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: service brakes
106 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Service brakes, Dec 23, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SLID INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,100.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THEN A RED LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHORTLY AFTER, THE BRAKES INVOLUNTARILY DEPRESSED, BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT FELT UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED TO SAVE FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Service brakes, Jun 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MAILBU. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT 3 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHILE GRADUALLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS REPEATEDLY JERKED THE VEHICLE FOR MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE NO FAILURES WAS DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61.
Service brakes, Oct 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PADS WERE INSTALLED BACKWARDS AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145. UPDATE 01/15/16 MA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS