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Your vehicleHome›Chevrolet›Malibu› 2016
Chevrolet · Midsize Sedan

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Hybrid Gas
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
58 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 10
Complaints24 crash · 2 fire · 17 injured · 1 died reported 865
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 46 mpg
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Malibu Hybrid, is EPA-rated at 46 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 865 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Chevrolet Malibu — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Chevrolet Malibu · Photo: Benespit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Malibu HybridHybridFWD1.8L 4-cyl + 300V Li-Ion474646$1,450
MalibuGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo273630$2,250
Malibu LimitedGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl233327$2,500
MalibuGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223226$2,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37297, 37146, 36823, 37138.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Malibu, Malibu Hybrid6 / 10Bin 4All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Malibu, Malibu Limited6 / 10Bin 4All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2.5 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: LS (1LS), LT (1LT), LT (2LT), LTZ (1LZ)). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length191.7–193.7 in
Width (body, without mirrors)72.8 in
Height57.5 in
Wheelbase107.9–111.4 in
Track, front62.2–62.6 in
Track, rear61.8–62.6 in
Curb weight3,086–3,583 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear59/41 to 61/39

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: L/Ls/Lt 4-door Sedan, Limited 4-door Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz, Premier/Hybrid 4-door Sedan. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2016 Malibu
Other years The 2025 Malibu Recalls Chevrolet recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (10)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Seat Belts

N212333380
402 vehicles 78% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V649000 reported Aug 20, 2021 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

18208
66 vehicles 78% reported repaired built Nov 20, 2015 – Sep 8, 2017
Problem 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. Risk In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury. Fix 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V400000 reported Jun 14, 2018 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

18188 18268
895 vehicles 97% reported repaired built Jan 27, 2016 – Apr 27, 2018
Problem 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. Risk A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V358000 reported May 31, 2018 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

16079
18 vehicles 94% reported repaired built Nov 18, 2015 – Jun 7, 2016
Problem 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. Risk 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V781000 reported Oct 26, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Hybrid Propulsion System

51230
534 vehicles 97% reported repaired built Oct 27, 2015 – Jun 3, 2016 Hybrid only
Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle. Risk A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the MSD and correct the installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 51230.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V521000 reported Jul 8, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

50490, 50491
8,367 vehicles 98% reported repaired built Apr 7, 2016 – May 31, 2016
Problem 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." Risk If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V502000 reported Jul 5, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

39440
66 vehicles 98% reported repaired built Mar 7, 2016 – Mar 12, 2016
Problem 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." Risk If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V272000 reported May 5, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

31820
3,137 vehicles 98% reported repaired built Feb 16, 2016 – Mar 5, 2016
Problem 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." Risk Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury. Fix 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V151000 reported Mar 11, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

28030
1,579 vehicles 96% reported repaired built Jan 9, 2016 – Jan 26, 2016
Problem 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. Risk An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V125000 reported Mar 2, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

15808
139 vehicles 98% reported repaired built Jul 23, 2015 – Oct 29, 2015
Problem 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." Risk An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V084000 reported Feb 11, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Malibu

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Chevrolet publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Chevrolet’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Malibu →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
865complaints filed

24 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 17 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 1 · 2016: 17 · 2017: 38 · 2018: 95 · 2019: 203 · 2020: 154 · 2021: 98 · 2022: 79 · 2023: 54 · 2024: 54 · 2025: 50 · 2026: 22

Most-cited components

Engine → 314
Electrical System → 234
Unspecified 181
Power Train → 174
Vehicle Speed Control 158
Service Brakes 107

In depth: engine problems → · electrical problems → · transmission and drivetrain problems → · stability control problems → · fuel system problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission was in park(P). The contact had to manipulate and maneuver the gear shifter several times before the vehicle recognized that the gear shifter was in park(P).
Power Train at 72,000 miles Jun 16, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11667071
Stability track warning randomly appears while driving and spontaneously causes total brake failure and the brakes fail to slow or stop vehicle. It has newer brakes but it’s very dangerous to drive. Currently being sent to Chevrolet dealership
Service Brakes Jun 12, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11666586
Vehicle stalled on highway while driving at speed on two different occasions despite servicing after the first incident. Both times, pop up alert says "shift to park" and then "engine has reduced power" after which the gas pedal no longer works. After pulling to the side of the road, there was a low battery alert
Engine at 17,000 miles Apr 6, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11194372
Coming off the hwy my vehicle slowed down from 55 MPH to about 40 MPH fairly fast thankfully no one was behind me. Check engine light came on, tried pressing on the pedals but vehicle was not speeding up at all. The traction light also came up.
Electronic Stability Control Feb 21, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11181585
There’s a warning on the display that says ‘shift to park’ while the vehicle is already in park. This is causing the battery to drain/die and needs jumpstart everyday. Battery was tested and does not need to be replaced. I’m surprised this hasn’t been recalled yet.
Electrical System Aug 26, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11611028
Our 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid intermittently began alerting of "Reduced Engine Power" and the accelerator would not allow the vehicle to accelerate. This happened twice, once on a busy highway that caused rapid deceleration of the vehicle.
Vehicle Speed Control Apr 1, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11580422

