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
861 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE HEAD GASKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Power train, May 3, 2021
FROM TIME TO TIME, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REGISTER THE CAR IS IN PARK AND EXHIBITS A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE. IT CAN TAKE RESTARTING THE CAR UPWARDS OF 10 - 15 TIMES TO GET THE MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR. THE CAR CANNOT BE LEFT IN THIS CONDITION AS THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THE CAR IS PARKED PROPERLY NOR WILL IT TURN OFF, WHICH COULD DRAIN THE BATTERY. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR YEARS, AND GM HAS ISSUED TSB 19-NA-206 (REV DEC 11, 2020). THIS IS WELL KNOWN AND PERVASIVE, YET GM HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, OR BEEN PROACTIVE ABOUT THE FIX, AND IS NOT COVERING IT OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY.
Suspension, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 30, 2021
SERVICE STABILITRAK AND ABS. IT PREVIOUSLY HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. SINCE IT'S BEEN HAPPENING WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A SLOW CRAWL OR IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL COME ON HOWEVER THE JUST OF THE TIMES, WHEN BRAKING, THE CAR WILL GRIND AND STUTTER WHEN BRAKING
Service brakes, Apr 30, 2021
PRESSING ON BREAK LOST BREAKING POWER. WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC BREAK VACUUM PUMP HAD ISSUE. HE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THE ISSUE HE FOUND DOCUMENTED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 29, 2021
I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON A STREET HEADING TOWARDS THE HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH AND SUDDENLY ENGINE REDUCED POWER NOTIFICATION CAME UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 20 MPH.
Engine, Apr 27, 2021
WE GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CHECKED FOR CODES AND P2097 CAME UP. VEHICLE HAS SOME HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING.
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 22, 2021
WHILE STATIONARY, AND READY TO SHUT OFF CAR, GET A MESSAGE TO SHIFT THE CAR TO PARK BUT IT ALREADY IS IN PARK. CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. HAVE TO KEEP MESSING WITH SHIFTER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CAN FINALLY TURN CAR OFF. THIS HAPPENED CONSTANTLY. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CONTROL PROBLEM AND I HAD TO PAY $445.08 TO FIX. SUPPOSEDLY CHEVROLET RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM IN JULY 2019 BEFORE THIS STARTED HAPPENING TO ME AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (I THINK NO. 18-NA-297) BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL DONE. MY POINT IS, IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBILITY OF FIRE, IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED OFF QUICKLY. SO WHY DIDN'T THIS PROBLEM DESERVE TO MERIT A RECALL AND FREE REPAIRS?
Wheels, Engine, Apr 14, 2021
REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT APPEARS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN LIGHTS FLASHED THEN IT STATED SOMETHING ABOUT 25 MPH. IT FLASHED SO FAST
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 10, 2021
WAS DRIVING IN 45MPH STREET WHEN I GOT A 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' MESSAGE AND DROPPED SPEED TO 10MPH. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN VERY WELL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF I'M DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR UPHILL FOR THE MATTER.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 8, 2021
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55MPH - 2-LANE ROAD (4 DAYS AGO) WHEN A WARNING CAME ACROSS MY DASH THAT STATED "REDUCING ENGINE POWER". IT SLOWED MY VEHICLE DOWN A MININUM OF 20MPH AND WOULDN'T PICK UP SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE. I RESTARTED IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THEY HOOKED IT UP. IT READ A P2138 CODE. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS COULD'VE CAUSED A DEVISTATING CRASH. I FOUND WHERE GM EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AND THIS FIX SHOULD NOT COST ME ANYTHING - I WILL SEE WHEN I TAKE IT IN TOMORROW.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Engine, Apr 6, 2021, crash
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. INVOLVED IN A COLLISION
Seats, Apr 4, 2021
CRACKING IS STARTING ON THE DRIVE SIDE PANEL WHERE THE FRAME OF THE SEAT
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Back over prevention, Apr 3, 2021
THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANT COMES ON AND BLINKS ON AND OFF AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT UNLOCKS THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR I HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND CAN HEAR THE FLICKERING OF THE LOCK JUST THE OTHER DAY I LOCKED THE DOOR MANUALLY IT UNLOCKED BY ITSELF THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY LOCK.I HAVE HAD TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY FOR SOME TIME NOW. BACK IN OCTOBER 2020 IT WAS KILLING MY BATTERY CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO GET A BOOST CONSTANTLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS THE ONSTAR SYSTEM AND I PAYED TO HAVE IT REMOVED AND STILL THE PROBLEM STILL IS THERE. BATTERY WAS STILL DYING DUE TO THE LIGHTS COMING ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. I DECIDED TO BUY ANOTHER BATTERY NO LONGER NEED A BOOST BUT THE LIGHT PROBLEM STILL REMAINS AN ISSUE
Engine, Apr 3, 2021
AS I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE REDUCED POWER WARNING CAME ON ALONG WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT. I COULD NOT GO OVER 30MPH UNTIL I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. I WAS THEN ABLE TO PROCEED HOME AT NORMAL SPEED THE CHECK GNOME LIGHT IS STILL ON.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 26, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD GOING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR DECELERATED TO 20 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THE DASH SHOWED ME AN "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" MESSAGE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME SAFELY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND RESTARTED IT AND IT SEEMINGLY IS FINE NOW BUT THIS IS TERRIBLY UNSAFE. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO RECALL OR ANY WORD ON THIS FROM GM.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2021
I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I RECEIVED AN ALERT ON MY DASH "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR BECAME MUCH LESS RESPONSIVE TO PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND SEEMED TO BE HAVING TROUBLE GOING MORE THAN ~30 MPH. AN INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM GAVE THE ERROR CODE P2138 AS THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE.
