Home · 2016 Chevrolet Impala Eco Eassist · Complaints

What 786 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Eco Eassist

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (786)Crash / fire / injury (23)Engine (283)Electrical system (206)Transmission & drivetrain (162)Speed control (146)Brakes (87)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (74)Fuel system (45)Steering (39)Body & structure (38)Suspension (19)

Newest first · 786 complaints · page 21 of 32

Sep 9, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN I COME TO A STOP THE AUTO STOP COMES ON BUT WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE IT STALLS AND I GET A MESSAGE ON DASH STEERING ASST ASSIST REDUCED AND ANOTHER MESSAGE THST STATES SERVICE STABILITRAC, THEN THE CAR MOVES

NHTSA ODI 11254050

Sep 9, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING GEARS, "SHIFT TO PARK" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE FIVE TO TEN ATTEMPTS WITH SHIFTING THE GEARS FOR IT TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLEN GWYNN CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1400 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204, (818) 528-8597) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,007.

NHTSA ODI 11254278

Sep 9, 2019Electrical systemEngine

THIS ISSUE HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES. WHEN I CRANK UP, WHEN I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, OR EVEN JUST AT A STOP SIGN, SOMETIMES MY CAR WILL TURN COMPLETELY OFF. IT WILL CRANK BACK UP, SOMETIMES, BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES QUITE A FEW TIMES. ALSO, AGAIN AS I CRANK UP. IT GOES BACK TO OFF. INSTEAD OF GOING TO AUTO STOP, IT WILL CUT COMPLETELY OFF TOO. I HAVE NO ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS THAT COME ON TO ALERT ME THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND IT IS CONCERNING. ALSO, IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS KICKING OR FIRING BACK NOW WHEN I AM DRIVING. THIS IS RANDOM ALSO.

NHTSA ODI 11254304

Sep 4, 2019Electrical systemAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY CAR JUST STOPPED CRANKING AND ITS LIKE I HAVE ALL THE POWER TURNED OFF, I WAS IN MY YARD. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, CHANGED IT STILL NO CHANGE. MY AIRBAG REPAIR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE ALL DAY FINE UNTIL I PARKED IT AND EVERYTHING STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI 11253173

Sep 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

THE CAR CONSTANTLY GETS MESSAGE OF ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE DRIVING WITH NO PREVIOUS ISSUES OR WARNINGS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY DRIVING SPEED DECREASES WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTART THE CAR. THE CAR THEN STARTS NORMAL WITHOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ERROR CODE

NHTSA ODI 11252725

Aug 29, 2019

MY TOUCH SCREEN, BACK UP CAMERA, AND BLUETOOTH DOES NOT WORK AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND IT QUIT WORKING. IT STARTED TO GLITCH AND I DID THE TROUBLE SHOOTING AND NOTHING. IT STOP WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON SR 28 IN TIPTON INDIANA.

NHTSA ODI 11252244

Aug 29, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

TAMARA RECALL OF DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYING. BARELY BUMPED SOMEONE FROM BEHIND GOING UNDER 5MPH & BOTH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED

NHTSA ODI 11252272

Aug 27, 2019SteeringBrakesEngine

TAKATA RECALL MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME TWICE IN TRAFFIC NOW, THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF YOUR STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEM LUCKILY BOTH TIMES I WAS NOT GOING AT A HIGH SPEED AND I LET THE CAR SLOW ON IT'S OWN, BUT THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES POPPING UP, NO TYPE OF WARNING AT ALL THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT WON'T START IN THE MORNING SO AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR REMOTE BATTERY SO I CHANGED BOTH IT STARTED WORKING FOR ABOUT A WEEK SO I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS FIXED BUT IT STILL CUTS OFF A FEW TIMES A DAY, LIKE TODAY IT WOULDN'T START AND WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED MY HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK, OTHER TIMES MY HOME SCREEN WILL BE COMPLETELY BLACK AND NO POWER TO IT. I HOPE WHATEVER IS GOING ON WITH THESE VEHICLES ARE FIXED SOON BECAUSE IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ANOTHER THING WHEN MY CAR IS STATIONARY AND IT WON'T START I WILL PUSH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON YOU WILL HERE A CLICKING SOUND AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN ON ONCE I DO GET IT STARTED I GET THE WORD STABILETRAK, SO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER ONCE AGAIN AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI 11246598

Aug 26, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesEngine

'TAKATA RECALL' I FOUND 2 RECALLS THAT MATCH THE SYSTEMS OF MY VEHICLE PERFECTLY HOWEVER WHEN I PUT MY VIN IN. THE RECALLS DO NOT COME UP. HERE ARE THE RECALL NUMBERS I AM REFERRING TO. 51230, AND 39440. WHEN THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED HAPPENS USUALLY ON THE HIGHWAY ONLY HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES ON THE STREET. WHEN BRAKING A NOICE IS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.

