2016 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 Malibu years
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 73 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 837 complaints, 9 recalls, and 23 crashes, with engine problems (45% of complaints) as the top issue.
- Complaints
- 837
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 23 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23 city / 33 hwy
Top 2016 Chevrolet Malibu problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine373 (45%)
- Electrical System235 (28%)
- Other174 (21%)
- Brakes166 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain166 (20%)
- Fuel System53 (6%)
- Structure & Body47 (6%)
- Steering42 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (4%)
- Airbags18 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floor with no stopping power, sometimes leading to low-speed collisions.
- Some report the anti-lock brakes failing to engage during hard stops at highway speed, causing a bumpy, extended rollout.
- A few describe the transmission getting stuck in neutral while shifting into reverse, causing the car to roll into another vehicle.
- One owner reported sudden unintended acceleration while parking, causing the car to jump a curb and strike a tree.
- Another owner found the rear seat burnt and suspected faulty power seat wiring behind the seat fire.
- One driver reported the auto stop/start feature shutting the engine off completely instead of restarting when releasing the brake.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V649000Aug 20, 2021Seat Belts402 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V400000Jun 14, 2018Airbags66 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- Compared to other Malibu years, the 2016 model is rated Caution, ranking 5th worst out of 16 years tracked. NHTSA recorded 837 complaints and a complaint index of 73.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Malibu?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 45% of complaints (373 of 837), with a median failure mileage of 55,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Malibu have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2016 Malibu, covering airbags, brakes, the electronic park lock, seat belts, and the fuel system. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Malibu compare to other model years?
- The 2016 Malibu's complaint index of 73 is lower than 2010-2013 (rated Avoid, index 80-100) but higher than 2015, 2019, 2021, and later years, which are rated Good or Best.
- Are there brake problems reported in the 2016 Malibu?
- Yes, brakes are the third-largest problem area with 166 complaints and 12 crashes reported, with a median failure mileage of 57,000 miles.