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.
Steering, Sep 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STABILIZING TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DE-CODED ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A NEW AMPLIFIER WAS BEING MANUFACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,614.
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2016
ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE FUSES IN DASH. EVEN WITH PULLERS NEED TO REMOVE FUSE F-10 AND F-41 IN ORDER TO FLAT TOW VEHICLE BEHIND MOTORHOME.
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.
Seats, Aug 3, 2016
MY DRIVERS SEAT BOTTOM HAS BECOME "LOOSE". MY CAR HAS POWERED CONTROLS, AND LEATHER UPHOLSTERY. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, THEY HAD THE CAR FOR APPROX. 1.5 WEEKS, THEY SAY THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. I TOLD THEM THAT THE ROADS IN THE CITY WERE STRAIGHT, YOU WOULDN'T FEEL IT THERE. THAT YOU NEEDED TO DRIVE IT ON A WINDY COUNTRY ROAD. THEY DIDN'T DO SO. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN TAKE THE SEAT OUT AND INVESTIGATE IT. I PICKED UP MY CAR AND AS SOON AS I GOT HOME TO MY AREA (COUNTRY, WITH WINDING ROADS), THE SEAT IS DOING IT AGAIN. IT IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING.
Air bags, Jul 31, 2016
I HAVE AUDIO (HEARING) OF FIVE WARMING BELLS FOR LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WHILE TRAVELING IN VEHICLE. I FINALLY OBSERVED IN CEILING OF VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING FOR PASSENGER SEAT INDICATING 'ON 2' I OBSERVE AUDIO OF FIVE BELLS EVERY NOW AND THEN WHILE ON ROAD. I THEN OBSERVE 'ON 2' INDICATOR GOES INTO OFF MODE AUTOMATICALLY. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHEN AIRBAG PASSENGER SYSTEM REVERTS TO OFF MODE. I WILL TAKE VEHICLE INTO AUTHORIZED CHEV SERVICE CENTER SOMETIME THIS WEEK AS I AM IN WARRANTY. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL NOTICE AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN CHEV SERVICE CENTER FOR OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION AND VEHICLE SAFETY CHECK LIST ABOUT 30 DAYS PRIOR. I WOULD HOPE THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM IS UP TO DATE ON RECALLS. ALSO I AM NOT AWARE IF AIR BAGS ARE TAKEMA AIR BAGS?
Visibility/wiper, Jul 25, 2016
WINDSHIELD HAS THOUSANDS OF TINY , WHITE SPECS ACROSS ENTIRE FIELD. THESE SPECS AT FIRST EXAM LOOK LIKE PAINT OVERSPRAY. BUT CLOSER EXAM WITH A FLASHLIGHT AT A LOW , SKIMMING ANGLE, REVELS IMBEDDED PARTICLES. IN LATE OR EARLY SUNLIGHT, THIS CAUSES A FOGGY APPEARANCE TO SHADED AREAS, LIKE TREES OR BUILDINGS. CLARITY IS ABSOLUTELY IMPEDED. RECENTLY AS I EXITED A FREEWAY, DRIVING WESTWARD INTO THE 7 PM SUN, I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY STREET AND ALMOST RAN OVER THE CURB AS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD BECAME A HAZE TOTALLY BLOTTING OUT CLEAR VISION OF THE CORNER. HAD THERE BEEN A PERSON OR ANY OBJECT IN THAT SPACE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. THAT WAS A PANIC FEELING I DID NOT NEED ! THE GM DEALER EARLIER THAT DAY COULD NOT SEE IT WELL BECAUSE THE SUNLIGHT WAS STILL HIGH IN THE SKY THUS NOT CAUSING THE EFFECT . THEY TRIED TO INSPECT IT WITH A POCKET FLASHLIGHT, BUT NOT CONVINCED SI I HAVE TO RETURN TO THEM EARLY IN A MORNING OR LATE IN THE DAY TO GET THE SAME EXPERIENCE I HAVE DAILY . MY WIFE BEARS WITNESS TO THIS UNSAFE SITUATION . ITEM TWO: THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS SO SMALL IT IS RIDICULOUS. IT IS LIKE PEEPING THRU A CRACK IN A FENCE ! AND, ADJUSTING IT IS A TIGHT SQUEEZE FOR MY HAND WHERE THE HEADLINER COMES TOO CLOSE TO THE MIRROR.