NHTSA ODI 11246408

Aug 23, 2019Lights

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIMS AT VARIOUS TIMES MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED.

NHTSA ODI 11246108

Aug 17, 2019Electrical system

SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2016 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE VCM 4 TIMES. NOTHING SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE STOP/START NEVER WORKED RIGHT. THREE TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH, AFTER VARIOUS REPAIRS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND LOCKED, VEHICLE JUMPED 3 TIMES, ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES ON THE DASH....THEN NOTHING BUT A DEAD CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON A SUNNY DRY DAY. I COULD'VE BEEN THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS WHILE STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY AND MANY PEOPLE COULD'VE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE CAR WAS FIXED THE FOURTH TIME YESTERDAY AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT OUT TO TEST BEFORE RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO ME. IT DIED ON HIM AGAIN AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND THE CERTIFIED GM TECHS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG. P3055 AND P3056 ARE THE ERROR CODES THAT COME UP EVERY TIME. NEW BATTERY, NEW VCM, NEW WIRING HARNESS....EACH TIME THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE UNTIL IT COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. NO RECALL AND THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO CHEVY IS NOT WILLING TO HELP AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11244609

Aug 13, 2019Electrical systemBrakesEngineCrash

EGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT. THE CAR WONT GO OVER 20-30MPH. BRAKES MALFUNCTION CAUSING A SMALL FENDER BENDER. ITS HARD TO START WONT STAY RUNNING. IT EVEN LOST POWER ON THE HWY A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE WRECK.

NHTSA ODI 11243558

Aug 13, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TAKATA RECALL- MY CAR IS DECREASING SPEED, SWITCHING GEARS WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR KEEPS TELLING ME TO 'SHIFT TO PARK' WHILE THE CAR IS ALREADY PARKED AND NOT CUTTING OFF. THE CAR KEEPS DROPPING TO ZERO ON MY DASH BOARD WHILE I'M DRIVING AND SHAKING WHILE I'M DRIVING. MY SENSOR SYSTEM KEEPS FLASHING 'STABILITALK' AND 'STEERING POWER SERVICE, REDUCED SPEED'

NHTSA ODI 11243803

Aug 12, 2019Electrical system

UPON STOPPING AND SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK, THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY GIVES A "SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING AND WHEN THE "STOP / START" BUTTON IS PUSHED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE STOPS, BUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINS ENERGIZED. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IT OFTEN TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY BY RE-STARTING THE ENGINE, SHIFTING INTO GEAR, SHIFTING BACK TO PARK, THEN HITTING THE "STOP / START" BUTTON AGAIN BEFORE IT WORKS CORRECTLY. BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM THIS AND OTHER SITES, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND MY LOCAL DEALER HAS QUOTED ME APPROXIMATELY $500 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL ASSEMBLY. GM HAS ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, NO. 18-NA-297, WHICH RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS 27,000 MILES ON IT AND IS 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FROM A 100 YEAR OLD CAR COMPANY THAT THE GOVERNMENT BAILED OUT JUST 10 YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11243342

Aug 8, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKING, THE START/STOP BUTTON WAS PRESSED AND FAILED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE "PARK TO SHIFT" WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT GEARS AND BACK INTO PARK IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MCKENNEY CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 831 S MAIN ST, LOWELL, NC 28098, (855) 757-1635) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ODI 11242488

Aug 7, 2019Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT'LL SAY ENGINE POWER REDUCED. IF I PRESS THE GAS, IT'LL SLOW DOWN. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, AND TURN IT OFF IT'LL SAY SHIFT TO PARK.

