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2016 Chevrolet Malibu: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists ten recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu: four for air bags (filed 2016 and 2018), two for other parts (filed 2016), one for seat belts (filed 2021) and three more for other parts. Owners have filed 861 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and the electrical system. For comparison, owners filed 270 for the 2015 and 724 for the 2017 Malibu. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall, with a 10.2% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 10campaigns 4 air bag · 2 electrical · 1 seat belt Source: NHTSA Complaints 861filed Owner reports, 2012–2021 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 46mpg combined $1,420/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 1.8 L 4-cyl· CVT 4 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (10)

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V649000 Filed Aug 20, 2021

Rear Seat Belt Retractor Not Secured Properly

Seat belts · critical fasteners
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
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.
78.4% repairedof 402 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V649000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V400000 Filed Jun 14, 2018

PPS Incorrectly Suppressing Air Bags

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
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.
78.5% repairedof 66 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V400000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V358000 Filed May 31, 2018

Fuel Pump Flange Weld may Fracture

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
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.
96.9% repairedof 895 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V358000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V781000 Filed Oct 26, 2016

Side Air Bag Fabric May Tear During Deployment

Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
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.
94.4% repairedof 18 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V781000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V521000 Filed Jul 8, 2016

Unexpected Loss of High Voltage Power

Hybrid propulsion system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.
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.
97% repairedof 534 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V521000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V502000 Filed Jul 5, 2016

Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
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.
97.9% repairedof 8,367 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V502000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V272000 Filed May 5, 2016

Electronic Stability Control Systems/FMVSS 126

Electronic stability control (esc)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
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.
98.5% repairedof 66 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V272000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V151000 Filed Mar 11, 2016

Side Air Bag Weld Studs May Separate/FMVSS 214

Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
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.
98% repairedof 3,137 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V151000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V125000 Filed Mar 2, 2016

Improper Air Bag Inflation

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
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.
95.7% repairedof 1,579 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V125000
Listed for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V084000 Filed Feb 11, 2016

Intermittent Failure of Audio Warning System

Electrical system · software
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
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.
97.7% repairedof 139 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V084000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Malibu years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet MalibuAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (861)

861 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

24involved a crash
2involved a fire
17injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 861.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2016 compares with other Malibu years

Best and worst Malibu years →
907 923 363 270 861 724 710 193 198 89
2012201320142015201620172018201920202021
This year (2016)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 10.2%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 46 mpg combined

46
mpg combined
47
city
46
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$1,450
CO₂ tailpipe
196 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$1,420per year
$118per month
326gallons a year

Miles ÷ 46 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2016 Chevrolet Malibu configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.8 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive47 / 46 / 46$1,450196
1.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30$2,250293
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 27$2,500329
2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 26$2,600342

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2016 Malibu for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Malibu years

Where to next

Which Malibu years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2017 Chevrolet Malibu report724 complaints · 4 campaigns →2015 Chevrolet Malibu report270 complaints · 3 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2016 Chevrolet Malibu FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns: 21V649000 (seat belt), 18V400000 (air bag), 18V358000 (fuel pump), 16V781000 (air bag), 16V521000 (hybrid propulsion system), 16V502000 (electrical), 16V272000 (electronic stability control (esc)), 16V151000 (air bag), 16V125000 (air bag), 16V084000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 861 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (310), Electrical system (233), Unknown or other (180) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu get?

EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 47 city, 46 highway and 46 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu get?

NHTSA rated the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.2% rollover risk).

How does the 2016 Malibu compare with other years?

Among the 2012–2021 Chevrolet Malibu model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (89) and the 2013 the most (923). The 2016 drew 861. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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