10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 27,546 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
Car is stalling whenever I come to a complete stop. I have to try to avoid making a left turn because it takes so long for the car to react when I get on the accelerator to go. Some days it will hesitate a little and go, but lately it has been stalling all the way out and it takes a few mins for it to react when I'm trying to pull off!!
- Manning, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle did not engage in park. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who recommended that the vehicle be taken to the Chevrolet dealer. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact also stated that the failure occurred since approximately December 2018 and progressively worsen. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 19,865. Consumer stated now hold the shifter for a longer time before I push the stop. Hopefully that was my problem.
- Howards Grove, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the vehicle slowed down and shut off. Additionally, the horn and radio failed to work. Also, there was an abnormal ticking noise coming from the steering wheel and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The vehicle was taken to haley Chevrolet (12400 Tennessee plaza, midlothian, va 23112, (804) 818-7660) where it was diagnosed that the power train needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 42,000.
- Midlothian, VA, USA
The car constantly gets message of engine power reduced while driving with no previous issues or warnings. The check engine light comes on then my driving speed decreases while driving. This is very dangerous! this happens on city streets and on the highway. I have to pull over to shut the car off and wait a few minutes then restart the car. The car then starts normal without the check engine light or error codes.
- Redford, MI, USA
2016 Malibu 1.5 liter engine had recall for igniting timing causes cracked pistons...7000 miles they updated this problem, but was to late by then at 28000 miles needed all new pistons rods bearings rebuilt the engine top half, but now 2 times in 2 months returned to dealer
- Waterford, MI, USA
While parking the vehicle and placing the shifter to park the car gives an error message "shift to park" after turning off the engine. Headlights will not turn off and I imagine other electrical systems still run during this error. Since the message never went away while I was at a non-GM auto repair shop in for routine oil change and brake check, they needed to replace the transmission control unit so that the car could turn off completely. They also found a tsb (attached) on this issue that informed them on how to fix the "shift to park" error. Since the repair was not at a GM dealer the cost was out of pocket. Have contacted GM and so far they are saying since there is no recall there is nothing they can do in terms of reimbursement.
- Rochester, MN, USA
My car all of sudden on freeway snatched back from doing 65 plus to freaking less than 30 miles instantly "engine power reduced" message appears and check engine light comes on. It continues to do this everyday my car will not drive over 30-35 mph. I have two kids this is not safe. I travel! I take my car to penske Chevrolet of cerritos dealer and they claim its a accelerator pad sensor. Prior to taking my car to dealer I had a conversation with a co worker who has the same car she told me the issue beforehand because she experienced it and was stuck on a highway!they also state that "every Malibu is having this issue" and due to that the item is on back order. I had to pay and still have to pay for labor of that item which I don't think is fair. It should be a recall. I feel well no it is obviously hazardous and Chevy has people and kids driving in cars like this... what if I get in an accident" how many cars does it take to realize this item needs to be recalled? does someone have to die for Chevrolet to realize that this needs serious attention"
- Long Beach, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the transmission and radio continued to activate after the vehicle was turned off. The failure occurred frequently. Also, the key fob was faulty and would work intermittently. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to findlay Chevrolet (6800 S torrey pines dr, las vegas, nv 89118, (702) 982-4000) where it was diagnosed that a new gear shift and gear shift assembly were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 10,011.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
I was driving 35mph, and suddenly the car lost power, and I was going 10 mph. A message came on saying reduced power. I had the car towed to the dealership that I purchased the car, red lion Chevy. They found nothing wrong with the car, and told me I better get the car off the lot. I was scared to drive the car as if I was on a highway, I could have been run over by a truck. I already had a cracked piston repaired and the car needed a new engine. On star sent me an email stating that I have an engine and transmission problem and to get the car serviced.the sales manager rivera just wanted to sell me a new car, and they wouldn't do any further testing on my vehicle.
- York, PA, USA
The transmission shifter will not acknowledge being in park. When the shifter is moved into the park position, it latches into position properly, but something electronically does not recognize that it is in park, so when you push the start button to turn off the car, it will shut off the engine but display a warning 'please put vehicle in park". since it doesn't know it is in park, it will not fully turn off. It will stay in accessory mode, thus keeping on the lights, the radio, etc, and it will not allow you to lock the doors. Jiggling the sifter, rocking the car, restarting and turning off again, taking in and out of park, all did nothing to solve the problem. This is a safety risk for theft as it is obvious that the vehicle is not secured since the lights and radio are still on. You also can't keep any valuables in the car since it can't be locked. When this issue first happens it is very intermittent, so they dealer can't replicate the issue so they refuse to fix it. Once it happens regularly they can fix the problem, but it seems GM doesn't know what is causing the issue, so they force you to replace the entire shifter assembly for $700. It turns out this issue is very common in newer Malibu. It is one of the most-discussed forum posts on the Malibu forums website. This needs to be a recall and be covered at no charge from GM since no one expects to buy a vehicle that cannot be locked and doesn't turn off from accessory mode.
