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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 840 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the engine (36% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles). It is 11th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2016 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Engine
304 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.
The car stalls in traffic, losing all power. It doesn't start sometimes. Everytime I take it into the dealer the issue doesn't occur and they claim the computer is coming back clean. However, it dodent fo this all the time it can go weeks and drive just fine but at any given time will lose all power and shut off in…
"reduced engine power" warning came and power was suddenly reduced and vehicle speed reduced. This happened while travelling 70mph on an interstate road. Very dangerous as the speed dropped to 40 MPH.
Electrical
222 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: starter assembly, 12v/24v/48v battery.
When I shift my car into park & turn my car off, I get a warning light that says 'shift to park' which happens almost every time I go to turn my car off. Very recently my car is also turning on the backup camera when shifting to drive. The shift to park issue has been going on for a month now but the backup camera…
Takata recall" my car has a ploblems with the shift parking, ones I put in parking and turn off the car the car said shift parking and the key stay open. And I can't lock the car, this is the second time that happen to my car I change in 10/2017 that's imposible that happen again.
Other or unspecified
175 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
Check engine light & reduced power experiences three times while driving. Poor fuel economy (since purchase of vehicle) and loss of engine oil (however not visable). Miles between oil changes and issues were 5000 and 3300 (synthetic oil - should not be low & dirty in that short period of time). Idling is very rough…
I was driving on the interstate at 70 MPH when suddenly I received a dash notice of reduced power. I went from 70 to 20 in a matter of minutes and could not accelerate beyond 20 MPH. I was able to exit and drive to my dealer ship steve raymond Chevrolet in smyrna ga. I was told it was the accelerator pedal senor unit…
Transmission
166 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the vehicle slowed down and shut off. Additionally, the horn and radio failed to work. Also, there was an abnormal ticking noise coming from the steering wheel and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While parking, the start/stop button was pressed and failed to turn off the vehicle. In addition, the "park to shift" warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact had to shift gears and back into park in order to turn off the vehicle. The contact called…
Speed control
152 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: throttle.
On a highway in motion when the car started to slow down and would not accelerate over 40 MPH. The motor started to make a loud noise. There was no power when pushing on the peddle. This has happen to me on 3 different occasions. When this occurs the check engine light appears and stays on for two days before going…
Warning notice comes on saying engine is power down while driving. While on the interstate going 70 miles an hour, it starts slowing down to 30 miles an hour or less and will not accelerate.
Brakes
104 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, pedals and linkages, power assist.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to stop for a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed but required extra effort to slow and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake pedal was firm. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an…
While driving on highway my "stabilitrak" light flashed on and I was unable to accelerate. I pulled over and while breaking the car was hopping. Turned the car off and back on and various lights came on (stabilitrak, check engine, traction control and steering assist). I attempted to start driving again and the car…
Stability control
76 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
While driving on highway my "stabilitrak" light flashed on and I was unable to accelerate. I pulled over and while breaking the car was hopping. Turned the car off and back on and various lights came on (stabilitrak, check engine, traction control and steering assist). I attempted to start driving again and the car…
The car stalls in traffic, losing all power. It doesn't start sometimes. Everytime I take it into the dealer the issue doesn't occur and they claim the computer is coming back clean. However, it dodent fo this all the time it can go weeks and drive just fine but at any given time will lose all power and shut off in…
Fuel system
54 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, delivery.
Vehicle says to shift to park when already in park. Vehicle is hesitant to accelerate seems as if it is struggling to go at times. When blinkers are in use , there is no sound at times that is usually associated with turning a turn signal on. All issues happened during different operations of the vehicle. While…
'tamara recall' I was driving to work when my check engine light came on and a warning said 'engine power loss' and my car slowed down to 40mph, I was on the highway, speed limit of 65, I also got and email saying there was a problem with my engine and transmission system, I took it in to be looked at,2 codes piped up…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: If the ebcm fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags: side/window
Risk: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags: frontal
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
Risk: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (304 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); electrical (222 complaints, typically around 51,500 miles); other or unspecified (175 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 20, 2021 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
- It is 11th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints, with 840 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.