2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

1,419

Owner Complaints

37 Crashes 3 Fires 3 Deaths

9

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

183

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU

The 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU has received a total of 1,419 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR, SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 183 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (293 complaints), Electrical System (218 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (169 complaints).

Recalls for the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU

NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, potentially affecting up to 23,438 vehicles.

Recall 21V649000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

| 402 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

View full details →

Recall 21V649000 — SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

| 402 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

View full details →

Recall 18V400000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

| 66 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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.

View full details →

Recall 18V358000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 895 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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,...

View full details →

Recall 16V781000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

| 18 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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.

View full details →

Recall 16V502000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

| 8,367 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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....

View full details →

Recall 16V502000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

| 8,367 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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....

View full details →

Recall 16V272000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

| 66 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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.

View full details →

Recall 16V151000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

| 3,137 vehicles affected

Defect: 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)...

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.

View full details →

Recall 16V125000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

| 1,579 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

View full details →

Recall 16V084000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

| 139 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU

1,419 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine
Complaints: 293 5 Crashes 1 Fire 7 Injuries 1 Death
Electrical System
Complaints: 218 4 Crashes 4 Injuries 1 Death
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 169 1 Crash
Power Train
Complaints: 161 3 Crashes 2 Injuries
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 150 3 Crashes 6 Injuries 1 Death
Service Brakes
Complaints: 92 9 Crashes 3 Injuries
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 76 1 Crash 1 Injury
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 48
Steering
Complaints: 41 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structurebody
Complaints: 33 1 Crash
Suspension
Complaints: 19 1 Crash
Air Bags
Complaints: 17 3 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 16 1 Crash
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 11
Wheels
Complaints: 10
Seat Belts
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seats
Complaints: 6 1 Fire
Structure
Complaints: 5
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagefloor Shift
Complaints: 4
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Back Over Prevention Warnings
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 2
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Parking Brake
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Structurebodytrunk Lid
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking
Complaints: 1
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systemthrottlebodymanifold
Complaints: 1
Hybrid Propulsion System
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assistvacuum
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Traction Control System
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlthrottle
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlthrottlethrottle Position Sensor Tps
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11715447 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
Have been getting reduced engine power since the summer on and off. Check engine light says its throttle bottle sensor and accelerator pedal position sensor. Which I was told there was a recall but my vin isn’t listed
#11715447 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
Have been getting reduced engine power since the summer on and off. Check engine light says its throttle bottle sensor and accelerator pedal position sensor. Which I was told there was a recall but my vin isn’t listed
#11708443 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
I am reporting a recurring safety defect related to GM’s known “Shift to Park” issue. My vehicle displays a “Shift to Park” warning even when the vehicle is already in park, preventing the car from shutting off properly and creating a safety risk. This issue has been widely reported and associated with GM recalls and service bulletins. GM previously repaired this issue once while my vehicle was under warranty, acknowledging it as a known defect. The same defect has now reoccurred after the warranty period expired. GM is refusing to repair it again, despite the issue being recall-related and tied to a known defective design rather than wear and tear. This defect affects safe vehicle operation, risks battery drain, rollaway hazards, and driver distraction. I believe this is an unresolved safety defect that should be covered regardless of warranty status.
#11708443 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
I am reporting a recurring safety defect related to GM’s known “Shift to Park” issue. My vehicle displays a “Shift to Park” warning even when the vehicle is already in park, preventing the car from shutting off properly and creating a safety risk. This issue has been widely reported and associated with GM recalls and service bulletins. GM previously repaired this issue once while my vehicle was under warranty, acknowledging it as a known defect. The same defect has now reoccurred after the warranty period expired. GM is refusing to repair it again, despite the issue being recall-related and tied to a known defective design rather than wear and tear. This defect affects safe vehicle operation, risks battery drain, rollaway hazards, and driver distraction. I believe this is an unresolved safety defect that should be covered regardless of warranty status.
#11708443 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | | N/A miles
I am reporting a recurring safety defect related to GM’s known “Shift to Park” issue. My vehicle displays a “Shift to Park” warning even when the vehicle is already in park, preventing the car from shutting off properly and creating a safety risk. This issue has been widely reported and associated with GM recalls and service bulletins. GM previously repaired this issue once while my vehicle was under warranty, acknowledging it as a known defect. The same defect has now reoccurred after the warranty period expired. GM is refusing to repair it again, despite the issue being recall-related and tied to a known defective design rather than wear and tear. This defect affects safe vehicle operation, risks battery drain, rollaway hazards, and driver distraction. I believe this is an unresolved safety defect that should be covered regardless of warranty status.

View all Engine complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU

The 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU

General Motors, LLC has issued 183 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

07-00-89-037U — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs.

PIP4723J — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

21-NA-220 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This service bulletin provides a procedure to inspect and possibly repair terminals that may be damaged to correct customer concerns of Loss of Power, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, Gauges Inoperative and/or Multiple Warning Lights/Messages Displayed on Driver Information Center (DIC).

21NA152 — EQUIPMENT

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on glass ultraviolet (UV) Ray protection and tint percentage.

21NA059 — POWER TRAIN

This service bulletin advises that the new transmission may require the transfer of the power inverter module.

20NA222 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin informs the dealers The new A4 - Hybrid/EV Battery Pack comes with a module that is incompatible with the software for 2016-2017 model years. Model years 2016-2017 will require you swap the HPCM2 (K114B - Hybrid/EV Powertrain Control Module 2) from the old A4 - Hybrid/EV Battery Pack...

20NA222 — EQUIPMENT

This bulletin informs the dealers The new A4 - Hybrid/EV Battery Pack comes with a module that is incompatible with the software for 2016-2017 model years. Model years 2016-2017 will require you swap the HPCM2 (K114B - Hybrid/EV Powertrain Control Module 2) from the old A4 - Hybrid/EV Battery Pack...

N192291600 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Special Coverage. In certain vehicles an electrical connection may fail in the hybrid battery cooling blower motor. If this occurs, the control system may inhibit the electric propulsion motor, the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, and a diagnostic trouble code related to the hybrid battery cooling blower...

N192291600 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Special Coverage. In certain vehicles an electrical connection may fail in the hybrid battery cooling blower motor. If this occurs, the control system may inhibit the electric propulsion motor, the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, and a diagnostic trouble code related to the hybrid battery cooling blower...

20NA144 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0606 Set in Engine Control Module.

Showing 10 of 183 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET MALIBU

View all CHEVROLET MALIBU model years →

Other CHEVROLET Models

View all CHEVROLET models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report