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2016 Chevrolet Malibu

HybridGas
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical10
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA861
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA46 mpg
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize car 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, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 861 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Malibu HybridHybridFWD1.8L 4-cyl + 300V Li-Ion474646$1,350
MalibuGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo273630$2,100
Malibu LimitedGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl233327$2,300
MalibuGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223226$2,400

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

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Recalls (10)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Seat Belts

N212333380
402 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskAn improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V649000reported Aug 20, 2021General Motors, LLC
▲high

Air Bags

18208
66 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskIn the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.FixGM 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 18V400000reported Jun 14, 2018General Motors LLC
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

18188 18268
895 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskA damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V358000reported May 31, 2018General Motors LLC
▲high

Air Bags

16079
18 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskIf 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.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V781000reported Oct 26, 2016General Motors LLC
▲high

Hybrid Propulsion System

51230
534 vehiclesHybrid only
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskA vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V521000reported Jul 8, 2016General Motors LLC
▲high

Power Train

50490, 50491
8,367 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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."RiskIf the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V502000reported Jul 5, 2016General Motors LLC
▲high

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

39440
66 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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."RiskIf the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V272000reported May 5, 2016General Motors LLC
▲high

Air Bags

31820
3,137 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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."RiskFractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.FixGM 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 16V151000reported Mar 11, 2016General Motors LLC
▲high

Air Bags

28030
1,579 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskAn improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V125000reported Mar 2, 2016General Motors LLC
○minor

Electrical System

15808
139 vehicles
ProblemGenera 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."RiskAn unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V084000reported Feb 11, 2016General Motors LLC

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 matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
861complaints 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: 18

Most-cited components

Engine310
Electrical System234
Unspecified180
Power Train174
Vehicle Speed Control158
Service Brakes97

What owners describe

“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). The message t…”Jun 16, 2025 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“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”Jun 12, 2025 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“The check engine light came on and we brought it to the shop where they said the code is for the electronic brake system modulator. It is also causing the ABS to malfunction and be hypersensitive. There is a recall for the same make/model/year of vehicle, except the month before her car was manufactured. I believe this…”Jan 10, 2025 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report

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.

Crash ratings

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

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Malibu model years

A

2025 Chevrolet Malibu

1 recalls · 11 complaints

B

2024 Chevrolet Malibu

2 recalls · 39 complaints

B

2023 Chevrolet Malibu

2 recalls · 68 complaints

A

2022 Chevrolet Malibu

1 recalls · 96 complaints

B

2021 Chevrolet Malibu

2 recalls · 88 complaints

A

2020 Chevrolet Malibu

1 recalls · 196 complaints

A

2019 Chevrolet Malibu

1 recalls · 191 complaints

F

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

6 recalls · 706 complaints

D

2017 Chevrolet Malibu

4 recalls · 723 complaints

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). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

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

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