Power train, Mar 19, 2021
SHIFT TO PARK FAILURE AT 40,000 MILES.. MARCH 6, 2018 DIAGNOSED AS SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FAILURE..IN PARK.. ALERT ON DASHBOARD "SHIFT TO PARK"..IF ALERT ON DASHBOARD, AND RADIO AND OR WIPERS ON.. THEY STAY ON WITH CAR OFF. REOCCURED AT ADDITIONAL 50, 000 MILES. ON MARCH 19, 2021 .CORPORATE CHEVROLET AWARE..ISSUED REPAIR BULLETIN #18-NA-297, WHICH WAS REVISED TO 19-NA-206..MALIBU OWERS FORUM REPORT ISSUE WITH YEAR 2016-2019.. ALSO WITH OTHER MODELS..DANGEROUS...EXHAUSTS BATTERY..NOT SURE IF CAR IN PARK OR NOT ? ROLL RISK..CHEVROLET REFUSES TO FIX AS NO RECALL EXISTS..I BELIEVE WITH FREQUENT. ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND PARTS RECALLED..I HAVE GRAND CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE AND AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 18, 2021
WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TONIGHT. I WAS TAKING THE RAMP TO GET ON TO THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR GAVE ME A WARNING THAT THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY RESERVED TO ONLY GOING 20 MPH. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AS I WAS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 15, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 55 MPH MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO STUTTER AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO A SPEED OF 20 MPH. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY FURTHER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' MESSAGE. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED. IT DROVE THIS TIME AT A SPPED OF 35. MADE IT HOME WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND LET THE CAR SIT. THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL IN BUT THE CAR DRIVE AT REGULAR SPEED.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 13, 2021
WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR WARNED ME AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH. WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED WITH A CODE SENSOR IT TOLD ME THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE CODE WAS P2138. THIS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A QUICK MOVING HIGHWAY.
Structure, Mar 12, 2021
CAR PAINT COMING OFF. EXPOSING METAL.
Steering, Electrical system, Seat belts, Mar 12, 2021
POWER STEERING IS LOCKING UP WHEN MAKE A TURNAROUND OR FOR A TURN WHEEL IN MOTION. THE CAR WILL BE ON AND WHEN THE POWER STEERING IS ABOUT TO LOSE THE POWER, MY STEREO SCREEN WILL BLACK OUT ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING. IT FEELS AS THOUGH MY POWER STEERING IS OUT WHILE MAKING A TURN. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN, ONLY HAPPENS RANDOMLY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 11, 2021
THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE OTHER THAN WHEN THE PROBLEMS START ACTING UP. IT IS A BCM ISSUE INVOLVING THE STABILITRAK AND ABS. EVERY FEW WEEKS OR SO, I'LL GET 3 SERVICE LIGHT UPS IN MY DASH STATING 'SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, REDUCED POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE' AFTER COMING TO A STOP. WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF THE CAR WILL REV UP AND DOWN THEN THOSE MESSAGES POP UP AS I CANNOT SPEED UP OR DRIVE. ONCE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP IT SHUTS OFF AND WON'T TURN BACK ON UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. I'VE PUT $700 IN IT REPLACING SPEED SENSORS, VACUUM PUMP AND VACUUM SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AS IT ALREADY OCCURRED AT AN INTERSECTION STOPLIGHT IN COLUMBUS OHIO
Engine, Mar 11, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ACCELERATED SPEED DASH WILL SAY REDUCE ENGINE SPEED IT WILL DROP TO 30MPH AND WILL NOT INCREASE, MIND YOU I'M ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OTHER CARS AND 18 WHEELERS. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SIT THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, AND READING THE COMPLAINTS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. THANKFULLY THIS WAS NOT RESULTING IN A ACCIDENT/ DEATH. MY CONCERN IS WHY HAVEN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED! SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. DUE TO THE FACT THAT NEXT TIME SOMEONE MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE AS THE REST OF US. CHEVY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT TURNS TRAGIC. THEY HAVE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2021
REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING CAME ON WITH ENGINE LIGHT CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN ABRUPTLY; CODE P2138 READS ON ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC