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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited problems, recalls and owner complaints

What the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.

  • 0safety recalls
  • 803owner complaints
  • 20crash reports
  • 2fire reports
  • 11injuries reported

Every Chevrolet Malibu Limited model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.

What goes wrong with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited?

The components named most often in the 803 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  1. Engine291 (36.2%)
  2. Electrical System217 (27%)
  3. Power Train170 (21.2%)
  4. Vehicle Speed Control151 (18.8%)
  5. Service Brakes86 (10.7%)
  6. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)75 (9.3%)
  7. Fuel/Propulsion System44 (5.5%)
  8. Steering39 (4.9%)

What symptoms do 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited owners describe?

Found by reading the text of all 803 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.

Has the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited been recalled?

NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.

What do 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited owners report?

12 of the 803 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

When I was driving my car with my child in it my break tightened up and I couldn’t apply them to stop I had to let my foot off the gas and let my car slow its self down safely. When I got my car home my husband looked at it and found out that my vaccum pump had went out and part of it broke off in the engine. This is very unsafe and this needs to be investigated because people can’t know when the vacuum pump is going to go bad this issue lays on gm and Chevy to make sure the parts they are using will hold up and be safe
Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11677384 · Jul 30, 2025
Brake booster pump failed ( gm part # 12704586 ) Causing limited braking and severe damage to internal engine components, camshafts ,timing chain have been damaged This is a ongoing problem in which i have had this pump replaced at my expense several times. The problem stems brake booster pump is lubricated using the engine's oil . Booster pump has a small screen to filter oil, this filter can easily become clogged resulting in booster to run dry and grenade into top of engine. These pieces then interfer with camshafts and timing gears other components
Service Brakes, EngineNHTSA complaint 11671410 · Jul 6, 2025
When I put the car in park and try to turn the car off the Shift Park message comes on preventing me from cutting the car completely off. I put in back in drive or reverse then back in park it still dings and shows the message. I takes a number of repeating these steps for it to stop and turn off and this is happening every time I'm trying to turn the car off.
Electrical System, Back Over Prevention, Forward Collision AvoidanceNHTSA complaint 11668474 · Jun 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission was in park(P). The contact had to manipulate and maneuver the gear shifter several times before the vehicle recognized that the gear shifter was in park(P). The message to "Shift-to Park" was illuminated. While receiving a routine oil change, the vehicle failed to start. The mechanic charged the battery; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was inspected, and it was determined that the was experiencing the "Shift to Park" failure…
Power Train, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11667071 · Jun 16, 2025
Stability track warning randomly appears while driving and spontaneously causes total brake failure and the brakes fail to slow or stop vehicle. It has newer brakes but it’s very dangerous to drive. Currently being sent to Chevrolet dealership
Electrical System, Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11666586 · Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. Additionally, the message “Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline, Vehicle Speed ControlNHTSA complaint 11665802 · Jun 9, 2025
I am filing a complaint regarding ongoing and worsening issues with my Chevrolet vehicle, which appear to point to broader defects involving the engine and electrical systems. Months ago, while driving, the car suddenly lost power and displayed "Engine Power Reduced." I had to keep using it due to work needs. Over time, it hesitated more during acceleration and felt increasingly unsafe. When I finally brought it to a Chevrolet service center, I was told the issue involved the pistons. The vehicle also regularly shows a "Shift to Park" warning even when the gear is in Park, raising concerns…
Power Train, Electrical System, EngineNHTSA complaint 11663745 · May 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal made an abnormal grinding sound and became stiff. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband replaced the brake sensor; however, the failure recurred several days later. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test and was referred…
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)NHTSA complaint 11652737 · Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after shifting to park, the message to shift to park was displayed. The failure occurred intermittently and had become more persistent over time. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Power TrainNHTSA complaint 11649409 · Mar 20, 2025
Happened around 46000 miles after receiving a recall notice in the mail about the pedal positioning sensor causing a reduced engine power signal, and immediately reducing speeds on the interstate. Local Chevy dealership replaced. Fast-forward 80K miles and the same incident is happening, however likely not going to be covered by GM. Same message, same code being detected.
Vehicle Speed Control, Unknown Or Other, EngineNHTSA complaint 11644103 · Feb 21, 2025
I started smelling a strong smell of gas while operating the vehicle. Took to a dealership who diagnosed a turbocharger clamp and exhaust failure. From what I understand I am not the only one with a clamp/exhaust/seal problem. A friend of mine who owned a GM product had similar problems to the point her engine failed altogether. Please investigate!
Unknown Or Other, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11617854 · Oct 3, 2024
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.
Steering, Vehicle Speed Control, Unknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 11589445 · May 18, 2024

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited: questions owners ask

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited reliable?

NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 803 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited; the most common categories were engine (291, 36.2%), electrical system (217, 27%), power train (170, 21.2%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 20 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 11 injuries were reported.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited?

Across 803 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (36.2% of complaints), electrical system (27% of complaints), power train (21.2% of complaints), vehicle speed control (18.8% of complaints), service brakes (10.7% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited have any recalls?

As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited?

134 of the 803 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited (16.7%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "The check engine light came on and we brought it to the shop where they said the code is for the electronic brake system modulator. It is also causing the ABS to malfunction and be hypersensitive." (NHTSA complaint 11635349, January 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited stall, lose power or shut off while driving?

63 of the 803 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited (7.8%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "while driving the engine lost power started idling rough and the MIL came on. The MIL was found to be cyl 1 misfire, mechanic tracked it down to a cracked piston. A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE." (NHTSA complaint 11590515, May 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Check your own Malibu Limited

Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.

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