2016 Chevrolet Malibu recalls & complaints

1. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.

What could happen: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V400000 (manufacturer code 18208).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

What could happen: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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 custo…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V358000 (manufacturer code 18188).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-521-7300.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Electronic Stability Control (esc)

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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."

What could happen: If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V272000 (manufacturer code 39440).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V781000 (manufacturer code 16079).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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."

What could happen: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V084000 (manufacturer code 15808).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

What could happen: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V649000 (manufacturer code N212333380).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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…

What could happen: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V502000 (manufacturer code 50490 and 50491).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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."

What could happen: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V151000 (manufacturer code 31820).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

What could happen: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 MALIBU.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V125000 (manufacturer code 28030).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Engine (313), Electrical system (233), Unknown Or Other (180), Transmission / drivetrain (174), Vehicle Speed Control (158).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.