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: power train
174 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Sep 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING GEARS, "SHIFT TO PARK" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE FIVE TO TEN ATTEMPTS WITH SHIFTING THE GEARS FOR IT TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLEN GWYNN CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1400 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204, (818) 528-8597) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,007.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 2, 2019
THE CAR CONSTANTLY GETS MESSAGE OF ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE DRIVING WITH NO PREVIOUS ISSUES OR WARNINGS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY DRIVING SPEED DECREASES WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTART THE CAR. THE CAR THEN STARTS NORMAL WITHOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ERROR CODE
Power train, Aug 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKING, THE START/STOP BUTTON WAS PRESSED AND FAILED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE "PARK TO SHIFT" WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT GEARS AND BACK INTO PARK IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MCKENNEY CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 831 S MAIN ST, LOWELL, NC 28098, (855) 757-1635) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Power train, Jun 28, 2019
WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN PARK TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, A MESSAGE APPEARS STATING "ACTION REQUIRED" "SHIFT TO PARK." THE CAR IS IN PARK. SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF PARK DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OCCURRED OVER ABOUT 3 MONTHS. HAVE TO TURN OFF LIGHTS MANUALLY OR THEY WON'T GO OFF. DASH LIGHT REMAIN ON LONGER THAN USUAL. CAR BATTERY FINALLY DIED. REPLACED THE BATTERY/ PROBLEM PERSISTS. WHEN GETTING OUT OF CAR AND CLOSING DOORS, HORN HONKS 3 TIMES. REMOTE NOT DETECTED WHEN GETTING IN CAR AGAIN TO GO SOMEWHERE. PROBLEM STARTED SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOOK TO DEALER, COURTESY CHEVROLET. WAS TOLD WHILE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT "COMMON" IT WAS A "KNOWN" ISSUE. NEVER SUGGESTED THIS WAS SOMETHING TO LOOK AT ANY OTHER TIME THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE. HAD TO REPLACE THE SHIFT GEAR. COST $450 INITIALLY, BUT AFTER COMPLAINING, THEY TOOK OFF ABOUT $100. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH NHTSA DEFINES POWER TRAIN AS INCLUDING "SHIFT LEVER/GEAR CONTROL AND INDICATOR DEVICES." THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND MANY NHTSA COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS CHEVROLET MESSAGE BOARDS. CAR HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 23, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY WINDOWS DON'T WORK AT TIMES NO POWER MY TRUNK WILL NOT RELEASE IT'S NOT UNLOCKING MY DASHBOARD READS ENGINE IS REDUCING POWER WHILE DRIVING & IT SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING MY RADIATOR LIGHT IS ON BEEN ON FOR 8MONTHS NOW THE CAR WON'T PICK UP SPEED WITHOUT ME SHIFTING THE CAR IN L6 WHILE DRIVING MY THROTTLE NOT WORKING THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2019
MY ISSUE STARTED A FEW DAYS AGO AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND A MESSAGE APPEARS TO "SHIFT TO PARK" CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ALREADY IN PARK AND YOU CANNOT JUST GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO GO AWAY IT JUST REMAINS ON THE SCREEN AND THE CAR REMAINS ON IN AN AUXILIARY TYPE MODE WHICH I'M PRETTY SURE IF LEFT ALONE WOULD EVENTUALLY DRAIN THE BATTERY. IT HAD GOTTEN WORSE SINCE I WAS HAVING TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD REGISTER IT WAS ACTUALLY IN PARK. THE DEALERSHIP CURRENTLY HAS MY CAR AND HAS TOLD ME THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACED. I HAD SENT THEM A SCREEN SHOT OF THE SERVICE REPORT FROM GM WHICH YOU CAN FIND HERE HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2018/MC-10154985-999.PDF WHICH STATES THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE HAVING. MY CAR HAS 21K MILES ON IT AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR TWO YEARS. I'M GOING TO BE VERY UPSET IF I END UP HAVING TO PAY THIS OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS STILL TECHNICALLY UNDER WARRANTY FROM THE DATE I PURCHASED IN 2017.
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, "VEHICLE NOT IN PARK" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERGER CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 2525 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512, (616) 949-5200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CONTROL FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CONTROL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER 34,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CONTROL FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,697. *TR SEE ATTACHED FOR THE DEALER PAPERWORK FOR THE 1ST INCIDENT. I'VE ALSO ATTACHED THE MY CHEVY DIAGNOSTIC REPENT FOR THE CURRENT ISSUE.*JB
Power train, Jun 9, 2019
CAR IS STALLING WHENEVER I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE TO TRY TO AVOID MAKING A LEFT TURN BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG FOR THE CAR TO REACT WHEN I GET ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GO. SOME DAYS IT WILL HESITATE A LITTLE AND GO, BUT LATELY IT HAS BEEN STALLING ALL THE WAY OUT AND IT TAKES A FEW MINS FOR IT TO REACT WHEN I'M TRYING TO PULL OFF!!
