Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 841 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #21V649000 Rear Seat Belt Retractor Not Secured Properly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V400000 PPS Incorrectly Suppressing Air Bags NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V358000 Fuel Pump Flange Weld may Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V781000 Side Air Bag Fabric May Tear During Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V502000 Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V272000 Electronic Stability Control Systems/FMVSS 126 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V151000 Side Air Bag Weld Studs May Separate/FMVSS 214 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V125000 Improper Air Bag Inflation NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V084000 Intermittent Failure of Audio Warning System NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 304 complaints
- Electrical System 222 complaints
- Unknown or Other 175 complaints
- Power Train 166 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 152 complaints
- Service Brakes 95 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has significant reliability issues, with a high number of owner complaints (841) and nine recall campaigns. Common issues revolve around the engine and electrical systems with notable complaints also about the powertrain and brakes. This data underscores the potential for ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,200–$4,000 | very common |
| electrical system | 50,000–90,000 miles | $500–$2,000 | common |
| powertrain | 70,000–110,000 miles | $1,500–$3,500 | common |
| service brakes | 60,000–100,000 miles | $300–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotation
- Brake inspection and service
- Transmission fluid replacement
- Coolant flushes
- Battery testing and replacement
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Check engine light
- Irregular shifting
- Brake noise or vibration
- Electrical malfunctions
- High engine temperature
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.