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.
Power train, May 31, 2016
I JUST BOUGHT A 2016 CAMARO WHICH HAD BAD MOTOR MOUNTS. WHICH THE DEALER DENIED. I DECIDED THAT I COULD NOT DRIVE A BRAND NEW CAR WITH BAD MOTOR MOUNTS SO I TRADED THE CAR IN FOR THE 2016 MALIBU. AFTER DRIVING THE MALIBU FOR A COUPLE WEEKS NOW, I NOTICED SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS OF MOTOR MOUNT PROBLEMS I'VE HAD IN THE PAST. CURRENTLY, I BELIEVE THAT CHEVROLET'S OR GMS MOTOR MOUNT DESIGNS OR QUALITY, ARE IN LINE WITH INDUSTRY STANDARDS. I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT CHEVROLET AND THEY'RE NOT PROVIDING ME WITH AN AVENUE TO START AN INVESTIGATION. I CAN CURRENTLY DEMONSTRATE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE, EXCESSIVE POWER TRAIN MOVEMENT ON MY CURRENT 2016 MALIBU WHICH I BELIEVE EXISTS ON OTHER MALIBUS AND OTHER GM MADE MODELS, LIKE CAMARO SS. I HAVE: TURNED OFF ENGINE, OPENED THE HOOD THEN PUSHED AND PULLED THE CAR BACK AND FORTH. THE POWER TRAIN MOVEMENT WAS QUIT NOTICEABLE. I MIGHT PUT A DIAL INDICATOR ON IT TO SEE EXACTLY HOW FAR. I'LL BE TAKING MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER TO GET THEIR WRITTEN WORD ON MY CURRENT COMPLAINT FOR WHICH I BELIEVE WILL RESULT IN 'THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR CAR' OR ITS 'WORKING AS DESIGNED'. AGAIN, I BELIEVE THE POWER TRAIN MOVEMENT TO BE OUTSIDE OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS. ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY WOULD BE ABLE TO DEEM OTHERWISE. I JUST SO HAPPEN TO KNOW WHAT A POWER TRAIN MOUNT ISSUE FEELS LIKE. POWER TRAIN MOVEMENT DURING SHIFTS IS VERY EXTREME ON THIS CAR IN MY OPINION. THE AVERAGE PERSON WOULD THINK THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF. HOWEVER, I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT'S THE POWER TRAIN MOUNTS CAUSING IT TO FEEL LIKE A FIRM/JOLTING SHIFT. IT'S NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF. DUE TO THE FACT I'VE HAD 2C 2016 CHEVROLET CARS WITH WHAT I BELIEVE HAD BAD POWER TRAIN MOUNTS, I BELIEVE CHEVROLET HAS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE. I'M HAPPY TO SHOW MY CAR'S ISSUE TO THE NHTSA
Power train, May 9, 2016
DURING A MODEST DECELERATION OR WHILE THE CAR IS COASTING TOWARDS A STOP WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL AT TIMES SEEM TO DOWNSHIFT IN AN UNSMOOTH WAY. SEEMINGLY SKIPPING GEARS DOWN. THE VEHICLE AT TIMES CAN COAST AT AROUND 1500 RPMS THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE RPMS JUMP TO ALMOST OR AROUND 3000 RPMS CAUSING A BUCKING SENSATION FOR THE DRIVER. BRAKE USE IS AFFECTED WHEN THIS OCCURS. WHEN THE VEHICLE BUCKS, THE BRAKE PRESSURE CAN CHANGE OR IS ENHANCED BY THE DOWNSHIFT. THIS CAN HAPPEN PRETTY REGULARLY DURING REGULAR DRIVING USE AND IS NOTICED MOST DURING SLOWER DRIVING SPEEDS (10 - 45 MPH) AND LIGHT BRAKE USE. HIGH SPEED BRAKING AND HEAVY BRAKE USE DO NOT HAVE THIS AFFECT AS MUCH. DEALER REVIEWED AND COULD NOT SEE ANY ISSUES. SUGGESTED REPORT TO GM - PERHAPS A SOFTWARE UPDATE CAN SMOOTH OUT SHIFTING. NOTICED FIRST TIME A DAY AFTER PURCHASE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REENTERING THE VEHICLE TO RESTART IT, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WINDOW SHATTERED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO NO OBJECT ENCOUNTERED THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,073.
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