2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. This model year has 849 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Uncategorized Issues
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 307 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 232 | 4 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 175 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 174 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 158 | 3 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 103 | 11 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 77 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 49 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 41 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 41 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 19 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 19 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 17 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 849 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
Main seal leaking and engine needs replaced at 95,000 miles.
My car will rev up to 4000 rpm’s and my car will not go about 20 mph. My cruise stopped working after my car went into reduce engine power. The dealership said they fixed all issues but was back to doing the high rev within a week. It started this week telling me to shift to park…
My car caught on fire under the hood. As I was driving on road I heard a sound and my car started slowing down and smoke started coming from under the hood got out the car not a minute later flames of smoke engulfed the car
Fuel Injector Backing ring Failing causing O-ring to dislodge and Rupture due to high pressure fuel leaking past the seal. This is causing a Major fire Hazard. Gm seal kits will not fix the problem do to Backer ring not being in the kit. part number for the o-ring kit is 12673056…
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
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 rep…
While driving, the vehicle experienced a mechanical failure involving the engine and lubrication system. Oil leakage was observed, and the engine began operating abnormally. This created a risk of sudden engine failure while the vehicle was in motion, which could result in loss o…
On December 16, 2025 the check engine light and service stabiltrek warning light appeared on my 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid. On December 17, 2015 I took the car the Capital Cheverolet service dept who has been servicing my car regularly for the past five years. They performed a com…
The vehicle went into shift to park and will not turn off. This is a known problem with ALL GM vehicles that hasn’t been fixed or offered a warranty for. It’s dangerous and causes the car not to move shut off in traffic and drains the battery. My car currently isn’t working due t…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle occasionally accelerated independently. The contact stated that severa…
My 2016 Malibu has a severe EBCM-related safety defect causing all four brakes to drag and overheat (reaching 240°F), leading to unstable handling. This condition mirrors the 2016 Malibu EBCM recall (GM Recall 39440). I sought help from GM. A GM-certified dealer-Monken in Central…
URGENT Complaint: NO RESPONSE to Demand for Rescission - Odometer Fraud, Deceptive Practices - Banner Ford of Monroe, LA
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 P2138
Check engine light comes on and dash says reduced engine power
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 sea…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle, the contact entered the residence; however, upon returning to the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the …
Engine to power is reduced. Poor fuel efficiency. Rough idling while parked. Poor acceleration. Trouble starting up. Burning smell at times.
The engine power reduced came light came on along with service stability trac. The car would stall after going into auto stop and just shut off. In certain instances it would shutoff when slowed down enough. It was brought in for service where the turbo charge solenoid starter an…
My 2016 Chevy Malibu Limited is experiencing Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) failure symptoms that match Recall 39440, even though my VIN is not listed in the recall. Details of the problem: -The brakes would randomly feel like they were sticking and the car being held b…
The high-pressure fuel pump detached from the cylinder head. The dealership confirmed diagnostic trouble code P228C and reported that one mounting bolt was missing and another bolt was broken off inside the cylinder head, causing the pump to come loose and fail. The damaged parts…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.
Recalls for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
9 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?▾
Notable Issues. The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 849 NHTSA owner complaints, 22 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (307 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?▾
#1: Engine Problems (307 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (232 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (175 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?▾
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 22 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 849 total NHTSA complaints. 16 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?▾
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?▾
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has notable issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Malibu reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.