What 810 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

The brake booster pump needed replacing because of malfunction. I was driving on Fredrick Douglas bridge and needed to brake.. when I tried to brake, the brake pedal was very stiff (alot of pressure) and it took awhile just to slow the vehicle down. I had to apply all my force and push the pedal all the way down to try and slow the vehicle. The break pedal continued to stay that while I had to drive very slow to get to a safe place where I can park and wait for a tow of the car. The tow truck driver experienced the same problem trying to get the car up on the tow bed. My mechanic also experienced the issue with my car. No warning light was given on the dashboard at all. I took a look online and saw there were numerous complaints about this issue and Chevy has not issued a recall notice of this defect.

NHTSA ODI 11517124

In November 2022 my vehicle (2016 Chevrolet Malibu) experienced a vacuum pump failure resulting in the brake system being inactive. Once the brake pedal was pressed, it remained locked and further stopping was not possible. Luckily I wads able to stop onto the shoulder, however it was on a busy highway where I was nearly unable to stop as we were merging from an exit ramp with no emergency area. Both myself and my girlfriend safety were at risk of injury had we not been able to safely pull over. After being towed to an auto repair shop the vacuum pump was replaced with no issues experience until 4/2/2023. As of April 2023 this same error occurred once again after entering a busy area. A second time I was lucky enough to have been away from traffic, however it could have resulted in personal injury or the injury of another individual had I not been able to pull off into an emergency lane. The car has since been towed to a certified Chevrolet dealership where I am awaiting an estimate on repairs. Initial review from the mechanics state damage has been done to the brake boosters as well as to the cars cam. Estimates on repairs could be as high as $5,000 or more including labor, diagnostics, and parts. Prior repairs done in November were nearly $700.00

NHTSA ODI 11515196

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was firm. The contact used the parking brake to slow and stop the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started overheating and smoking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the engine needed to be replaced due to metal fragments from the defective vacuum pump. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 141,943.

NHTSA ODI 11502490

Had car looked and i was told that the break box is defective

NHTSA ODI 11496988

I was parked idling in a parking lot for about five minutes. I went to leave pulled out of the parking lot, hit my brakes at the light and it sounded like my whole front end was going to fall off the brakes had no pressure and it sounded like it was metal on metal, I had to get home so I thought I could take the long road home that has barely any lights on it. By the time I got down the road they were back to normal and now it’s done it twice again. I also have some electrical stuff happening where my radial to shut off or not work at all. Also had a couple pistons that had to be replaced earlier and they tried to get me for failure to maintenance but I took my car in faithfully every time I needed oil and I also took it in early because I was using fully synthetic had another 2000 miles to go for me to not have any oil in my car was ridiculous. They ended up only charging me for the seals, but in the beginning it was like 3900.

NHTSA ODI 11496007

After driving during the morning with no prior issue with brakes I proceeded to drive along a residential street going 15 miles per hour. When I began to press brakes while approaching a Stop - the brakes began to grind horribly, I let up off the brake and pressed again, same sound (grinding as if something was going to fall out the bottom of the vehicle around the pedal). I put the car in reverse and brake again, same sound, tried going forward a bit further, same grinding sound. Car seemed to be Immobile, undrivable. Called a tow immediately and towed to dealer - they kept vehicle overnight but the issue could not be duplicated while in their possession. They inspected the brakes and found nothing wrong. I picked up car but felt it was unsafe to drive so I drove only local area for the next week. The same issue occurred while leaving home about 1wk. later. Car was not drivable - brakes were hard and grinding horribly. I towed the car a second time immediately to another GM Dealer. The vehicle was kept for several days, the issue would not repeat itself @ dealership so it went undetected (they actually insisted that I needed a battery and a dead cell could cause the issue I was having and more) While this mad no sense, I went in to the dealer myself and drove the vehicle around the lot until the issue occurred again. The Technician came out an said, that's horrible and unsafe I know exactly what that is, it's the BRAKE Booster and it was very dangerous to drive like that. This faulty issue could have resulted in an accident had I been on the expressway, or even worse. it took 2 tows and 2 Dealers to find and confirm the issue. This issue is a dangerous hazard and - there should be a Recall on the BRAKE BOOSTER! It resulted in a costly $$ and dangerous hazard that could be avoided by having the vehicle recalled. e.g. *The engine light displayed intermittenly when this issue occurred but the Dealers were unable to detect the issue or any diagnostic problem.