Power train, May 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE IN PARK. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SINCE APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER 2018 AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,865. *TR CONSUMER STATED NOW HOLD THE SHIFTER FOR A LONGER TIME BEFORE I PUSH THE STOP. HOPEFULLY THAT WAS MY PROBLEM. *JB
Power train, Engine, Apr 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND SHUT OFF. ADDITIONALLY, THE HORN AND RADIO FAILED TO WORK. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALEY CHEVROLET (12400 TENNESSEE PLAZA, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23112, (804) 818-7660) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. *BF *JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 19, 2019
THE CAR CONSTANTLY GETS MESSAGE OF ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE DRIVING WITH NO PREVIOUS ISSUES OR WARNINGS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY DRIVING SPEED DECREASES WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTART THE CAR. THE CAR THEN STARTS NORMAL WITHOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ERROR CODES.
Power train, Apr 7, 2019
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
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 21, 2019
WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING THE SHIFTER TO PARK THE CAR GIVES AN ERROR MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK" AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF AND I IMAGINE OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS STILL RUN DURING THIS ERROR. SINCE THE MESSAGE NEVER WENT AWAY WHILE I WAS AT A NON-GM AUTO REPAIR SHOP IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE CHECK, THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT SO THAT THE CAR COULD TURN OFF COMPLETELY. THEY ALSO FOUND A TSB (ATTACHED) ON THIS ISSUE THAT INFORMED THEM ON HOW TO FIX THE "SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR. SINCE THE REPAIR WAS NOT AT A GM DEALER THE COST WAS OUT OF POCKET. HAVE CONTACTED GM AND SO FAR THEY ARE SAYING SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO IN TERMS OF REIMBURSEMENT.
Power train, Air bags, Mar 6, 2019
MY CAR ALL OF SUDDEN ON FREEWAY SNATCHED BACK FROM DOING 65 PLUS TO FREAKING LESS THAN 30 MILES INSTANTLY "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE APPEARS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS EVERYDAY MY CAR WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 30-35 MPH. I HAVE TWO KIDS THIS IS NOT SAFE. I TRAVEL! I TAKE MY CAR TO PENSKE CHEVROLET OF CERRITOS DEALER AND THEY CLAIM ITS A ACCELERATOR PAD SENSOR. PRIOR TO TAKING MY CAR TO DEALER I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A CO WORKER WHO HAS THE SAME CAR SHE TOLD ME THE ISSUE BEFOREHAND BECAUSE SHE EXPERIENCED IT AND WAS STUCK ON A HIGHWAY!THEY ALSO STATE THAT "EVERY MALIBU IS HAVING THIS ISSUE" AND DUE TO THAT THE ITEM IS ON BACK ORDER. I HAD TO PAY AND STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR OF THAT ITEM WHICH I DON'T THINK IS FAIR. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I FEEL WELL NO IT IS OBVIOUSLY HAZARDOUS AND CHEVY HAS PEOPLE AND KIDS DRIVING IN CARS LIKE THIS ... WHAT IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT? HOW MANY CARS DOES IT TAKE TO REALIZE THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FOR CHEVROLET TO REALIZE THAT THIS NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION?
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIO CONTINUED TO ACTIVATE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY. ALSO, THE KEY FOB WAS FAULTY AND WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FINDLAY CHEVROLET (6800 S TORREY PINES DR, LAS VEGAS, NV 89118, (702) 982-4000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW GEAR SHIFT AND GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,011.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 2, 2019
I WAS DRIVING 35MPH, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER, AND I WAS GOING 10 MPH. A MESSAGE CAME ON SAYING REDUCED POWER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR, RED LION CHEVY. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND TOLD ME I BETTER GET THE CAR OFF THE LOT. I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IF I WAS ON A HIGHWAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN RUN OVER BY A TRUCK. I ALREADY HAD A CRACKED PISTON REPAIRED AND THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. ON STAR SENT ME AN EMAIL STATING THAT I HAVE AN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND TO GET THE CAR SERVICED.THE SALES MANAGER RIVERA JUST WANTED TO SELL ME A NEW CAR, AND THEY WOULDN'T DO ANY FURTHER TESTING ON MY VEHICLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 28, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE BEING IN PARK. WHEN THE SHIFTER IS MOVED INTO THE PARK POSITION, IT LATCHES INTO POSITION PROPERLY, BUT SOMETHING ELECTRONICALLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS IN PARK, SO WHEN YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR, IT WILL SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BUT DISPLAY A WARNING 'PLEASE PUT VEHICLE IN PARK". SINCE IT DOESN'T KNOW IT IS IN PARK, IT WILL NOT FULLY TURN OFF. IT WILL STAY IN ACCESSORY MODE, THUS KEEPING ON THE LIGHTS, THE RADIO, ETC, AND IT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO LOCK THE DOORS. JIGGLING THE SIFTER, ROCKING THE CAR, RESTARTING AND TURNING OFF AGAIN, TAKING IN AND OUT OF PARK, ALL DID NOTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK FOR THEFT AS IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SECURED SINCE THE LIGHTS AND RADIO ARE STILL ON. YOU ALSO CAN'T KEEP ANY VALUABLES IN THE CAR SINCE IT CAN'T BE LOCKED. WHEN THIS ISSUE FIRST HAPPENS IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT, SO THEY DEALER CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE SO THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. ONCE IT HAPPENS REGULARLY THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT SEEMS GM DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE, SO THEY FORCE YOU TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FOR $700. IT TURNS OUT THIS ISSUE IS VERY COMMON IN NEWER MALIBUS. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST-DISCUSSED FORUM POSTS ON THE MALIBU FORUMS WEBSITE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND BE COVERED AT NO CHARGE FROM GM SINCE NO ONE EXPECTS TO BUY A VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE LOCKED AND DOESN'T TURN OFF FROM ACCESSORY MODE.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 25, 2019
AT CRUISING SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CAR JERKED AND LOST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE WARNING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION PANEL. THE CAR CONTINUED TO LOSE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF A SEPARATED TOLL LANE AND TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, IT WAS ABLE TO AGAIN GAIN POWER. OVER SEVERAL DAYS, THE CAR WOULD GO IN AND OUT OF THIS MODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES, IT AGAIN LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY, LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER WHILE DRIVING UP HILLS (DROPPING FROM A SPEED OF 55 MPH TO BELOW 20 MPH WITHIN A MINUTE). CARS BEHIND MY CAR HAD TO MOVE OUT FROM BEHIND ME AND I HAD TO PULL IN TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO LET OTHER CARS PASS ME AS I WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A LEGAL SPEED. THIS PROBLEM WAS ASSESSED BY QUIRK CHEVROLET AND DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IN THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. QUIRK IDENTIFIED THAT THESE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NECESSARY COMPONENTS IN THE POWERTRAIN) AND THAT THE TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THESE WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $520 PLUS THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR. THEY ALSO WERE NOT ABLE TO LOCATE AN AVAILABLE GAS PEDAL/THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ASSEMBLY BY THE END OF THE BUSINESS DAY AND WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A TIMEFRAME FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME THIS WOULD TAKE TO COMPLETE BECAUSE OF THIS MISSING PART. THEY ALSO IDENTIFIED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RESET THE ECM UNTIL THIS SENSOR ASSEMBLY WAS COMPLETED.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 23, 2019
SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. VEHICLE IS CLEARLY IN PARK BUT MESSAGE ON MESSAGE BOARD INFORMS ME "VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK." HAVE TO WIGGLE/MESS WITH SHIFTER IN ORDER TO GET THE MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR. OTHERWISE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED... COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY CHEVY.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 14, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STABILITRAK INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT DROVE VERY ROUGHLY AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RED LION CHEVROLET (3220 CAPE HORN RD, RED LION, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, AFTER SWITCHING TO THE PARK POSITION, "SHIFT TO PARK" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT "POWER REDUCED" LATER DISPLAYED AND THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED TO 10 MPH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Steering, Power train, Dec 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND STATIONARY, IT STALLED AND THE DRIVE ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,601.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 26, 2018
I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, GOING AROUND 70 MPH, AS I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE ONTO ANOTHER FREEWAY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A NOTIFICATION CAME ON THAT SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER. MY CAR THEN DROPPED SPEED TO ABOUT 40 MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE THE REST OF MY ROUTE TO WORK. I TOPPED AT 20 MPH. I CHECKED MY CODE READER AND P2138 CAME UP.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: MY VEICHLE HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE MONTHS NOW. I HAVE BEEN PAYING EXTRA MONEY TO REPAIRS AND STILL DOESN'T GET IT FIX. DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. MY CAR TURNS OFF AT THE LIGHT TO SAVE GAS BUT WHENEVER I RELEASE THE BRAKE BACK AGAIN THE WHOLE SCREEN GOES OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WITH THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WANT TO TURN BACK ON. MESAAGE ON THE SCREEN SAYS ' POWER STEERLING REDUCED, PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE' ALSO IT SAYS SOMETIMES ' STABILITITANK ' . I NEED HELP ON THIS SITUATION BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. I SAW A RECALL OF 7,000 CARS SAME TYPE LIKE MINE ON 2016 FOR THE SAME ISSUES. THANK YOU.
Power train, Oct 29, 2018
2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LEASED VEHICLE THAT HAS MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS; LOSING POWER, NOT ACCELERATING, AND NOT SHIFTING GEARS. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE 'RIGHT TRACK' DEVICE. *JS
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 17, 2018
CAR HESITATES WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR AND BEGINS TO MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATES RAPIDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND BECAUSE IT IS ONLY RANDOM WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, OR PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SMART TRANSMISSION BECAUSE ME AND MY WIFE HAVE DIFFERENT DRIVING HAPPENS. (WHICH DOESN'T SOUND REASONABLE) LAST TIME IT DID THIS WAS YESTERDAY AND IT SEEMS TO HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.