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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,439 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 10)

problem #196

May 232024

Malibu

  • miles

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

On may 23,2024 I was on a very busy highway going 66. All of a sudden my 2016 malibu lt aburtely slowed to 27 miles an hour and two warnings lights came on 1 -engine power is reduced 2 - speed reduced to 27 I barely avoided getting hit by two semi trucks, as well as a car. The car is available for inspection on request. An independent service person confirmed it was indeed a defective electron control and acceleration peddle position sensor. How very irresponsible of you not to put out a recall on the 2016-2018 models knowing very well of the many class action law suits that have arrived from this issue. I probably can guarantee none of you own a Malibu. How very incredious it is that you put people lives in danger knowing that there was issues with the problem. Unbelievable. I almost got killed because of the lack of responsibility because you dint make a recall.

- Myrtle Creek, OR, USA

problem #195

May 222019

Malibu

  • 176,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently engine seized and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the battery would not stay charged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a no-start dead battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of TSB 16-NA-209 in which the failure description was similar to that of the contact's vehicle. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for repair. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and the vehicle had a scheduled service appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

- Beltsville, MD, USA

problem #194

Jan 292024

Malibu

  • miles
My car was started shaking really bad and the stabili trak sensor came on. My engine had to be replaced in February 2023. My car was at 66K miles. I rarely drove it. I worked from home for 3 years due to the pandemic. I purchased the car with about 12K miles. I was on my way home and my car just shut off. I could not get it to start at all. The stabili trak light came on. This was in January 2024 with 75K miles. The tow truck driver told me he had picked up multiple Chevrolets experiencing this same issue. It took the dealership almost two months to figure out that the crank sensor needed to be replaced.

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

problem #193

Nov 012022

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, an alarm sounded and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Newborn, GA, USA

problem #192

Apr 152024

Malibu

  • miles
I'm adding to a complaint where I have found recall problems in the past on the model and the problem is still there the car shows the car is in park but it shows action is required shift the car to park and it's already in park I have a video I can't upload it.i purchased the car august 2023 for 28000 with a extended warranty that isn't right Hopefully someone will investigate.

- Tifton, GA, USA

problem #191

Apr 032024

Malibu

  • miles
I bought this car August 2013 and I have been constantly having issues with it I contacted the BBB they showed them a check off list of the problem I was having to quiet them I was having rear in issues that they claim they did a full exspection of the vehicle which isn't true they tried to give me excuses now the car shows it's in part but it's saying action is required the car isn't in parking made a video on my phone so they can't make a excuse this should be a recall because I have read reviews with people having the same problem not once but two times after the first repair and it's not fair to the consumer someone need to investigate the dealerships.I can't get my video to upload I do have a short video on my cell phone

- Tifton, GA, USA

problem #190

Dec 122023

Malibu

  • miles

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

When the auto shutdown feature on the car turns off the engine at a stop light; stop sign; or other reason, sometimes the cars entire electrical system shuts down. This happened twice to me. Once at a stoplight and once when freeway traffic came to a sudden stop. You cannot open the electrical trunk to get hazard lights or jumper cables; cannot get the car out of gear or out of park to move it safely out of traffic; cannot turn car hazard lights on; or even unlock a door that is locked. On freeway incident, I was in the middle of 3 lanes and traffic quickly got back up to ~60 mph. Fortunately, I was able to get out of the car and a few hundred feet away in case someone hit my car. This happened during the day and I cannot imagine how someone would see a stalled vehicle in the middle of the freeway in the dark with enough time to stop. My battery was brand new and in perfect order. The dealership said it is a known issue and they no longer sell cars with this auto shutoff feature.

- The Hills, TX, USA

problem #189

Feb 042024

Malibu

  • miles
I am very upset right because I purchased this Chevy Malibu 2016 from Vroom. It was fine at first and then things start to go downhill. For starters my tire light came on first only a week after having the car, then the shift into was appearing on the dashboard as well as the engine light. Then my husband spent almost 2000 on the brakes because the car was making this horrible sound and I almost couldn't stop the car because the pedal was stuck and would not push down. Thank God no one was hurt. Then my car just shut off twice one day at a busy intersection, it went completely dead with my children in the car. This is a ongoing issue. Now I had a diagnostic test ran on my vehicle and it was said I needed a new motor only after having the car for only a year. This car is very dangerous and I wish they would take it off the market, because it will also reduce your speed while driving out of nowhere. Chevrolet should be responsible for all problems before they are aware of these issues!

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #188

Feb 012022

Malibu

  • miles
Rear seat belt will not retract. Will not engage into park when car is turned off. Trunk, back seat, headliner, entire carpeted floor, front seats get wet when car is washed or it rains. Mold is beginning to grow inside trunk and headliner.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #187

Dec 132023

Malibu

  • miles
Shift to park message while in park position when attempting to shut off car; I can't cut off car without making many tries. this has happened before dealer repairing the problem and within two years dealer installing new "fix.".

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #186

Jul 052021

Malibu

  • miles

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

Shift to park message appears on dash screen when car is attempting to shut off ignition when shifter is in park position. Can't turn off car.

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #185

Dec 182023

Malibu

  • miles
*Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor- It is available upon request. * Due to the malfunction of the accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, the check engine light comes on and it flashes "engine reduced power" which slows the car down to a very low rate of speed not allowing the driver to go any faster. I was on the highway going speeds of around 75mph and that light came on and slowed my vehicle down which caused the car behind me to almost run into the back of my vehicle. I've had this occurrence with this problem several times. * UNKNOWN *UNKNOWN, absolutely nothing prior to the check engine light and "engine reduced power". The issue is sporadic and happens at any given moment. There is no warning that alerts when this happens.

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

problem #184

Apr 062023

Malibu

  • miles
My car enters a reduced engine power mode causing my car to slow down during high speeds with a potential acciden-??. the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, the -??Engine Power is Reduced-?? message will display. I have called GM and was told it wouldn't be covered, I have talked to the dealer and taken it in before but I can't afford to keep paying a $150 fee to have my car looked at. I have been having this issue since April

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #183

Nov 082023

Malibu

  • miles
My 2016 Chevy Malibu that does not have many miles on it is shifting into, Reduced Engine Power Mode. When this comes on I cannot accelerate up to speeds and can only go about 25 MPH. It is dangerous that my car can go from highway speeds to this slow. I have had 0 issues before this started happening and other Malibus have been recalled for this same issue.

- Little Chute, WI, USA

problem #182

Oct 012023

Malibu

  • miles
I'm having a problem with the car going into park. When it's in park, the doors will not lock in the vehicle will Just drain the battery.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #181

Sep 252023

Malibu

  • miles
My 2016 Malibu is a piece of sh*t. Randomly, and this cannot be anticipated or reproduced, I will be driving and the car will say "engine power has been reduced". This is dangerous! It takes me from 70 mph on the highway to 15 mph almost immediately. I cannot speed up. It has almost caused at lease 5 accidents. It happens on the freeway, regular roads etc. and Chevrolet refuses to issue a recall to fix it. I can't take it into a dealership because it cannot be reduced and Chevrolet was EXTREMELY rude. They said you issue recalls and I need to contact you. The most recent date this happened was 9/25/2023 but it has happened many other times.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #180

Jul 022023

Malibu

  • miles
The accelerates by itself while driving the car cut off and won-??t crank. While driving all kind of light a signals come across the dashboard. It-??s dangerous for me to drive I-??ve replaced battery, alternator and map censor. My sister has a Cruze and her car is doing the something my friend has a Malibu and it is doing the same thing as my vehicle. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Tuscaloosa , AL, USA

problem #179

May 012018

Malibu

  • miles
When the vehicle is shifted (manual transmission) from any gear into park, and the vehicle is turned off, the "Shift into Park" warning appears. I verified it was in the park. Warning stays on from 1-5 minutes, leaving all outside marker and headlights on until the sensor engages and the vehicle returns to proper state (outside marker and headlights shut off and interior dome light turns on for exiting the vehicle. This occurs each time the vehicle is driven, and the malfunction has caused a reduced battery power (eventually replacement) and outside light replacement from unnecessary use. Losing battery power has left us stranded, and the loss of outside lighting reduces our visibility for other drivers to see the vehicle. Upon research, this has been reported and reproduced numerous times to the manufacturer, dealers, and NHTSA with no solutions reached except charging the customer to repair the issue (this is unacceptable). There were no warnings and the symptoms started approximately 2-3 years after purchased in 2016 and still continue (brand new car).

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #178

Jun 022023

Malibu

  • miles
Shift to park displayed when gear was already in park I was traveling on the highway when I felt the speed decline and engine speed reduced was then displayed. Thank you.

- Hampton Falls, NH, USA

problem #177

Jun 042023

Malibu

  • miles
Ever time I put car in park it say sh*t to park I have to restart the car 3 or 4 time and move shift stricken more then 3 time to finally make it go off

- Glenmora, LA, USA

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