NHTSA ODI 11490867

The brake booster vacuum pump failed, twice. There wasn’t any warning messages prior to the failure. It is available for inspection. Both incidents happened on the freeway, which put mine and other drivers at risk. The first time it failed was in July 2022, then 3 months later in September after being repaired, failed again. The problem has only been confirmed by multiple mechanics. Not only did the vacuum pump fail, it’s extremely difficult to find a replacement part, new or used.

NHTSA ODI 11486290

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, she attempted to depress the brake pedal when the brakes locked and failed without warning. As a result, the contact rear-ended the rear of another vehicle. The contact sustained soreness and the other driver of the other vehicle sustained an injury to the back that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her place of residence. The contact scheduled an appointment with an independent mechanic. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that information will be sent but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11483128

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed. Additionally, the vehicle made abnormal grinding sounds with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake vacuum pump failure. The dealer replaced the brake vacuum pump. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11475786

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, she depressed the brake pedal however, the brake failed to engage as needed. The contact stated that additional force was needed to stop the vehicle. While stopped, the vehicle inadvertently started rolling backward. The contact stopped the vehicle and then turned off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle started shaking and the brake pedal was soft. The brake pedal had to be depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11454989

The morning I started my trip. My back up camera stayed on. I stopped turned the car off and back on. It was still on. Turned it off again. This time the camera went off. I was going up the cajon pass. No warning light or anything. Was coming up to my exit. Tried to slow down to exit. Couldn't press my brakes. They were rock hard to press. Took my foot off gas. Slowed down enough to get to the shoulder of the road. Once I was able to stop. My brakes were hard to press they made a clunk noise. I noticed the check engine light was on. I could of been killed had someone been in front of me and stopped. Or I could of killed someone. This is not the first time these brakes have done this. They did it earlier this year I wasn't able to press my brakes as and when I was it made the same noise. I had it towed to dealer to be fixed. They said they fixed it. This could of killed me or someone else as I was traveling on the freeway at faster speeds than the streets

NHTSA ODI 11435572

Second issue with brakes on 2016 Chevy Malibu. First issue fixed in September 2020 by replacing vacuum pump and sensor. The pump failed and pieces of the pump break off and fall into the engine. The exact same issue happened again June 2021. The brakes are very hard and a loud thumping noise was coming from under the hood when you pressed the brakes. It was very hard to stop the car. I knew it was the same issue from September 2020. The vacuum pump was removed and returned to the dealership where the I purchased it from in September 2020 when the original part failed. The part I returned in June 2021 was still under warranty. When I returned it and told them it failed the exact same way in 2020, the man in parts said "They PROBABLY won't warranty the part again since it failed twice. So there's probably something else wrong with your car" REALLY!!! I did notice that the part had been redesigned and the part that breaks off in the engine is no longer there. This proves Chevrolet knows this is an issue, but refuses to recall these vehicles. Thankfully I was on a country road, not driving fast when it failed this time. We live at the bottom of 2 hills, so I had to drive partially in the ditch to help the car slow down enough to safely pull into my driveway with no brakes.

NHTSA ODI 11430562

The first incident happen on 2/27/2019. I was existing the highway on highway 75 in Kennesaw, Georgia going north bound and coming off on Barrett Parkway. As I exited the highway my brakes was stuck and my brakes wouldn't press. I panicked because I was going at least 60 mph trying to slow down to get on the exit with semi trucks in the front and in the back, because I was a little skilled with cars I down shifted my car and stepped on my emergency brakes and ran the car off the road into the grass. I towed the car to my mechanic in Hiram, GA. (Donnie's Automotive) to have him work on the issue as I wasn't sure what was going on. I got my car back on 3/1/2019. Now the next incident happen on 8/16/21 my engine decreased and my car wouldn't accelerate more than 40 mph. Took it to my mechanic again and it was the throttle sensor. Now the most recent incident happen 6/12/21 where my brakes failed to pressed again and bc I was aware of this incident happening in 2019 I did the same thing and ran my car off the road. My kids were scared. Now all these issues have been a issue with Chevy and they even had a class action lawsuit against them for the throttle sensor issue. My car wasn't part of the recall but my car has suffered the same issues they've know about for years. I called Thornton Road chevy and they told me it's nothing they can do. I've also emailed the CEO and all others for CHEVY. I want chevy to repair my car before this car KILLS ME OR MY KIDS.

NHTSA ODI 11421218

SERVICE STABILITRAK AND ABS. IT PREVIOUSLY HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. SINCE IT'S BEEN HAPPENING WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A SLOW CRAWL OR IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL COME ON HOWEVER THE JUST OF THE TIMES, WHEN BRAKING, THE CAR WILL GRIND AND STUTTER WHEN BRAKING

NHTSA ODI 11414666

PRESSING ON BREAK LOST BREAKING POWER. WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC BREAK VACUUM PUMP HAD ISSUE. HE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THE ISSUE HE FOUND DOCUMENTED.

NHTSA ODI 11414623

THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE OTHER THAN WHEN THE PROBLEMS START ACTING UP. IT IS A BCM ISSUE INVOLVING THE STABILITRAK AND ABS. EVERY FEW WEEKS OR SO, I'LL GET 3 SERVICE LIGHT UPS IN MY DASH STATING 'SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, REDUCED POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE' AFTER COMING TO A STOP. WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF THE CAR WILL REV UP AND DOWN THEN THOSE MESSAGES POP UP AS I CANNOT SPEED UP OR DRIVE. ONCE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP IT SHUTS OFF AND WON'T TURN BACK ON UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. I'VE PUT $700 IN IT REPLACING SPEED SENSORS, VACUUM PUMP AND VACUUM SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AS IT ALREADY OCCURRED AT AN INTERSECTION STOPLIGHT IN COLUMBUS OHIO

NHTSA ODI 11400405

I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. IMMEDIATLY AFTER THE COLLISION THE BRAKES ON MY VEHICLE FAILED. I HAD TO USE THE CURB AND BUSHES TO STOP MY VEHICLE AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 300 YARDS FROM THE COLLISION SITE.

NHTSA ODI 11398719

BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2020, EVERY TIME I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR BRAKE (WHEN COMING TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC) THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. I WOULD GET A WARNING THAT THE CAR WAS IN BATTERY SAVE MODE AND THE STABILITRAK LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THE MORNING OF JAN. 12, 2021, IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 322. I BLOCKED RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED BACK UP. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPING NOTHING ON THE CAR WORKED. IT BLOW OUT COOL AIR AND THE RADIO AND WINDOWS DIDN'T WORK. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. NOT JUST FOR ME AND MY FAMILY BUT OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. I DID TAKE THE CAR TO BE SERVICED UNFORTUNATELY, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. INSTEAD OF RESTING ON THE BREAK IN TRAFFIC, WE PUT THE CAR IN PARK. YOU CAN SEE HOW THAT CAN BE PROBLEMATIC. IN ADDITION TO THAT, NOW IT SOUND LIKE SOME SORT OF LIQUID IS PASSING THROUGH WHEN I COME TO A STOP/PARK. FAST FORWARD TO WHAT HAS LEAD ME TO FILING A VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT, THIS EVENING MY SON WAS DRIVING ON US 22 WHEN HE CALLED ME IN A PANIC BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING A WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASH ENGIN POWER REDUCED, TRACTION LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE SPEED REDUCED TO ABOUT 20 AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TOLD HIM TO PUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULL OVER02 AS SOON AS IT WAS SAFE. HE DID AS I SAID AS I WAITED ON THE PHONE WITH HIM. HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT REST FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE CAR STARTED BACK UP WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE TRACTION LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. HE MADE IT HOME WITHOUT ANY MORE INCIDENTS. AS I STATED ABOVE YOU CAN SEE HOW THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I AM LEARNING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A CHEVY MALIBU (2016 64,763 MILES) WITH SAFETY ISSUES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I HOPE THAT NO ONE HAS TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE ACTION IS TAKING. THEY NEED TO RECALL AND GIVE A REFUND.

