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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,523 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #156

Aug 102022

Malibu

  • miles

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

When driving the car it will stop mid drive and slow to 20MPH. The car has broken down in the middle of the road on multiple occasions. It has locked me in the car where I am unable to get out. On one occasion the battery was dead and the car had locked me out. I had to have someone unlock it. The next day the car was fine with no signs of issues. The car has been taken to multiple mechanics and no one knows the issue. Car doesn-??t throw any codes or show any symptoms of issues.

- Jackson , KY, USA

problem #155

Apr 302024

Malibu

  • miles
THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS SINCE 4/30/2024 stabilitrack warning on Ipc, security light, power steering goes out on freeway-while turning in an intersection-going 75 on the freeway while changing lanes, IPC displays ice warning when 90-?? outside, erratic shifting(being stuck in 2nd gear until it shifts to 4th), no start no crank condition ( I replaced the battery, had alternator tested, tested fuses, fuel pressure test, checked spark plugs and coil packs) key fob not unlocking doors or remote starting (battery was changed) passenger seat will only recline on one side, power mirrors erratically moving without user adjustment, Climate control sporadically disconnects (no lights in dash no power at all) I have not taken it to a dealership I can-??t afford the outrageous prices. I have had my father (certified ford technician) inspect the car. This car has become unsafe for me to drive with my children and I am terrified that it-??s going to cause us to wreck and cause serious injury or death

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #154

May 032024

Malibu

  • miles
While traveling at normal speed (55-60MPH) Engine Power Reduced message pops up and car will not accelerate until I pull over, turn it off, then back on after a period of time. Message is beginning to come up frequently. Occurred 3 times this morning on the way to work.

- Appling, GA, USA

problem #153

Mar 082024

Malibu

  • miles

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

Reduce engine power warning -??? losing power on highway and shift to park warning -???

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #152

Feb 022023

Malibu

  • miles
Occasionally when the car is put in park, it does not alert the rest of the car that it's in park. Although I turn the car off, it beeps like it's still on an I have to turn the car on again and move it back into park in order for it to stop. There has been a recall for this issue but so far, my car has not shown up and for that reason, the dealer/mechanic will not repair it which is understandable on their part. Please advise. Thank you.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

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problem #151

Feb 032024

Malibu

  • miles
Car moves even in park due to faulty gear shifter. It-??s made of plastic. Computer reads error message -??shift to park-?? and still moves while in park. A danger to other cars and car battery.

- Monroeville , AL, USA

problem #150

Feb 012022

Malibu

  • miles

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

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 #149

Jan 112024

Malibu

  • miles
Charged air cooler makes it so your car slows down to 20 on interstate

- Becker, MN, USA

problem #148

Dec 202023

Malibu

  • miles
Warning display on dash reads "Engine power is reduced " and forces and abrupt reduction on vehicle speed, Especially on highway driving on commute. Noticed online multiple similar concerns and complaints. No recall or extended warranty?

- Canandaigua, NY, USA

problem #147

Aug 282023

Malibu

  • miles
The engine only has 78K miles on it. I took it in because I received a notification that said stabilitrack. First I had a mechanic change the spark plugs, then I was told I had to take it in for a bigger issue with the engine. I was told it would cost $2500 just to break down the engine and diagnose it. Then I was quoted 11k on top of that to completely replace the engine. 78k miles and the engine needs replacing for more then the car is worth. The diagnosis was that I had a piston crack and the whole engine was ruined.

- Austin , TX, USA

problem #146

Sep 022023

Malibu

  • miles

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

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The engine oil pressure control circuit is stuck. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was driving when all of a sudden my car would not let me speed up to the speed limit and almost caused someone to rear end me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dick Allen's in Meadville as well as AutoZone who read the code Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No warning until the light came on and the car slowed down. This is the 3rd time this has happened. Previously I was told to put Cataclean into my fuel to help which it did but it seems to only be a temporary solution.

- Cochranton, PA, USA

problem #145

Aug 012023

Malibu

  • miles
I was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden my information center on my was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden my information center on my 2016 Chevy Malibu popped up a warning, reduced engine power and drop me down to 20 mph without warning. I barely made it to the side of the road before being run over by 18 wheelers all around me. Once I got it home I read the code, and it shows there-??s not enough power going to the turbo in the engine that-??s caused by the accelerator sensor. When I start at low speed or from a stop in attempt to accelerate the car hesitates to the point I can-??t pull out with any cars around because I will be hit. I-??ve been told this is a known problem for the vehicle and it-??s a $500 part to fix. It-??s extremely dangerous and I am so shocked there has not been a recall for this, it is putting everybody that is in one of these vehicles in danger

- Franklin , KY, USA

problem #144

Jul 172023

Malibu

  • miles
automatic transmission shifter assembly is out of specifications and needed to be replaced by removing the center console to gain access with all other related new seals gaskets and non-reusable hardware and reinstall all components for repairs in the reverse order of removal. cleared all diagnostic trouble codes. the system is NOW operating as designed. Before the repair was made the car kept telling me that the shift was NOT in park, when it was. I am uncertain as to my safety or risk but was afraid to drive the vehicle as is. The repair was made on 8/17/23 by Richard Lucas Chevy, 1077 Rt.1 S, Avenel, NJ 07001 732-634-0100 at the cost to me of $435.42. My claim with GM is [XXX]. I was notified that this was a common problem with my specific vehicle and yet there has been no recall. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #143

Aug 152023

Malibu

  • miles
I bought the car brand new. Periodically the doors will not lock or unlock, only one at a time. I have had it in the shop on numerous occasions to get it repaired. It's fine for a while then it does it again, it changes from door to door. Now I can not get the driver's side back door to lock. My dash lights up to let me know the door is unlocked. I am afraid when i go to a public place, that someone will get into my car. I am so aggervated with this. I have an appointment AGAIN with the dealership for 8/16/23 for them to look at it and try to solve the problem. I have no idea when this started as it's been ongoing. The dealership is Wantz Chevrolet in Taneytown

- Union Bridge, MD, USA

problem #142

Jul 262023

Malibu

  • miles
Car indicator states to shift into park upon stopping. Have to restart car move shift lever several times before car system will shut down. Same issue was repaired by Team Chevrolet of Goldsboro NC on9/7/2022. Repair cost $279.88. Dealership replaced harness and updated wiring. Situation has returned with worse condition. Spent 20 mins trying to "shift into park ". On off shift on off shift off.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

problem #141

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

problem #140

Apr 022023

Malibu

  • miles
In November 2022 my vehicle (2016 Chevrolet Malibu) experienced a vacuum pump failure resulting in the brake system being inactive. Once the brake pedal was pressed, it remained locked and further stopping was not possible. Luckily I wads able to stop onto the shoulder, however it was on a busy highway where I was nearly unable to stop as we were merging from an exit ramp with no emergency area. Both myself and my girlfriend safety were at risk of injury had we not been able to safely pull over. After being towed to an auto repair shop the vacuum pump was replaced with no issues experience until 4/2/2023. As of April 2023 this same error occurred once again after entering a busy area. A second time I was lucky enough to have been away from traffic, however it could have resulted in personal injury or the injury of another individual had I not been able to pull off into an emergency lane. The car has since been towed to a certified Chevrolet dealership where I am awaiting an estimate on repairs. Initial review from the mechanics state damage has been done to the brake boosters as well as to the cars cam. Estimates on repairs could be as high as $5,000 or more including labor, diagnostics, and parts. Prior repairs done in November were nearly $700

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #139

Dec 082022

Malibu

  • miles
I purchased my car a lil over a year ago with carmax and as of this winter time & all the rain storms my car has recently starting leaking water from the top of my car to back from the backseats to my trunk to the point I had to take everything out of my backseats and trunk because it-??s soaked with water-??.I have to vacuum water out of my trunk in the spare tire cabin because it-??s full of water & now my car is starting to smell mildew due to all the water. I-??ve noticed this issue a couple weeks ago but now since it-??s been constantly raining I-??m having water inside my car every single day.

- Bakersfield , CA, USA

problem #138

Oct 222022

Malibu

  • miles
Numerous times my vehicle has not allowed me to shut it off, start it, or move the vehicle because it says that the vehicle is not in park when it very clearly is. I googled the issue and found that numerous other owners have had this issue, and the tech advisor at the dealer confirmed numerous people have had this issue as well. The issue was a faulty switch in the transmission control. 2 different major safety concerns resulted because of this. First, I was unable to start my car in a very bad neighborhood for over a half hour because it kept saying shift to park to start vehicle. Second, I could not shut the car off while parked in the garage because it said shift to park to shut off the vehicle. Both times I was fully in park. This problem is widespread as a simple google search will confirm, however, GM continues to deny it is a problem.

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #137

Oct 052022

Malibu

  • miles
I have had several issues with my 2016 Malibu. 1st: Putting my vehicle in park sometimes it does not register that it is in park. I have to turn the car on again and try moving the shifter until it registers. 2nd: when accelerating at times i get a stabilitrak error and a check engine light that causes a loss of power. This can happen in the middle of the highway which will cause an inevitable accident. 3rd: saving the best for last. Thw vehicle has recently lost power while driving and won't allow acceleration. Once i stop the vehicle stalls out completely and won't register the gears so i can't out it into park or anything. I was stuck at an intersection and couldn't move. It wouldn't turn fully off because it didn't register it was in park. And it won't turn on or start because it isn't on or off. I maintain my vehicles and correct all fixes recommended. Brought it in to have the issue looked at and was told that there were A LOT of error codes. They cleared them. But this has gotten ridiculous. GM needs to figure their stuff out..

- Alexandria, MN, USA

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