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 27 of 32

Nov 16, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TAKATA RECALL: MY VEICHLE HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE MONTHS NOW. I HAVE BEEN PAYING EXTRA MONEY TO REPAIRS AND STILL DOESN'T GET IT FIX. DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. MY CAR TURNS OFF AT THE LIGHT TO SAVE GAS BUT WHENEVER I RELEASE THE BRAKE BACK AGAIN THE WHOLE SCREEN GOES OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WITH THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WANT TO TURN BACK ON. MESAAGE ON THE SCREEN SAYS ' POWER STEERLING REDUCED, PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE' ALSO IT SAYS SOMETIMES ' STABILITITANK ' . I NEED HELP ON THIS SITUATION BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. I SAW A RECALL OF 7,000 CARS SAME TYPE LIKE MINE ON 2016 FOR THE SAME ISSUES. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11151898

Nov 12, 2018Electrical systemBrakes

I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OFF AND ON IGNITION PUSH BUTTON SINCE LAST YEAR. I HAVE TO PUSH AND START SEVERAL TIME IN ORDER TO CUT OFF TO LOCK MY DOORS AND TURN THE RADIO OFF. MY BRAKES LOCKED ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AND SMELLED LIKE RUBBER WHERE BURNING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. I WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG AND HAD TO GET MY VEHICLE AND PARK IT.

NHTSA ODI 11150940

Nov 11, 2018Engine

CAR HAS DIED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE AUTO STOP FEATURE STOPPED WORKING EACH TIME IT DIES OUT. CAR STAYS AT A HIGHER IDLE AND DON'T ACTIVATE AUTO STOP FEATURE. DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY. IT WILL RANDOMLY ACTIVATE AND THEN DIE OUT AND NO LONGER WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11150799

Oct 30, 2018Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE TRUNK, FROM THE RAIN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMELL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BYERS CHEVROLET DEALER (866-920-8815, 5887 N MEADOWS DR, GROVE CITY, OH 43123) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11144057

Oct 30, 2018Body & structure

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH SCREWS ARE BACKING OUT. THIS IS CAUSING THE DOOR TO BECOME UNLATCHED FROM THE DOOR FRAME AND CAUSE THE DOOR TO OPEN DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS ALSO ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11144092

Oct 29, 2018SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RECEIVING REIMBURSEMENT AND REPAIRS FOR VEHICLE. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE A HUMMING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE HEADLINER MODULE AND ENGINE. THE ENGINE MOUNT COLLAPSED. THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JS

NHTSA ODI 11143248

Oct 29, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LEASED VEHICLE THAT HAS MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS; LOSING POWER, NOT ACCELERATING, AND NOT SHIFTING GEARS. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE 'RIGHT TRACK' DEVICE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11143168

Oct 28, 2018SteeringElectrical systemEngine

VEHICLE HAS BEEN STOPPED OR DURING TURNING OR DRIVING ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY AND SHUT OFF ENGINE, ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND HAD RESTART IN TRAFFIC ALSO RADIO SCREEN MISSES UP AND ON STAR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN IT HAPPENS. CAN'T STEER VEHICLE WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN. ABOUT CAUSED ME TO WRECK 4 TIMES. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR MY PASSENGERS IT HAS LOW MILES AND STILL UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND CHEVY DEALERS HAVE NO CLUE THE CAUSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFO I BE GLAD TO SHOW U ISSUES WITH IT AND I LOVE SOMEONE TO HELP ME FIX THE UNKNOWN ISSUES BEFORE IT GETS ME OR MY CHILD OR SOMEONE ELSE HURT.

NHTSA ODI 11143514

Oct 27, 2018Electrical system

ALTERNATOR BEARING IS GOING BAD. I HAVE NOT REPLACED IT YET THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD ALTERNATOR SHOULD LAST AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS. I ALSO HAD A NEW ENGINE PUT IN A FEW MONTHS AGO BECAUSE OF THE PISTON CRACKED. SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE NEW ENGINE IN THE 2016 CHEVY MALIBU MODEL

NHTSA ODI 11143320

Oct 26, 2018LightsBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED WATER DAMAGE AND MOLD TO THE HEADLINER, TRUNK, AND REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (BERGSTROM CHEVROLET OF MADISON, 1345 APPLEGATE RD, MADISON, WI) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED IN THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11142944

Oct 17, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngine

CAR HESITATES WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR AND BEGINS TO MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATES RAPIDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND BECAUSE IT IS ONLY RANDOM WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, OR PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SMART TRANSMISSION BECAUSE ME AND MY WIFE HAVE DIFFERENT DRIVING HAPPENS. (WHICH DOESN'T SOUND REASONABLE) LAST TIME IT DID THIS WAS YESTERDAY AND IT SEEMS TO HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 11141073

Oct 16, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN GOING TO START THE VEHICLE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSH START BUTTON IT MAKES A CLICK SOUND AND SHOWS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL AS STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DASH. IT'S NOT AN ISSUE OF A DEAD BATTERY OR FAULTY STARTER. IT HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE A DAY. WHEN I COME BACK ABOUT A HR LATER I AGAIN APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSH THE START BUTTON AND AFTER A FEW TRIES OF IT READING THE SAME CHECK ENGINE STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE IT STARTS UP. ALONG WITH THIS HAPPENING WHEN I'M DRIVING AND COME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE AUTO STOP ENGAGES AS IT SHOULD ONLY THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY DIES. BUT WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE IT DOESNT START BACK UP AS NORMAL. ONLY TO HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND APPLY THE BRAKE AND HOPE IT STARTS BACK UP. AFTER READING INTO THIS ON VARIOUS FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON RECURRING ISSUE. ONLY NO ANSWERS AS TO WHY OR WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11140765

Oct 7, 2018Electrical systemAirbags

I SEEN THE RECALL ABOUT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT I'M HAVING A ISSUE LIKE THAT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SEE IF IT'S RELATED TO WHAT Y'ALL ARE RECALLING THANKS AND BE SIDE THAT IT COME ON AND OFF ON IT'S OWN EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SEATING THERE.

NHTSA ODI 11138915

Sep 21, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

CAR REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS BEEN SHIFTED INTO PARK, DESPITE HAVING BEEN PROPERLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. I RECEIVE THE ERROR MESSAGE "SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK" AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI 11130694

Sep 12, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

1ST PROBLEM MESSAGE POPS UP WHEN PARKING. MESSAGE READS SHIFT TO PARK EVEN WHEN SHIFTER IS IN PARK. WILL TURN OFF ENGINE BUT WILL NOT TURN OFF THE ACCESSORY. NEED TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL MESSAGE DISAPPEARS AND ALLOWS TO TURN OFF. 2ND PROBLEM MESSAGE POPS UP NO REMOTE DETECTED PRESS BRAKE TO RESTART

NHTSA ODI 11129088

Sep 10, 2018

THE THIRD LIGHT HAS CAUSED A LEAKING PROBLEM INTO THE TRUNK. COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS DONE. IT RUINED THE HEADLINER AND THE COVER THAT GOES OER SPARE TIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11128396

Sep 10, 2018Lights

THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS LEAKING WATER ON THE REAR SEATS AND TRUNK. LOOKING ONLINE, THERE ARE OTHERS AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE. THE OFFICIAL ANSWER FROM CHEVY IS THAT THE BOLTS BECOME LOSE OVERTIME. MY CAR HAS 40,000 MILES AND IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, SO GM WON'T FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11128572

Sep 9, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAR WASN'T ACTING WEIRD OR ANYTHING. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING MULTIFUNCTION POWER SUPPLY CONVERTER, IT HAS INTERNAL ISSUES I APPROVED THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING IS FINE EVERYTHING CLEARED. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO GO CRAZY I STATED THAT ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN CAR LOUNGES FORWARD AND THAT THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL WHILE DRIVING AND CAR THEN JUST STOPS I HAD TO RESTART IT. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING BATTERY I APPROVED .THE SAME DAY I PICKED UP MY CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWED BUT THE NEXT DAY CAR STARTED TO BE IT SELF AGAIN SO I KEPT IT DIDN'T TAKE IT IN.A WEEK LATER THE SAME SYMPTOMS CAR JOLTS FORWARD,IT LOCKS AND UNLOCKS WHEN DRIVING AND CAR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY THIS TIME THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE I APPROVED. 30 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING THE MECHANICS, CAR HAS THE SAME EXACT PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS BUT NOW CAR WENT BEYOND CRAZY, CAR WAS ON DRIVE BUT WON'T ACCELERATE, BREAK, AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, DASH SAID (SERVICE STABILITRAK) (ICE POSSIBLE) IT HOT OUTSIDE. IT HAPPENS WHEN I GET OFF FREEWAYS, WHEN I'M DRIVING ON REGULAR STREETS: DOORS LOCKS AND UNLOCKS DASH ALWAYS SAY CHECK REAR DOOR LOCKS THE, CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND THEN CAR JUST STOPS AND WON'T GO I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF THEN ON AGAIN. JUST IMAGINE IF CAR COMPLETELY STOP IN A FREEWAY, I'M LUCKY THAT IT GIVES ME A WARNING WHEN I HEAR THE LOCKS GO CRAZY I PULL OVER I THEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SLOWLY HOME AND ALL THE WAY HOME CAR JOLTS TOWARDS LOCKS ARE GOING CRAZY AND CAR STOPS FREQUENTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREETS. THEN I'M ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE MECHANICS LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENS TO IT. GOES BACK TO NORMAL WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11128340