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Chevrolet itself: 172 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 12 killed, 225 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every Malibu model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 50k

miles, typically

Half the 525 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 30,000 and 71,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 38
10k–20k 29
20k–30k 56
30k–40k 60
40k–50k 74
50k–60k 57
60k–70k 63
70k–80k 42
80k–90k 32
90k–100k 24
100k–150k 36
150k + 14

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Engine17353,0000.85×
Electrical System13552,0001.16×
Power Train11143,0000.83×
Vehicle Speed Control9960,0002.0×
Unspecified9247,000—
Electronic Stability Control6255,0001.37×
Service Brakes6160,0001.5×
Steering2951,0001.06×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2016-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported later: vehicle speed control (2.0×), service brakes (1.5×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 1,878
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 1874 service bulletins, 2 service campaigns, 2 others

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Power Train, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility.

  • PIT5698F Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
  • PIP4902W Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • PIT5099J Service bulletin
    2026-07-21 · Unknown Or Other
  • PI to help diagnose A/C concern
  • PIP6113 Service bulletin
    2026-05-19 · Unknown Or Other
  • This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. If it is not an original manufacture part, they should install one and evaluate the vehicle.
  • PIT3271Q Service bulletin
    2026-04-01 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
  • PIP6104 Service bulletin
    2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
  • PIP4902V Service bulletin
    2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • PIP4902U Service bulletin
    2026-01-08 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P2138
P2138 on Chevrolet →		The two accelerator pedal position sensors disagree with each other.Engine4 bulletins · 17 owner reports
P0300
P0300 on Chevrolet →		Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.Engine · Ignition coils →18 bulletins
P1101
P1101 on Chevrolet →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine13 bulletins · 3 owner reports
P050D
P050D on Chevrolet →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine13 bulletins
B3055
B3055 on Chevrolet →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →10 bulletins
B3060
B3060 on Chevrolet →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →10 bulletins
B3935
B3935 on Chevrolet →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →10 bulletins
P2097
P2097 on Chevrolet →		After the catalyst, the mixture on bank 1 is reading rich.Engine5 bulletins · 3 owner reports
P0308
P0308 on Chevrolet →		Cylinder 8 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →7 bulletins
P06DE
P06DE on Chevrolet →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment6 bulletins · 1 owner report
P015B
P015B on Chevrolet →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine6 bulletins
P018B
P018B on Chevrolet →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →6 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu failed the emissions check on 7.2% of first inspections — higher than the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.3% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 7.2%

failed emissions

3,880 initial inspections of 3,778 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 MalibuEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check7.2%4.2%3,872
Failed the safety inspection2.3%2.2%3,880
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.23%0.27%3,880
Miles driven a year9,73910,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer100,199103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Malibu by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2025 A 1 11 31 mpg2024 A 2 43 31 mpg2023 B 2 72 30 mpg2022 A 1 99 32 mpg2021 B 2 90 32 mpg2020 A 1 199 32 mpg2019 A 1 195 46 mpg2018 D 6 711 46 mpg2017 C 4 725 46 mpg2016 this page F 10 865 46 mpg

Common questions about the 2016 Malibu

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 10 recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The most serious on file is 21V649000, covering Seat Belts. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

NHTSA gave the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (58/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, the best EPA combined figure is 46 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

Transport Canada measured it at 191.7–193.7 in long, 72.8 in wide (body, without mirrors), 57.5 in tall, on a 107.9–111.4 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,086–3,583 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

Owners have filed 865 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about engine, electrical system, unspecified. Of those, 24 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 17 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is 6 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. The certificate names the standard as Bin 4.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

The manufacturer has filed 1878 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, most often covering equipment, electrical system, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu failed the emissions check on 7.2% of first inspections — higher than the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.3% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls10NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints865NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings3 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins1878NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA7 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2025 Malibu The Malibu model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 1 recall.Recalls Every Chevrolet recall on file All campaigns filed against Chevrolet vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Malibu by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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