75 complaints reported

2016 Chevrolet Malibu UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
75
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Sep 2025

When I go down a hill the rpms jump up to 4, sometimes 5. I took the vehicle to the dealership and went on a drive, but no problem was determined. There was no warning lamps. To my knowledge, it started last year.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2024
Jul 2025

Shift to park message on odometer after vehicle is already in park

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2025
Mar 2025

Water leaks into the trunk and back seat of the vehicle because the seal around the upper brake light in the rear glass is faulty, causing a mildew/mold odor in the trunk. It is not available for inspection as I had it repaired and sold the vehicle. The problem was confirmed by the glass company to did the repair for much less than the quote the dealership provided. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2022
Oct 2024

THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS SINCE 4/30/2024 stabilitrack warning on Ipc, security light, power steering goes out on freeway-while turning in an intersection-going 75 on the freeway while changing lanes, IPC displays ice warning when 90• outside, erratic shifting(being stuck in 2nd gear until it shifts to 4th), no start no crank condition ( I replaced the battery,had alternator tested, tested fuses, fuel pressure test, checked spark plugs and coil packs) key fob not unlocking doors or remote starting (battery was changed) passenger seat will only recline on one side, power mirrors erratically moving without user adjustment, Climate control sporadically disconnects (no lights in dash no power at all) I have not taken it to a dealership I can’t afford the outrageous prices. I have had my father (certified ford technician) inspect the car. This car has become unsafe for me to drive with my children and I am terrified that it’s going to cause us to wreck and cause serious injury or death

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2024
Sep 2024

When putting it in park and shutting the car down it says on dash to “shift to park.” There are other 2016 malibu that have this recall but for some reason not mine.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2024
Jul 2024

Occasionally when the car is put in park, it does not alert the rest of the car that it's in park. Although I turn the car off, it beeps like it's still on an I have to turn the car on again and move it back into park in order for it to stop. There has been a recall for this issue but so far, my car has not shown up and for that reason, the dealer/mechanic will not repair it which is understandable on their part. Please advise. Thank you.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2023
Apr 2024

Car moves even in park due to faulty gear shifter. It’s made of plastic. Computer reads error message “shift to park” and still moves while in park. A danger to other cars and car battery.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2024
Jan 2024

Charged air cooler makes it so your car slows down to 20 on interstate

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2024
Nov 2023

I purchased my car a lil over a year ago with carmax and as of this winter time & all the rain storms my car has recently starting leaking water from the top of my car to back from the backseats to my trunk to the point I had to take everything out of my backseats and trunk because it’s soaked with water….I have to vacuum water out of my trunk in the spare tire cabin because it’s full of water & now my car is starting to smell mildew due to all the water. I’ve noticed this issue a couple weeks ago but now since it’s been constantly raining I’m having water inside my car every single day.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2022
Aug 2023

automatic transmission shifter assembly is out of specifications and needed to be replaced by removing the center console to gain access with all other related new seals gaskets and non-reusable hardware and reinstall all components for repairs in the reverse order of removal. cleared all diagnostic trouble codes. the system is NOW operating as designed. Before the repair was made the car kept telling me that the shift was NOT in park, when it was. I am uncertain as to my safety or risk but was afraid to drive the vehicle as is. The repair was made on 8/17/23 by Richard Lucas Chevy, 1077 Rt.1 S, Avenel, NJ 07001 732-634-0100 at the cost to me of $435.42. My claim with GM is [XXX]. I was notified that this was a common problem with my specific vehicle and yet there has been no recall. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2023
Aug 2023

I bought the car brand new. Periodically the doors will not lock or unlock, only one at a time. I have had it in the shop on numerous occasions to get it repaired. It's fine for a while then it does it again, it changes from door to door. Now I can not get the driver's side back door to lock. My dash lights up to let me know the door is unlocked. I am afraid when i go to a public place, that someone will get into my car. I am so aggervated with this. I have an appointment AGAIN with the dealership for 8/16/23 for them to look at it and try to solve the problem. I have no idea when this started as it's been ongoing. The dealership is Wantz Chevrolet in Taneytown MD

