Worse than most Malibu years
Owners filed about 1.6 times as many complaints as a typical Malibu year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 52,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Malibu years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 841 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (305, 36% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the brakes and stability control. That ranks 2nd of 13 Malibu years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 9 recalls.
2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
Get recall alerts for your 2016 Malibu
Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.
Add it to My GarageStart a free car search
Tell us what you want in a 2016 Malibu and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.
Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu before you buy.
Engine and cooling
305 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 61 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly began idling roughly. The contact stated that a loud noise was heard coming from the vehicle, and the cooling fan cycled on and off. The vehicle was taken to a service center, where it was found overheating. The cause of…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 66,000 miles
My car started overheating on my way home. I pulled over to find that there is a hole in my lower radiator hose, which was caused by the lower radiator hose being rubbed against the belt that is turned by the water pump. I had my wife and child bring me coolant on the side of the road where I was broken down. I eventually was able to get…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
222 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
“Shift to park” intermittently indicated when vehicle is in park. Power will not shut off while indicated. Was repaired twice but has returnedOwner complaint, filed 2024
I'm adding to a complaint where I have found recall problems in the past on the model and the problem is still there the car shows the car is in park but it shows action is required shift the car to park and it's already in park I have a video I can't upload it.i purchased the car august 2023 for 28000 with a extended warranty that isn't…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
167 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 55 MPH in a rain storm and making a right turn, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights had illuminated, and the driver suddenly lost control of the steering and crashed into a tree. During the incident the driver sustained a concussion…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 144,000 miles
Car suddenly stopped dead cold while driving on a highly driven road. No power. Several attempts were made to get off the main road and drive to a close neighborhood. Finally started and at every stop sign the car grinded during stopping and threw me backwards in driver's seat. Needed a tow. .Owner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
166 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after shifting to park, the message to shift to park was displayed. The failure occurred intermittently and had become more persistent over time. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that occasionally while shifting into park(P), the computer failed to register that the vehicle was in park(P). The message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that during the failure, the doors failed to lock. No warning lights were…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 47,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
152 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
UNKNOWN While I'm driving my car will lose power and go into reduced engine power mode and slows me down to a crawl. I've almost been hit in the back many times for to this. The coffee is P2138Owner complaint, filed 2025
Out of nowhere, a notification pops up and it says “engine speed reduced” and all of a sudden you can feel the car losing speed. Took the vehicle to the dealership multiple times and either they always say it’s a fuel injection problem or they have no idea what’s causing it but when they perform that service on the vehicle, it still…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
54 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I bought this car about 10 days ago. Throat was in pain, coughed up blood, dizzy, sweaty, and shaking. There's gas all over the ground coming from front under hood smelling through the vents. Very loud smelling. Took it to Chevrolet dealership on Covington hwy Decatur GA today and had to leave it there. I still don't feel good and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine to power is reduced. Poor fuel efficiency. Rough idling while parked. Poor acceleration. Trouble starting up. Burning smell at times.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Steering
42 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle came to a stop. After coming from the stop, the steering wheel seized. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s daughter crashed the vehicle into a utility pole and a utility box. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 160,000 miles
After car restarts from auto start, a warning is displayed on the MFD “Steering Assist Reduced, Drive with care”. Puts my self, passengers, and other drivers. If the power steering reduction happens while driving or during a turn, it could result in a collision. Has not been inspected at this point. Notification pops up on Multifunction…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Body, doors and structure
41 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (33).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am writing to report a serious and unacceptable issue with the exterior paint and clear coat on my 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The clear coat has become dull and faded on the hood and roof, and the side panels are beginning to chip and peel, despite regular washing and maintenance. This paint deterioration started well before what would be…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Water has been leaking into my car from the roof and onto my seats. Today I discovered that I have black mold under my headliner. So water is somehow leaking through and had been for some time.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Lights, wipers and visibility