NHTSA ODI 11397064

THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD THIS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS! THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN U PRESS THE BRAKE THERE IS A LOUD GUSH OF AIR AND IT'S HARD TO STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11389806

16' CHEVY MALIBU, 170K MILES. REAR POPPING NOISE, BACK LEFT. HEARD A POP NOISE FROM BACK LEFT OF CAR AFTER LETTING OFF THE BRAKES FROM A STOPPED POSITION. TOOK THE LEFT REAR (LR) TIRE OFF AND FOUND LR BRAKE CALIPER PISTON TO HAVE FAILED AND WOULD NOT RESEED INTO CALIPER CAUSING POPPING NOISE. TOOK CAR TO PORTER CHEVROLET IN NEWARK, DE ON 1/20/21 FOR CALIPER REPLACEMENT AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER DUE TO MANY CARS BEING AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE. I HAD PART ORDERED AND PICKED UP MY CAR UNTIL THE CALIPER COMES IN. WILL BRING CAR BACK TO PORTER WHEN PART COMES IN FOR REPLACEMENT AND HOPEFULLY RECALL CREDIT IN NEAR FUTURE. DO NOT LET DEALERSHIPS/ REPAIR SHOPS TELL YOU THAT IT IS THE REAR SHOCK! IT IS THE BRAKE CALIPER THAT IS MAKING THE POPPING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11389861

I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON MY 2016 MALIBU LS WHEN GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. I'M NOT SURE WHEN EXACTLY THE ISSUE HAPPENED, BUT ACCORDING TO THE BODY SHOP IT APPEARS TO BE FAULTY DESIGNING. THE WATER AND CHEMICALS WERE LEAKING AT THE REAR WINDOW. HEAVY RAINS WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE CAR LEAKING NON-STOP. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THE FOUND THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT SECURED FULLY AND WATER WAS SPILLING THROUGH THERE. APPARENTLY IT WAS LOSE TO THE POINT WHERE IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH TO TAKE THE LIGHT OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR OTHER YEARS BUT MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF THE PROBLEM EXISTED WITH MY CAR I'M SURE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WATER WAS ALSO GETTING INTO THE TRUNK AND NOW I HAVE A HUGE MOLD/MILDEW PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, THEY FIRST THOUGHT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE SIDE PANEL WINDOWS AS THE ADHESIVE TO PUT THOSE WINDOWS IN WAS FAULTY.

NHTSA ODI 11372857

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON OCCASIONS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SLID BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80877

NHTSA ODI 11364875

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

WHEN BRAKING TO STOP AT LIGHT SOMETIMES MY CAR WILL JERK LIKE IT IS TRYING TO TAKE OFF. WILL HAVE TO PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET IT TO STOP. WON'T HAPPEN FOR A WHILE THEN IT WILL HAPPEN 4 TO 5 TIMES IN A ROW THEN WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR A WHILE. SOMETIME I FEEL LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO JUMP OUT OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI 11302570

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO SLOW AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT TIRES AND THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. LANDERS BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 78 GOODMAN RD E, SOUTHAVEN, MS 38671, (662)349-5600, WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V272000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL).THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11297970