What 810 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

I am writing to report a serious and unacceptable issue with the exterior paint and clear coat on my 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The clear coat has become dull and faded on the hood and roof, and the side panels are beginning to chip and peel, despite regular washing and maintenance. This paint deterioration started well before what would be expected in a properly manufactured vehicle finish, especially for one that has been well cared for and is only a few years old. The vehicle has never been in an accident, and the finish failure appears to be due to a defect in the clear coat or paint application process at the factory. This not only affects the appearance and value of the vehicle, but also raises concerns about long-term body protection. Once the clear coat is compromised, the base paint and metal underneath are more susceptible to rust and corrosion. There are countless reports online of other GM vehicle owners experiencing similar issues, and I believe this should be investigated as a widespread manufacturing defect. I request that GM address this issue, either through a recall or a goodwill repair/paint reimbursement program. Vehicle Details: Year: 2016 Make: Chevrolet Model: Malibu E2 Color: Black Thank you for your time and attention. I hope to see GM stand behind its product and take responsibility for this defect. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11656612

Water has been leaking into my car from the roof and onto my seats. Today I discovered that I have black mold under my headliner. So water is somehow leaking through and had been for some time.

NHTSA ODI 11547147

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was water leaking through the panel housing of the third brake light onto the headliner and the rear seats and trunk of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the third brake light panel housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11460582

I was traveling home on JTB near Hodges coming from Jax Beach way at about 4:45-4:50pm today. In the far left lane. when I saw a vehicle in front of me swerve and then I saw a roll of carpet but it was to late for me to move over so I ran over it and it damaged my front end

NHTSA ODI 11452873

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated as the vehicle was being washed at the car wash, he noticed that there was water leaking into the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the windows of the vehicle would become foggy while driving in all seasons of the year, affecting his visibility of the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431473

The 3rd brake light broke(high mount stop lamp) which caused water leakage into the trunk and filled the compartment where the spare tire goes.

NHTSA ODI 11419430

ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. INVOLVED IN A COLLISION

NHTSA ODI 11406747

CAR PAINT COMING OFF. EXPOSING METAL.

NHTSA ODI 11402705

I NOTICED A WET SPOT BY THE 3 BREAK LIGHT INSIDE HEADLINER

NHTSA ODI 11384905

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

ON THE BOTH BACK SIDE, WHERE THE SEAT BELTS ARE NEXT TO SMALL WINDOWAND TOP PART OF ROOF WATERBIS LEAKING IN WHEN I WASH MY CAR AND MAYBE EVEN WHEN IT RAINS. THERE PROBABLY MILDEW, AND RUST. ALSO WHEN I PARK MY CAR THE WARNING LIGHT SAYS PUT CAR IN PARK, BUT ITS IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI 11362661

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

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

THE TRUNK BUTTONS FAIL. WITH IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS. CANNOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE TRUNK ONCE THE SYSTEM FAILS. WAS IN PARKING LOT AT A STORE. COULDN'T DRIVE HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325060

SHIFT TO PARK CABLE WENT OUT ONE TIME WITHIN FIRST COUPLE MONTHS. NOW ITS BAD AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. ROOF LEAKED FROM THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. REDUCED POWER MESSAGE ON DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324673

THIRD REAR BRAKE LIGHT LEAKS/ALLOWS WATER INTO INSIDE OF CAR AND FRAME CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES. WATER LEAKS INTO HEADLINER AND TRUNK AND STAINS INTERIOR. CAR SMILES HUMID. HAPPENS VERY TIME IT RAINS AND WASH CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME PARTS WERE REPLACED, SECOND PARTS STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND ISSUE STILL OCCURS. POOR QUALITY PARTS.

NHTSA ODI 11317819

HAD HEAVY RAIN AND I WOKED UP TO REAR SIDE CAR SEATS WET AND CARPET SOAKED AND WET THE CAR SMELLED REALLY BAD AFTER SOME DAYS . I HAD TO TAKE OUT THE RUGS OUT MY CAR . MY CAR IS SO HUMID INSIDE I SEEN MOLD GROWING ON MY CARPET ! MY CAR WINDOWS ALSO HAVE SO MUCH CONDENSATION IN THE INSIDE IT DRIPS . COME TO FIND OUT WATER IS COMING FROM THE 3BRAKE LIGHT !!!!!! THIS NEEDS A RECALL TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THESE CARS !!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11297015

THE TRUNK OF THE CAR IS FILLED WITH WATER THAT HAS BEEN DRIPPING OUT ALL DAY. THE REAR ROOF OF THE CAR IS SOAKED ON BOTH SIDES. THE CAR SMELLS MUSTY & ALL OF THE INSIDE WINDOWS HAD SO MUCH CONDENSATION IT WAS DRIPPING.

NHTSA ODI 11271424

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS RAINED ON FOR 2 CONSTITUTIVE DAYS. THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY JUST ABOVE THE REAR LEAKED INTO THE ROOF OF THE CARE AND THE TRUNK. THE LEAK WAS EXTREMELY FAST AND CAUSED A POOL ABOUT 1/2 AN INCH DEEP TO BUILD UP IN THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE COMPARTMENT OF THE TRUNK. THE LEAK CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ROOF PANEL ON THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WITH SIGNIFICANT WATER MARKS, AND COMPLETELY SOAKED THE TRUNK AS MENTIONED BEFORE WITH THE POOL OF WATER. THE CAR WAS PURCHASE NEW AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR COLLISION OF ANY TYPE. THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPAIRED THE LEAK SHOWED THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A LOOSE NUT ON THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY JUST ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW. I HAVE ATTACHED THE INVOICE FROM THE REPAIR SHOP THAT FIXED THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO SERVICE OR INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. THE CARE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED UNDER A RAINSTORM WHEN THE DAMAGES WERE NOTICED. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL DAMAGE HOWEVER THE PROXIMITY TO THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WARRANTS THE REPORT OF ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. BODY DAMAGE IS DUE TO WATER DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR MATS OF THE TRUNK, HEADREST IN THE PASSENGER AREA OF THE CAR, AND WATER DAMAGE TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE WAS FOUND ON SATURDAY JULY 6TH, 2019. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON TUESDAY JULY 9TH, 2019.

NHTSA ODI 11230455

WATER POURED INTO THE BACK SEAT AND ONTO MY SON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE DIAGNOSED THAT THIRD CENTER BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT SEALED AND LEAKING WATER. SAME ISSUE AS ALL OTHER 9TH GEN MALIBUS (2016+ MODEL YEARS). DID NOT NOTICE LEAK UNTIL 43,000 MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY. WHO KNOWS HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN THERE! MANY PARTS RUINED AND POTENTIALLY MOLDY FROM WATER DAMAGE. GM CUSTOMER CARE SAID THE REPAIR IS $4300 OF WHICH THEY WANT ME TO PAY $1900 DESPITE THIS BEING A DESIGN OR PRODUCTION FLAW.

NHTSA ODI 11222277

THE ROOF LEAKS WATER BADLY CAUSING MOLDY MILDEW SMELL

NHTSA ODI 11220579

MY WHOLE TRUNK AND BACK OF CAR HAS WATER COMING INTO IT. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $400 TO REPLACE BACK LIGHT BECAUSE SUPPOSEDLY THAT'S WERE THE WATER IS COMING IN THROUGH. I SAW ON GOOGLE MORE THEN 40 REVIEWS ON THAT EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2016 MALIBU'S.

NHTSA ODI 11207586

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRUNK WAS FLOODED WITH RAIN WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF MONTEBELLO (LOCATED AT 310 W WHITTIER BLVD, MONTEBELLO, CA 90640, (323) 680-5933) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT REAR WINDSHIELD, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95058953731. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,100.

NHTSA ODI 11180178

WATER IS GETTING IN THREW THE 3RD BRAKE MOUNTED ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE LIGHT IS FOGGED AND WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE MAIN CABIN. THE VEHICLE CAN BE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WATER COULD BE SITTING SOMEWHERE IN THE MAIN CABIN, AND COULD EVENTUALLY PRODUCE MOLD. ALSO, THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE DO TO WATER SHORTING IT OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11172477

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