Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited problems

Owners filed 803 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited with NHTSA between Oct 2015 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is engine (291).

Complaints
803
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine291
  2. Electrical system217
  3. Power train170
  4. Vehicle speed control151
  5. Service brakes79
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)75
  7. Fuel/propulsion system44
  8. Structure39
  9. Steering39
  10. Suspension18
  11. Exterior lighting18
  12. Air bags16
  13. Wheels11
  14. Visibility/wiper11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20151
201617
201738
201895
2019203
2020148
202196
202275
202352
202454
202524

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

291 reports4 crashes1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2025Service brakes, EngineODI 11671410

Electrical system

217 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2025Electrical system, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11668474

Power train

170 reports3 crashes
“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. The contact found information of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train); and linked the failure to the recall. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2025Power train, Electrical systemODI 11667071

Vehicle speed control

151 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2025Engine, Fuel system, gasoline, Vehicle speed controlODI 11665802

Service brakes

79 reports10 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Service brakesODI 11677384

Electronic stability control (esc)

75 reports1 crash
“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 to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2025Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11652737
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.