The vehicle dossier US · 2016
2016 Chevrolet
MALIBUProblems & recalls
837 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Other components appears in 423 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.
01 / Owner-reported evidence
What owners reported.
Categories attached to 837 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.
See original component labels
These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.
The reporting timeline
When reports arrived.
Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 12 years with reports.
50,000 miles is the median among 525 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 30,000–72,890 miles.
This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.
02 / Official safety campaigns
9 recall campaigns on file.
A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTORCampaign 21V649000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: N212333380
Read campaign 21V649000 at NHTSAAIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATIONCampaign 18V400000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 18208
Read campaign 18V400000 at NHTSAFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 18V358000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 18188 18268
Read campaign 18V358000 at NHTSAAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWCampaign 16V781000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 16079
Read campaign 16V781000 at NHTSAELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONCampaign 16V502000
Reported concern
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."
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 50490, 50491
Read campaign 16V502000 at NHTSAELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)Campaign 16V272000
Reported concern
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."
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 39440
Read campaign 16V272000 at NHTSAAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWCampaign 16V151000
Reported concern
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."
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 31820
Read campaign 16V151000 at NHTSAAIR BAGS:FRONTALCampaign 16V125000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 28030
Read campaign 16V125000 at NHTSAELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARECampaign 16V084000
Reported concern
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."
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 15808
Read campaign 16V084000 at NHTSA03 / The manufacturer’s record
Instructions. Updates. Responses.
1,547 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.
PIP4902WThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.NHTSA ID 11037253
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11037253 at NHTSAPIT5099JPI to help diagnose A/C concernNHTSA ID 11035340
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11035340 at NHTSAPIP6113This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body mark…NHTSA ID 11032947
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. If it is not an original manufacture part, they should install one and evaluate the vehicle.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11032947 at NHTSAPIT3271QThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.NHTSA ID 11030974
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11030974 at NHTSAPIP6104This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.NHTSA ID 11030092
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11030092 at NHTSAPIP4902VThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.NHTSA ID 11030091
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11030091 at NHTSAPIP4902UThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.NHTSA ID 11027601
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11027601 at NHTSAPIT5214GThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without u…NHTSA ID 11025755
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11025755 at NHTSA13598New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVHNHTSA ID 11023091
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
Campaign / software reference: 13598
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11023091 at NHTSAPIP4902TThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.NHTSA ID 11022084
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11022084 at NHTSAPIC5650MThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagno…NHTSA ID 11021792
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11021792 at NHTSAPIP4902SThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.NHTSA ID 11019693
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11019693 at NHTSARecords below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.
04 / Agency investigations
Official inquiries.
An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.
Your next step
Take good questions
to the inspection.
Use these prompts with a qualified inspector. This page is research, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a hands-on inspection.