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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 841 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA also files the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu separately as Malibu Hybrid — 1 recall campaign.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2016 Chevrolet Malibu owner complaints

Owners have filed 841 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, describing incidents dated August 20, 2015 to October 10, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 305 complaints
  • Electrical System 222 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 175 complaints
  • Power Train 166 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 152 complaints
  • Service Brakes 103 complaints

Of the 841 complaints on file, 23 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 841 complaints, owners report 14 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11771743 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11771541 · Filed

    It said service to stabilitrak press the gas and it won't go its delayed..

  • ODI #11771250 · Filed

    My vacuum pump has failed. Causing extremely dangerous driving conditions and potentially damaging my engine.

Read all 841 complaints

Rear Seat Belt Retractor Not Secured Properly

NHTSA #21V649000 · Seat Belts — Critical Fasteners · NHTSA notice

Reported August 20, 2021 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 402 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.36% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N212333380 · Owners notified September 17, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

PPS Incorrectly Suppressing Air Bags

NHTSA #18V400000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported June 14, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 66 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18208 · Owners notified August 7, 2018 · Vehicles built November 20, 2015 – September 8, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Pump Flange Weld may Fracture

NHTSA #18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported May 31, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 895 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18188 18268 · Owners notified July 2, 2018 · Vehicles built January 27, 2016 – April 27, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Side Air Bag Fabric May Tear During Deployment

NHTSA #16V781000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported October 26, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 18 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.44% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 16079 · Owners notified October 27, 2016 · Vehicles built November 18, 2015 – June 7, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.

Safety consequence

If the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16079.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #16V502000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported July 5, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 8,367 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 50490, 50491 · Owners notified October 14, 2016 · Vehicles built April 7, 2016 – May 31, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Safety consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Electronic Stability Control Systems/FMVSS 126

NHTSA #16V272000 · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · NHTSA notice

Reported May 5, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 66 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.48% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 39440 · Owners notified June 17, 2016 · Vehicles built March 7, 2016 – March 12, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Side Air Bag Weld Studs May Separate/FMVSS 214

NHTSA #16V151000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported March 11, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 3,137 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.99% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 31820 · Owners notified April 14, 2016 · Vehicles built February 16, 2016 – March 5, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Safety consequence

Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Improper Air Bag Inflation

NHTSA #16V125000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported March 2, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 1,579 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 28030 · Owners notified April 14, 2016 · Vehicles built January 9, 2016 – January 26, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Safety consequence

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Intermittent Failure of Audio Warning System

NHTSA #16V084000 · Electrical System — Software · NHTSA notice

Reported February 11, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 139 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.74% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15808 · Owners notified March 14, 2016 · Vehicles built July 23, 2015 – October 29, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Chevrolet Malibu model years

Check your 2016 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Malibu at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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