Sep 7, 2018

THE THIRD LIGHT HAS CAUSED A LEAKING PROBLEM INTO THE TRUNK. COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS DONE. IT RUINED THE HEADLINER AND THE COVER THAT GOES OER SPARE TIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11128127

Sep 7, 2018Seats

THE FLOOR UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT IS SOFT. WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT DOWN ON THE FLOOR IT SINKS IN.AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED OUT WITH A SMALL CRACK NOW IT IS BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI 11128172

Sep 7, 2018Engine

MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL 17019-STOCHASTIC PRE-IGNITION (SPI) . MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON OR ABOUT 07/02/18 AT GUARANTEE CHEVROLET IN THE CITY OF SANTANA, CA MY VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME ON OR ABOUT 07/03/18. THIS CONDITION HAS DAMAGED MY ENGINE/MOTOR WHICH IS IN FACT A RESULT FROM THE SPI CONDITION, THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE DAMAGES FROM THIS NARRATIVE. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE GWM SYSTEM TO BE LIABLE FOR ALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO 17019-SPI RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11128176

Sep 6, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, ON THE DASH BOARD IT SAY PUT CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF. WHEN MY CAR IS IN PARK. ALSO WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR IT TAKE A WHILE FOR IT TO START. IT WILL SAY SERIVCE STABLILITY. MY AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON. I ALSO HAVE SEEN THAT ALOT OF CUSTOMERS THAT HAS THE SAME CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11127933

Sep 5, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

AROUND 50,000 MILES SENSOR ON THROTTLE PEDAL WENT OUT AND CAUSED MY CAR TO STOP ACCELERATING WITH MY KID IN THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DRIVING. NEXT AT 74,000 MY 2016 CHEVY MALIBU LT 1.5L TURBO HAS A CRACKED PISTON. I BELIEVE RECALL 17019 STOCHASTIC PRE EGNITION SHOULD BE LINKED TO MY VIN. FIRST SERVICE STABILITRAK COMES ON WITH A GLOWING ICON SHOWING A CAR WITH WAVY LINES UNDERNEATH IT. THEN CODE READING P0301 (CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE) WENT THROUGH THE CHECKLIST, SPARK PLUGS, COILS, FUEL INJECTORS ALL FINE. CHECKED THE COMPRESSION OF CYLINDER ONE AND IT'S GONE. CYLINDER ONE HAS NO COMPRESSION IT DOESN'T WORK. I SAW THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE 1.5L TURBO GM TRIED PERFECTING AND STILL DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX BESIDES REPLACING THE PISTON OR MOTOR. BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING MY CAR. ONCE I NOTICED THE STABILITRAK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT I WENT HOME AND LEFT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE IN HOPES THERE WASN'T DAMAGE. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT GM KNEW THIS WHOLE TIME AND NO ONE TOLD ME. THEIR TRYING TO SAY MY CAR ISN'T ON THAT RECALL BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT MY CAR IS EXACTLY THAT 17019 STOCHASTIC PRE EGNITION RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11124470

Sep 4, 2018LightsBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DETECTED MOLD ON THE REAR SEATS, IN THE TRUNK, ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS, AND THE VEHICLE FLOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE CENTER HIGH MOUNT THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, WHICH CAUSED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HESSERT CHEVROLET (6301 E ROOSEVELT BLVD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19149, 877-338-7630) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE MOLD WAS STILL PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,400. *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11124383

Aug 30, 2018BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED CARLISLE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC AT (972) 938-8000 (LOCATED AT 1701 US-287 BYP, WAXAHACHIE, TX 75165) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS COMPLETED AT HER RESIDENCE BY A FAMILY MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE ROTOR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11123511

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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 →