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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,748 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #151

Dec 182023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

*Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor- It is available upon request. * Due to the malfunction of the accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, the check engine light comes on and it flashes "engine reduced power" which slows the car down to a very low rate of speed not allowing the driver to go any faster. I was on the highway going speeds of around 75mph and that light came on and slowed my vehicle down which caused the car behind me to almost run into the back of my vehicle. I've had this occurrence with this problem several times. * UNKNOWN *UNKNOWN, absolutely nothing prior to the check engine light and "engine reduced power". The issue is sporadic and happens at any given moment. There is no warning that alerts when this happens.

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

problem #150

Oct 012023

Malibu

  • miles
I'm having a problem with the car going into park. When it's in park, the doors will not lock in the vehicle will Just drain the battery.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #149

Oct 012023

Malibu

  • miles
Acceleration to the engine malfunction no power to engine going excessive speeds on interstate failure light appeared car shut off one stopped car turn right back on. I-??ve reported this incident of the last two years to the dealership GMC to 2016 Chevy Malibu that has already had this instance back in 2019 and now has occurred at once again mileage since the last engine was replaced is 10,000 miles on the new engine

- Hobesound , FL, USA

problem #148

Aug 012023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden my information center on my was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden my information center on my 2016 Chevy Malibu popped up a warning, reduced engine power and drop me down to 20 mph without warning. I barely made it to the side of the road before being run over by 18 wheelers all around me. Once I got it home I read the code, and it shows there-??s not enough power going to the turbo in the engine that-??s caused by the accelerator sensor. When I start at low speed or from a stop in attempt to accelerate the car hesitates to the point I can-??t pull out with any cars around because I will be hit. I-??ve been told this is a known problem for the vehicle and it-??s a $500 part to fix. It-??s extremely dangerous and I am so shocked there has not been a recall for this, it is putting everybody that is in one of these vehicles in danger

- Franklin , KY, USA

problem #147

Aug 042023

Malibu

  • miles
After driving I went to put my car in park and across the information display screen it said shift to park. I have to wiggle the shifter back and forth then the message goes away. Otherwise, the car lights stay on, car beeps at me saying I left the key behind.

- Greenville, MI, USA

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problem #146

Aug 142023

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles
The contact's finance owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brake pedal would hardened when depressed without warning. While driving at 15 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle due to the hardened brake pedal. The driver side air bag failed to deploy as needed; the air bag slightly popped out of place but did not deploy. A police report was filed; no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic verified that the vacuum pump needed repair. In addition, the contact mentioned that the vehicle would independently downshift while driving at a high rate of speed as the "engine reduce speed" warning message would appear on the instrument panel. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified the failures; a case was filed with the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Arcadia, IN, USA

problem #145

Aug 052023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took my car to to Firestone to have the brakes checked because I had a stiff brake pedal and could only use my emergency brake to stop. They did a basic and advanced diagnostic and said that the brake booster that I have has been recalled and also other equipments on my car has been recalled and I must bring it to a dealership. I searched my VIN and nothing popped up even though months ago I was emailed a recall notice on the fuel pump system and Air bags and it has never been repaired in my car even from the past owners.There have been 10 recalls from Malibu's manufactured in 2016 and my car shows every sign and indication that it is one of those few selected. My VIN should be updated or investigated for parts in my vehicle that have been recalled. The Car stops when idle for two minutes or longer and shuts off the engine and air if you use the USB outlet there is a serious electrical problem which is also a safety hazard according to NHTSA guidelines.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #144

Jul 162023

Malibu

  • miles
I just bought this car 2 weeks ago. Had to replace the windshield wiper pump. There are at least 10 TSBs on the vehicle I'm on disability I can't afford to fix all that. The rear hub bearing was barely making noise when I bought it. Now tire feels like it's going to fall off. I believe there's a TSB on when you put the car in park and shut it off then it's not going in to gear even though it said it's into gear so I have to get that fixed as well. Can't Chevy fix thermostats just like I have to fix my mistakes in life.

- Portage , IN, USA

problem #143

May 082023

Malibu

  • miles
#1 3rd brake light leaking into back seat and trunk manufacture bolts backed out and/or missing, can also cause water to get into the brake light which tends to cause 3rd brake light failure, increasing risk of a crash. #2 gear shift lever inner lock blocking the ability for user to shut the vehicle off, this can also cause the gear shift lever to indicate vehicle is in park, but the transmission may actually be in another gear. This can lead to damage to the transmission or increase the risk of a crash. A recall has been made for Chevy Malibu 2016-2020 but my VIN was not included. While my vehicle is experiencing these issues. Issue was confirmed by an independent service center. Shift to park message pop up on dash when attempting to shut vehicle off unsure of exact start date but started a few months ago. I have since been doing my research on issues and their solutions.