34 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The third brake light assembly is leaking water on the rear seats and trunk. Looking online, there are others affected by the same issue. The official answer from chevy is that the bolts become lose overtime. My car has 40,000 miles and it's out of warranty, so gm won't fix it.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 40,000 miles
Leak through 3rd break light causes moisture to build up in car and once it rains the front windshield fogs up and can you can not see defrost cannot fix this issue because of the build up of moisture from the leak in through the 3rd brake lightOwner complaint, filed 2018, at 47,000 miles
Suspension
19 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was a popping noise in the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear shock absorber outer housing was coming into contact with the shock. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving or pulling off from a stop, there was a knocking sound coming from underneath the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to ourisman chevrolet of bowie (16610 governor bridge rd, bowie, md 20716), and was diagnosed that the rear suspension knuckles needed…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 96,990 miles
Air bags
18 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and taking her children to school, there was an abnormally loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that several air bags deployed. The steering wheel air bag struck the contact, and she was knocked unconscious. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 194,000 miles
My airbag light comes on intermittently and will show a passenger is not in my front seat when they are. I took my car to the dealer and they got a current and past code B0074 for the passenger presence module. There was a recall (18208) for this on certain 2016 Malibus but my vin was not included.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
15 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and attempting to fasten the seat belt, the seat belt failed to retract. The failure occurred with the driver’s and passenger’s side front seat belts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the retracting mechanism had failed…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the driver’s side seat belt was inoperable. The contact attempted several times but the seat belt had seized in place and was not retractable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat belt retractor needed to be replaced.…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 48,000 miles
Wheels and tires
15 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: The Defender, Tire size: 205/65/R16, and DOT number: [VIN]. The contact stated that the tire tread was worn in an untimely manner. The contact stated that the tires were replaced two years ago. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 68,618 miles
Tires came on vehicle OEM Firestone FT140. 205/65/R16. The vehicle, a 2016 Chevy Malibu LS, has 25, 652 miles on it. The tires are maintained, rotated regularly, correct tire pressure etc. No signs of uneven wear, cupping etc. no wheel alignment needed etc. as per dealer. The tire tread is down to 4/32 in the rear and 6/32 in the front.…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 25,652 miles
Driver assist systems
6 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
When I put the car in park and try to turn the car off the Shift Park message comes on preventing me from cutting the car completely off. I put in back in drive or reverse then back in park it still dings and shows the message. I takes a number of repeating these steps for it to stop and turn off and this is happening every time I'm…Owner complaint, filed 2025
-Braking system failed and is available upon request. - My safety, my family’s safety, and other parties on the road were affected as well. -Not confirmed by a dealer but multiple people have had this same issue and experience. -the components were inspected by police, dealerships, OnStar, and collision center. -no lights or indications…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Hybrid and EV system
1 complaintLoss of power, warning messages and battery problems on hybrid or electric versions.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask for a hybrid battery health report from a dealer or hybrid shop.
- Watch for warning messages at startup and on the test drive, and confirm the car switches between gas and electric smoothly.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While driving 60 MPH, the reduce power in the engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle gradually began to lose power. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle would not travel over 60 MPH. The contact also stated that the brakes failed while approaching…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 71,493 miles
Chevrolet Malibu complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Malibu | Worse than most years | 9 |
| 2016 Toyota Camry | One of the better years | 2 |
| 2016 Honda Accord | About average | 4 |
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata | About average | 6 |
2016 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Seat belts Critical fasteners
- Risk
- An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Occupant classification
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Ignition
- Risk
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Stability control
- Risk
- If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Air bags
- Risk
- Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Air bags
- Risk
- An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system
- Risk
- An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2016 Chevrolet Malibu questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu are the engine and cooling (305 complaints), the electrical system (222 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (167 complaints).
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu a good year to buy?
Worse than most Malibu years. Owners filed about 1.6 times as many complaints as a typical Malibu year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 52,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019, 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Malibu years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recent, from Aug 2021, covers the critical fasteners. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 52,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 51,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Malibu years should I avoid?
The Malibu years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model