CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

835

Complaints

22

Crashes

2

Fires

14

Injuries

1

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 835 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2015 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 301 of them (36%). The typical failure was reported at 50,000 miles, the median across the 524 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 9 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (9)

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

21V649000 · August 20, 2021

The 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.
The risk
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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 for this recall is N212333380.

General Motors, LLC · up to 402 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

18V400000 · June 14, 2018

The 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 deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
The risk
In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 66 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

18V358000 · May 31, 2018

The 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.
The risk
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

General Motors LLC · up to 895 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

16V781000 · October 26, 2016

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 18 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

16V502000 · July 5, 2016

The 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 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."
The risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

General Motors LLC · up to 8,367 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

16V272000 · May 5, 2016

The 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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 66 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

16V151000 · March 11, 2016

The 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) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."
The risk
Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 3,137 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

16V125000 · March 2, 2016

The 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 a high speed crash.
The risk
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
The 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 number for this recall is 28030.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,579 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

16V084000 · February 11, 2016

The 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 the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
The 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 is 15808.

General Motors LLC · up to 139 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 835.

ENGINE 301 36%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 222 27%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 173 21%
POWER TRAIN 166 20%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 152 18%
SERVICE BRAKES 94 11%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 76 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 50 6%
STEERING 42 5%
STRUCTURE 40 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 19 2%
SUSPENSION 19 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 199.

2015 2019 2026
2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 death · 4 injured · crash · towed

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]. Unfortunately the car did not make it to the emergency lane and as a result a SUV hit his car killing my daughter who was 33 weeks pregnant. The baby survived with lifelong injuries. Despite this recall, GM failed to notify vehicle owners, including the owner of the vehicle involved in the fatal accident on [XXX], in Dallas, Texas, resulting in my daughter’s death. This defect has been found in several 2016 Malibus, prompting a class action lawsuit against GM.

NHTSA complaint 11672099, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

2 injured · crash · towed · 46,000 miles

ON JAN 6 2020. I WAS DRIVING A 2016 CHEVY MALIBU, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE REDUCE POWER LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR SEAT FOR MAYBE 10 MINS. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND BEGIN DRIVING AGAIN (IT WAS PULLING NORMAL). ABOUT 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR STOP PULLING AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON WHICH LEAVES ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A INTERSECTION SECTION CAUSING A VEHICLE COMING FROM MY RIGHT SIDE TO SLAM INTO THE SIDE OF VEHICLE DEPLOYING ALL OF MY AIRBAGS AND MAKING ON-STAR ASSISTANCE COME ON. IN THE RESULT I HAVE NECK, BACK AND SIDE INJURY FROM THE IMPACT. WHICH IN THE RESULT I'M GETTING SUED BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED IN THE

NHTSA complaint 11300466, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · 110,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, she attempted to depress the brake pedal when the brakes locked and failed without warning. As a result, the contact rear-ended the rear of another vehicle. The contact sustained soreness and the other driver of the other vehicle sustained an injury to the back that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her place of residence. The contact scheduled an appointment with an independent mechanic. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed

NHTSA complaint 11483128, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 35,360 miles

TAMARA RECALL OF DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYING. BARELY BUMPED SOMEONE FROM BEHIND GOING UNDER 5MPH & BOTH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED

NHTSA complaint 11252272. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
“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. All this happens while driving. After the 3rd time of it happening within 10min, my gas fuel level dropped but when back up to the “original” level

NHTSA complaint 11751404. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Rear steering knuckle and control arm knuckle.my car moves side to side. I have replaced everything in the rear end. I just recently bought this car.

NHTSA complaint 11748538. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Vacuum pump failure causing hard brake pedal which made near to impossible to brake safely and properly that lead to timing chain issues

NHTSA complaint 11745818. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
The brake vacuum pump broke, causing my brakes to go rock hard and pieces fell down into the camshaft, causing engine damage

NHTSA complaint 11743632. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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 my car to my brothers but it required multiple stops and refilling of coolant. Once we got the car jacked up and the lower radiator hose replaced, we found the bottom of the radiator is loose and is pushing the lower radiator hose against the belt that rubbed the hole into the lower radiator hose. I then had my car towed to Dan Cummins in Georgetown

NHTSA complaint 11743010, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The gear shift sometimes does read that it’s in park

NHTSA complaint 11742430. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Malibu

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 10 1
2024 35 2
2023 61 2
2022 91 1
2021 85 2
2020 194 1 1
2019 188 1
2018 694 6
2017 699 4
2015 269 3 1
2014 349 6 1
2013 835 9
2012 905 2
2011 976 3
2010 1,359 3

Other 2016 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 298 vehicles, 747 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst