6.3

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$50
Average Mileage:
33,650 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. install jumper harness on shifter (1 reports)
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problem #6

May 122019

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The shift to park defect has been going on for years! It is annoying and getting worse!! There should be a recall!! No point of taking it in, they just make it worse and will charge a fortune! This needs to be recalled!!

- Tamara A., Fresno, US

problem #5

Oct 252019

Malibu LT 1.5L Turbo Dohc 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

Took car to Simms Chevrolet in Flushing. Took my car in, they gave me a loaner. Called two hours later, it was fixed. Great service!

- Duane D., Flushing, MI, US

problem #4

Feb 032020

Malibu LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles

When my car is in park a message appears telling me shift to park after trying to shut the motor off. It started last month on and off, but yesterday I couldn’t get rid of that message ,so the lights on the dash board and the headlights stayed on and kept ringing. After many tries starting and restarting the engine and shifting I got it to stop. My car has only 14000 miles, I am taking it to service today. I am afraid to drive it, hopefully it will be covered under a guarantee or recall.

- Nelly K., North Providence, RI, US

problem #3

Nov 072020

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,814 miles

Shift to Park warning. Have to fiddle with the shift lever or start and re-stop the car to get rid of the warning.

There are YouTube video's about replacing the electronic sensor but it is imbedded in the shift housing so you have to replace the whole shift housing to fix a problem with a minor switch. It appears the lever on the switch is not strong enough to activate the switch.

I think GM should have a warranty fix for this as it is a known issue with many owners of the 2016 Malibu.

I have owned four Malibu's and every one had issues that were an engineering issue. Either GM is not doing due diligence on third party suppliers or they are using "cheap" products hoping the customer will pay the cost of replacing or fixing items.

- Jack M., Port Hardy, BC, Canada

problem #2

Sep 102018

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

False indication of car not in park, the car is not able to turn off. Only temporary solution is to turn the car off and on until it accepts that it is in park.

- Brian W., Holyoke, US

problem #1

Aug 012018

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

When I shift car into park, about 1/3 of the time it doesn't register that it is in park. Engine turns off but all other systems (lights, radio) stay on. I get a warning on the panel to "shift to park". I have to re-start the vehicle several times before it recognizes that it is in park. The gear shift illuminates that it is in park every time even though the panel says "shift to park". If I exit the vehicle with the "shift to park" on the panel, all systems continue to run - radio, lights, etc. It acts like it is still running.

- Carolyn J., Waterford, WI, US