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, Jan 22, 2020
WHEN I PARK THE CAR PUT SHIFT INTO PARK, A MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING: SHIFT INTO PARK WHEN I HAVE ALREADY SHIFTED TO PARK, SO I START THE CAR AND SHIFT INTO PARK AND THE MESSAGE GOES OFF AND SOMETIME I HAVE TO DO REPEAT THE PROCEDURE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2020
MY ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM IS MISFIRING FOR A FEW DAYS NOW. IT IS CAUSING MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT TO COME IN AND ALSO MY ENGINE LIGHT. WHEN THE STABILITY LIGHT COMES ON MY CAR SHAKES A LITTLE BIT WHILE DRIVING. I PUT MY VEHICLE ON A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE CODES CAME BACK THAT THE ECM IS MISFIRING
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2020
WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THE MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK" DISPLAYS IN THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR'S DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AND THE ELECTRONICS REMAIN ACTIVE. WE CANNOT PROPERLY SECURE THE CAR AND THE ACTIVE ELECTRONICS WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY. ATTACHED IS THE GM SERVICE BULLETIN DESCRIBING THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $621.77 AND IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2020
LEAK IN 3RD BRAKE LIGHT CAUSED EXTREME MOISTURE IN TRUNK AND INTERIOR IF CAR SERIOUS BLACK MOLD AND OTHER MOLD AND BACTERIA
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2020
HAD HEAVY RAIN AND I WOKED UP TO REAR SIDE CAR SEATS WET AND CARPET SOAKED AND WET THE CAR SMELLED REALLY BAD AFTER SOME DAYS . I HAD TO TAKE OUT THE RUGS OUT MY CAR . MY CAR IS SO HUMID INSIDE I SEEN MOLD GROWING ON MY CARPET ! MY CAR WINDOWS ALSO HAVE SO MUCH CONDENSATION IN THE INSIDE IT DRIPS . COME TO FIND OUT WATER IS COMING FROM THE 3BRAKE LIGHT !!!!!! THIS NEEDS A RECALL TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THESE CARS !!!!!
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2019
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM WENT OUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO WARNING!
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITH A NOTIFICATION SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO WHERE YOU HAVE TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE IT WILL GET BACK TO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. VERY UNSAFE WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 AND IT SLOWS YOU DOWN TO UNDER 20 YOU HAVE TO PULL OFF WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC VERY DANGEROUS.
Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2019
WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN PARK IT IS NOT RECOGNIZED AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT DOWN. THIS WAS HAPPENING ONCE AND A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS VERY FREQUENT! THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK. IT HAS TAKEN COUNTLESS TIMES AND IS BECOMING A REAL NUISANCE. OUR CAR IS ONLY 3YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY AND ALREADY HAVE REPAIR BILLS. WE WERE TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THE MALIBU AND WE HAVE SEEN MANY!!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2019
EVERY TIME I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE AUTO STOP ENGAGES THE ENGINE TURNS OFF, BUT WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE WHOLE DASH DISPLAY GOES OUT, INCLUDING THE TURN SIGNALS. IT TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE FOR THE DASH TO COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIME A DAY, AND IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. IT SCARES ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 5, 2019
EVERY SO OFTEN I GET A STABILITY CONTROL ERROR ON MY DASH AS WELL AS POWER ENGINE HAS BEEN REDUCED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ALSO EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY CAR SEEMS TO BE GETTING WET FROM THE INTERIOR. ALL BACK REAR SEATS AND MY CEILING
Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2019
WHEN IT RAINS VEHICLES TRUNK AND TAIL LIGHTS WILL FILL WITH WATER. THE BACK OF THE INTERIOR PART OF THE ROOF ALSO FEELS WITH WATER WHICH HAS CAUSED A MUSTY SMELL ALONG WITH A WATER STAIN ON THE ROOF. THE TRUNK AND BACK PART OF THE ROOF LEAKS WHILE PARKED AND IN MOTION.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 4, 2019
THE CAR WHEN STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT SHUTS OFF AND WILL NOT START. ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC HAVE STATED SEVERAL TIMES ITS DUE TO ENGINE ISSUES. IT SOMETIMES SEEMS AS IF IT'S DROPS IN SPEED WHEN DRIVING. I WAS INFORMED BY THE CHEVYLAND DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND A THOTTLE BODY INJECTION ISSUES THAT IRONICALLY MY CAR DIDN'T MAKE THE RECALL LAST HOWEVER THE SAME MAKE, MODEL CARS HAVE BEEN LISTED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2019
WITHIN THE LAST MONTH MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING THREE SEPARATE TIMES. FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING AND AT A STOP LIGHT ON A HILL THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I TRIED STARTING IT MULTIPLE TIMES . AT FIRST ALL THE LIGHTS AND RADIO WILL TURN ON AND THEN MINUTES LATER THAT CAR STARTED BACK UP. SECOND TIME I WAS AT ANOTHER STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AGAIN. SAME THING STARTED BACK UP AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MIN OF RE TRYING. THIRD TIME WAS YESTERDAY I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN WENT TO RE START IT AND NOTHING. AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES IT STARTED BACK UP AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT CAN TAKE HOURS TO DAYS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I DONT EVEN WANT TO DRIVE MY CAR ANYMORE CONSIDERING I COULD HARM MYSELF AND POTENTIALLY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL OR BULLETINS ON THE PROBLEM. DOING RESEARCH ONLINE LOOKS LIKE A GOOD AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 28, 2019
THE HIGH MOUNTED TAIL LIGHT POPS UP AND HAS CAUSED LEAKAGE INSIDE THE VECHILE. ALSO THE ESC WARNING LIGHT COME ON FOR NO REASON UNDER REGULAR DRIVING CONDITIONS AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN YOU PUT CAR IN PARK IT WILL STATE THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK SO YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE SHIFTER A LITTLE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
THE TRUNK OF THE CAR IS FILLED WITH WATER THAT HAS BEEN DRIPPING OUT ALL DAY. THE REAR ROOF OF THE CAR IS SOAKED ON BOTH SIDES. THE CAR SMELLS MUSTY & ALL OF THE INSIDE WINDOWS HAD SO MUCH CONDENSATION IT WAS DRIPPING.
Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2019
HAVE ISSUE WHERE I AM RECEIVING A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE AND MY VEHICLE IS IN A MODE AS IF IT'S NOT IN PARK. I HAVE TO PULL FORWARD AND SHIFT CAR FROM DRIVE TO PARK UNTIL IT TURNS OFF. OTHERWISE IF I LEAVE IT AS IS, ITS AWHILE BEFORE IT TURNS, IM AFRAID IT WILL RUN MY BATTERY DOWN. IT HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. ALMOST LATE FOR WORK WAITING FOR IT TO TURN OFF AT TIMES. WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO LOCK CAR WITH KEYLESS REMOTE EITHER WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS
Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2019
SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE APPEARS WHEN IN PARK AND TURNING VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE THEN WON'T SHUT DOWN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 9, 2019
THIS ISSUE HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES. WHEN I CRANK UP, WHEN I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, OR EVEN JUST AT A STOP SIGN, SOMETIMES MY CAR WILL TURN COMPLETELY OFF. IT WILL CRANK BACK UP, SOMETIMES, BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES QUITE A FEW TIMES. ALSO, AGAIN AS I CRANK UP. IT GOES BACK TO OFF. INSTEAD OF GOING TO AUTO STOP, IT WILL CUT COMPLETELY OFF TOO. I HAVE NO ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS THAT COME ON TO ALERT ME THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND IT IS CONCERNING. ALSO, IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS KICKING OR FIRING BACK NOW WHEN I AM DRIVING. THIS IS RANDOM ALSO.
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2019
MY TOUCH SCREEN, BACK UP CAMERA, AND BLUETOOTH DOES NOT WORK AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND IT QUIT WORKING. IT STARTED TO GLITCH AND I DID THE TROUBLE SHOOTING AND NOTHING. IT STOP WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON SR 28 IN TIPTON INDIANA.
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2019
DASH SAYS TO SHIFT TO PARK WHEN SHUTTING CAR OFF, EVEN THOUGH IT'S ALREADY IN PARK
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2019
WHEN I TURN OFF MY CAR. THE MESSAGE SHIFT TO PARK POPS UP AND I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING ON AND OFF THE CAR UNTIL THE MESSAGE " SHIFT TO PARK" DISAPPEARS. IF I LEAVE IT LIKE THAT THE RADIO TURNS ON REALLY LOUD. MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD. THIS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND IT WENT AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND IT CAME BACK AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2019
WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS SHIFT TO PARK IN THE MALIBU. THIS CAUSES THE BATTERY TO DIE SO BOTH PARTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CHEVY HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFT TO PARK. I CAN SPEND UP TO 10 MINUTES TRYING TO GET THAT MESSAGE OFF. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DEALERS KNOW THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE 2016 MALIBU BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT! I WILL ALSO BE GOING TO THE MEDIA WITH THIS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2019
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN PARK, THE ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT DOWN WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT STATES THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED WHEN IN PARK CAUSING THE IGNITION NOT TO SHUT DOWN. I AM UNAWARE THERE ARE ANY VEHICLES, THIS MAKE AND MODEL, WHICH HAVE KEYED IGNITIONS. I BELIEVE THEY ARE ALL PUSH BUTTON START AND STOP. MY VEHICLE HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ISSUE STARTED AT 17,000 MILES AND CHEVY REFUSED TO FIX IT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2019
WHEN TURNING MY CAR OFF IN PARK THE KEY SNAPPED OFF IN THE IGNITION. IT GOT STUCK IN PARK AND HAD TO BE TOWED HOME WITCH WAS HARD SINCE IT COULD NOT BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL. IT BROKE OFF ALL THE WAY UP AT THE KEY FOB.
Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2019
WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND KILL THE MOTOR IT IS NOT RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. THE RADIO KEEPS PLAYING AND THE INFORMATION BOARD READS "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS HAS TO BE DONE REPEATEDLY. IT HAS DONE THIS BEFORE BUT STOPPED. IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN 6/20/2019