Model year record

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

9 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,564 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V649000

Seat belts: rear/other: retractor

Component
Seat belts: rear/other: retractor
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Vehicles affected
402
Reported to NHTSA
2021-08-20
Owners notified
2021-09-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V400000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification

Component
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
66
Reported to NHTSA
2018-06-14
Owners notified
2018-08-07

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V358000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
895
Reported to NHTSA
2018-05-31
Owners notified
2018-07-02

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V781000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
18
Reported to NHTSA
2016-10-26
Owners notified
2016-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V502000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
8,367
Reported to NHTSA
2016-07-05
Owners notified
2016-10-14

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V272000

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Component
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
66
Reported to NHTSA
2016-05-05
Owners notified
2016-06-17

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V151000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
3,137
Reported to NHTSA
2016-03-11
Owners notified
2016-04-14

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V125000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,579
Reported to NHTSA
2016-03-02
Owners notified
2016-04-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V084000

Electrical system: software

Component
Electrical system: software
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
139
Reported to NHTSA
2016-02-11
Owners notified
2016-03-14

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine33053,000 mi
Electrical system24652,000 mi
Unknown or other19044,246 mi
Power train17042,000 mi
Vehicle speed control15760,000 mi
Service brakes10354,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)7755,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5753,641 mi
Steering4551,000 mi
Structure: body3638,000 mi
Air bags2045,000 mi
Suspension2062,000 mi
Exterior lighting1740,000 mi
Wheels1220,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1137,100 mi
Seat belts860,450 mi
Seats649,114 mi
Structure540,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings4
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift446,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic470,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light3144,000 mi
Traction control system3144,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling292,500 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights288,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking293,315 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: throttlebody/manifold2107,000 mi
Parking brake295,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid237,000 mi
Tires225,652 mi
Vehicle speed control: throttle: throttle position sensor (TPS)2107,000 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery120,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly189,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights136,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline16,150 mi
Hybrid propulsion system171,493 mi
Latches/locks/linkages162,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor148,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages190,319 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1141,943 mi
Tires: sidewall167,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: throttle1143,000 mi
Visibility1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window136,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear140,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: windshield1100,000 mi
Wheels: rim1

The 2015 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 2017 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.