Model year
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
NHTSA lists 9 recalls and 841 complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 24 complaints under MALIBU HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (304), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (221), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (175). NHTSA rated 3 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–46 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,450–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 922 complaints
- 2001 721 complaints
- 2002 567 complaints
- 2003 569 complaints
- 2004 1,147 complaints
- 2005 975 complaints
- 2006 1,117 complaints
- 2007 977 complaints
- 2008 989 complaints
- 2009 1,509 complaints
- 2010 1,363 complaints
- 2011 978 complaints
- 2012 907 complaints
- 2013 837 complaints
- 2014 351 complaints
- 2015 270 complaints
- 2016 841 complaints
- 2017 703 complaints
- 2018 700 complaints
- 2019 193 complaints
- 2020 199 complaints
- 2021 90 complaints
- 2022 99 complaints
- 2023 72 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 11 complaints
Recalls
21V649000 · Aug 20, 2021
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR; SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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.
18V400000 · Jun 14, 2018
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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…
18V358000 · May 31, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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…
16V781000 · Oct 26, 2016
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
16V502000 · Jul 5, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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,…
16V272000 · May 5, 2016
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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…
16V151000 · Mar 11, 2016
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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…
16V125000 · Mar 2, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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,…
16V084000 · Feb 11, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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…
Complaints
841 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 23, fire flag on 2, injury field 14, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| MALIBU HYBRID | 1 | 24 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.102 | NHTSA photo |
| Eco e-Assist 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.102 | — |
| Limited 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.111 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu Limited · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 33 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Malibu · 2L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 32 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Malibu · 1.5L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 36 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Malibu Hybrid · 1.8L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 47 | 46 | 46 | — | — | $1,450 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.