2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 33%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, 33% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“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 miles“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 miles“5/4/2018 took the car to service a check engine light. They reprogramed the hybrid powertrain control module 2 - per a factory service bulletin but it did not fix the problem, light came back on. 5/26/2018 - 100 degrees. Car shut down while driving straight at 40 MPH on city street. Restarted in some kind of default mode without EV components after 30 min. Next day it worked fine. 8/12/2018 - 86 degrees. Car shut down while driving straight on city street going 30mph. …”
NHTSA complaint #11120561, filed 2018-08, 9,400 miles“I was driving my car home from work and all of a sudden my car starting showing in the dash engine power reduced. My car literally couldn't go anywhere. So I pulled over and shut the car off for a minute started it back up and it was running great and then I happen again a few minutes later. So I took it to the dealership were i purchsed it and they replaced the gas pedal they said a sensor was bad and that was causing the problem.So picked up the car a couple days later and it happen again about two weeks later...”
NHTSA complaint #11458179, filed 2022-03Related service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11020254May 7, 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in…
- 11017263Mar 25, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011900Nov 22, 2024This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology