NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 865 owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu (including the hybrid).
Recalled components: air bags, electrical system, fuel system, hybrid propulsion system, and 2 more. Most-described problem: loss of power or limp mode (209 complaints, 24%). Most-reported area: engine (312 complaints, 36%; median mileage when it happened: 51,000).
One of the Malibu years to avoid
The 2016 drew 151 owner complaints in its first three years, against 65 for a typical Malibu year (43 for a typical year since 2016): 2.3 times as many.
Years to avoid: 2013 and 2016 to 2018; best years: 2021, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
Year to avoidBest year
Includes the Malibu Hybrid and the Malibu Limited, the previous generation sold alongside the new car.
10 safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
66 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16079.
18 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016.
Risk: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.
Fails federal standard 214 (side impact protection) · 3,137 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016.
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.
1,579 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016.
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Fails federal standard 114 (theft and rollaway protection) · 8,367 vehicles.
NHTSA listing: MALIBU. Components: Electrical system: ignition; Powertrain: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm). Chevrolet campaign 50490, 50491.
Risk: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.
Fails federal standard 114 (theft and rollaway protection) · 139 vehicles.
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
895 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles.
NHTSA listing: MALIBU. Chevrolet campaign 18188 18268.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the MSD and correct the installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 51230.
534 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016.
NHTSA listing: MALIBU HYBRID. Chevrolet campaign 51230.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
402 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.
Fails federal standard 126 (electronic stability control) · 66 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016.
NHTSA listing: MALIBU. Chevrolet campaign 39440.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.
What owners report
Owners have filed 865 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Malibu. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Loss of power or limp mode209 · 24%
Median 56,000 miles at failure, from 124 reports with mileage
Check engine light157 · 18%
Median 55,000 miles at failure, from 114 reports with mileage
Shifter errors or stuck in gear142 · 16%
Median 39,500 miles at failure, from 82 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off67 · 8%
Median 45,500 miles at failure, from 50 reports with mileage
Hesitation or slow acceleration54 · 6%
Median 50,000 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Auto start-stop problems30 · 3%
Median 65,000 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration29 · 3%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Median 51,000 miles at failure, from 177 reports with mileage
Electrical system233 · 27%
Median 47,500 miles at failure, from 138 reports with mileage
Powertrain174 · 20%
Most named: automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shift (4) · Median 42,500 miles at failure, from 112 reports with mileage
Speed control158 · 18%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 101 reports with mileage
Brakes105 · 12%
Median 55,000 miles at failure, from 62 reports with mileage
Stability control77 · 9%
Median 55,000 miles at failure, from 62 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system52 · 6%
Median 51,800 miles at failure, from 28 reports with mileage
Unknown or other181 · 21%
Median 44,700 miles at failure, from 97 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Chevrolet Malibu recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2016 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2018 Malibu drew the most (220) and the 2016 drew 151.
Owner complaints
2016: 865 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Chevrolet Malibu
Model year
Complaints
2010
1,365
2011
978
2012
907
2013
924
2014
363
2015
270
2016
865
2017
727
2018
712
2019
195
2020
203
2021
90
2022
100
2023
73
2024
46
2025
12
Safety recalls
2016: 10 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Chevrolet Malibu
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
3
2012
2
2013
11
2014
6
2015
3
2016
10
2017
4
2018
6
2019
1
2020
1
2021
2
2022
1
2023
2
2024
2
2025
1
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 865 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, the problems described most are loss of power or limp mode (209), the check engine light coming on (157), and shifter errors or getting stuck in gear (142). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.
How do I check if my Malibu has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Chevrolet dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: MALIBU, MALIBU HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.