NHTSA ODI 11242169

Aug 7, 2019

DASH SAYS TO SHIFT TO PARK WHEN SHUTTING CAR OFF, EVEN THOUGH IT'S ALREADY IN PARK

NHTSA ODI 11242174

Aug 3, 2019SuspensionAirbagsBrakesCrash

I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON I-435 WHEN AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. I PRESSED MY BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD. MY VEHICLE DID NOT STOP SO TO AVOID CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT I WENT OFF ROAD IN THE CENTER OF THE TWO HIGHWAYS. AFTER HITTING THE GUARDRAIL TO STOP MY VEHICLE FROM FALLING INBETWEEN THE OVERPASS. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . I FEEL SOME CONCERN AFTER HAVING MY BREAKS CHECKED AND TOLD THEY WERE GOOD. THEN IF I'M AT STOP AND I RELEASE THE BREAK FOR MY CAR TO START BACK UP. I GIVE IT A SECOND AND THEN PRESS THE PEDDLE IT DOES NOT MOVE WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HOLD UP TRAFFIC OR ALMOST BEING HIT WHEN VEHICLES WERE AT SAFE DISTANCES.

NHTSA ODI 11241542

Aug 1, 2019Brakes

IN DECEMBER OF 2018 ON A ROAD TRIP, MY BRAKES FAILED; I LITERALLY HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THIS HAPPENED ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE, WITH MYSELF, MY MOTHER AND MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. YOU CAN IMAGINE THE FEAR I FELT AT THAT TIME. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO MERGE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN HARRISBURG, PA AND IT TOOK THEM A WEEK TO REPLACE THE VACUUM PUMP. JULY 2019 I NOTICE THAT MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS A MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD THAT STATES 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER.' I IMMEDIATELY MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I INITIALLY PURCHASED THE CAR FROM. MY CAR HAS BEEN THERE SINCE TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019 AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE 'ANTI-LOCK BRAKE' SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO PINPOINT WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT WE TAKE THE CAR HOME AND BRING IT ON ANOTHER DAY, BUT AGAIN, LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND WE COULD NOT APPLY PRESSURE TO IT! THEY HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11241016

Aug 1, 2019Steering

THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE MOST RECENT ONE BEING TODAY. THE CAR WOULD BE AT A RED LIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHOLE CAR WOULD SHUT IT SELF OFF THEN RESTART AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER TURNING OFF. THEN A MESSAGE WOULD POP UP ON THE LCD SCREEN SAYING SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF. 'POWER STEERING ASSIST REDUCED' THE MESSAGE WOULD DISAPPEAR SO FAST THAT IT DOESN'T EVEN GIVE ME A CHANCE TO FULLY READ IT.

NHTSA ODI 11241207

Jul 30, 2019

WHEN I TURN OFF MY CAR. THE MESSAGE SHIFT TO PARK POPS UP AND I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING ON AND OFF THE CAR UNTIL THE MESSAGE " SHIFT TO PARK" DISAPPEARS. IF I LEAVE IT LIKE THAT THE RADIO TURNS ON REALLY LOUD. MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD. THIS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND IT WENT AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND IT CAME BACK AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11240649

Jul 27, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesEngine1 injury

ENGINE FAILURE. MY CAR WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING HOME. THE STABIKITRAK POP ON, ENGINE LIGHT POP ON, BRAKES LOCKED UP MAKING IT HARD FOR ME TO STOP THE CAR IN TRAFFIC. I HOPE THEY ARE PLANNING ON DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID FOR MY LIFE. THIS CAR IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE.

NHTSA ODI 11235317

Jul 25, 2019SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND STEERING ASSIST REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11234760

Jul 25, 2019

WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS SHIFT TO PARK IN THE MALIBU. THIS CAUSES THE BATTERY TO DIE SO BOTH PARTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CHEVY HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFT TO PARK. I CAN SPEND UP TO 10 MINUTES TRYING TO GET THAT MESSAGE OFF. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DEALERS KNOW THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE 2016 MALIBU BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT! I WILL ALSO BE GOING TO THE MEDIA WITH THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11234838

Jul 19, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

WHEN SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO PARK IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A "SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE ISSUE CONTINUED DESPITE TWO DEALER REPAIR ATTEMPTS. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE, IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND AT NUMEROUS PUBLIC PARKING LOTS. LATER, THE VEHICLE SMACKED THE BRAKES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND DISPLAYED A "STABILITRAK" ERROR. WHEN I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND SHIFTED TO PARK, IT AGAIN DISPLAYED THE "SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, IT DISPLAYED "STABILITRAK" ERROR AND "POWER STEERING" ERROR. I DISABLED THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM IN ORDER TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I WAS IN A REMOTE AREA WITH NO PLACE TO GET THE CAR FIXED. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM BACK ON AND SMACK THE BRAKES. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THIS ISSUE CONTINUED TO REPEAT ITSELF WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11233450

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Working with the data? Download all 786 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Chevrolet Impala Eco Eassist verdict →