2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 857 complaints · 10 recalls
Most-reported system: ENGINE (138 complaints · 16.1%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 23
  • Fires 2
  • Injuries 17
  • Deaths 1
Compare with 2015 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution ENGINE appears in 138 of 857 owner complaints (16.1%) in this vehicle snapshot. ENGINE: 138 complaints, 16.1% of reports ENGINE 138 · 16.1% · 3 crash reports 1 fire reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: 134 complaints, 15.6% of reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 134 · 15.6% · 2 crash reports POWER TRAIN: 120 complaints, 14.0% of reports POWER TRAIN 120 · 14.0% · 1 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 80 complaints, 9.3% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 80 · 9.3% · 1 crash reports SERVICE BRAKES: 49 complaints, 5.7% of reports SERVICE BRAKES 49 · 5.7% · 6 crash reports STEERING: 33 complaints, 3.9% of reports STEERING 33 · 3.9% · 1 crash reports FUEL SYSTEM: 25 complaints, 2.9% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 25 · 2.9% STRUCTURE: 21 complaints, 2.5% of reports STRUCTURE 21 · 2.5% SUSPENSION: 14 complaints, 1.6% of reports SUSPENSION 14 · 1.6% · 1 crash reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 232 complaints, 27.1% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 232 · 27.1% · 3 crash reports 1 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
ENGINE 138 16.1% 3 crashes · 1 fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 134 15.6% 2 crashes · 0 fires
POWER TRAIN 120 14.0% 1 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 80 9.3% 1 crashes · 0 fires
SERVICE BRAKES 49 5.7% 6 crashes · 0 fires
STEERING 33 3.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 25 2.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
STRUCTURE 21 2.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
SUSPENSION 14 1.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 232 27.1% 3 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2015; the first recall shown was reported in Feb 2016. 2015-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2016-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2017-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2017-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2017-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2017-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2018-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2018-Q2: 19 owner reports 19 2018-Q3: 32 owner reports 32 2018-Q4: 24 owner reports 24 2019-Q1: 60 owner reports 60 2019-Q2: 50 owner reports 50 2019-Q3: 45 owner reports 45 2019-Q4: 48 owner reports 48 2020-Q1: 56 owner reports 56 2020-Q2: 33 owner reports 33 2020-Q3: 36 owner reports 36 2020-Q4: 29 owner reports 29 2021-Q1: 39 owner reports 39 2021-Q2: 26 owner reports 26 2021-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2021-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 2022-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2022-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2022-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2022-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2023-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2023-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2023-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 2023-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2024-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2024-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2024-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2024-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2025-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2025-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2025-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2025-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 2026-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2026-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2026-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 Owner reports Oct 2015 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 16V084000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V084000 Recall campaign 16V125000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V125000 Recall campaign 16V151000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V151000 Recall campaign 16V272000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V272000 Recall campaign 16V502000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V502000 Recall campaign 16V521000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V521000 Recall campaign 16V781000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V781000 Recall campaign 18V358000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V358000 Recall campaign 18V400000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V400000 Recall campaign 21V649000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V649000 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005
  • Campaign 16V781000 was reported 87 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V358000 was reported 480 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V400000 was reported 683 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21V649000 was reported 1,563 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2015-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q1 Owner reports 1
2016-Q2 Owner reports 3
2016-Q3 Owner reports 6
2016-Q4 Owner reports 7
2017-Q1 Owner reports 5
2017-Q2 Owner reports 13
2017-Q3 Owner reports 7
2017-Q4 Owner reports 13
2018-Q1 Owner reports 20
2018-Q2 Owner reports 19
2018-Q3 Owner reports 32
2018-Q4 Owner reports 24
2019-Q1 Owner reports 60
2019-Q2 Owner reports 50
2019-Q3 Owner reports 45
2019-Q4 Owner reports 48
2020-Q1 Owner reports 56
2020-Q2 Owner reports 33
2020-Q3 Owner reports 36
2020-Q4 Owner reports 29
2021-Q1 Owner reports 39
2021-Q2 Owner reports 26
2021-Q3 Owner reports 18
2021-Q4 Owner reports 15
2022-Q1 Owner reports 27
2022-Q2 Owner reports 14
2022-Q3 Owner reports 23
2022-Q4 Owner reports 13
2023-Q1 Owner reports 12
2023-Q2 Owner reports 10
2023-Q3 Owner reports 22
2023-Q4 Owner reports 10
2024-Q1 Owner reports 14
2024-Q2 Owner reports 16
2024-Q3 Owner reports 18
2024-Q4 Owner reports 6
2025-Q1 Owner reports 11
2025-Q2 Owner reports 11
2025-Q3 Owner reports 13
2025-Q4 Owner reports 15
2026-Q1 Owner reports 5
2026-Q2 Owner reports 9
2026-Q3 Owner reports 2
Recall campaign 1 16V084000
Recall campaign 1 16V125000
Recall campaign 1 16V151000
Recall campaign 1 16V272000
Recall campaign 1 16V502000
Recall campaign 1 16V521000
Recall campaign 1 16V781000
Recall campaign 1 18V358000
Recall campaign 1 18V400000
Recall campaign 1 21V649000
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (10)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V084000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V125000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V151000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V272000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V502000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V521000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM 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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V781000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    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.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V358000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V400000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V649000

    Report date
    Component:
    SEAT BELTS
    Consequence:
    An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 857 complaints · page 1 of 35

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources