What 810 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

My 2016 chevy Malibu had brake vacuum pump failure. No warnings. Brake pedal got hard and could not stop. I was returning home with my 13 yr. old daughter from Tennessee and had to get it fixed so we could get home. Mechanic said this is a common problem and that there is a class action lawsuit on this problem with these cars about having a recall. This put me out of pocket 1986.00 dollars which is unacceptable and could have ruined my entire engine.

NHTSA ODI 11536894

The accelerates by itself while driving the car cut off and won’t crank. While driving all kind of light a signals come across the dashboard. It’s dangerous for me to drive I’ve replaced battery, alternator and map censor. My sister has a Cruze and her car is doing the something my friend has a Malibu and it is doing the same thing as my vehicle. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11535596

When pressing on break it goes straight to floor sometimes or locks up and throws service needed code and reduce power steering

NHTSA ODI 11535146

Car indicator states to shift into park upon stopping. Have to restart car move shift lever several times before car system will shut down. Same issue was repaired by Team Chevrolet of Goldsboro NC on9/7/2022. Repair cost 279.88. Dealership replaced harness and updated wiring. Situation has returned with worse condition. Spent 20 mins trying to "shift into park ". On off shift on off shift off.

NHTSA ODI 11534696

I just bought this car 2 weeks ago. Had to replace the windshield wiper pump. There are at least 10 TSBs on the vehicle I'm on disability I can't afford to fix all that. The rear hub bearing was barely making noise when I bought it. Now tire feels like it's going to fall off. I believe there's a TSB on when you put the car in park and shut it off then it's not going in to gear even though it said it's into gear so I have to get that fixed as well. Can't Chevy fix thermostats just like I have to fix my mistakes in life.

NHTSA ODI 11533373

#1 3RD BRAKE LIGHT LEAKING INTO BACK SEAT AND TRUNK MANUFACTURE BOLTS BACKED OUT AND/OR MISSING, CAN ALSO CAUSE WATER TO GET INTO THE BRAKE LIGHT WHICH TENDS TO CAUSE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE, INCREASING RISK OF A CRASH. #2 GEAR SHIFT LEVER INNER LOCK BLOCKING THE ABILITY FOR USER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER TO INDICATE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, BUT THE TRANSMISSION MAY ACTUALLY BE IN ANOTHER GEAR. THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION OR INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE FOR CHEVY MALIBU 2016-2020 BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHILE MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES. ISSUE WAS CONFIRMED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER. SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE POP UP ON DASH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF UNSURE OF EXACT START DATE BUT STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO. I HAVE SINCE BEEN DOING MY RESEARCH ON ISSUES AND THEIR SOLUTIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11532199

The contact's client owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his client was driving at an undisclosed speed, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle vibrated briefly and failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. The ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

NHTSA ODI 11531797

When the vehicle is shifted (manual transmission) from any gear into park, and the vehicle is turned off, the "Shift into Park" warning appears. I verified it was in the park. Warning stays on from 1-5 minutes, leaving all outside marker and headlights on until the sensor engages and the vehicle returns to proper state (outside marker and headlights shut off and interior dome light turns on for exiting the vehicle. This occurs each time the vehicle is driven, and the malfunction has caused a reduced battery power (eventually replacement) and outside light replacement from unnecessary use. Losing battery power has left us stranded, and the loss of outside lighting reduces our visibility for other drivers to see the vehicle. Upon research, this has been reported and reproduced numerous times to the manufacturer, dealers, and NHTSA with no solutions reached except charging the customer to repair the issue (this is unacceptable). There were no warnings and the symptoms started approximately 2-3 years after purchased in 2016 and still continue (brand new car).

NHTSA ODI 11531544

Shift to park displayed when gear was already in park I was traveling on the highway when I felt the speed decline and engine speed reduced was then displayed. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11531104

When driving the car and when stopping at either a stop sign or stop light, turning a corner the car will lose power and will not go for at least 10-15 seconds. when letting the brakes go and pressing the gas pedal the car does not move, pressing all the way on the gas pedal the car will take about 10-15 seconds before moving. It’s like the engine lose power and the car will not accelerate.

NHTSA ODI 11530448

Lights that alert inside the vehicle at random times but more often in the last few months are: stability trek, power steering reduced and check engine. Acceleration decreased/reduced after being idle. This prompts serious danger for myself and children when there is no power being given to the car when sitting in traffic. Multiple mechanics have diagnosed the issue. Dealership gives me the run around and isn't specific with detail if check light engine goes off.

NHTSA ODI 11527854

Ever time I put car in park it say shit to park I have to restart the car 3 or 4 time and move shift stricken more then 3 time to finally make it go off

NHTSA ODI 11527495

My vehicle has not been inspected, but while I was driving the brake pedal became stiff, luckily my e brake was able to prevent any wrecks. I saw that the 2016 chevy malibu has a known issue with the, "ebcm" and that would certainly cause these kinds of issues, my brake pads and rotors still have plenty of life left. Also, the driver side seat switch stopped working, according to reviews by other 2016 chevy malibu owners, and mechanics, that's because of the design flaw in the switch, it somehow rubs itself raw until there's nothing left and it snaps, leaving the switch nothing to grab on to. So, my driver seat is stuck, all the way reclined, and all the way forward. Which, according to the manual in my malibu says is a safety issue, because of the design of the seat, if it's reclined while driving and there is a collision, it can cause the seat to slide, which can cause serious injuries or death, I'd say that goes for both though.

NHTSA ODI 11527359

Intercooler pipe coming loose at multiple locations. While driving in traffic on multiple occasions the intercooler piping has “come loose” from the plastic intercooler connection and the throttle body. This causes the car to go from full power to no power instantly. I have had 3 occasions when an accident involving a semi and large passenger vehicles was narrowly avoided. This has been looked at by my local Chevrolet dealership and they say it is a very common issue and actually had a recall for the SAME ENGINE IN THE SAME VEHICLE but for 2019 models only. Please include the other years in this recall before anyone else gets hurt or worse.

NHTSA ODI 11523112

The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was involved in a rear collision. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact's friend sustained rib, back, and neck injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,537.

NHTSA ODI 11522839

While in rush hour traffic going 75 MPH on an interstate free way in the most left lane the car entered low engine power mode without warning resulting in the car being only able to go 40 MPH and with losing the ability to easily steer. Thankfully the driver was skilled enough to manage maneuvering through traffic moving at high speeds without getting hit and able to pull over to the side of the road. After traffic slowed down the driver was able to get the vehicle home without issue and investigate the problem. As it turns our there have been multiple reports of the car having this problem due to a faulty sensor on the pedal system that GM has acknowledge through extending the warranty on that specific part but has not been required to issue a recall on it despite the chance of death from an accident at high speeds that could occur from this issue happening without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who confirmed it was the defective sensor.

NHTSA ODI 11520408

-Braking system failed and is available upon request. - My safety, my family’s safety, and other parties on the road were affected as well. -Not confirmed by a dealer but multiple people have had this same issue and experience. -the components were inspected by police, dealerships, OnStar, and collision center. -no lights or indications of brake problems

NHTSA ODI 11519939

While driving, my car will read reduce power engine, and go to 40mph and then i have to pull over and turn off my car and restart, sometimes it will dismiss the problem and drive normal but sometimes it goes right back to reduce power engine and 40mph again. My gears sometimes will be stuck in park.

NHTSA ODI 11520091

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 that the check engine warning light would illuminate intermittently whether the vehicle was idling or while driving at various speeds. The contact stated there was an abnormal sound of liquid moving around in the dashboard and underneath the hood while driving, especially while accelerating. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was an engine misfire. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,500.

NHTSA ODI 11512938

Intermittent "Shift to Park" message started to show up when attempting to turn off vehicle. GM does have a special bulletin 19-NA-206 but doesn't have the coverage stated in it. There is also class action law suits as well so this is a common concern.

NHTSA ODI 11512691

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that she noticed water markings located on the inner hood lining of the vehicle and water had saturated the trunk of the vehicle. As a result, the alarm started to malfunction. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a body shop where it was determined that water had entered the vehicle by the windshield enclosure. The contact stated that she had the windshield replaced and the screws tightened; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was notified of the failure however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11511199

Reduce engine power on dash I have received this message twice. Car goes to 60mph and it drops down dramatically to 20 mph this could case a big accident and gm needs to fix this problem immediately. This is a car I do not recommend it's been nothing but problems.

NHTSA ODI 11510918

Problem with losing power in auto stop

NHTSA ODI 11509022