- Surry, VA, USA

problem #142

May 012018

Malibu

  • miles
When the vehicle is shifted (manual transmission) from any gear into park, and the vehicle is turned off, the "Shift into Park" warning appears. I verified it was in the park. Warning stays on from 1-5 minutes, leaving all outside marker and headlights on until the sensor engages and the vehicle returns to proper state (outside marker and headlights shut off and interior dome light turns on for exiting the vehicle. This occurs each time the vehicle is driven, and the malfunction has caused a reduced battery power (eventually replacement) and outside light replacement from unnecessary use. Losing battery power has left us stranded, and the loss of outside lighting reduces our visibility for other drivers to see the vehicle. Upon research, this has been reported and reproduced numerous times to the manufacturer, dealers, and NHTSA with no solutions reached except charging the customer to repair the issue (this is unacceptable). There were no warnings and the symptoms started approximately 2-3 years after purchased in 2016 and still continue (brand new car).

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #141

Mar 012023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, my car will read reduce power engine, and go to 40mph and then i have to pull over and turn off my car and restart, sometimes it will dismiss the problem and drive normal but sometimes it goes right back to reduce power engine and 40mph again. My gears sometimes will be stuck in park.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #140

Mar 192023

Malibu

  • miles
Intermittent "Shift to Park" message started to show up when attempting to turn off vehicle. GM does have a special bulletin 19-NA-206 but doesn't have the coverage stated in it. There is also class action law suits as well so this is a common concern.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #139

Jan 302023

Malibu

  • miles
My 2016 Chevrolet malibu is displaying a "shift to park" message for the second time. We had the Automatic Transmission Control (GM part# 84347430) replaced two separate times already costing us over $1600 in repairs. Also had to replace 2 batteries within the past 3 years which cost over $300. First replaced in March of 2020 and now again in Feb 2023. Current lawsuits for this problem are on-going. No loaner cars were given for these repairs resulting in inconvenience of over 2 months. Manufacturers and dealers are aware this problem exists yet they do nothing. As far as danger it causes is you can't turn off your car, also will lead to battery drain which will leave you stranded in the middle of no where and late for work. Please issue a recall for this problem GM.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #138

Jan 272023

Malibu

  • miles
Shift into park alert on the dash. I have to restart the vehicle to get it to let me leave the car. It tells me to shift into park even tho I already am.

- Antigo, WI, USA

problem #137

Dec 012022

Malibu

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that an electrical failure and power train failure was present. No additional information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #136

Dec 012022

Malibu

  • miles
I was parked idling in a parking lot for about five minutes. I went to leave pulled out of the parking lot, hit my brakes at the light and it sounded like my whole front end was going to fall off the brakes had no pressure and it sounded like it was metal on metal, I had to get home so I thought I could take the long road home that has barely any lights on it. By the time I got down the road they were back to normal and now it-€™s done it twice again. I also have some electrical stuff happening where my radial to shut off or not work at all. Also had a couple pistons that had to be replaced earlier and they tried to get me for failure to maintenance but I took my car in faithfully every time I needed oil and I also took it in early because I was using fully synthetic had another 2000 miles to go for me to not have any oil in my car was ridiculous. They ended up only charging me for the seals, but in the beginning it was like 3900.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #135

Nov 012019

Malibu

  • miles
My vehicle accumulates moisture and has done so for the past three years or more. As a result there was mildew in the vehicle which was covered under the manufactures warranty and the vehicle was cleaned. Now fast forward a few years there-€™s a problem with the electrical system as a result of the moisture accumulating in the vehicle. I believe there is a manufacture defect with the Chevrolet model that is causing moisture to accumulate in the vehicle does causing electrical issues with the car

- Sanford , FL, USA

problem #134

Oct 222022

Malibu

  • miles
Numerous times my vehicle has not allowed me to shut it off, start it, or move the vehicle because it says that the vehicle is not in park when it very clearly is. I googled the issue and found that numerous other owners have had this issue, and the tech advisor at the dealer confirmed numerous people have had this issue as well. The issue was a faulty switch in the transmission control. 2 different major safety concerns resulted because of this. First, I was unable to start my car in a very bad neighborhood for over a half hour because it kept saying shift to park to start vehicle. Second, I could not shut the car off while parked in the garage because it said shift to park to shut off the vehicle. Both times I was fully in park. This problem is widespread as a simple google search will confirm, however, GM continues to deny it is a problem.

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #133

May 012019

Malibu

  • miles
Reduced engine power alert. Ongoing issue since 2019

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #132

Oct 052022

Malibu

  • miles
I have had several issues with my 2016 Malibu. 1st: Putting my vehicle in park sometimes it does not register that it is in park. I have to turn the car on again and try moving the shifter until it registers. 2nd: when accelerating at times i get a stabilitrak error and a check engine light that causes a loss of power. This can happen in the middle of the highway which will cause an inevitable accident. 3rd: saving the best for last. Thw vehicle has recently lost power while driving and won't allow acceleration. Once i stop the vehicle stalls out completely and won't register the gears so i can't out it into park or anything. I was stuck at an intersection and couldn't move. It wouldn't turn fully off because it didn't register it was in park. And it won't turn on or start because it isn't on or off. I maintain my vehicles and correct all fixes recommended. Brought it in to have the issue looked at and was told that there were A LOT of error codes. They cleared them. But this has gotten ridiculous. GM needs to figure their stuff out..

- Alexandria, MN, USA

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