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, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2018
CAR REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS BEEN SHIFTED INTO PARK, DESPITE HAVING BEEN PROPERLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. I RECEIVE THE ERROR MESSAGE "SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK" AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 12, 2018
1ST PROBLEM MESSAGE POPS UP WHEN PARKING. MESSAGE READS SHIFT TO PARK EVEN WHEN SHIFTER IS IN PARK. WILL TURN OFF ENGINE BUT WILL NOT TURN OFF THE ACCESSORY. NEED TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL MESSAGE DISAPPEARS AND ALLOWS TO TURN OFF. 2ND PROBLEM MESSAGE POPS UP NO REMOTE DETECTED PRESS BRAKE TO RESTART
Power train, Engine, Aug 17, 2018
5/4/2018 TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY REPROGRAMED THE HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE 2 - PER A FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, LIGHT CAME BACK ON. 5/26/2018 - 100 DEGREES. CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 40 MPH ON CITY STREET. RESTARTED IN SOME KIND OF DEFAULT MODE WITHOUT EV COMPONENTS AFTER 30 MIN. NEXT DAY IT WORKED FINE. 8/12/2018 - 86 DEGREES. CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON CITY STREET GOING 30MPH. RESTARTED AND DROVE FINE BUT LATER THE SAME DAY AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND SHIFTING TO REVERSE THE CAR MOVED FORWARD, CAR WAS IN EV MODE. SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND CAR STILL MOVED FORWARD, STILL IN EV MODE. SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND NEUTRAL AGAIN THE CAR STILL MOVED FORWARD, STILL IN EV MODE. TURNED OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED AND WORKED FINE, STILL IN EV MODE. 8/16/2018 - 85 DEGREES. CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, RESTARTED AND WORKED. BUT LATER THAT DAY I STARTED THE CAR AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE CAR MOVED FORWARD, CAR IN EV MODE. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL BUT AT THE SAME MOMENT THE ENGINE STARTED AND I FELT AND HEARD A SHIFTING NOISE AND THE CAR WORKED FINE. 2ND APPOINTMENT WILL DEALER ON 8/20/16, APPEARS A COMMON FACTOR IS WARM DAYS WHEN I PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE IN THE SUN. NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE THERE IS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SYMPTOM OF A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND COULD BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM. THE NEXT STEP THE DEALER WILL DO IS REPLACE A WIRING HARNESS, AGAIN PER A SERVICE BULLETIN SO THE MANUFACTURER DOES KNOW OF A PROBLEM.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 5, 2018
THE CAR STALLS IN TRAFFIC, LOSING ALL POWER. IT DOESN'T START SOMETIMES. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER THE ISSUE DOESN'T OCCUR AND THEY CLAIM THE COMPUTER IS COMING BACK CLEAN. HOWEVER, IT DODENT FO THIS ALL THE TIME IT CAN GO WEEKS AND DRIVE JUST FINE BUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME WILL LOSE ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND DONE DAYS TAKE A VERY LONG TIME TO START. IT'S VERY SCARY WHEN YOUR IN TRAFFIC IN THE CAR SHUTS OFF THEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FROM STABILIZER BAR WARNING, TO ENGINE LIGHT. IT'S DANGEROUS AND SCARY WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AT TIMES ON SAN DIEGO HIGHWAYS. A CAR SHOULD NOT JUST SHUT OFF OR TAKE FOREVER TO START WHEN EVERYTIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY CLAIM THE READINGS ARE FINE. I ALSO SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. GM CHEVROLET WANT BE SATISFIED UNTIL SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT WITH THIS ISSUE LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING.
Power train, Jul 29, 2018
WHEN PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK, NOT EVERY SINGLE TIME BUT, THE CAR IS COMPLETELY STOPPED AND DASHBOARD SAYS P (FOR PARK), WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AN ERROR POPS UP STATING CAR NEEDS TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK TO TURN OFF.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 13, 2018
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.
