Home · 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 810 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

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 (810)Crash / fire / injury (24)Engine (291)Electrical system (217)Transmission & drivetrain (170)Speed control (152)Brakes (91)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (75)Fuel system (46)Body & structure (39)Steering (39)Suspension (19)

Newest first · 810 complaints · page 27 of 33

Jan 11, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN I STOP AT LIGHT WAITING FOR THE STREET LIGHT TO CHANGE A MESSAGE POPS UP THE DASHBOARD SAYS STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT DRIVE WITH CAUTION AND SHUTS MY CAR DOWN AND SOMETIMES IT FLASHES STABLETRACK.BUT THIS MESSAGE BEEN POPPING UP THE DASHBOARD FOR WEEKS AND SHUTS THE CAR OFF AND STARTS UP AGAIN BUT TODAY IT SHUTS IT OFF AND DID NOT START UP BACK

NHTSA ODI 11166527

Jan 10, 2019Electrical systemSeat belts

WATER LEAKED INTO THE BODY OF THE CAR THROUGH THE CENTER MOUNT STOP LAMP AT THE TOP OF THE REAR WINDOW. EITHER THE GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE, OR IT WAS SIMPLY MISSING FROM THE CAR. OVER TIME, WATER SEEPED INTO THE CAR FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE HEAT FROM THE SUMMER CAUSED MOLD TO GROW ON THE VEHICLE FLOOR BOARDS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BLET. MOISTURE IN THE CAR CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND CURRENTLY AWAITING INSPECTION AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA. *LN*TP THE CONSUMER STATED HE NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11166377

Jan 8, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

ON 1/4/2018 I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AND THE CAR BRAKES SUDENLY STOP WORKING COMPLETLY

NHTSA ODI 11165152

Jan 7, 2019Speed controlFuel system

DRIVING MY VEHICLE, OUT OF NO WHERE REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE CAME ACROSS MY DASHBOARD INFORMATION CENTER. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY REDUCED ITS SPEED AND ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE ABOUT 20MPH (I WAS SO THANKFUL I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND/OR HAD PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE). IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW, WITH THE EXPLANATION THAT THE ACCELERATOR CIRCUIT BOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER IT IS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY ARE NOT CERTAIN WHEN THE PART WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. SO I AM NOT EVEN SURE HOW TO PLAN MOVING FORWARD ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS A CAR-NOTE BUT I CANNOT REPAIR BECAUSE THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. FROM READING THE COMPLAINTS THIS PART IS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER.

NHTSA ODI 11164870

Jan 3, 2019Speed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 29-34 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BUCKNER CHEVROLET (9301 EARL THORNTON FREEWAY, DALLAS, TX 75228, 469-294-3000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEFECTIVE. A NEW ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS INSTALLED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,218.

NHTSA ODI 11165602

Jan 2, 2019Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

I'LL BE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 40 MILES AND CAR SYSTEM WILL COME UP STATING " ENGINE IS GOING TO REDUCE SPEED" OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ? IT'S BEEN GOING FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS OR MORE NOW .

NHTSA ODI 11164428

Jan 2, 2019Visibility & wipersBody & structure

WATER SEEPS INSIDE CAR ENTERING BACK WINDOW. BACK LEAK SUSPECTED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. PURCHASED CAR WITH LESS THAT 5 MILES AND PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY. I'M GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM BOTH WARRANTY AND DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11164657

Jan 2, 2019Electrical systemSpeed controlFuel system

DRIVING DOWN MAJOR HIGHWAY, CEL CAME ON, VEHICLE WENT INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE. SCANNED CEL AND FOUND CODE FOR APP SENSOR FAILURE. BROUGHT TO CHEVY DEALER NEAR WHERE CAR BROKE DOWN AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO DIAGNOSE IT AND THEN CHARGE FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE ONLY ISSUE BEING IS THAT THE GAS PEDAL AND SENSOR ARE ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER. WHICH MEANS THAT SINCE THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE WITH THE THOUSAND OF GM VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE COST OF THE RENTAL CAR THROUGH THE DEALER. THERE IS NO ETA ON WHEN THE PART WILL BE IN (IF EVER) SINCE GM HAS NOT BEEN PRODUCING THESE PARTS FOR AFTERMARKET REPAIRS. THIS ISSUE STARTED ON 12/21/18 AND THE DEALER SAID IT MAY TAKE UP TO TWO WEEKS OR LONGER TO GET THE PART, THE PART HAS STILL NOT BEEN ISSUED TO THE DEALER WHICH HAS SEVERAL CARS WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL GM VEHICLES, MY GRANDFATHER WORKED FOR GM, AND I SERVICE MANY HEAVY DUTY GM ENGINES THROUGH MY JOB, BUT THIS WILL BE THE LAST GM VEHICLE I BELIEVE I WILL BE PURCHASING. THE QUALITY OF GM IS GONE IMMENSELY DOWN AND THEY ARE NOT WORTH THE HEADACHE OF OWNING ONE ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI 11164672

Jan 1, 2019Electrical system

TAKATA RECALL, WHEN MY VEHICLE STOPS AT A LIGHT AND THE AUTO STOP GOES IN PLACE AS SOON AS I LET OFF THE GAS TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY RADIO AND MY DASH LIGHTS ALL WENT OUT AFTER A MINUTE OF DRIVING AGAIN THEY ALL CAME BACK ON

NHTSA ODI 11164396

Dec 31, 2018SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND STATIONARY, IT STALLED AND THE DRIVE ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,601.

NHTSA ODI 11164238

Dec 30, 2018Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING 74, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT ON (REGULAR LIGHTS, WARNING LIGHTS, EVERYTHING) IT LASTED ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. DROVE ANOTHER TWO MILES REGAINING SPEED TO 74 AND HEADLIGHTS WENTOUT, ALL LIGHTS IN THE INSIDE (DASHBOARD, RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL), AND I HAD NO POWER AND QUICKLY DROPPED SPEED. THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN 5:00 RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I TURNED THE KEY OFF. I WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND THE CAR DID STARTUP AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE BACK WAY HOME SO I WOULDN'T BE ON THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED THE CAR DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT IT IN THE NEXT DAY. THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE AND DIAGNOSTICS DIDN'T SHOW ANYTHING. I HAVE SEEN A FEW OTHER POST ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS HAPPENING ON OTHER MALIBU CARS. THE DEALERSHIP IS ALLOWING US TO "EXCHANGE" (FOR A FEE) TO GET A DIFFERENT CAR SINCE WE JUST PURCHASED THIS ONE A MONTH AGO. HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN TO SOMEBODY ELSE WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11164122

Dec 27, 2018Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TAKATA RECALL: I PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE IN 2016. I START HAVING ISSUES 6MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. THE FIRST ONE THAT WAS NEVER RESOLVED: CHECK ENGINE, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO CHEVY WEBB IN LANSIN, IL. THIS CAR HAS STOP ON ME ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ON THE STREET. WHEN REDUCE SPEED COME I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND HOPING I AM NOT ON THE EXPRESS AGAIN. NOW, CHEVY STOP ASSISTING ME WITH THESE ISSUES BECAUSE WARRANTY IS OVER BUT, THIS ISSUES WERE NEVER RESOLVED. NOW I FIND OUT THAT 2016 MALIBU HAD A RECALL ON THEM MAY 2016 REGARDING THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM EXPERIENCING NOW. I PURCHASED OCT 21, 2016. MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICE OVER 25 AND STILL HAVING THE ISSUES. PLEASE SEE ATTAHED SERVICE REPORT. PLEASE HELP ME

NHTSA ODI 11163713

Dec 26, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, GOING AROUND 70 MPH, AS I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE ONTO ANOTHER FREEWAY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A NOTIFICATION CAME ON THAT SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER. MY CAR THEN DROPPED SPEED TO ABOUT 40 MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE THE REST OF MY ROUTE TO WORK. I TOPPED AT 20 MPH. I CHECKED MY CODE READER AND P2138 CAME UP.

NHTSA ODI 11163602

Dec 21, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY CHEVROLET 2016 MALIBU, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR DECREASED IN SPEED AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE SCREEN SAID 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED'. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE OVER 30 MPH. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WHERE I STILL WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A 'GAS PEDAL SENSOR THAT WENT OUT' AND THAT THIS PART IS GOING OUT IN ALL MALIBU'S.

NHTSA ODI 11162995

Dec 12, 2018Engine

AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON STATING THAT THE ENGINE'S EMISSION IS BEING REDUCED TO WHERE YOU CAN FEEL THAT THE SPEED OF THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN, BUT THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF A LITTLE WHILE LATER. THIS HAPPENED ON THIS PAST SUNDAY, NOW IT COMES ON AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT THE PAST YEAR AND THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. ITS LIKE EVERY 2-3 MONTHS THIS ISSUE OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI 11160916

Dec 12, 2018Fuel system

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CAUSE IS DUE TO FUEL FILLER PIPE BEING FAULTY. THE BELOW VIN'S ARE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES IN OUR FLEET WITH THE SAME ISSUE. 1G1ZE5ST1HF(XXX) 1G1ZE5ST0HF(XXX) 1G1ZE5ST7HF(XXX) 1G1ZE5ST8HF(XXX) 1G1ZE5ST2HF(XXX) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CW

NHTSA ODI 11160964

Dec 12, 2018Engine

I HAD MY CHEVY MALIBU 2016 FOR 1 YEAR AND A PISTON IN MY ENGINE BROKE. I WAS ALSO GETTING AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 10 DAYS. THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS CAR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVERY OTHER MONTH AFTER THAT I WOULD GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

NHTSA ODI 11161024

Dec 3, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WHEN MY AUTO STOP IS ENGAGE THE CAR TURNS COMPLETELY OFF AND STALLS WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION I THINK IT'S A CAR DEFECT IN MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STATING THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR SAME STYLE OF VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11155765

Nov 28, 2018Body & structure

WATER FOUND IN REAR COMPARTMENT AND/OR REAR PASSENGER FLOOR AREA, LEAKING FROM THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AREA AND.OR REAR WINDOW. THE CAUSE OF THE CONDITION MAY BE THAT OVER TIME, THE CENTER HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP (CHMSL) FASTENERS MAY LOSE TORQUE AND ALLOW WATER TO LEAK INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OR FLOOR AREA. THE FASTENERS MAY LOSE TORQUE DUE TO THERMAL EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE CHMSL MATERIAL

NHTSA ODI 11154550

Nov 23, 2018BrakesEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND LOST POWER, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED. ALSO, "ERROR CODE P2138" APPEARED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BALISE CHEVROLET (440 HALL OF FAME AVENUE SPRINGFIELD, MA 01105, (413) 233-4668) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,319.

NHTSA ODI 11153361

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

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Working with the data? Download all 810 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 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 Malibu Eco verdict →