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: other or unspecified
180 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TODAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. IT WAS AFTER THE EXPLOSION THAT SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS STARTED TO RAIN DOWN ON US. WHEN I LOOKED UP THE ENTIRE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE INSIDE SUN SHADE CLOSED BEFORE ANYONE WAS INJURED. I LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE CAR, HOWEVER THERE WAS NONE. THE SUNROOF WAS IN THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN IT EXPLODED.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2020
ON THE BOTH BACK SIDE, WHERE THE SEAT BELTS ARE NEXT TO SMALL WINDOWAND TOP PART OF ROOF WATERBIS LEAKING IN WHEN I WASH MY CAR AND MAYBE EVEN WHEN IT RAINS. THERE PROBABLY MILDEW, AND RUST. ALSO WHEN I PARK MY CAR THE WARNING LIGHT SAYS PUT CAR IN PARK, BUT ITS IN PARK.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 28, 2020
I OWN A 2016 CHEVY MALIBU PREMIER I BOUT IT ON THE SAME YEAR WITH 3 THOUSAND MILES IN IT EVER SINCE I BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN 2017 THE CAR HAD OVER 10 THOUSAND MILES IN IT N WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE SO I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP N THEY SED IT WAS A WEATHER STRIP OF THE BACK WINDOW SECOND TIME SAME YEAR IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OF THE SEATS 3RD PROBLEM IT WAS SUSPENSION NOW THIS IS 2020 NOVEMBER 27 N NOW THE CAR HAS 74 THOUSAND MILES IN IT N THE CAR SHAKES WILE ON DRIVE MODE JUST ON DRIVE MODE N THE WEIRDES THING IS THAT THERE'S NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOTHING EVERYTHING SIMS TO BE WRONG I NEED HELP I DO THINK IT'S FACTORY MADE
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2020
WHEN DRIVING, HITTING A BUMP, GOING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD, OR EVEN PULLING INTO A DRIVE WAY MY CAR MAKES A CREEPING, THUMPING SOUND IN THE REAR. EVEN WHILE IN PARK IF SOMEONE PUSHES DOWN ON THE TRUNK IT MAKES THE NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. I HAD BOTH REPLACED AND THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE. ALSO, EACH TIME IT RAINS THERE IS WATER UNDERNEATH MY SPARE TIRE AND MY FLOOR GETS WET ON THE BACK ROW.
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2020
THE MAIN REAR WINDOW DIDN'T HAVE A PROPER SEAL. ON BOTH SIDES IN THE CORNERS OF THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A LEAKAGE. EVERY TIME IT RAINS, YOU CAN SEE WATER DAMAGE. YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE AFTER EFFECTS OF THE CEILING BEING STAINED. REALIZED THIS AFTER IT RAINED WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 13, 2020
THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING NORMAL AND SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPON PARKING, YOU TRY TO START THE CAR, AND IT WON'T. WAIT FOR APPROX. 30 MINS AND THE CAR STARTS BUT A BIT ROUGH FIRST AND THEN DRIVES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2020
AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSH THE BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF, IT SAYS TO SHIFT TO PARK. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND DRIVE AGAIN. SOMETIMES THIS WORKS, BUT IT IS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. THE CAR BEEPS AT ME AND WON'T SHUT THE RADIO OFF WHEN I PUSH THE BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I CAN'T LOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT I HAVE SHIFTED TO PARK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN JULY, 2020. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY. NOW IT IS HAPPENING EVERY TIME I TURN THE CAR OFF.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2020
MY SHIFT TO PARK INDICATOR DISPLAYS ON THE DASH WHEN MY CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE CAR CAN'T BE TURNED OFF UNTIL THE INDICATOR GOES OFF. I USUALLY CHANGE GEARS AND PUT BACK IN PARK OR PUSH IT HARDER WHILE IT IS ALREADY IN PARK. I HAD THIS REPAIRED ON 9/14/18. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SHIFT LEVEL SELECTOR. IT IS NOW DOING IT AGAIN. IT STARTED THAT SHIFT TO PARK AGAIN ON 8/7/2020.