Power train, Jul 11, 2018
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.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 22, 2018
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE "REDUCE SPEED" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED WAS REDUCED TO 40 MPH. SIMULTANEOUSLY, A BELL CHIMED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 40 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. RYDELL CHEVROLET IN NORTH RIDGE, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE ENGINE AT 5,000 MILES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. SANTA PAULA CHEVROLET IN SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. ONSTAR WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION THROTTLE FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 8, 2018
AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT FAILURE/ SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK WHEN STATIONARY 2016 BRAKE LINE DETERIORATION, BRAKE FAIL WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION FALL 2017 MAY 2018 LOSS OF POWER DURING HIGHWAY DRIVE AT 65 MPH. CAR TOWED TO DEALER, CAUSE CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGES "CRITICAL ENGINE", "TRANSMISSION FAILURE", AND AN ANTILOCK BRAKING MESSAGE APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FREQUENT STALLING AND REDUCTION OF SPEED AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SALE AUTOMALL, 1053 HWY 258 N, KINSTON, NC) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,950. *TT *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 22, 2018
THIS CAR TOTALLY CUT OFF ON ME (STALLED, ALL POWER EVERYTHING SHUT OFF) MORE THAN ONCE WITHIN AN HOUR WHILE DRIVING, AT LEAST 30MPH ON A MAJOR STREET. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 13, 2018
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & REDUCED POWER EXPERIENCES THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. POOR FUEL ECONOMY (SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE) AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL (HOWEVER NOT VISABLE). MILES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND ISSUES WERE 5000 AND 3300 (SYNTHETIC OIL - SHOULD NOT BE LOW & DIRTY IN THAT SHORT PERIOD OF TIME). IDLING IS VERY ROUGH AND COOLING FANS NOT SHUTTING OFF. 35 DAYS LATER - SAME ISSUE - REDUCED POWER, OIL LEVEL LOW, IDLING ROUGH. DEALER FOUND LOW COMPRESSION, BLOWN PISTON AND DEBRIS CAUSING DEEP SCORES IN BORE. ENGINE REPLACED. 60 DAYS LATER - SAME ISSUE - REDUCED POWER, IDLING ROUGH, COOLING FANS CONTINUE TO RUN. REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR. BEFORE LEAVING DEALERSHIP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, COOLING FAN CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER ENGINE TURNED OFF. REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 9, 2018
FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING AROUND 70 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN ON AND A MASSAGE SAYING ENGINE POWER IS REDUCE THE CAR BEGUN TO SHAKE AND SPEED WHEN DOWN TO AROUND 40 MPH FROM 70 MPH IN SECONDS, I KEEP ACCELERATING BUT THE CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP ANY SPEED EVEN THOUGH MY RPM WHEN UP TO 4 AND 5 MY CAR WASN'T GOING ANY FASTER. THIS HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUE NOW AFTER SO MANY TIMES THEY FIGURE OUT THAT SOME SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACE AND ALSO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT WORKING. I REALLY HOPE THIS IS FIX.
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.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 11, 2017
GO DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED LIMIT THEN LOSE POWER WITH CHECK ENGINE AND REDUCTION OF POWER LIGHTS COME ONE. WE CAN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES. THEN TURN THE CAR BACK ON WITH NO PROBLEMS FOR UNDETERRED TIME FRAME BEFORE IT DOES IT AGAIN.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Apr 5, 2017
WHILE MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE INFORMATION PANEL THEN DISPLAYED TWO WARNINGS, INCLUDING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" AND WOULD NOT LET THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE MORE THAN 40 MPH. THE INFORMATION PANEL ALSO STATED "SERVICE DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEM." THE DEALER STATES IT'S AN ISSUE WITH A FAULTY ACCELERATOR PEDAL TERMINAL? HOWEVER, THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING ON THE ROADS, AND POWER/ACCELERATION IS REDUCED AND CAPPED AT 40 MPH.
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 4, 2017
BRAND NEW 2016 MALIBU 30 MILES OFF THE LOT AND 100% OF THE TIME THE CAR BUCKS WHEN BRAKING. FROM 3RD GEAR TO FIRST GEAR THE CAR ENGINE PULLS BACK THE CAR ABRUPTLY WHILE THE RPM'S RISE ALMOST 1000 BACK DOWN WITH EACH SHIFT. I BROUGHT IT TO CHEVROLET 3 TIMES AS WELL AS CALLED THE HOT LINE #. AFTER TWICE BEING TOLD THAT NO ONE CAN FIND WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT THEY TURNED THE STORY TO WELL CHEVY ENGINES DO THAT SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. THAT ITS THE ECO ENGINE CONSERVING POWER. I HAVE REPLICATED THE SITUATION TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IN RETURN, NOTHING WAS FIXED. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THIS CAR HAD THIS ISSUE AND HAVEN'T TURNED UP ANYTHING. THE CAR IS WORST IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND APPARENTLY THEY SAY UNLESS A RECALL IN ISSUED THEIRS NOTHING TO BE DONE. CITY DRIVING IT HAPPENS 100% OF THE TIME WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. HIGHWAY, ONLY WHEN HAVING TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO HIT THE LOWER GEARS. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO WEARING AWAY THE BRAKES FASTER THAN USUAL. THIS CAR HAS A CHECKERED HISTORY WITH RECALLS AND MY MODEL YEAR EVEN HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND YET I'M TOLD TO DEAL WITH IT. I HAVE BEEN SURE TO MAKE A PAPER TRAIL OF BRINGING IT IN SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AS WELL AS EVERY TIME I'VE SPOKEN OFF THE BOOKS ABOUT IT TO CHEVY EMPLOYEES.I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS OTHERS. IT SEEMS AS IF THE TIMING OF THE DOWNSHIFT EVEN COULD BE THE ISSUE BUT I DON'T KNOW AND THEY WON'T EVEN LOOK AT IT UNLESS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OR A RECALL IS ISSUED. AND WHEN THE CAR BUCKS SOMETIMES THE BRAKES DON'T HAVE A TIGHT ENOUGH GRIP AND CAUSES THE CAR TO POUNCE AN INCH OR TWO.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM MAY HAVE POSSIBLY FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS WERE FLASHED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE SENSORS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Dec 30, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800.
