IllustrationI HAVE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, FIRST IS THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE THING WHICH HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES WITH THIS CAR. SECOND IS THE SHIFT TO PARK PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN APPEARING IN MY DASHBOARD FOR MONTHS NOW..
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →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
930–25K
16425–50K
14350–75K
7175–100K
36100–150K
18150K+
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
What owners actually said
837 reportsSTABILITRAK CODE APPEARS ON DASHBOARD - CAUSING LOW OR NO ACCELERATION, SHAKING WHEN STILL AND WHILE IN PARK. METER READS AS A 'MISFIRE CODE'; TOTAL TUNE UP WAS CONDUCTED (REPLACED ALL PLUGS & WIRING/COIL PACK); WAS STABLE FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS AND THEN 'STABILITRAK' CODE REAPPEARED WITH CAR SHAKING AGAIN.
WHEN IN PARK, WILL NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO BE SHUT OFF.THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN PARK, AND BRAKE IS ENGAGED. IT INDICATES THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK.THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND HAS SINCE 05/01/2020
I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE CAR WENT INTO AUTO STOP MODE, THE BRAKES STARTED LOOSING PRESSURE I LET OFF OF THE BRAKES IT CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ALMOST HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN IT FINALLY KICKED INTO GEAR AND SAID SERVICE STABILITRAK AND AND ALSO SAID POWER ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE THEN HAD THE CODES P3055 AND P305…
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I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE CAR WENT INTO AUTO STOP MODE, THE BRAKES STARTED LOOSING PRESSURE I LET OFF OF THE BRAKES IT CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ALMOST HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN IT FINALLY KICKED INTO GEAR AND SAID SERVICE STABILITRAK AND AND ALSO SAID POWER ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE THEN HAD THE CODES P3055 AND P3056 AND THE CAR HAS 100,000 MILES AND IS SERVICED REGULARLY
WHEN PARKING MY VEHICLE IN PARK, IT WILL NOT NOTICE THE CAR IS PARKED AND THE ON LIGHT WILL COME ON. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER FOR THE ON LIGHT TO GO OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED BEFORE, NOW IT'S DOING THE SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE.. AND THE BACK END IS MAKING A VERY BAD BUMPING NOISE. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAY THAT THEY REPL…
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WHEN PARKING MY VEHICLE IN PARK, IT WILL NOT NOTICE THE CAR IS PARKED AND THE ON LIGHT WILL COME ON. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER FOR THE ON LIGHT TO GO OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED BEFORE, NOW IT'S DOING THE SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE.. AND THE BACK END IS MAKING A VERY BAD BUMPING NOISE. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAY THAT THEY REPLACED PARTS AND IT'S DOING THE SAME THING. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR AT ALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH RESUME BACK TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH RESUME BACK TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT ASLO MENTIONED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRIENDLY CHEVROLET (7501 HIGHWAY 65 NE, FRIDLEY, MN 55432) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE VACUUM PUMP WAS NOT. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND PRESSING THE OFF BUTTON, THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK (6252 E VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, NORFOLK, VA 23502) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND PRESSING THE OFF BUTTON, THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK (6252 E VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, NORFOLK, VA 23502) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION HARNESS AND SHIFTER CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED AND REMAINED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK IN RELATION TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHEN DRIVING, HITTING A BUMP, GOING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD, OR EVEN PULLING INTO A DRIVE WAY MY CAR MAKES A CREEPING, THUMPING SOUND IN THE REAR. EVEN WHILE IN PARK IF SOMEONE PUSHES DOWN ON THE TRUNK IT MAKES THE NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. I HAD BOTH REPLACED AND THE NOISE…
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WHEN DRIVING, HITTING A BUMP, GOING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD, OR EVEN PULLING INTO A DRIVE WAY MY CAR MAKES A CREEPING, THUMPING SOUND IN THE REAR. EVEN WHILE IN PARK IF SOMEONE PUSHES DOWN ON THE TRUNK IT MAKES THE NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. I HAD BOTH REPLACED AND THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE. ALSO, EACH TIME IT RAINS THERE IS WATER UNDERNEATH MY SPARE TIRE AND MY FLOOR GETS WET ON THE BACK ROW.
EVERYTIME IT RAINS THE INSIDE OF MY TRUNK IS SOAKED AND SMELLS LIKE MILDEW. NOT TO MENTION WHEN I LIFTED MY SPARE TIRE OUT FROM THE TRUNK THERE WAS SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER JUST SITTING IN THERE. WHILE DRIVING IN A THUNDERSTORM I NOTICED THERE WAS WATER LEAKING INSIDE NEAR THE BACK WINDOWS AND I NOTICED THE HEADLINER IS BADLY WAT…
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EVERYTIME IT RAINS THE INSIDE OF MY TRUNK IS SOAKED AND SMELLS LIKE MILDEW. NOT TO MENTION WHEN I LIFTED MY SPARE TIRE OUT FROM THE TRUNK THERE WAS SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER JUST SITTING IN THERE. WHILE DRIVING IN A THUNDERSTORM I NOTICED THERE WAS WATER LEAKING INSIDE NEAR THE BACK WINDOWS AND I NOTICED THE HEADLINER IS BADLY WATER STAINED. SPOKE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE AND THEY DON'T COVER 'WATER DAMAGE'! WELL I WOULDN'T HAVE WATER DAMAGE IF I HAD A DECENT MADE CAR THAT DOESN'T LEAK WHEN IT RAINS! I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT SIT IN THE BACK SEAT AND HAVE TO GET RAINED ON. GUESS I WILL HAVE TO GIVE THEM UMBRELLAS WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR. IT'S VERY UNSAFE FOR MY CHILDREN TO BE BREATHING/INHALING THE MOLD THAT IS IN THE TRUNK WITH THEIR ASTHMA/MOLD RELATED ALLERGIES.
WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK IT WONT SHUT OFF AND GIVES THIS MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT.
Official recalls
921V649000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.