2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Common Problems
Ranked from 444 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
21 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine power reduction during driving
333complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine reduces power and speed, causing the car to slow down unexpectedly.
- 2
Radio Not Working
107complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe radio stops working, often accompanied by other electrical issues such as horn failure.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 16V502000, 16V084000
- 3
Brake System Issues Leading to Loss of Control
13complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system malfunctions, leading to loss of control and potential accidents, such as reduced braking power or brake failure.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Vehicle Stalling and Difficulty Shifting to Park
12complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe vehicle stutters and fails to shift into park properly, requiring multiple attempts to shut off the engine.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Accelerator Pedal Malfunction
7complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe accelerator pedal malfunctions, causing the vehicle to lose power or stall while driving.
Related recalls: 16V502000, 16V084000
- 6
Electrical System Glitches
7complaintsLow severityElectricalIntermittent electrical glitches cause messages to display incorrectly and prevent proper vehicle operation.
Related recalls: 16V502000, 16V084000
- 7
Steering Assist Malfunction
7complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering assist system malfunctions, causing the steering to become stiff and pull to one side.
- 8
Brake System Failure
6complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe brake system fails, leading to brake drag, overheating, and loss of control.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Brake System Failure Causing Uncontrolled Deceleration
6complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system fails, causing the vehicle to decelerate uncontrollably, increasing the risk of accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Electrical System Failure Causing Dashboard Warning Lights
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalElectrical system failures cause various warning lights to illuminate on the dashboard, disrupting vehicle operation.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 16V502000, 16V084000
- 11
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, especially when the vehicle is stopped, due to a malfunctioning stop-start system.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Faulty Gear Shifter in Park Position
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe gear shifter malfunctions, causing the vehicle to move unexpectedly when in park, posing a safety risk.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Incorrect Shifting to Park Message
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe vehicle displays a 'Shift to Park' message when the car is already in park, preventing the engine from shutting off.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 16V502000, 16V084000
- 14
Vehicle Speed Control Issues
6complaintsMedium severityOtherThe vehicle experiences unexpected reductions in speed and warning messages indicating reduced engine power.
- 15
Electrical System Shutdown During Stop
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe vehicle's electrical system shuts down unexpectedly, requiring the engine to be restarted multiple times.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 16V502000, 16V084000
- 16
Reduced Engine Power When Stopped
5complaintsMedium severityEngineWhen stopped, the engine power is reduced, causing the vehicle to struggle to start or accelerate.
- 17
Transmission Error Messages in Park
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionError messages indicating the need to shift to park persist despite the vehicle being in park, preventing the engine from turning off.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Unreliable Auto Shutdown Feature
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe auto shutdown feature fails, causing the vehicle's electrical system to shut down unexpectedly, leading to the need for repeated restarts.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 16V502000, 16V084000
- 19
Power Steering Locking Up During Turns
3complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering locks up during turns, causing the steering wheel to feel heavy and difficult to maneuver.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Engine Stall at Idle
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, often due to stop-start system failure or other engine malfunctions.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Unreliable Gear Shifting
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to register the vehicle in park, causing the 'Shift to Park' warning and potential safety risks.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.