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)

39 of 810 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 1 of 2

May 18, 2024SteeringSpeed control

When driving the car it will stop mid drive and slow to 20MPH. The car has broken down in the middle of the road on multiple occasions. It has locked me in the car where I am unable to get out. On one occasion the battery was dead and the car had locked me out. I had to have someone unlock it. The next day the car was fine with no signs of issues. The car has been taken to multiple mechanics and no one knows the issue. Car doesn’t throw any codes or show any symptoms of issues.

NHTSA ODI 11589445

Jul 8, 2023SteeringElectrical systemEngine

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

Oct 31, 2022SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

My vehicle accumulates moisture and has done so for the past three years or more. As a result there was mildew in the vehicle which was covered under the manufactures warranty and the vehicle was cleaned. Now fast forward a few years there’s a problem with the electrical system as a result of the moisture accumulating in the vehicle. I believe there is a manufacture defect with the Chevrolet model that is causing moisture to accumulate in the vehicle does causing electrical issues with the car

NHTSA ODI 11491629

Oct 18, 2022Steering

After car restarts from auto start, a warning is displayed on the MFD “Steering Assist Reduced, Drive with care”. Puts my self, passengers, and other drivers. If the power steering reduction happens while driving or during a turn, it could result in a collision. Has not been inspected at this point. Notification pops up on Multifunction Display Screen

NHTSA ODI 11489841

Jul 12, 2022Steering

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the traction control and steering reduced warning lights were illuminated. There was also a message stating reduced power; drive with care. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,800.

NHTSA ODI 11473526

Jan 31, 2022SteeringVisibility & wipers

Issue 1: The rear backup camera is not viewable as the Infotainment Touch Screen will not power on. The soft-reset procedure did not work. I am unsure I can avoid hitting an individual while backing up. Issue 2: The steering wheel is very hard to turn. I am unsure if I could avoid a collision with a car or person.

NHTSA ODI 11449520

Nov 13, 2021SteeringElectrical systemEngine

Unknown ,vehicle cut off in the middle of busy road with warning sign popping up after car cut off stating service stabilitrak and steering assist reducing power with steering wheel locking.Me and my child 10 year old could’ve lost our lives today.Then there was no engine light coming on until car couldn’t come back on.Roadside Assitance gave a hot shot car still didn’t come on car won’t start back up just keep ticking in all lights inside and radio works fine the heat came out cold.Also when car goes into auto stop car will just cut off in won’t start back up you can only drive in L6.I only had the car for 2years

NHTSA ODI 11440358

Sep 21, 2021Steering

THE AUTO RIGHT AFTER BEING STOPPED AND WHEN YOU START AGAIN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND ALMOST CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING ASSIST REDUCE COMES ON. LOOKING ON GOOGLE THIS IS A COMMON AND BAD PROBLEM WITH THE AUTO AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11433837

Mar 12, 2021SteeringElectrical systemSeat belts

POWER STEERING IS LOCKING UP WHEN MAKE A TURNAROUND OR FOR A TURN WHEEL IN MOTION. THE CAR WILL BE ON AND WHEN THE POWER STEERING IS ABOUT TO LOSE THE POWER, MY STEREO SCREEN WILL BLACK OUT ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING. IT FEELS AS THOUGH MY POWER STEERING IS OUT WHILE MAKING A TURN. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN, ONLY HAPPENS RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ODI 11402687

Dec 9, 2020SteeringElectrical systemEngine

OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON TWO OCCASIONS. EACH TIME THE ENTIRE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS CHECKED WITH NO FAULTS IDENTIFIED. RECENTLY, LAST 3 MONTHS, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM ACCELERATING FROM A STOP TO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN VEHICLE STALLS ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED; ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ON OTHER OCCASIONS ALL ACCESSORIES AC, RADIO, WIPER BLADES, ETC WILL ALL TURN OFF AND NOT RESTART UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. ANOTHER FREQUENTLY REOCCURRING ISSUE IS THE SOUND YOU NORMALLY HEAR WHEN A TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED WILL STOP - THIS USUALLY PRECEDES THE ENGINE STALLING. ON MOST OF THESE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE WILL RESTART - TWICE IT REQUIRED A JUMP START. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WE RECEIVE VARIOUS FAULT LIGHTS/MESSAGES THAT TOO WERE UNFOUNDED. MOST FREQUENT REFERENCING THE STABILITY TRACKING. RESTART THE ENGINE AND FAULT IS CLEARED ONLY TO RETURN AT LATER TIME. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND PLACES MY FAMILY AND I IN DANGER EACH TIME WE OPERATE THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NUMEROUS WRITE UPS DETAILING THIS SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE YEARS OF THE CHEVY MALIBU GMC AND CHEVY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS AND CONTINUE TO LEVY CHARGES AND COLLECT MONIES FROM OWNERS FOR WHAT PROBABLY SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL IN ORDER TO AFFECT REQUISITE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI 11382736

Aug 11, 2020SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY MALIBU ONLY HAS 34K MILES ON IT AND IS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR. ON AUGUST 10TH, I WENT TO START IT. IT WOULD NOT START OR TURN ON THE LIGHTS. SO I TRICKLE CHARGED IT AND 4 HOURS LATER WHEN IT FINALLY TURNED ON I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED. THE BATTERY IS FINE. HOWEVER, THE STABILITRAC IS NOT COMING BACK ON ALONG WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL AND LANE ASSIST. THE BACK UP CAMERA, BACK UP CAMERA LINES, CRASH AVERSION SENSORS, AND SCREEN WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE 10TH OF AUGUST AFTER THE CAR CAME BACK ON. THE SREEN HAS HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST AS WELL WITH NOT TURNING ON ALONG WITH SHOWING THE PROPER TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND MORE.

NHTSA ODI 11348728

Aug 4, 2020SteeringElectrical systemEngine

REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND THE BRAKES JUST CUT OFF GOING DOWN ROAD DRIVING NOT SAFE

NHTSA ODI 11343342

Jul 17, 2020SteeringSuspension

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL OF 2019. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME REASONS. THE FIRST ISSUE IS THAT WHENEVER THE CAR ACCELERATES FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AND WHENEVER SOMEONE IS IN THE BACKSEAT, THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, AND ALL THREE TIMES I WAS TOLD THEY DROVE THE VEHICLE (WITH PEOPLE IN THE BACK) AND COULDN'T "REPRODUCE" THE NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE HAD THE GEARSHIFT CHANGED OUT TWICE WITHIN 8 MONTHS, BECAUSE THE CAR KEPT SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE WASN'T IN PARK AND WOULDN'T TURN OFF, EVEN THOSE IT WAS IN PARK. THE NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK IS DEFINITELY THERE, AND BASED UPON WHAT I HAVE READ, IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS AS WELL

NHTSA ODI 11339927

Nov 6, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, "ACTION REQUIRED STEERING ASSIST REDUCED" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING JERKED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, BUT THEN RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COVINA CHEVROLET (635 SOUTH CITRUS AVENUE, COVINA, CA 91723, (626)-732-1100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11278501

Oct 28, 2019SteeringSpeed control

MY DRIVE TO WORK IS A LONG COMMUTE, IT HAPPEN TO ME ON THE FREEWAY I WAS ON THE LAST LANE DRIVING 80 WHEN IT LITERALLY ' POWER ENGINE REDUCE ' COMES OUT ON MY SCREEN. IT LITERALLY STOPPED MY CAR TO LOWER SPEED AND COULDN'T STEP ON IT FOR THE CAR BEHIND ME I HAD TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON SO THEY CAN MOVE AWAY FROM ME! AND HAD TO REACH THE SAFETY SIDE, IT WAS THE WORST EXPERIENCE AND IT ALWAYS HAPPENS TO ME EVERY OTHER 3-5 DAYS. THEN WHEN I'M ON TRAFFIC JAM, THE STEERING WHEEL REDUCE DRIVE WITH CARE POPS UP AND TURNS OFF MY CAR POWER AND RADIO AND EVEN UNLOCKS THE CAR. AND DOES IT WEIRD NOISE AND TURNS BACK ON AND STARTS OVER. KEPT HAPPENING TO ME ON TRAFFIC JAMS ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11271478

Oct 22, 2019SteeringElectrical systemSpeed control

WHEN AT A STP LIGHT, AND PRESS EXCELERATOR THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM H WILL GO OUT & CAR HESITATE TO MOVE. THEN, IT WILL KICK ON. ALSO, THIS THROWS MY SIRUS RADIO OUT COMPLETELY & I HAVE TO CUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY TO GET STATION BACK ON OR CALL FOR A REFRESH, BUT LOCAL STATIONS WILL REMAIN. NOW I GET A WARING ABOUT THE STEERING ABILITY-DRIVE CAREFULL.

NHTSA ODI 11270142

Oct 7, 2019Steering

SHOWS "REDUCED STEERING ASSIST, DRIVE WITH CAUTION" MESSAGE. I HAVE A 2016 CHEVY MALIBU. 53000 MILES. I'VE SEEN THIS MESSAGE 3 TIMES THIS MORNING & I SAW IT LAST MONTH ALSO. I AM ALWAYS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. FIRST TIME I WAS ON A CURVE. TODAY I WAS IN TRAFFIC & BARELY MOVING. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I NOT NOTICED THIS MESSAGE? I CAN'T WATCH THE ROAD AND MESSAGE BOX AT THE SAME TIME

NHTSA ODI 11266794

Aug 27, 2019SteeringBrakesEngine

TAKATA RECALL MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME TWICE IN TRAFFIC NOW, THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF YOUR STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEM LUCKILY BOTH TIMES I WAS NOT GOING AT A HIGH SPEED AND I LET THE CAR SLOW ON IT'S OWN, BUT THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES POPPING UP, NO TYPE OF WARNING AT ALL THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT WON'T START IN THE MORNING SO AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR REMOTE BATTERY SO I CHANGED BOTH IT STARTED WORKING FOR ABOUT A WEEK SO I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS FIXED BUT IT STILL CUTS OFF A FEW TIMES A DAY, LIKE TODAY IT WOULDN'T START AND WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED MY HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK, OTHER TIMES MY HOME SCREEN WILL BE COMPLETELY BLACK AND NO POWER TO IT. I HOPE WHATEVER IS GOING ON WITH THESE VEHICLES ARE FIXED SOON BECAUSE IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ANOTHER THING WHEN MY CAR IS STATIONARY AND IT WON'T START I WILL PUSH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON YOU WILL HERE A CLICKING SOUND AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN ON ONCE I DO GET IT STARTED I GET THE WORD STABILETRAK, SO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER ONCE AGAIN AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI 11246598

Aug 1, 2019Steering

THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE MOST RECENT ONE BEING TODAY. THE CAR WOULD BE AT A RED LIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHOLE CAR WOULD SHUT IT SELF OFF THEN RESTART AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER TURNING OFF. THEN A MESSAGE WOULD POP UP ON THE LCD SCREEN SAYING SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF. 'POWER STEERING ASSIST REDUCED' THE MESSAGE WOULD DISAPPEAR SO FAST THAT IT DOESN'T EVEN GIVE ME A CHANCE TO FULLY READ IT.

NHTSA ODI 11241207

Jul 25, 2019SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND STEERING ASSIST REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11234760

Jun 21, 2019Steering

MY STEERING IS VERY ERRATIC AND TOUCHY. AFTER DRIVING STRAIGHT FOR A SHORT PERIOD I CAN FEEL A SLIGHT CATCH IN THE STEERING. THIS REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT AND THEN THE CAR SHOOTS ACROSS THE LANE. IM CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE STEERING ITS SCARY TO DRIVE AT TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP INSPECT IT AND FOUND NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE STEERING, REPLACED THE TIRES AND PERFORMED SOFTWARE UPDATE.

NHTSA ODI 11221720

May 20, 2019Steering

DASHBOARD COMPUTER SHOWS "WARNING STEERING ASSISTANCE REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE" CHEVY WILL NOT COVER EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI 11208584

May 17, 2019SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR COMPLETELY TURNED OFF AT A RED LIGHT AND HAD NO POWER. STEERING LOCKS UP AND HAD TO PUSH CAR HAVE TOWED& THEN IT STARTED RIGHT UP AFTER. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE AND IT STOPS EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11208235

May 1, 2019SteeringEngine

TAKATA RECALL. THE 2016 CHEVY MALIBU 2016 STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN MOTION, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. LEAVING ME HANGING AND IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CAR COMPLETELY TURNED OFF AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. NO PRIOR ISSUES UNTIL THIS. I WAS COMPLETELY IN MOTION WHILE IT HAPPENED ON MY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET.

NHTSA ODI 11205079

Apr 21, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

STABLITRACK NOT WORKING, ABS NOT WORKING AND STEERING ASSISTANCE NOT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. CAR HAD ONLY 21220 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAYS IT HAS AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, CODE C056D. PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR AND THEN VERIFIED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE STEERING ASSISTANCE PROBLEM HAPPEN WHILE STATIONARY, THEN VERIFIED WHILE IN MOTION TURNING ON A CITY STREET AT A SLOW SPEED. VERIFICATION WAS IN ACCORDANCE TO INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL.

NHTSA ODI 11202743

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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 →