- Landisville, PA, USA
At cruising speed on the freeway, approximately 65 mph, the car jerked and lost a significant amount of power. The check engine light illuminated and the warning "engine power is reduced" displayed on the information panel. The car continued to lose a significant amount of power until I was able to get out of a separated toll lane and to the breakdown lane. After restarting the car, it was able to again gain power. Over several days, the car would go in and out of this mode and the check engine light went off and on multiple times, it again lost power on the freeway, lost significant power while driving up hills (dropping from a speed of 55 mph to below 20 mph within a minute). Cars behind my car had to move out from behind me and I had to pull in to the breakdown lane on several occasions to let other cars pass me as I was unable to maintain a legal speed. This problem was assessed by quirk Chevrolet and determined to be caused by the throttle position sensor in the gas pedal and the engine control module. Quirk identified that these components are not covered under the powertrain warranty (despite the fact that they are necessary components in the powertrain) and that the total cost to replace these would be approximately $520 plus the cost of a rental car. They also were not able to locate an available gas pedal/throttle position sensor assembly by the end of the business day and were unable to identify a timeframe for the length of time this would take to complete because of this missing part. They also identified that they would not be able to reset the ECM until this sensor assembly was completed.
- Epsom, NH, USA
Shift to park issue. Vehicle is clearly in park but message on message board informs me "vehicle is not in park." Have to wiggle/mess with shifter in order to get the message to disappear. Otherwise vehicle will not turn off. Dealership informed me the shifter assembly needed to be replaced... common problem and needs to be fixed by Chevy.
- Madison, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While operating the vehicle, the stabilitrak indicator illuminated. Also, after turning the ignition off, the engine continued to operate for approximately 30 seconds. Upon restarting the vehicle, it drove very roughly and would not accelerate properly. The vehicle was taken to red lion Chevrolet (3220 cape horn rd, red lion, pa) where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced. Approximately three months later, after switching to the park position, "shift to park" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but "power reduced" later displayed and the speed suddenly reduced to 10 mph. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 20,000.
- York, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was in drive and stationary, it stalled and the drive assist warning indicator illuminated. The steering wheel also seized. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,601.
- Coconut Creek, FL, USA
I was traveling on a highway, going around 70 mph, as I was about to merge onto another freeway, my check engine light came on, and a notification came on that said reduced engine power. My car then dropped speed to about 40 mph. I was unable to accelerate the rest of my route to work. I topped at 20 mph. I checked my code reader and P2138 came up.
- Ontario, CA, USA
Takata recall: My veichle have been having electrical issues since months now. I have been paying extra money to repairs and still doesn't get it fix. Dealership doesn't know what to do anymore. My car turns off at the light to save gas but whenever I release the brake back again the whole screen goes off and back on again with the engine. Sometimes I have to push it to the side of the street because it doesn't want to turn back on. Mesaage on the screen says ' power steerling reduced, please drive with care' also it says sometimes ' stabilititank '. I need help on this situation because I don't know what to do anymore. I saw a recall of 7,000 cars same type like mine on 2016 for the same issues. Thank you.
- Houston, TX, USA
2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regard to leased vehicle that has multiple malfunctions; losing power, not accelerating, and not shifting gears. The consumer stated the cause of the failure was due to the installation of the 'right track' device.
- Lindenhurst, NY, USA
Car hesitates when pushing accelerator and begins to move forward slowly for a few seconds and then accelerates rapidly. This has happened on numerous occasions for the past few months and because it is only random when I take it to the dealer they can't duplicate it. This occurs when I am stopped at a stop light, pulling out of a parking space, or pulling out of a parking lot into traffic. I've been told it has something to do with a smart transmission because me and my wife have different driving happens. (which doesn't sound reasonable) last time it did this was yesterday and it seems to happening more frequently.
- Hinesville, GA, USA
Car refuses to acknowledge that it has been shifted into park, despite having been properly shifted into park. I receive the error message "shift vehicle into park" after turning off the ignition. Took several tries to make it go away. Vehicle was stationary in a parking lot.
- Hamilton Township, NJ, USA
- Howard City, MI, USA