3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,478 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #38

Jun 022023

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Hampton Falls, NH, USA

problem #37

Nov 012019

Malibu

  • miles
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

- Sanford , FL, USA

problem #36

Oct 182022

Malibu

  • miles
After car restarts from auto start, a warning is displayed on the MFD -€œSteering 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

- Tollesboro, KY, USA

problem #35

Jul 012022

Malibu

  • 109,800 miles
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.

- Rosebud, TX, USA

problem #34

Jan 212022

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #33

Nov 132021

Malibu

  • miles
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

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #32

Sep 212021

Malibu

  • miles
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

- Greenfield, WI, USA

problem #31

Feb 272021

Malibu

  • 81,286 miles
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.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #30

Dec 012020

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Belton, TX, USA

problem #29

Aug 102020

Malibu

  • 34,400 miles
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.

- Grace, ID, USA

problem #28

Aug 042020

Malibu

  • miles
Reduce engine power and the brakes just cut off going down road driving not safe

- Marshall, TX, USA

problem #27

Jun 252020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
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

- Burtonsville, MD, USA

problem #26

Oct 232019

Malibu

  • 35,000 miles
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.

- Baldwin Park, CA, USA

problem #25

Oct 272019

Malibu

  • 107,000 miles
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.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #24

Oct 172019

Malibu

  • 57,000 miles
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.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #23

Oct 072019

Malibu

  • 53,000 miles
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

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #22

Aug 242019

Malibu

  • 51,000 miles
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.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #21

Aug 012019

Malibu

  • 71,000 miles
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.

- Montclair, CA, USA

problem #20

Jul 252019

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
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.

- Terrell, TX, USA

problem #19

Jun 172019

Malibu

  • 47,000 miles
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.

- Sanford, MI, USA

Read the next 18 complaints »