOMEND PUTTING SOME KIND OF CHIP IN THE DRIVER SEAT WHICH WOULD DEACTIVATE THE ENGINE IF DRIVER SEAT IS EMPTY WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE SHIFT POSITION. IF NOT CORRECTED THE CAR COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO PEDESTRIANS AND BYSTANDERS. THIS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED ACCROSS ENTIRE GM LINE AS WELL AS OTHER MANUFACTURERS.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 11, 2017
VEHICLE IN MOTION IN LEFT HAND LANE, ON 5 LANE MAIN ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR, TRAFFIC GOING APPROX. 35 MPH. AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A WARNING MESSAGE SAID THE VEHICLE WAS "SLOWING DOWN" (IT STALLED COMPLETELY). I WAS UNABLE TO DRIFT INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND FORCED TO ABANDON MY CAR INTO THE CENTER LANE - USED FOR MERGING FROM OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC. POLICE RESPONDED BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. OFFICER SUGGESTED I LEAVE THE VEHICLE FOR MY OWN SAFETY & WHEN TOW TRUCK ARRIVED TO REQUEST THE AUTO BE TOWED TO A SAFE SPOT FOR REMOVAL OF PERSONAL ITEMS. THIS SITUATION WAS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF BUT OTHERS. A CRASH COULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT. ACCORDING TO DEALER, NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. DID HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON CAR APPROX 18 MOS OLD. DEALER HOPES GM FIX WILL WORK, BUT I AM NOW NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 30, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE MESSAGE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE CAR SLOWED FROM 60 MILES TO 20 MILES INSTANTLY, I PANICKED BUT WAS ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT HARM. ONCE ON THE STREET THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 20 MPH. ALMOST LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS PULLING. I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC STATING CRITICAL ISSUE WITH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. I GOT TO THE DEALER AT THE EARLIEST ALLOWED AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THE CODE SHOWING WAS FOR THE TROTTEL AND NOT THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO A COMPLETE CHECK. ONE HOUR LATER THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TECH CALLED FOR ME AND GAVE ME MY KEYS SAYING THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX AT THIS TIME FOR MY PROBLEM AND THEY RESET THE CODES. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN GIVE THEM A CALL. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR WAS ABOUT 39,980.
Engine, May 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PHIL SMITH DODGE (441 STATE RD 7, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL) AND WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT THE DEALER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,561.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER WOULD REDUCE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE REDUCE POWER MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A UNDETERMINED FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS REWIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED. THE ISSUE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH DIFFERENT REPAIRS, BUT WITH AN UNDETERMINED DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,200.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 23, 2017
TAKATA RECALL- EXPERIENCE ISSUES WITH CAR AFTER TWO WEEKS OF OWNING.CAR BEGAN RATTLE WHEN PARKED, SLOW TO ACCELERATE "DRAGGED". LATER DISCOVER AFTER RETURNING TO SHOP FOR REPAIR , CAR WAS SOLD WITH RECALL ISSUED 25PLUS DAYS PRIOR TO PURCHASE. WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY DEALER
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE ISSUE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PRODUCED CODE P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH BANK 1). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Power train, Engine, Nov 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SPEED REDUCED INADVERTENTLY AND A MESSAGE THAT THE SPEED REDUCED TO 25 MPH APPEARED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONSTAR SENT AN EMAIL ADVISING THAT A CRITICAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION REPAIRED WERE NEEDED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE ISSUED RECURRED AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE REDUCE SPEED AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE ABOVE 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,695.