2016 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2016 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 16 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Rear Seat Belt Retractor Improperly Secured — NHTSA Recall 21V649 ($0-$0 repair) and Electric Power Steering Motor Failure ($400-$1,200 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $25 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 16 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Rear Seat Belt Retractor Improperly Secured — NHTSA Recall 21V649, Electric Power Steering Motor Failure, P0420 — Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) from Oil-Consumption-Poisoned Converter on the 2.4L Ecotec. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 16 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Rear Seat Belt Retractor Improperly Secured — NHTSA Recall 21V649 and Electric Power Steering Motor Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Chevrolet Malibu issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Rear Seat Belt Retractor Improperly Secured — NHTSA Recall 21V649, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
GM recalled 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu (and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4) vehicles because the rear seat belt retractors may have been assembled with loose or missing fasteners. A retractor that is not properly bolted to the body structure cannot lock and restrain the occupant as desig… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The 2013+ Malibu uses an electric power steering (EPS) system with a column-mounted motor that is prone to failure. The motor develops internal faults causing intermittent or complete loss of power steering assist, making the car extremely difficult to steer at low speeds. GM iss… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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.
SEATS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The single most common P0420 pattern on the Malibu is on the 2008-2012 2.4L Ecotec (LE5/LE9), whose low-tension piston rings are notorious for excessive oil consumption. Burned oil sends phosphorus and other contaminants into the exhaust, which glazes and poisons the catalytic co… Repairs typically run $700-$2,400. Severity: medium.
The 2013-2016 Malibu with the 2.5L Ecotec engine uses the GM 6T40 6-speed automatic transmission that develops a pronounced shudder during light acceleration in the 25-45 mph range. The torque converter clutch wears prematurely, causing slippage and vibration that feels like driv… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
Sunroof-equipped Malibus drain through a trough around the glass panel with four hoses — the front pair routed down the A-pillars and out into the wheelhouse area, the rear pair down the C-pillars. Two distinct failures are documented by owners who have traced them: the hoses clo… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: medium.
The A/C compressor clutch on the Malibu fails due to a burned-out clutch coil, worn clutch plate, or bearing failure in the compressor pulley. When the clutch fails, the A/C blows warm air because the compressor cannot engage. A squealing or grinding noise from the serpentine bel… Repairs typically run $200-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The 1.5L turbocharged engine in 2016+ Malibu has a PCV system integrated into the valve cover that commonly fails, causing excessive oil consumption, rough idle, and check engine lights. The PCV diaphragm ruptures, creating a vacuum leak and allowing oil to be ingested into the i… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.
The 2016+ Malibu with the 1.5T engine uses a GM/Ford co-developed 9-speed automatic (9T50) that can exhibit shudder, harsh shifts, and delayed engagement. The 9-speed is sensitive to fluid condition and requires proper DEXRON HP fluid. GM has released multiple TCM calibration upd… Repairs typically run $200-$2,500. Severity: medium.
Ninth-generation Malibus with the 8-inch MyLink screen suffer a well-reported blank-display failure: the screen goes completely black while audio continues playing, which means the head unit is alive and only the display path has dropped out. With the screen dead the owner loses… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: medium.
P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire) shows up frequently on the 2016-2018 Malibu 1.5L turbo (LFV) and is discussed heavily on the Malibu forums. The direct-injected 1.5T is prone to carbon buildup on the intake valves, which disrupts airflow and causes lean/rough combustion and misfires; a… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: medium.
The 2.5L Ecotec 4-cylinder engine in the 2013-2020 Malibu consumes oil at a rate well beyond what GM considers normal, with some owners reporting 1 quart every 1,500-2,000 miles. The piston rings do not properly seat against the cylinder walls, allowing oil to pass into the combu… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: medium.
On the ninth-generation Malibu the shifter assembly reports park position to the body control module through a set of small internal microswitch contacts. Over time the contacts spread, corrode or drift out of position, so the BCM never sees a valid park signal. The cluster displ… Repairs typically run $350-$850. Severity: medium.
P0455 indicates a large EVAP leak (a hole ~0.040 inch or bigger). On the Malibu the leading cause — more than half of cases across GM cars of this era — is a loose, missing, or failed fuel cap (or, on 2016+ capless cars, a bad filler-neck seal). The second most common cause is a… Repairs typically run $25-$200. Severity: low.
P0442 flags a small EVAP leak (roughly a 0.020-0.040 inch hole). On 2012-2016 Malibus with a conventional threaded gas cap, the most common cause is a cracked or flattened cap O-ring. On the 2016+ ninth-gen cars with the capless fuel filler, the culprit is usually the filler-neck… Repairs typically run $25-$250. Severity: low.
The trunk latch mechanism on the Malibu fails due to a worn release cable, broken latch spring, or faulty trunk release actuator motor. Owners report the trunk will not open via the key fob, interior button, or the trunk release button on the lid. In some cases, the trunk will no… Repairs typically run $50-$350. Severity: low.
On the Malibu, especially the 2008-2012 2.4L Ecotec, P0128 is overwhelmingly caused by the engine thermostat sticking open. These thermostats fail as their internal rubber seal deteriorates, so coolant flows through the radiator constantly and the engine never reaches the calibra… Repairs typically run $150-$350. Severity: low.
