MYRModel Year Report

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

● Typical for this model
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
836
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 836 complaints 2016 836 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2000 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 836 complaints 2016 836 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1986 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 1999 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2007 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2013 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 836 complaints 2016 836 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2019 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025

2016: 836 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002567
2003569
20041,147
2005975
20061,116
2007977
2008987
20091,509
20101,360
2011978
2012907
2013836
2014351
2015270
2016836
2017703
2018697
2019190
2020196
202188
202297
202366
202441
202510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

36% · 302 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid LT 1.8L - current mileage 147,059 miles The factory exhaust heat exchanger failed internally, leaking engine coolant into the exhaust system.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-02

Electrical system

27% · 223 reports

Most commonly citing starter assembly and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Engine power reduced defect, causing affected models to lose power while driving at highway speeds. My son’s was driving 55 mph and then all of sudden the car decelerated to 20 mph in minutes before his 2016 Malibu stalled on [XXX].

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-07-08

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

“Steering assist is reduced, drive with care” is showing up for a couple second and disappearing. When that happens my car seems to shut off and the steering wheel stiffens and pull to either the left of right side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-19

Power train

20% · 166 reports

Most commonly citing floor shift.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the transmission became stuck in neutral. The contact's vehicle rolled backwards and crashed into a parked vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-12-30

Vehicle speed control

18% · 152 reports

Most commonly citing throttle position sensor (tps) and throttle.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While I was pulling into a parking spot, my 2016 Chevrolet Malibu suddenly accelerated without any warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-05-02

Service brakes

12% · 102 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 40 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the contact crashed into a median. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-30

2/2/18. Was traveling at 47 MPH when a truck stopped in front of me. I was approximately 10 car lengths away. I hit the brake to stop, felt the pedal vibrate for a few seconds and then the pedal went to the floor and the vibration went away.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-30

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. The wheels locked up and the contact's vehicle slid into the rear of the preceding vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-12-23

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2016-03-14Electrical system16V084000 Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2016-04-14Air bags16V125000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-04-14Air bags16V151000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-06-17Electronic stability control (esc)16V272000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2016-10-14Electrical system, power train16V502000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2016-10-27Air bags16V781000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-07-02Fuel system, gasoline18V358000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2018-08-07Air bags18V400000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2021-09-17Seat belts21V649000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 302 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 223 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 166 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V084000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 16V125000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V151000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V272000 · Electronic stability control (esc)
  • Recall 16V502000 · Electrical system, power train
  • Recall 16V781000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V358000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 18V400000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V649000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.