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2020
I HAVE NOTICED A POPPING NOISE ON THE BACK END OF MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. I WENT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR. I WENT ABOUT 3 TO 4 TIMES BY THE TIME THEY COULD HEAR WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. IN JUNE 2020 THEY INSTALLED WASHERS TO PREVENT CONTACT FROM THE STRUT. THAT DID NOT WORK. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS STILL MAKING THAT SOUND. IT SEEMS TO BE LOUDER WHEN DRIVING SLOW OR WHEN IT HEATS UP OUTSIDE LATER ON IN THE DAY. IT ALSO MAKES THAT POPPING NOISE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE AT A STOP LIGHT BEFORE I ACCELERATE. IT MAKES THE POPPING NOISE SOMETIMES WHEN I SIT DOWN IN THE CAR. ONE DAY I WAS BOUNCING IN THE DRIVER SEAT TO SEE IF I COULD DUPLICATE THE SOUND AND IT WAS POPPING LOUDLY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2020
THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER LOOK TO HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE BUTTONS ABOVE IT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NO KEY IN THE IGNITION
Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2020
AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN IF OFF, IT SAYS TO SHIFT TO PARK. I HAVE TO RESTART, MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH. IT'S GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO CLEAR THE MESSAGE SO I CAN EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 34K MILES. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2020
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A LOUD POPPING NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE WHILE OPERATING IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER HOWEVER THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY BE COMING FROM MY BACK AXLES AND DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AFFECTED BY A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM SPEED. I HAVE ENSURED ALL BRACKETS ARE SECURED INSIDE OF MY TRUNK AS I THOUGHT THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING LOOSE . *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2020
SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN BY CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPT AND I HAVE CHECKED OTHER FORUMS. WHEN YOU SHIFT CAR TO PARK AND TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR, IT TELLS YOU TO SHIFT TO PARK. THE CAR WON'T SHUT OFF. I HAD TO SHIFT BACK AND FORTH QUITE A FEW TIMES FOR IT TO FINALLY WORK. SERVICE REPLACED THE "HARNESS" FOR ROUGHLY $100 WHICH WORKED TEMPORARILY BUT STARTED IN AGAIN. SO NEW SHIFTER HAS BEEN ORDERED AT COST OF APPROX $350. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE HAD. MINE IS A 2016 WITH VERY LOW MILES. THEY HAVE LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH '16, '17 AND SOME '18. I HATE FIXING AGAIN AND HAVE IT HAPPEN IN ANOTHER 20K MILES..... RECALL PLEASE?!?! *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2020
THE GEAR SHIFT IS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. IT'S NOT MOVING AND STUCK IN PARK. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2020
CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF AS IT DOES NOT REGISTER THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK WHEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 5, 2020
WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRY TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE WILL NOT SHUT OFF. IT KEEPS RUNNING. IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT KNOW IT IS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY BUT KEEPS ON RUNNING. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 30, 2020
WHEN GO TO PUT CAR IN PARK AND SHUT ENGINE OFF GET A MESSAGE SAYING SHIFT TO PARK AND CANT SHUT CAR OFF. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 18, 2020
THE TRUNK BUTTONS FAIL. WITH IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS. CANNOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE TRUNK ONCE THE SYSTEM FAILS. WAS IN PARKING LOT AT A STORE. COULDN'T DRIVE HOME. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 23, 2020
WHEN I PRESS THE GAS IT HESITATE TO MOVE FORWARD AND ALSO MY BATTERY SENSORY HAS GONE OUT. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT BEING AN ECO WHICH HAS CAUSED MAJOR ISSUES TO MY TRANSMISSION AND OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2020
I HAVE A 2016 MALIBU THAT BACK WINDOW HAS BEEN LEAKING ( POURING) WATER THRU. RAIN AND CAN'T EVEN GET A CARWASH, WHICH, DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A CARE WASH KNOWING THAT THERE ARE WATER STAINS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THIS DEALERSHIP SAID I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS PROB A COUPLE MONTHS LATER HAD RECEIVED A LETTER OF A RECALL ABOUT THIS BUT DEALERSHIP SAID I WAS OVER MILES AND WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE.,? IF IT IS A RECALL.... WHY?
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 19, 2020
I PURCHASED 2016 MALIBU 10/2016 AND AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 6MONTHS THE CHECK ENGINE/REDUCE SPEED LIGHTS STARTING COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK OVER 20TIMES AND THE ISSUES WAS NEVER FIXED. I ASK COULD THEY JUST REPLACE THE CALL SINCE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIXED IT. SO, AND STILL HAVING THIS ISSUES. GM EXTENDED THE RECALL AND I TOOK IT BACK IN YESTERDAY MARCH 18, 2020. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS FIXED AND TO PICK IT UP. SO, I GET THERE DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT THE LOT. SO, I RETURN BACK TO THE SERVICE DESK AND I WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. SO I ASK WHY THIS ISN'T ON MY SERVICE SHEET I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS WIPED OUT AND THAT I HAD TO REQUEST IT. PUTTING ME BACK IN DANGER. THIS HAS BEEN A HEADACHE. I FILE A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT AND THEY OFFER MY 4500 AND I OWE 18,000 ON A CAR THAT HAVE BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES FROM THE DAY ONE. GM OFFERING TO SETTLE OUT FOR 4500 IS ADMITTING FOUGHT
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 15, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY RADIO TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A MESSAGE SAYING LOW ENGINE POWER CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES AND STARTED TO GO SLOW WHILE IN MOTION.
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES UP AND THEN SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. CANNOT ACCELERATE AT THAT TIME. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM ON THE INTERSTATE AND SPEED REDUCES UNSAFELY. I HAVE TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2020
THE CAR WILL BE IN PARK AND THE DASH IS SAYING IT ISN'T IN PARK AND ALL THE LIGTHS AND BATTARY WILL NOT SHUT DOWN CAUSING THE BATTARY TO DRAINA ND THE CAR IS NOT LOCKABLE , YOU HAVE TO TURN IT BACK ON AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE SOMETIMES SEVREL TIMES TO GET IT TO REGISTER THAT IT IS IN PARK AND THE CAR TO FULLY SHUT DOWN
Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2020
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THIS MORNING, AND THE SPEED OF THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WAS PLENTY OF CARS BEHIND ME MAKING THE SUDDEN DROP OF SPEED UNSAFE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE, AND THAT IT'S NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. I HAVE HEARD IT'S COMMON IN 2016 MALIBU'S. I HAVEN'T HAD THIS CAR THAT LONG, AND IS CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON.