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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,290 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 6 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #55

Oct 222019

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On Oct 22 around 530 in the morning on my way to to work driving on a busy freeway when suddenly the reduce engine light come on reducing my speed from nearly 50mph to 20mph all most causing a near fatal accident I've only had the car for 6 months or so I plan on taking it to the dealership but I feel like I gonna be stuck with a hefty bill for something that should've been a recall that can cause a fatal accident.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #54

Oct 142019

Malibu

  • 22,000 miles
Shift to park message appears when in park and turning vehicle off. Vehicle then won't shut down.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #53

Sep 012019

Malibu

  • 22,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. When the vehicle was turned off, the message 'shift into park' displayed, the radio remained on, and the transmission indicator remained illuminated. Later, while idling, the vehicle suddenly shut off and began to roll backwards down a slight incline. The cause of the failures was not determined. Davidson Chevrolet (18579 us route 11, watertown, NY) was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 22,000.

- Watertown, NY, USA

problem #52

Sep 032019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 13,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While the contact was exiting the parked vehicle, 'additional action required, place vehicle in park' appeared on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact was unable to set the vehicle alarm and the headlights had to be turned off manually. Genesis Chevrolet (21800 gratiot ave, eastpointe, mi 48021, (586) 804-7977) was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: [xxx]. the approximate failure mileage was 13,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #51

Sep 092019

Malibu

  • 73,000 miles
Since I purchased the car, it has had regular maintenance done on time. I was driving on the interstate on my way home from work. As I got off the exit I noticed my car acting funny, as I got to the end of the exit I noticed that I had no breaks and that I could not turn the steering at all and actually could not come to a stop at the end of the exit, having to run the stop sign and into on coming traffic which if a police officer would not have been there could have been a very bad situation. Had my car towed to the dealership to find out that it jumped time. With only 70+ thousand miles on my car, why would I even think to worry about my car jumping time. I then find out my warranty ended at 60,000 miles. I have read that there are number of cases with this issue. Now I am out $ $3000 for a motor and labor to have the motor installed.

- Graysville, AL, USA

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problem #50

Aug 222017

Malibu

  • 27,000 miles
I have had my vehicle for 2 years since day 1 I have had issues with the vehicle from control arms, electrical in doors and car systems, throttle body, stability traction control. I think the car has been in the shop well over 12 times with at least 5 times being the throttle body where the car just looses power and your unable to drive more than 40 mph. It generally would happen on the freeway. I would pull over and have to turn my car off and sit and then turn it back on. The above issues with this car is just to name a few. By the way I purchased the vehicle at 27,000 miles so there is no reason why these issues should continuously be happening. I have called Chevy numerous of times complaing that this vehicle is something wrong with it. I believe they have just about replaced every part except for the brakes, engine and transmission and I a sure those are going to be next. I could go on and on about this vehicle however, it is definitely something wrong. I just took it in for check engine light again and noise from rear end sounding like a strut. And they found issue with key thob causing check engine light, leaking strut, and bad wheel bearings. Now that just adds more to the list. Not to mention I get home and the check engine light is back on again and the noise is slightly still there. I have plenty of records I just have to much to upload here, but if someone could please look into my situation. This has truly been a nightmare. We cannot even drive the car on the freeway to far because we are scared we may get stuck.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #49

Aug 162019

Malibu

  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I park, place the shifter into park and turn the car off but a message appears on the gauge cluster screen saying shift into park. The engine is off but the lights and radio stay on. The shifter is locked and will not move. The same screen shows that the car is in park before I shut the car off, I can feel the transmission shifting too. I have to turn the car back on and run through the gears and back off several times to make it shut off. Seems to happen more often on shorter trips. I went to the dealer they have a part on order seems to be a known issue but I'm just out of warranty. I have had the car for 2.5 years just over 35K miles and it just started.

- Strongsville, OH, USA

problem #48

Sep 122019

Malibu

  • 40,500 miles
My vehicle is giving me a shift to park message after the vehicle is in park. The vehicle gives a ding noise to inform me that the vehicle is not in park. It takes multiple times to turn the vehicle off completely.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #47

Aug 272019

Malibu

  • 8,007 miles
The contact's father owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. When parking the vehicle and shifting gears, "shift to park" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had to make five to ten attempts with shifting the gears for it to shift into park. The vehicle was taken to allen gwynn Chevrolet (located at 1400 S brand blvd, glendale, ca 91204, (818) 528-8597) where it was diagnosed that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 8,007.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #46

Aug 012019

Malibu

  • 47,000 miles
The car constantly gets message of engine power reduced while driving with no previous issues or warnings. The check engine light comes on then my driving speed decreases while driving. This is very dangerous! this happens on city streets and on the highway. I have to pull over to shut the car off and wait a few minutes then restart the car. The car then starts normal without the check engine light or error code

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #45

Jul 032019

Malibu

  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While parking, the start/stop button was pressed and failed to turn off the vehicle. In addition, the "park to shift" warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact had to shift gears and back into park in order to turn off the vehicle. The contact called mckenney Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC (located at 831 S main St, lowell, nc 28098, (855) 757-1635) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 41,000.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #44

Jun 282019

Malibu

  • 16,200 miles
When placing the car in park to shut off the vehicle, a message appears stating "action required" "shift to park." The car is in park. Shifting in and out of park does not solve the issue. This intermittent problem occurred over about 3 months. Have to turn off lights manually or they won't go off. Dash light remain on longer than usual. Car battery finally died. Replaced the battery/ problem persists. When getting out of car and closing doors, horn honks 3 times. Remote not detected when getting in car again to go somewhere. Problem started shortly after warranty expired. Took to dealer, courtesy Chevrolet. Was told while the problem was not "common" it was a "known" issue. Never suggested this was something to look at any other time the car was in for service. Had to replace the shift gear. Cost $450 initially, but after complaining, they took off about $100. Was told that this is not covered by power train warranty even though NHTSA defines power train as including "shift lever/gear control and indicator devices." There is a tsb out on this problem and many NHTSA complaints as well as Chevrolet message boards. Car has only 16,000 miles on it.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #43

May 012019

Malibu

  • miles
Takata recall my windows don't work at times no power my trunk will not release it's not unlocking my dashboard reads engine is reducing power while driving & it shuts off while driving my radiator light is on been on for 8months now the car won't pick up speed without me shifting the car in L6 while driving my throttle not working the fuel system has been repaired several times

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #42

Jun 142019

Malibu

  • 21,100 miles
My issue started a few days ago and has progressively gotten worse. I place the car in park, shut off the vehicle and a message appears to "shift to park" car is turned off and already in park and you cannot just get out of the vehicle for it to go away it just remains on the screen and the car remains on in an auxiliary type mode which I'm pretty sure if left alone would eventually drain the battery. It had gotten worse since I was having to turn the car off and on multiple times before it would register it was actually in park. The dealership currently has my car and has told me the shifter assembly needs replaced. I had sent them a screen shot of the service report from GM which you can find here https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/tsbs/2018/mc-10154985-999.pdf which states the problem multiple people are having. My car has 21K miles on it and I've only had it for two years. I'm going to be very upset if I end up having to pay this out of pocket even though the car is still technically under warranty from the date I purchased in 2017.

- York, PA, USA

problem #41

Dec 282017

Malibu 8-cyl

  • 35,982 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to park the vehicle, "vehicle not in park" appeared on the instrument panel. On another occasion, the contact was unable to shift the gear from park into drive. The vehicle was taken to berger Chevrolet (located at 2525 28th St SE, grand rapids, mi 49512, (616) 949-5200) where it was diagnosed that the shifter control failed. The transmission shifter control was replaced, but the failure recurred after 34,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter control failed again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 74,697. See attached for the dealer paperwork for the 1st incident. I've also attached the my Chevy diagnostic repent for the current issue.

- Howard City, MI, USA

problem #40

Jun 092019

Malibu

  • 111,000 miles
Car is stalling whenever I come to a complete stop. I have to try to avoid making a left turn because it takes so long for the car to react when I get on the accelerator to go. Some days it will hesitate a little and go, but lately it has been stalling all the way out and it takes a few mins for it to react when I'm trying to pull off!!

- Manning, SC, USA

problem #39

May 092019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 19,865 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle did not engage in park. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who recommended that the vehicle be taken to the Chevrolet dealer. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact also stated that the failure occurred since approximately December 2018 and progressively worsen. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 19,865. Consumer stated now hold the shifter for a longer time before I push the stop. Hopefully that was my problem.

- Howards Grove, WI, USA

problem #38

Feb 012019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the vehicle slowed down and shut off. Additionally, the horn and radio failed to work. Also, there was an abnormal ticking noise coming from the steering wheel and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The vehicle was taken to haley Chevrolet (12400 Tennessee plaza, midlothian, va 23112, (804) 818-7660) where it was diagnosed that the power train needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 42,000.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #37

Apr 192019

Malibu

  • 55,000 miles
The car constantly gets message of engine power reduced while driving with no previous issues or warnings. The check engine light comes on then my driving speed decreases while driving. This is very dangerous! this happens on city streets and on the highway. I have to pull over to shut the car off and wait a few minutes then restart the car. The car then starts normal without the check engine light or error codes.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #36

Apr 122018

Malibu

  • 7,000 miles
2016 Malibu 1.5 liter engine had recall for igniting timing causes cracked pistons...7000 miles they updated this problem, but was to late by then at 28000 miles needed all new pistons rods bearings rebuilt the engine top half, but now 2 times in 2 months returned to dealer

- Waterford, MI, USA

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