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2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

525 reports with mileage · 312 unknown

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.

  • Engine. Review the 302 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 166 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine complaints

302 reports
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30,000 miles · Apr 17, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND DECELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH AND THE "ENGINE REDUCED POWER" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIVE STAR CHEVROLET BUICK (300 S BOONE ST, ABE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND DECELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH AND THE "ENGINE REDUCED POWER" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIVE STAR CHEVROLET BUICK (300 S BOONE ST, ABERDEEN, WA), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11088573

28,950 miles · Apr 13, 2018
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGES "CRITICAL ENGINE", "TRANSMISSION FAILURE", AND AN ANTILOCK BRAKING MESSAGE APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FREQUENT STALLING AND REDUCTION OF SPEED AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SALE AUTOMALL, 1053 HWY 2…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGES "CRITICAL ENGINE", "TRANSMISSION FAILURE", AND AN ANTILOCK BRAKING MESSAGE APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FREQUENT STALLING AND REDUCTION OF SPEED AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SALE AUTOMALL, 1053 HWY 258 N, KINSTON, NC) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,950. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11084954

36,778 miles · Mar 4, 2018
Engine

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THEN THE MOTOR MOUNT ON THE LEFT SIDE FELL OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11076187

70,598 miles · Mar 4, 2018
Engine

MY CAR HAD A RECALL AND I TOOK IT IN AND NOW MY CYLINDER 2 IS MESSED UP ON A PISTON AND IOOKED INTO REVIEWS AND IT SAYS EVEN IF THE RECALL GOT FIXED IT MESSED THE PISTON.

NHTSA ODI #11076178

26,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAITED AND THEN DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE CHEVROLET IN OAKDALE, CALIFORNIA WHERE IT WAS AWA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAITED AND THEN DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE CHEVROLET IN OAKDALE, CALIFORNIA WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #11075069

27,961 miles · Feb 22, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

THIS CAR TOTALLY CUT OFF ON ME (STALLED, ALL POWER EVERYTHING SHUT OFF) MORE THAN ONCE WITHIN AN HOUR WHILE DRIVING, AT LEAST 30MPH ON A MAJOR STREET. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11074349

50,000 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

CAR DRIVES FINE FOR A WHILE THE MESSAGE POPS UP "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 25MPH AND IS VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI #11074111

38,000 miles · Feb 14, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED REDUCED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND L…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED REDUCED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #11072900

44,246 miles · Feb 13, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

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 AND C…

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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 AND COOLING FANS NOT SHUTTING OFF. 35 DAYS LATER - SAME ISSUE - REDUCED POWER, OIL LEVEL LOW, IDLING ROUGH. DEALER FOUND LOW COMPRESSION, BLOWN PISTON AND DEBRIS CAUSING DEEP SCORES IN BORE. ENGINE REPLACED. 60 DAYS LATER - SAME ISSUE - REDUCED POWER, IDLING ROUGH, COOLING FANS CONTINUE TO RUN. REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR. BEFORE LEAVING DEALERSHIP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, COOLING FAN CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER ENGINE TURNED OFF. REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11072721

23,000 miles · Feb 9, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING AROUND 70 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN ON AND A MASSAGE SAYING ENGINE POWER IS REDUCE THE CAR BEGUN TO SHAKE AND SPEED WHEN DOWN TO AROUND 40 MPH FROM 70 MPH IN SECONDS, I KEEP ACCELERATING BUT THE CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP ANY SPEED EVEN THOUGH MY RPM WHEN UP TO 4 AND 5 …

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FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING AROUND 70 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN ON AND A MASSAGE SAYING ENGINE POWER IS REDUCE THE CAR BEGUN TO SHAKE AND SPEED WHEN DOWN TO AROUND 40 MPH FROM 70 MPH IN SECONDS, I KEEP ACCELERATING BUT THE CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP ANY SPEED EVEN THOUGH MY RPM WHEN UP TO 4 AND 5 MY CAR WASN'T GOING ANY FASTER. THIS HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUE NOW AFTER SO MANY TIMES THEY FIGURE OUT THAT SOME SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACE AND ALSO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT WORKING. I REALLY HOPE THIS IS FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11071868

Official recalls

9

21V649000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners; Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Seat Belts:critical Fasteners

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

18V400000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jun 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

16V781000 · Air Bags:side/window

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

16V272000 · 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

16V151000 · Air Bags:side/window

Mar 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

16V125000 · Air Bags:frontal

Mar 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

16V084000 · Electrical System:software

Feb 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.