Home · 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited · Complaints

What 786 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited

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 14 of 32

Sep 21, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

STABILITRAK CODE APPEARS ON DASHBOARD - CAUSING LOW OR NO ACCELERATION, SHAKING WHEN STILL AND WHILE IN PARK. METER READS AS A 'MISFIRE CODE'; TOTAL TUNE UP WAS CONDUCTED (REPLACED ALL PLUGS & WIRING/COIL PACK); WAS STABLE FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS AND THEN 'STABILITRAK' CODE REAPPEARED WITH CAR SHAKING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11360306

Sep 20, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN IN PARK, WILL NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO BE SHUT OFF.THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN PARK, AND BRAKE IS ENGAGED. IT INDICATES THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK.THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND HAS SINCE 05/01/2020

NHTSA ODI 11360062

Sep 15, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE CAR WENT INTO AUTO STOP MODE, THE BRAKES STARTED LOOSING PRESSURE I LET OFF OF THE BRAKES IT CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ALMOST HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN IT FINALLY KICKED INTO GEAR AND SAID SERVICE STABILITRAK AND AND ALSO SAID POWER ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE THEN HAD THE CODES P3055 AND P3056 AND THE CAR HAS 100,000 MILES AND IS SERVICED REGULARLY

NHTSA ODI 11355156

Sep 14, 2020SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

WHEN PARKING MY VEHICLE IN PARK, IT WILL NOT NOTICE THE CAR IS PARKED AND THE ON LIGHT WILL COME ON. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER FOR THE ON LIGHT TO GO OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED BEFORE, NOW IT'S DOING THE SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE.. AND THE BACK END IS MAKING A VERY BAD BUMPING NOISE. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAY THAT THEY REPLACED PARTS AND IT'S DOING THE SAME THING. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11355001

Sep 9, 2020Speed controlBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH RESUME BACK TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT ASLO MENTIONED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRIENDLY CHEVROLET (7501 HIGHWAY 65 NE, FRIDLEY, MN 55432) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE VACUUM PUMP WAS NOT. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11353945

Sep 8, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND PRESSING THE OFF BUTTON, THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK (6252 E VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, NORFOLK, VA 23502) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION HARNESS AND SHIFTER CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED AND REMAINED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK IN RELATION TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11353844

Sep 6, 2020Suspension

WHEN DRIVING, HITTING A BUMP, GOING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD, OR EVEN PULLING INTO A DRIVE WAY MY CAR MAKES A CREEPING, THUMPING SOUND IN THE REAR. EVEN WHILE IN PARK IF SOMEONE PUSHES DOWN ON THE TRUNK IT MAKES THE NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. I HAD BOTH REPLACED AND THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE. ALSO, EACH TIME IT RAINS THERE IS WATER UNDERNEATH MY SPARE TIRE AND MY FLOOR GETS WET ON THE BACK ROW.

NHTSA ODI 11353431

Sep 5, 2020Body & structure

EVERYTIME IT RAINS THE INSIDE OF MY TRUNK IS SOAKED AND SMELLS LIKE MILDEW. NOT TO MENTION WHEN I LIFTED MY SPARE TIRE OUT FROM THE TRUNK THERE WAS SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER JUST SITTING IN THERE. WHILE DRIVING IN A THUNDERSTORM I NOTICED THERE WAS WATER LEAKING INSIDE NEAR THE BACK WINDOWS AND I NOTICED THE HEADLINER IS BADLY WATER STAINED. SPOKE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE AND THEY DON'T COVER 'WATER DAMAGE'! WELL I WOULDN'T HAVE WATER DAMAGE IF I HAD A DECENT MADE CAR THAT DOESN'T LEAK WHEN IT RAINS! I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT SIT IN THE BACK SEAT AND HAVE TO GET RAINED ON. GUESS I WILL HAVE TO GIVE THEM UMBRELLAS WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR. IT'S VERY UNSAFE FOR MY CHILDREN TO BE BREATHING/INHALING THE MOLD THAT IS IN THE TRUNK WITH THEIR ASTHMA/MOLD RELATED ALLERGIES.

NHTSA ODI 11353363

Aug 30, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK IT WONT SHUT OFF AND GIVES THIS MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT.

NHTSA ODI 11352179

Aug 27, 2020Electrical system

2016 CHEVY MALIBU LS.. AT TIMES MY ENGINE WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I HAVE TO KEEP STARTING AND TRYING TO TURN OFF . AN ALERT SAYS PLEASE PUT IN PARK, I DO AND HOLD IT IN PARK BUT DIFFICULT TO TURN OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE STOPPED AT THE STORE , HOME OR WHEREVER IAM GOING TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES , THE WORST WAS TWO DAYS AGO AT HOME, TUESDAY , AUGUST 25, 2020

NHTSA ODI 11351612

Aug 26, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THEIR DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, AFTER SWITCHING TO THE PARK POSITION THE "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE HAD DISPLAYED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHUT OFF. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE SHIFT TO PARK PREVENTS THE START BUTTON FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE .

NHTSA ODI 11351422

Aug 24, 2020

THE MAIN REAR WINDOW DIDN'T HAVE A PROPER SEAL. ON BOTH SIDES IN THE CORNERS OF THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A LEAKAGE. EVERY TIME IT RAINS, YOU CAN SEE WATER DAMAGE. YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE AFTER EFFECTS OF THE CEILING BEING STAINED. REALIZED THIS AFTER IT RAINED WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11350887

Aug 24, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED RECOGNIZE THAT IT WAS IN PARK, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO TURN OFF AND LOCK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MORAN CHEVROLET FORT GRATIOT (4511 24TH AVE, FORT GRATIOT TWP, MI 48059, (812) 202-4062) WHO REPLACED THE SHIFTER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF *AS

NHTSA ODI 11350951

Aug 16, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE. I WILL PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN OFF THE CAR AND A NOTIFICATION COMES ON THE SCREEN THAT STATES 'SHIFT TO PARK' I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY START MY CAR, SHIFT TO REVERSE THEN BACK TO PARK AND THEN SHUT OFF MY CAR UNTIL THE MESSAGE DOESN'T APPEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE YET A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED.

