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: vehicle speed control
158 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 4, 2017
I DECIDED TO LEASE A 2016 MALIBU OF FEBRUARY 2016. THE CAR WAS GREAT UNTIL MONTHS LATER I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL ON THE FREEWAY IN OCTOBER 2016, WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO REDUCE SPEED ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DASHBOARD DISPLAY REDUCE SPEED ENGINE, THEN IMMEDIATELY MY CAR WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 30 MPH TO 20MPH. I MANAGE TO GET MY CAR TO THE EMERGENCY LANE OF THE FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED THAT FOLLOWING WEEK, WITH COMPLICATIONS OF TRYING TO GET A RENTAL CAR SO I CAN GO TO WORK AND SCHOOL. 2017 OCTOBER 31ST, I WAS DRIVING TO GO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL. I WAS ON A MAJOR STREET. MY CAR WENT INTO REDUCE SPEED ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH. MY CAR WENT FROM 35 TO 20 MPH'S AGAIN. I MANAGED TO PULL INTO A NEAR BANK. SHAKEN UP I PARKED MY CAR AND TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON WITHIN FIVE MINUTES. THE LIGHT WAS STILL DISPLAY ON MY DASHBOARD. I DROVE TO MY SON SCHOOL. I COULDN'T DRIVE OVER 10 MPH. IT NORMALLY TAKE 10 MINUTES TO DRIVE TO MY SON SCHOOL IT 25. IT TOOK EVEN LONGER TO GET BACK HOME. NOVEMBER 30TH, SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. ONCE AGAIN I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE DRIVING THE REDUCE SPEED ENGINE CAME ON. MY CAR SLOWED DOWN. I HAD CARS BEHIND ME HONKING THEIR HORNS AT ME NEARLY CAUSING A FEW ACCIDENTS. I MANAGE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I DID NOT WANT TO BE STUCK ON THE FREEWAY WHILE IT WAS DARK. I WAS STRANDED AT A NEARBY GAS STATION FOR CLOSE TO TWO HOURS. THE PROBLEMS I KEEP HAVING WITH THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. I REFUSE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE ME OR MY SON OUR LIVES.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERGER CHEVROLET (2525 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512), BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 11, 2017
VEHICLE IN MOTION IN LEFT HAND LANE, ON 5 LANE MAIN ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR, TRAFFIC GOING APPROX. 35 MPH. AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A WARNING MESSAGE SAID THE VEHICLE WAS "SLOWING DOWN" (IT STALLED COMPLETELY). I WAS UNABLE TO DRIFT INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND FORCED TO ABANDON MY CAR INTO THE CENTER LANE - USED FOR MERGING FROM OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC. POLICE RESPONDED BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. OFFICER SUGGESTED I LEAVE THE VEHICLE FOR MY OWN SAFETY & WHEN TOW TRUCK ARRIVED TO REQUEST THE AUTO BE TOWED TO A SAFE SPOT FOR REMOVAL OF PERSONAL ITEMS. THIS SITUATION WAS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF BUT OTHERS. A CRASH COULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT. ACCORDING TO DEALER, NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. DID HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON CAR APPROX 18 MOS OLD. DEALER HOPES GM FIX WILL WORK, BUT I AM NOW NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 30, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE MESSAGE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE CAR SLOWED FROM 60 MILES TO 20 MILES INSTANTLY, I PANICKED BUT WAS ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT HARM. ONCE ON THE STREET THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 20 MPH. ALMOST LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS PULLING. I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC STATING CRITICAL ISSUE WITH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. I GOT TO THE DEALER AT THE EARLIEST ALLOWED AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THE CODE SHOWING WAS FOR THE TROTTEL AND NOT THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO A COMPLETE CHECK. ONE HOUR LATER THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TECH CALLED FOR ME AND GAVE ME MY KEYS SAYING THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX AT THIS TIME FOR MY PROBLEM AND THEY RESET THE CODES. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN GIVE THEM A CALL. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR WAS ABOUT 39,980.
Vehicle speed control, May 2, 2017, crash
WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, MY 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THIS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO JUMP THE CURB AND STRIKE A TREE, WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER, FRONT GRILL ETC.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER WOULD REDUCE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE REDUCE POWER MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A UNDETERMINED FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS REWIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED. THE ISSUE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH DIFFERENT REPAIRS, BUT WITH AN UNDETERMINED DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,200.
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.