Problems · by component

2016 Chevrolet Malibu electronic stability control (esc) problems

77 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu cite electronic stability control (esc), 9% of all 865 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
77
9% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electronic stability control (esc)

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the stability control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced and the engine needed to be deep cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. On another occasion, while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light flashing. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery sensor and AC/DC box needed to be replaced. The failure persisted. On the last occasion, while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2024Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11580375
“The contact's client owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his client was driving at an undisclosed speed, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle vibrated briefly and failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. The ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2023Service brakes, air, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11531797
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that the brakes would not engage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the abs warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced again. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2021Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11423558
“WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK MON MORNING FOR THE 5 OR 6 TIME THE ENERGY REDUCTION LIGHT CAME ON IM THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSES ME TO GET REAR ENDED IN THE ROAD I QUICKLY TURNED MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON TO KEEP FROM BEING HIT PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME ITS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME TO CONTACT THE GMC DEALERSHIPS I PAY ALMOST 500 ON CAR PAYMENTS TO BE EXPERIENCING THIS DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY HURT I NEED HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2020Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11372801
“STABILITRAK CODE APPEARS ON DASHBOARD - CAUSING LOW OR NO ACCELERATION, SHAKING WHEN STILL AND WHILE IN PARK. METER READS AS A 'MISFIRE CODE'; TOTAL TUNE UP WAS CONDUCTED (REPLACED ALL PLUGS & WIRING/COIL PACK); WAS STABLE FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS AND THEN 'STABILITRAK' CODE REAPPEARED WITH CAR SHAKING AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2020Power train, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11360306

Showing 6 of 77 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electronic stability control (esc)

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Electronic stability control (esc)Reported May 5, 2016NHTSA 16V272000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026

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