2016 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 235 Electrical System complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 28% of its 837 total complaints for the year, with 5 crashes and 4 injuries reported. Two related recalls cover a park-lock key cylinder issue and a radio software fault, and median mileage at failure was 45,612.
- Electrical System complaints
- 235
- 28% of 837
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 45,612 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report the auto stop/start feature shutting the engine off completely when releasing the brake pedal instead of restarting it, sometimes leading to a collision.
- Several complaints describe sudden loss of engine power or deceleration to a crawl while driving at highway speed, with the car unable to accelerate past 20-30 mph.
- Some drivers report the intellibeam headlight system disabling itself unexpectedly while driving over 25 mph and taking over a mile to reset.
- Infotainment center shutdowns are reported, including loss of turn signal sound, along with other software-related electrical faults.
- Owners describe fuses in the dash being nearly impossible to remove, complicating flat-towing behind a motorhome.
- One complaint reports the passenger airbag sensor activating with no passenger present, alongside the radio shorting out and turning off unexpectedly.
When 2016 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 11, 2016, latest Jul 19, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
- NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 16V084000Feb 11, 2016Electrical System139 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. 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."
Risk: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System complaints by Malibu model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- NHTSA lists 235 Electrical System complaints for the 2016 Malibu, which is 28% of the 837 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu electrical system?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls: campaign 16V502000 for a park-lock key cylinder issue and campaign 16V084000 for a radio software fault that could fail to warn drivers the key was left in the ignition.
- Did the 2016 Malibu electrical problems cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied 5 crashes and 4 injuries to Electrical System complaints on the 2016 Malibu, with no fires reported.
- At what mileage do 2016 Malibu electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2016 Malibu is 45,612 miles, according to NHTSA.
- Is the electrical problem rate higher in 2016 than other Malibu years?
- The 28% share for 2016 is close to most other years but lower than 2012 and 2013, which each had a 45% share of complaints tied to the electrical system.