2016 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems
234 of the 861 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 480 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 234 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 27 · 2019: 49 · 2020: 45 · 2021: 29 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 15 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 23 · 2026: 5
Half of the 135 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 30,000 and 72,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
861 complaints in all about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 5 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
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.
I was driving my car home from work and all of a sudden my car starting showing in the dash engine power reduced. My car literally couldn't go anywhere. So I pulled over and shut the car off for a minute started it back up and it was running great and then I happen again a few minutes later.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, electrical system, power steering, and battery warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle proceeded to decelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The battery saver warning light was illuminated.
Car will randomly stall. I see GM recalled 500+ Malibu Hybrids for this problem, but mine is not one of them. This is the worst car I have ever owned
On june 30, 2019, I was driving my Chevrolet Malibu hybrid home on the freeway when suddenly the engine lost power and stalled. The service engine soon light turned on and a message on the dashboard said 'shift to park'. I coasted to the next exit and stopped on the side of a street. I pressed the off button and shifted to park.
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 16V084000 ModerateFeb 11, 2016 · 139 vehicles
- 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."
NHTSA investigation
- DP22005 Pedestrian alert soundsopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
- 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 ele…
480 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P2138 P0300 B3055 B3060 B3935 P2097 B101D P0442
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Source: the same files- engine problems 312 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 174 complaints
- stability control problems 77 complaints
- fuel system problems 52 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 234 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (27% of everything owners filed about it), and 480 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 16V084000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 52,000 miles; half of them between 30,000 and 72,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.