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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,620 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 7 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #161

Dec 232020

Malibu

  • 98,000 miles

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

When the car goes into the auto stop mode it completely dies and the light. No dash lights, no dome light, no hazard lights, literally nothing works. This has happened 3 times so far, and all three times I was in the middle of traffic. I'm not happy, I have had trouble out of this car with other issues sense I gotten it back in July of 2020

- Bossier City, LA, USA

problem #160

Aug 262020

Malibu

  • 79,510 miles
I was driving downtown when car engine warning light came on and it slowed down then shut off, luckily the car behind me didn't hit me. I was able to pull over. I've had it towed 2 time one mechanic said: I needed a motor. I bought a code reader replaced both batteries. Next code P2138 reduded engine power. It a defective throttle control accelerator pedal position sensor. I towed it to GM dealership they are trying to sell me a motor and will not acknowledge, pedal problem because there is no recall only special coverage adjustment #N192188250 global safety field investigation dcs5117 global warranty.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #159

Dec 222020

Malibu

  • 44,690 miles
Driving the car you smell a burning smell upon parking it turned out the heat shield on car was burning and disintegrating. I have photo but won't load, ,,

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #158

Dec 052020

Malibu

  • 43,500 miles

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

Driving the vehicle and then tapping the brake to come to a stop at a red light it will automatically go into auto stop and then shut everything off even though this is an automatic car to restart the car it's like a standard it has to roll backwards before you can go forwards, the fuel issue is I've already gone through three tanks of gas and this is supposed to be a great car on gas especially on the highway I'm barely getting a 150 for each full tank of gas. The 47 hw and 27 city for gas milage is more like 27hw and 10 city....

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #157

Dec 012020

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles
Over the last 6 months we have had to replace the battery on two occasions. Each time the entire charging system was checked with no faults identified. Recently, last 3 months, on multiple occasions vehicle will stall while in motion. This has occurred at various speeds from accelerating from a stop to at highway speeds. When vehicle stalls ability to control the vehicle is dramatically reduced; especially hazardous when in heavy traffic. On other occasions all accessories ac, radio, wiper blades, etc will all turn off and not restart until the engine is turned off and restarted. Another frequently reoccurring issue is the sound you normally hear when a turn signal is engaged will stop - this usually precedes the engine stalling. On most of these occasions the engine will restart - twice it required a jump start. On numerous occasions we receive various fault lights/messages that too were unfounded. Most frequent referencing the stability tracking. Restart the engine and fault is cleared only to return at later time. All of these issues are extremely hazardous and places my family and I in danger each time we operate the vehicle. Although there are numerous write ups detailing this systemic problem with multiple years of the Chevy Malibu GMC and Chevy will not acknowledge the problems and continue to levy charges and collect monies from owners for what probably should result in a recall in order to affect requisite repairs.

- Belton, TX, USA

problem #156

Dec 032018

Malibu

  • 30,000 miles
When placing my vehicle into the park position and trying to turn my engine off a message states to put the vehicle into the park position before the engine will shut off. The car stays on until it goes off by default which causes a draw on the battery. This issue has been happening consistently for the past two years and when I take it to the dealership I am told that they cannot duplicate the issue.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #155

Jun 102020

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles

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

I get routine service to my car & my engine is clicking, loudly. The check engine light continuously goes on & off & I was told by Chevrolet service department that they could not even run a diagnostics to see what the problem is because the check engine light was off when I got to the dealership. Sometimes 'service battery charging system' will illuminate but it too picks and chooses when to illuminate. Sometimes it shows 'battery saver activated' and this is the third battery I've purchased! the entire car will stall/shut off but the green light is illuminated to show the car is on but when I accelerate it won't budge! dangerous considering my car could stall at anytime and cause a collision. I've nearly gotten T-boned twice coming out a gas station entering a road because my car stalled in the middle of the street while traffic was coming from both directions! a service man at the Chevy dealership asked me was I experiencing issues with my auto start/stop when I told him what was happening. Yes! my car picks and chooses when it wants to do it. And when it does 'restart' the entire car reboots, the locks re-click, lights flicker, it'll be in drive and roll backwards until the ignition turns over! Chevy or at least the service techs are fully aware of an issue and won't fix it. Sometimes the car just won't start, all the power will go out. What happens when I'm out & the entire electrical system and engine won't start after at least starting 20 minutes prior! I've already got new pistons, a new alternator, 3 new batteries & get the routine maintenance. I have a mychevy account & every month my diagnostics report, shows an issue! if I'm in an accident & my child or I are injured, who is liable because my car decides to malfunction in the middle of a busy highway? Chevrolet for neglecting to service my car because the freaking check engine light isn't on!

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #154

Nov 202020

Malibu

  • 250 miles
When the vehicle comes to a stop at a light, the vehicle shuts off while in drive, however the lights & radio remain on in the car & the start button still shows the car as 'on'. the engine will not rev & the car will not move forward when in drive. When attempting to turn the car off then on again, the car will not restart without a jump. When attempting to cut the car on without a jump, the doors lock & unlock on their own and all of the lights in the car, along with the lights on the dash, flicker on & off and there is a clicking noise but the car doesn't cut on.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #153

Sep 302020

Malibu

  • 62,000 miles
The contact called on behalf of a friend who owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating after being idle. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally while idling. The contact took the vehicle to vann york Chevrolet Buick (321 eastchester dr, high point, nc 27262; (336) 841-4133) and was informed that the rod bearing failed and that the engine was blown. The owner was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted by the dealer and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #152

Sep 232020

Malibu

  • miles
When I place the car in park it does not register that it is park and a 'shift into park' error comes up. Everything stays on in the car and the battery drains if it's not corrected. It can take several attempts to get it to recognize it is in park. Must keep turning the car in and off until it senses it's in park. It has taken up to 10 times until it finally senses it.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #151

Sep 162020

Malibu

  • 1 miles

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

I own a 2016 Chevy Malibu premier I bout it on the same year with 3 thousand miles in it ever since I been having problems with the car in 2017 the car had over 10 thousand miles in it N water was getting inside the vehicle so I took it to dealership N they sed it was a weather strip of the back window second time same year it was an electrical problem of the seats 3rd problem it was suspension now this is 2020 November 27 N now the car has 74 thousand miles in it N the car shakes wile on drive mode just on drive mode N the weirdes thing is that there's no check engine light nothing everything sims to be wrong I need help I do think it's factory made

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #150

Jan 212019

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles
Stabilitrak code appears on dashboard - causing low or no acceleration, shaking when still and while in park. Meter reads as a 'misfire code'; total tune up was conducted (replaced all plugs & wiring/coil pack); was stable for about 3 days and then 'stabilitrak' code reappeared with car shaking again.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #149

Aug 132020

Malibu

  • 109,000 miles
The vehicle is driving normal and suddenly shuts down for no apparent reason. Upon parking, you try to start the car, and it won't. wait for approx. 30 mins and the car starts but a bit rough first and then drives.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #148

Aug 042020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, smoke seeped into the cab of the vehicle. The contact stopped close by and the vehicle was checked by her son and saw there was a very small amount of antifreeze left in the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer riverside Chevrolet (707 w 51st St, tulsa, ok 74107 918-446-7700) while it was running hot. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer with an oil change and fluid checks two months earlier. The dealer suggested to leave the vehicle overnight. The vehicle was later diagnosed that the heater coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #147

Aug 042020

Malibu

  • miles
Reduce engine power and the brakes just cut off going down road driving not safe

- Marshall, TX, USA

problem #146

Jul 272020

Malibu

  • 26,000 miles
Vehicle transmission issue. Stabilitrak service warnings. Acceleration issues.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #145

Jul 202020

Malibu

  • 46,000 miles
During highway speeds, engine light comes on, ESC warning comes on, vehicle loses power and shudders. Was merging onto freeway when engine light and ESC light came on, causing vehicle to reduce power, forcing an immediate reactions to avoid collision. Dealership says issues cannot be found.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #144

Jun 262020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Problem has huge accident potential. *driving on the highway in moderately heavy traffic. *traveling at a 65-70 mph to keep up with the flow of traffic, I began receiving "engine power is reduced" message on my info screen. * the engine light comes on (and I immediately start counting how much time and money this will cost me). * there is a slight jerk/pull of the car where it immediately starts a drastic reduction in speed down to 20-30 mph. * I've had to pull to the side of the road to stop the car (I pray I am able to do this safely). *eventually, I found that by shutting the engine off completely for several minutes, the car somehow "resets" and drives normally. * occasionally, the engine light would go away immediately upon re-ignition. Other times the engine light went off after a couple day. * this happened several times during within a (1) hour commute to work.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #143

Jan 202019

Malibu

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the engine power reduced warning light illuminated, the vehicle decelerated and came to a complete stop. The vehicle was turned off and restarted but failed to accelerate above 30-35 mph. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the viva Chevrolet located at 5915 Montana ave, el paso, tx 79925, where the technician diagnosed an unknown computer failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #142

Jun 172020

Malibu

  • 66,000 miles
The day before the car's dashboard said that the car's power assist was turning off. The next morning as I was going 75 miles per hour on the highway the car said that engine was reducing power and speed reduced to 45 mph. The check engine light suddenly went on and it was a very dangerous situation that could have killed me.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

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