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2023
Jul 2023

Car indicator states to shift into park upon stopping. Have to restart car move shift lever several times before car system will shut down. Same issue was repaired by Team Chevrolet of Goldsboro NC on9/7/2022. Repair cost 279.88. Dealership replaced harness and updated wiring. Situation has returned with worse condition. Spent 20 mins trying to "shift into park ". On off shift on off shift off.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2023
Sep 2022

Reduced engine power on my display for the 3rd time since I purchased the vehicle. This is ridiculous and needs to be addressed. Good thing it never happened on a highway. This is a safety hazard to people and property. Regards, [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2022
Jun 2022

Yesterday I was driving down the freeway at 70 mph when the car slowed down to 30 miles a hour and the message engine power is reduced comes on. Had to exit the freeway and turn off the car. Then it was fine.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2022
Apr 2022

My 2016 Chevy Malibu Premier continues to show a “Shift to Park" message” even when I put the car in park! When this “Shift to Park" Message” is on, I cannot turn off the vehicle. In order for the message to go off, I have to either back up, or pull the car forward a little in order to make the message goes off. This is starting to happen daily with this car. This is very frustrating.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2018
Apr 2022

I was driving down the highway and the gas pedal came completely off. It completely unattached.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2022
Jan 2022

Water seeps into the third break light n could cause being shocked . and wets the headliner which causes mold in the cabin of vehicle . water also seeps into spare tire

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2022
Sep 2021

CHMSL water leaking inside the vehicle from rear roof stop light, it’s a speacial coverage from GM. My vehicle has odor smell & inside water damage & mold Starling Chevrolet Orlando is non cooperative & giving me false information & run around between dealership & GM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2021
Jul 2021 Crash

While I was pulling into a parking spot, my 2016 Chevrolet Malibu suddenly accelerated without any prior warning. The sudden unintended acceleration caused the vehicle to somehow jump the curb, hit a sign, and go airborne landing on two park cars which, resulted in damage to the front end and passenger side fender, front grill, left tire and other parts. The car was leaning to one side and I had to pry open the driver side door to get out. One of the other cars was totaled and the other had hood damage. It took two tow trucks to remove the car off of the other cars, it was towed to a repair shop and repaired by my insurance company but I no longer have possession of it. I was too terrified of it to keep it. It is still unknown what caused the vehicle to malfunction.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2021
May 2021

Transmission problems

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2021
Apr 2021

I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON A STREET HEADING TOWARDS THE HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH AND SUDDENLY ENGINE REDUCED POWER NOTIFICATION CAME UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 20 MPH.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2021
Mar 2021

Loss of engine power; vehicle not shifting/idling; shift to park issue

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2021
Feb 2021

MOST TIMES, WHEN I'M DONE DRIVING AND SHIFT MY CAR TO PARK A WARNING COMES UP MY DASH SAYING 'SHIFT TO PARK' EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. I THEN HAVE TO RESTART MY CAR, CHANGE THE GEARS AND HOPE IT DOESN'T GIVE ME THAT MESSAGE AGAIN. I OFTEN HAVE TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS 2-3 TIMES AFTER I'M DONE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK AND SHUT OFF MY CAR. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME THAT I SHIFT MY CAR TO PARK AND TRY AND SHUT MY CAR OFF, BUT IT HAPPENS A LOT OF THE TIME. IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING AND TIME CONSUMING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. MY SISTER ALSO HAS A 2016 MALIBU AND HERS IS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2021
Jan 2021

MY VEHICLE HAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE BACKSEAT SOUNDS LIKE THE MUFFLER HITTING UP AGAINST THE BACKSEAT. WE AS CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS CHEVROLET FAULT FROM THE START

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Dec 2020

OFTEN, WHEN I SHIFT MY CAR TO PARK, A WARNING COMES UP AND INDICATES SHIFT INTO PARK. IT ALREADY IS IN PARK. I HAVE TO PLAY AROUND UNTIL IT RECOGNIZES IT. HAPPENS RANDOMLY. ANNOYING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2020

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 75 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.