2016 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1424 complaints
1424
Total Complaints
50,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
37
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
30,000
25th Percentile
50,000
Median Mileage
72,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
295
Electrical System
220
Unknown Or Other
169
Power Train
162
Vehicle Speed Control
150
Service Brakes
92
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
76
Fuel/Propulsion System
48
Steering
41
Body
33
Severity Assessment
37
Crashes
3
Fires
27
Injuries
3
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PADS WERE INSTALLED BACKWARDS AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REENTERING THE VEHICLE TO RESTART IT, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WINDOW SHATTERED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO NO OBJECT ENCOUNTERED THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDE..."
"DURING A MODEST DECELERATION OR WHILE THE CAR IS COASTING TOWARDS A STOP WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL AT TIMES SEEM TO DOWNSHIFT IN AN UNSMOOTH WAY. SEEMINGLY SKIPPING GEARS DOWN. THE VEHICLE AT TIMES CAN COAST AT AROUND 1500 RPMS THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE RPMS JUMP TO ALMOST OR AR..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
295 complaints
25th: 33,119 mi
Median: 52,000 mi
75th: 78,513 mi
Electrical System
220 complaints
25th: 30,000 mi
Median: 52,000 mi
75th: 74,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
169 complaints
25th: 28,000 mi
Median: 44,842 mi
75th: 65,500 mi
Power Train
162 complaints
25th: 25,000 mi
Median: 41,000 mi
75th: 56,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
150 complaints
25th: 42,500 mi
Median: 60,000 mi
75th: 70,950 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 128
CA: 123
OH: 94
FL: 81
GA: 80
MI: 79
IL: 77
IN: 64
NY: 52
MD: 51
Who Files Complaints?
0.4%
Original Owners
99.6%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (9)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Occupant Classification
Campaign 18V400000 | 14/06/2018
In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 18V358000 | 31/05/2018
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Campaign 16V272000 | 05/05/2016
If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Side/Window
Campaign 16V781000 | 26/10/2016
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.
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.
Ignition
Campaign 16V502000 | 05/07/2016
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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
Software
Campaign 16V084000 | 11/02/2016
An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Side/Window
Campaign 16V151000 | 11/03/2016
Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Frontal
Campaign 16V125000 | 02/03/2016
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
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.
Critical Fasteners
Campaign 21V649000 | 20/08/2021
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28