Research · Midsize Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2016 Chevrolet MalibuRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 865 owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Most complaints involve engine (312) and electrical system (233). The EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Aug 2021
Owner complaints
865
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: critical fasteners

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Aug 20, 2021NHTSA 21V649000

Air bags: occupant classification

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 14, 2018NHTSA 18V400000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 31, 2018NHTSA 18V358000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

865 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine312
  2. Electrical system233
  3. Power train174
  4. Vehicle speed control158
  5. Service brakes98
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)77
  7. Fuel/propulsion system52
  8. Steering42
  9. Structure41

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

By model year

Complaints for each Malibu model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997452
1998999
1999800
2000944
2001739
2002596
2003611
20041,698
20051,393
20061,389
2007992
20081,017
20091,511
20101,365
2011978
2012907
2013924
2014363
2015270
2016865
2017727
2018700
2019193
2020200
202190
202299
202373
202444
202512
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

312 reports5 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 61 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly began idling roughly. The contact stated that a loud noise was heard coming from the vehicle, and the cooling fan cycled on and off. The vehicle was taken to a service center, where it was found overheating. The cause of the failure could not be determined initially; however, the mechanic stated the failure was a known issue requiring a special diagnostic tool. Diagnosis revealed three piston rings leaking at 5 percent and the fourth piston ring leaking at 95 percent. The contact was informed that the piston rings could potentially be repaired if the necessary remedy parts were available for the model year. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026EngineODI 11771743

Electrical system

233 reports4 crashes
““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 dropped but when back up to the “original” level”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11751404

Power train

174 reports3 crashes
“My car will rev up to 4000 rpm’s and my car will not go about 20 mph. My cruise stopped working after my car went into reduce engine power. The dealership said they fixed all issues but was back to doing the high rev within a week. It started this week telling me to shift to park even though my car was in park. The shift to park cable has been replaced twice now. I have been dealing with this since July of 2025. My car has been in the shop more times than I can count.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11726029
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Malibu
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150293
Malibu
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,450342
  • Malibu
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Malibu
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.2%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Malibu Eco e-Assist 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 10385Vehicle 10386
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Malibu questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 865 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (312), electrical system (233), power train (174). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at 26–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026