2016 Chevrolet Malibu problems and complaints
Owners have filed 861 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The most-reported areas: Engine (310), Electrical System (233), Unknown Or Other (180).
Key takeaways
- 861 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 24 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 17 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 310 | 36% |
| Electrical System | 233 | 27% |
| Unknown Or Other | 180 | 21% |
| Power Train | 174 | 20% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 158 | 18% |
| Service Brakes | 106 | 12% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 77 | 9% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 51 | 6% |
| Steering | 42 | 5% |
| Structure | 41 | 5% |
| Exterior Lighting | 19 | 2% |
| Suspension | 19 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Air Bags - filed 2026-09-04
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and taking her children to school, there was an abnormally loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that several air bags deployed. The steering wheel air bag struck the contact, and she was knocke...
Unknown Or Other,engine - filed 2026-09-02
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid LT 1.8L - current mileage 147,059 miles The factory exhaust heat exchanger failed internally, leaking engine coolant into the exhaust system. This caused check engine codes P0401 / P26BE, loss of cabin heat, coolant loss, and exhaust fumes entering cabin. GM has released 4 revisions of t...
Electrical System,unknown Or Other - filed 2026-07-19
“Steering assist is reduced, drive with care” is showing up for a couple second and disappearing. When that happens my car seems to shut off and the steering wheel stiffens and pull to either the left of right side. All this happens while driving. After the 3rd time of it happening within 10min, my gas fuel level dropp...
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More for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.