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.
Power train, Oct 6, 2016
WHILE STARTING OFF OR TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR HAS NO POWER TO PICK UP SPEED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME ON FREEWAY OR CITY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER TO LET CARS PASS BY BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. THIS ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT TODAY
Power train, May 31, 2016
I JUST BOUGHT A 2016 CAMARO WHICH HAD BAD MOTOR MOUNTS. WHICH THE DEALER DENIED. I DECIDED THAT I COULD NOT DRIVE A BRAND NEW CAR WITH BAD MOTOR MOUNTS SO I TRADED THE CAR IN FOR THE 2016 MALIBU. AFTER DRIVING THE MALIBU FOR A COUPLE WEEKS NOW, I NOTICED SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS OF MOTOR MOUNT PROBLEMS I'VE HAD IN THE PAST. CURRENTLY, I BELIEVE THAT CHEVROLET'S OR GMS MOTOR MOUNT DESIGNS OR QUALITY, ARE IN LINE WITH INDUSTRY STANDARDS. I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT CHEVROLET AND THEY'RE NOT PROVIDING ME WITH AN AVENUE TO START AN INVESTIGATION. I CAN CURRENTLY DEMONSTRATE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE, EXCESSIVE POWER TRAIN MOVEMENT ON MY CURRENT 2016 MALIBU WHICH I BELIEVE EXISTS ON OTHER MALIBUS AND OTHER GM MADE MODELS, LIKE CAMARO SS. I HAVE: TURNED OFF ENGINE, OPENED THE HOOD THEN PUSHED AND PULLED THE CAR BACK AND FORTH. THE POWER TRAIN MOVEMENT WAS QUIT NOTICEABLE. I MIGHT PUT A DIAL INDICATOR ON IT TO SEE EXACTLY HOW FAR. I'LL BE TAKING MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER TO GET THEIR WRITTEN WORD ON MY CURRENT COMPLAINT FOR WHICH I BELIEVE WILL RESULT IN 'THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR CAR' OR ITS 'WORKING AS DESIGNED'. AGAIN, I BELIEVE THE POWER TRAIN MOVEMENT TO BE OUTSIDE OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS. ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY WOULD BE ABLE TO DEEM OTHERWISE. I JUST SO HAPPEN TO KNOW WHAT A POWER TRAIN MOUNT ISSUE FEELS LIKE. POWER TRAIN MOVEMENT DURING SHIFTS IS VERY EXTREME ON THIS CAR IN MY OPINION. THE AVERAGE PERSON WOULD THINK THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF. HOWEVER, I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT'S THE POWER TRAIN MOUNTS CAUSING IT TO FEEL LIKE A FIRM/JOLTING SHIFT. IT'S NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF. DUE TO THE FACT I'VE HAD 2C 2016 CHEVROLET CARS WITH WHAT I BELIEVE HAD BAD POWER TRAIN MOUNTS, I BELIEVE CHEVROLET HAS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE. I'M HAPPY TO SHOW MY CAR'S ISSUE TO THE NHTSA
Power train, May 9, 2016
DURING A MODEST DECELERATION OR WHILE THE CAR IS COASTING TOWARDS A STOP WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL AT TIMES SEEM TO DOWNSHIFT IN AN UNSMOOTH WAY. SEEMINGLY SKIPPING GEARS DOWN. THE VEHICLE AT TIMES CAN COAST AT AROUND 1500 RPMS THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE RPMS JUMP TO ALMOST OR AROUND 3000 RPMS CAUSING A BUCKING SENSATION FOR THE DRIVER. BRAKE USE IS AFFECTED WHEN THIS OCCURS. WHEN THE VEHICLE BUCKS, THE BRAKE PRESSURE CAN CHANGE OR IS ENHANCED BY THE DOWNSHIFT. THIS CAN HAPPEN PRETTY REGULARLY DURING REGULAR DRIVING USE AND IS NOTICED MOST DURING SLOWER DRIVING SPEEDS (10 - 45 MPH) AND LIGHT BRAKE USE. HIGH SPEED BRAKING AND HEAVY BRAKE USE DO NOT HAVE THIS AFFECT AS MUCH. DEALER REVIEWED AND COULD NOT SEE ANY ISSUES. SUGGESTED REPORT TO GM - PERHAPS A SOFTWARE UPDATE CAN SMOOTH OUT SHIFTING. NOTICED FIRST TIME A DAY AFTER PURCHASE.