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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 24 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

11 reports
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72,000 miles · Jun 16, 2025
Electrical SystemPower Train

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission was in park(P). The contact had to manipulate and maneuver the gear shifter several times before the vehicle recognized that the gear shifter was in park(P). The message to "Shift-t…

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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission was in park(P). The contact had to manipulate and maneuver the gear shifter several times before the vehicle recognized that the gear shifter was in park(P). The message to "Shift-to Park" was illuminated. While receiving a routine oil change, the vehicle failed to start. The mechanic charged the battery; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was inspected, and it was determined that the was experiencing the "Shift to Park" failure. The contact found information of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train); and linked the failure to the recall. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #11667071

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2025
Electrical SystemService Brakes

Stability track warning randomly appears while driving and spontaneously causes total brake failure and the brakes fail to slow or stop vehicle. It has newer brakes but it’s very dangerous to drive. Currently being sent to Chevrolet dealership

NHTSA ODI #11666586

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2025
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

The check engine light came on and we brought it to the shop where they said the code is for the electronic brake system modulator. It is also causing the ABS to malfunction and be hypersensitive. There is a recall for the same make/model/year of vehicle, except the month before her car was manufactured. I believe this is a safe…

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The check engine light came on and we brought it to the shop where they said the code is for the electronic brake system modulator. It is also causing the ABS to malfunction and be hypersensitive. There is a recall for the same make/model/year of vehicle, except the month before her car was manufactured. I believe this is a safety issue that needs to be looked into and that her car should also be a part of this recall. We purchased the car in mid November and the engine light showed up a couple weeks later. I contacted GM who said to contact this site to request further investigation for safety risks.

NHTSA ODI #11635349

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

There’s a warning on the display that says ‘shift to park’ while the vehicle is already in park. This is causing the battery to drain/die and needs jumpstart everyday. Battery was tested and does not need to be replaced. I’m surprised this hasn’t been recalled yet. Online search ‘Chevy Malibu shift to park’ shows this is a com…

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There’s a warning on the display that says ‘shift to park’ while the vehicle is already in park. This is causing the battery to drain/die and needs jumpstart everyday. Battery was tested and does not need to be replaced. I’m surprised this hasn’t been recalled yet. Online search ‘Chevy Malibu shift to park’ shows this is a common problem. Here’s a YouTube link that includes comments to prove this further. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11611028

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2022
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I was driving my car home from work and all of a sudden my car starting showing in the dash engine power reduced. My car literally couldn't go anywhere. So I pulled over and shut the car off for a minute started it back up and it was running great and then I happen again a few minutes later. So I took it to the dealership were i…

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I was driving my car home from work and all of a sudden my car starting showing in the dash engine power reduced. My car literally couldn't go anywhere. So I pulled over and shut the car off for a minute started it back up and it was running great and then I happen again a few minutes later. So I took it to the dealership were i purchsed it and they replaced the gas pedal they said a sensor was bad and that was causing the problem.So picked up the car a couple days later and it happen again about two weeks later...

NHTSA ODI #11458179

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2022
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

May car loses power when acceleration I don't why but there is something going on

NHTSA ODI #11458124

49,000 miles · Oct 1, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, electrical system, power steering, and battery warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle proceeded to decelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The battery saver warning light was illuminated. The vehicl…

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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, electrical system, power steering, and battery warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle proceeded to decelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The battery saver warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the radio and an electrical failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V084000 (Electrical System) or 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #11435131

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Car will randomly stall. I see GM recalled 500+ Malibu Hybrids for this problem, but mine is not one of them. This is the worst car I have ever owned.

NHTSA ODI #11430832

13,000 miles · Aug 11, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

ON JUNE 30, 2019, I WAS DRIVING MY CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID HOME ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNED ON AND A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAID 'SHIFT TO PARK'. I COASTED TO THE NEXT EXIT AND STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF A STREET. I PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON AND SHIFTED TO PARK…

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ON JUNE 30, 2019, I WAS DRIVING MY CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID HOME ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNED ON AND A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAID 'SHIFT TO PARK'. I COASTED TO THE NEXT EXIT AND STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF A STREET. I PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON AND SHIFTED TO PARK. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK THE ENGINE. I CALLED AAA AND AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNED OFF. I TRIED AGAIN TO START THE CAR AND IT TURNED ON. I CANCELED AAA AND DROVE THE CAR HOME. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, I DECIDED TO SCAN THE TROUBLE CODES IN THE CAR WITH MY CODE SCANNER. THE REPORT SAID FOUR CONFIRMED TROUBLE CODES, NO PERMANENT TROUBLE CODES, NO PENDING TROUBLE CODES, NO BODY CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES, 1 TELEMATICS TROUBLE CODES, NO HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE MODULE TROUBLE CODES, AND FOUR ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES. I SAVED THE REPORT AND RESET THE TROUBLE CODES. COPY OF THE REPORT ATTACHED. THEN ON JULY 2, 2019, I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WITH THE SAME MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON AND SHIFTED TO PARK. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT DID START AND I DROVE IT HOME. NEXT DAY I SCANNED THE TROUBLE CODES AGAIN. THE REPORT SAID NO CONFIRMED TROUBLE CODES, NO PERMANENT TROUBLE CODES, NO PENDING TROUBLE CODES, 2 BODY CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES, 3 FRONT CAMERA ACTIVE SAFETY TROUBLE CODES, 3 TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES, AND 1 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES. I SAVED THE REPORT, COPY ATTACHED. NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR TROUBLE SHOOTING, AND REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11243134

30,000 miles · Apr 16, 2018
Electrical System

DRIVING HOME, TURNED OFF HIGHWAY, CAR STOPPED A FEW FEET ONTO SIDE ROAD--NO BRAKES, STEERING, NOTHING. THE ICON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND STAYED ON.(MANUAL SAYS IT IS THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP.) TURNED CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE. NO LUCK.; CALLED FOR A TOW. WAITED ALMOST 2 HOURS. TOWED HOME. …

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DRIVING HOME, TURNED OFF HIGHWAY, CAR STOPPED A FEW FEET ONTO SIDE ROAD--NO BRAKES, STEERING, NOTHING. THE ICON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND STAYED ON.(MANUAL SAYS IT IS THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP.) TURNED CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE. NO LUCK.; CALLED FOR A TOW. WAITED ALMOST 2 HOURS. TOWED HOME. THIS WAS IN THE EVENING. PRESENTLY WAITING FOR ANOTHER TOW TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THE FOLLOWING DAY IN THE AFTERNOON.

NHTSA ODI #11088391

Official recalls

1

16V521000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Jul 8, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the MSD and correct the installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 51230.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.