NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
40 reportsClear category filter84,000 miles · Jul 9, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS RAINED ON FOR 2 CONSTITUTIVE DAYS. THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY JUST ABOVE THE REAR LEAKED INTO THE ROOF OF THE CARE AND THE TRUNK. THE LEAK WAS EXTREMELY FAST AND CAUSED A POOL ABOUT 1/2 AN INCH DEEP TO BUILD UP IN THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE COMPARTMENT OF THE TRUNK. THE LEAK …
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VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS RAINED ON FOR 2 CONSTITUTIVE DAYS. THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY JUST ABOVE THE REAR LEAKED INTO THE ROOF OF THE CARE AND THE TRUNK. THE LEAK WAS EXTREMELY FAST AND CAUSED A POOL ABOUT 1/2 AN INCH DEEP TO BUILD UP IN THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE COMPARTMENT OF THE TRUNK. THE LEAK CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ROOF PANEL ON THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WITH SIGNIFICANT WATER MARKS, AND COMPLETELY SOAKED THE TRUNK AS MENTIONED BEFORE WITH THE POOL OF WATER. THE CAR WAS PURCHASE NEW AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR COLLISION OF ANY TYPE. THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPAIRED THE LEAK SHOWED THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A LOOSE NUT ON THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY JUST ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW. I HAVE ATTACHED THE INVOICE FROM THE REPAIR SHOP THAT FIXED THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO SERVICE OR INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. THE CARE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED UNDER A RAINSTORM WHEN THE DAMAGES WERE NOTICED. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL DAMAGE HOWEVER THE PROXIMITY TO THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WARRANTS THE REPORT OF ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. BODY DAMAGE IS DUE TO WATER DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR MATS OF THE TRUNK, HEADREST IN THE PASSENGER AREA OF THE CAR, AND WATER DAMAGE TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE WAS FOUND ON SATURDAY JULY 6TH, 2019. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON TUESDAY JULY 9TH, 2019.
NHTSA ODI #11230455
43,000 miles · Jun 24, 2019
Exterior LightingStructure
WATER POURED INTO THE BACK SEAT AND ONTO MY SON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE DIAGNOSED THAT THIRD CENTER BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT SEALED AND LEAKING WATER. SAME ISSUE AS ALL OTHER 9TH GEN MALIBUS (2016+ MODEL YEARS). DID NOT NOTICE LEAK UNTIL 43,000 MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY. WHO KNOWS HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN THERE! MANY PARTS RUINED …
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WATER POURED INTO THE BACK SEAT AND ONTO MY SON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE DIAGNOSED THAT THIRD CENTER BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT SEALED AND LEAKING WATER. SAME ISSUE AS ALL OTHER 9TH GEN MALIBUS (2016+ MODEL YEARS). DID NOT NOTICE LEAK UNTIL 43,000 MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY. WHO KNOWS HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN THERE! MANY PARTS RUINED AND POTENTIALLY MOLDY FROM WATER DAMAGE. GM CUSTOMER CARE SAID THE REPAIR IS $4300 OF WHICH THEY WANT ME TO PAY $1900 DESPITE THIS BEING A DESIGN OR PRODUCTION FLAW.
NHTSA ODI #11222277
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2019
Structure
THE ROOF LEAKS WATER BADLY CAUSING MOLDY MILDEW SMELL
NHTSA ODI #11220579
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2019
Structure
MY WHOLE TRUNK AND BACK OF CAR HAS WATER COMING INTO IT. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $400 TO REPLACE BACK LIGHT BECAUSE SUPPOSEDLY THAT'S WERE THE WATER IS COMING IN THROUGH. I SAW ON GOOGLE MORE THEN 40 REVIEWS ON THAT EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2016 MALIBU'S.
NHTSA ODI #11207586
37,100 miles · Feb 14, 2019
StructureVisibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRUNK WAS FLOODED WITH RAIN WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF MONTEBELLO (LOCATED AT 310 W WHITTIER BLVD, MONTEBELLO, CA 90640, (323) 680-5933) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT REAR WINDSHIELD,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRUNK WAS FLOODED WITH RAIN WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF MONTEBELLO (LOCATED AT 310 W WHITTIER BLVD, MONTEBELLO, CA 90640, (323) 680-5933) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT REAR WINDSHIELD, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95058953731. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,100.
NHTSA ODI #11180178
39,000 miles · Jan 28, 2019
Exterior LightingStructureUnknown Or Other
WATER IS GETTING IN THREW THE 3RD BRAKE MOUNTED ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE LIGHT IS FOGGED AND WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE MAIN CABIN. THE VEHICLE CAN BE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WATER COULD BE SITTING SOMEWHERE IN THE MAIN CABIN, AND COULD EVENTUALLY PRODUCE MOLD. ALSO, THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE DO …
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WATER IS GETTING IN THREW THE 3RD BRAKE MOUNTED ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE LIGHT IS FOGGED AND WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE MAIN CABIN. THE VEHICLE CAN BE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WATER COULD BE SITTING SOMEWHERE IN THE MAIN CABIN, AND COULD EVENTUALLY PRODUCE MOLD. ALSO, THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE DO TO WATER SHORTING IT OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11172477
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2019
StructureVisibility
WATER SEEPS INSIDE CAR ENTERING BACK WINDOW. BACK LEAK SUSPECTED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. PURCHASED CAR WITH LESS THAT 5 MILES AND PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY. I'M GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM BOTH WARRANTY AND DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #11164657
51,000 miles · Oct 30, 2018
Structure
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH SCREWS ARE BACKING OUT. THIS IS CAUSING THE DOOR TO BECOME UNLATCHED FROM THE DOOR FRAME AND CAUSE THE DOOR TO OPEN DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS ALSO ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11144092
37,000 miles · Oct 30, 2018
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE TRUNK, FROM THE RAIN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMELL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BYERS CHEVROLET DEALER (866-920-8815, 5887 N MEADOWS DR, GROVE CITY, OH 43123) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE TRUNK, FROM THE RAIN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMELL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BYERS CHEVROLET DEALER (866-920-8815, 5887 N MEADOWS DR, GROVE CITY, OH 43123) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.
NHTSA ODI #11144057
88,000 miles · Oct 26, 2018
Exterior LightingStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED WATER DAMAGE AND MOLD TO THE HEADLINER, TRUNK, AND REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (BERGSTROM CHEVROLET OF MADISON, 1345 APPLEGATE RD, MADISON, WI) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED WATER DAMAGE AND MOLD TO THE HEADLINER, TRUNK, AND REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (BERGSTROM CHEVROLET OF MADISON, 1345 APPLEGATE RD, MADISON, WI) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED IN THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #11142944
Official recalls
9Aug 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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