NHTSA ODI 11349692

Aug 13, 2020Electrical systemEngine

THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING NORMAL AND SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPON PARKING, YOU TRY TO START THE CAR, AND IT WON'T. WAIT FOR APPROX. 30 MINS AND THE CAR STARTS BUT A BIT ROUGH FIRST AND THEN DRIVES.

NHTSA ODI 11348987

Aug 13, 2020Electrical system

I BOUGHT THIS CAR & DID NOT EVEN HAVE IT A MONTH AND THE SUNROOF WOULD START TO CLOSE AND THEN WOULD STOP AND OPEN OR GET STUCK HALF WAY OPEN. WHEN TRYING TO GET THIS TO CLOSE THE SUNROOF WOULD CLOSE WITHOUT PUTTING BEING PRESSED. THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND WAS BAD.

NHTSA ODI 11349073

Aug 12, 2020

AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSH THE BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF, IT SAYS TO SHIFT TO PARK. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND DRIVE AGAIN. SOMETIMES THIS WORKS, BUT IT IS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. THE CAR BEEPS AT ME AND WON'T SHUT THE RADIO OFF WHEN I PUSH THE BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I CAN'T LOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT I HAVE SHIFTED TO PARK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN JULY, 2020. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY. NOW IT IS HAPPENING EVERY TIME I TURN THE CAR OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11348857

Aug 11, 2020Body & structure

TRUNK IS LEAKING AND MILDEW SMELL ALL IN THE CAR. WET ON BOTH SIDES OF TRUNK AND HOLDS WATER. GM HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS WITH NO RECALLS ISSUED AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI 11348691

Aug 11, 2020SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY MALIBU ONLY HAS 34K MILES ON IT AND IS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR. ON AUGUST 10TH, I WENT TO START IT. IT WOULD NOT START OR TURN ON THE LIGHTS. SO I TRICKLE CHARGED IT AND 4 HOURS LATER WHEN IT FINALLY TURNED ON I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED. THE BATTERY IS FINE. HOWEVER, THE STABILITRAC IS NOT COMING BACK ON ALONG WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL AND LANE ASSIST. THE BACK UP CAMERA, BACK UP CAMERA LINES, CRASH AVERSION SENSORS, AND SCREEN WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE 10TH OF AUGUST AFTER THE CAR CAME BACK ON. THE SREEN HAS HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST AS WELL WITH NOT TURNING ON ALONG WITH SHOWING THE PROPER TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND MORE.

NHTSA ODI 11348728

Aug 10, 2020

I HAVE NOTICED A POPPING NOISE ON THE BACK END OF MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. I WENT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR. I WENT ABOUT 3 TO 4 TIMES BY THE TIME THEY COULD HEAR WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. IN JUNE 2020 THEY INSTALLED WASHERS TO PREVENT CONTACT FROM THE STRUT. THAT DID NOT WORK. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS STILL MAKING THAT SOUND. IT SEEMS TO BE LOUDER WHEN DRIVING SLOW OR WHEN IT HEATS UP OUTSIDE LATER ON IN THE DAY. IT ALSO MAKES THAT POPPING NOISE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE AT A STOP LIGHT BEFORE I ACCELERATE. IT MAKES THE POPPING NOISE SOMETIMES WHEN I SIT DOWN IN THE CAR. ONE DAY I WAS BOUNCING IN THE DRIVER SEAT TO SEE IF I COULD DUPLICATE THE SOUND AND IT WAS POPPING LOUDLY.

NHTSA ODI 11348495

Aug 10, 2020Electrical system

MY SHIFT TO PARK INDICATOR DISPLAYS ON THE DASH WHEN MY CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE CAR CAN'T BE TURNED OFF UNTIL THE INDICATOR GOES OFF. I USUALLY CHANGE GEARS AND PUT BACK IN PARK OR PUSH IT HARDER WHILE IT IS ALREADY IN PARK. I HAD THIS REPAIRED ON 9/14/18. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SHIFT LEVEL SELECTOR. IT IS NOW DOING IT AGAIN. IT STARTED THAT SHIFT TO PARK AGAIN ON 8/7/2020.

NHTSA ODI 11348498

Aug 6, 2020AirbagsEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, SMOKE SEEPED INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED CLOSE BY AND THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY HER SON AND SAW THERE WAS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF ANTIFREEZE LEFT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER RIVERSIDE CHEVROLET (707 W 51ST ST, TULSA, OK 74107 918-446-7700) WHILE IT WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER WITH AN OIL CHANGE AND FLUID CHECKS TWO MONTHS EARLIER. THE DEALER SUGGESTED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11343622

Aug 4, 2020SteeringElectrical systemEngine

REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND THE BRAKES JUST CUT OFF GOING DOWN ROAD DRIVING NOT SAFE

NHTSA ODI 11343342

Jul 30, 2020Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION ISSUE. STABILITRAK SERVICE WARNINGS. ACCELERATION ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11342314

Jul 22, 2020Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, ESC WARNING COMES ON, VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHUDDERS. WAS MERGING ONTO FREEWAY WHEN ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON, CAUSING VEHICLE TO REDUCE POWER, FORCING AN IMMEDIATE REACTIONS TO AVOID COLLISION. DEALERSHIP SAYS ISSUES CANNOT BE FOUND.

NHTSA ODI 11340924

← NewerOlder →

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 Limited verdict →