Worst 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Transmission / Drivetrain
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 296 | 5 | 1 | 64,070 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 220 | 4 | — | 56,849 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 162 | 3 | — | 43,857 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 150 | 3 | — | 62,116 mi | |
| Brakes | 92 | 9 | — | 77,038 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 76 | 1 | — | 76,497 mi | |
| Fuel System | 48 | — | — | 82,921 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 41 | 1 | — | 54,627 mi | |
| Body Structure | 33 | 1 | — | 44,983 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 19 | 1 | — | 59,917 mi | |
| Airbags | 17 | 3 | 1 | 53,285 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 16 | 1 | — | 47,166 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 11 | — | — | 31,915 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 10 | — | — | 27,074 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 1 | — | 47,286 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | — | 1 | 41,501 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | — | — | 49,358 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 | — | — | — |
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.
Recalls for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~14,669 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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.
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."
Other Chevrolet Malibu Years
2016 Chevrolet Malibu — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
What are common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Malibu reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
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