repaired · 2023 Q2
Seat belts: critical fasteners
Risk. An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2016 Chevrolet MalibuProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 841 owner complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the engine. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-649 the manufacturer reports only 70% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 16, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Yahya S. from Livonia, United States, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has problems
841 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
304Engine7 crash/fire/injury
222Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
166Power train3 crash/fire/injury
152Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
95Service brakes10 crash/fire/injury
76Electronic stability control (ESC)
51Fuel/propulsion system
42Steering
40Structure
12819 other systems15 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 304 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 222 | 4 |
| Power train | 166 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 152 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 95 | 10 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 76 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 51 | 0 |
| Steering | 42 | 1 |
| Structure | 40 | 1 |
| 19 other systems | 128 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2016 Chevrolet Malibu recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Sensor: occupant classification
Risk. In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Air bags: side/window
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.
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q1
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.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
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.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Air bags: side/window
Risk. Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Electrical system: software
Risk. An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
52kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 172 engine complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.
35under 30k miles154under 100k miles18100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
11 owners mentioned a cost$500median
Middle half: $500 – $928
Engine
8 owners mentioned a cost$1,044median
Middle half: $179 – $2,875
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other Malibu year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Malibu median. How we score
0120245321134439767899227215675691,1489751,1199779891,5111,36397890783735127084170570119320390100734612
'73'74'75'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'86'89'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2016 Chevrolet Malibu safety ratings
2016 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.2% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Malibu owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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. This caused check engine codes P0401 / P26BE, loss of cabin heat, coolant loss, and exhaust fumes entering cabin. GM has…
Vacuum pump failure causing hard brake pedal which made near to impossible to brake safely and properly that lead to timing chain issues
Own a 2016 Malibu?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.