2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Problems
- Complaints
- 24filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 28,609miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 46 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 47 city / 46 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (46% of the total), followed by engine (8) and transmission and drivetrain (8). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 79% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,609 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 342 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 66 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 38 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system11 46%
- Engine8 33%
- Other or unknown6 25%
- Brakes4 17%
- Fuel system1 4.2%
- Body and structure1 4.2%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “On june 30, 2019, I was driving my Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid home on the freeway when suddenly the engine lost power and stalled. The service engine soon light turned on and a message on the dashboard said 'shift to park'. I coasted to the next exit and stopped on the side of a street. I pressed the off button and shifted to park. I tried to turn on the car and it wouldn't even crank the engine. I called aaa and after 10 to 15 minutes the service engine soon light turned off. I tried again to start the car and it turned on. I canceled aaa and drove the car home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243134, filed 2019-08, 13,000 milesEngine: “Vehicle in motion in left hand lane, on 5 lane main road during rush hour, traffic going approx. 35 MPH. As I was driving the vehicle stalled, engine light came on and a warning message said the vehicle was slowing down (it stalled completely). I was unable to drift into the right lane and forced to abandon my car into the center lane - used for merging from other lanes of traffic. Police responded but no report was filed. Officer suggested I leave the vehicle for my own safety & when tow truck arrived to request the auto be towed to a safe spot for removal of personal items. …”
NHTSA complaint #11004222, filed 2017-07, 9,857 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “While driving everything is fine, as soon as I stop and put my car in park it will show an indication to (put the car in park). I can literally spend 30 minutes jiggling the shifter back and forth until that notification goes away. If I don't make it go away, all the lights stay on and my car will beep at me once I close the doors, the doors will also not lock due to this. So spending 30 minutes to make it go away so it doesn't kill the battery after a 12hour work shift is all I can do.”
NHTSA complaint #11365172, filed 2020-10, 50,000 milesOther or unknown: “Vehicle stalled on highway while driving at speed on two different occasions despite servicing after the first incident. Both times, pop up alert says shift to park and then engine has reduced power after which the gas pedal no longer works. After pulling to the side of the road, there was a low battery alert.”
NHTSA complaint #11194372, filed 2019-04, 17,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
79% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,000 and 49,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu Hybrid FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 47 | 46 | 46 | $1,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 16V521000Jul 8, 2016Hybrid propulsion systemCovers: Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual…
Recall details for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 342 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11024324Sep 4, 2025Electrical system, Fuel system. This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 11 | 45,174 | 0 | — | 46 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 22 | 14,725 | 0 | — | 46 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 24 | 28,609 | 1 | — | 46 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 25 | 59,000 | 0 | — | 29 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 7 | 70,580 | 0 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid have?
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (46% of the total), followed by engine with 8.
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (Malibu Hybrid, 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 46 mpg combined, 47 city and 46 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,609 miles and the middle half falls between 13,000 and 49,000 miles; 79% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.