2016 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 222about this part
- Share
- 26%of 841 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,300miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 222 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 26% of the 841 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,300 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While riding on the highway at 70mph I experienced a total loss of power. The car warned me and the engine light came on. I could not accelerate beyond 30 MPH. When I had it checked with a code sensor it told me there was an issue with the throttle position sensor. The code was p2138. This created a very dangerous situation on a quick moving highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11402725, filed 2021-03, 42,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11402687, filed 2021-03, 81,286 miles“When the car goes into the auto stop mode it completely dies and the light. No dash lights, no dome light, no hazard lights, literally nothing works. This has happened 3 times so far, and all three times I was in the middle of traffic. I'm not happy, I have had trouble out of this car with other issues sense I gotten it back in july of 2020”
NHTSA complaint #11385714, filed 2020-12, 98,000 miles“My wife was driving on the highway when suddenly a message come on the dash stating reduced engine power then the check engine light. Our 2016 Malibu currently has 62510 miles and upon researching I have found it to be linked to the accelerator pedal position sensor. I have found many complaints online, and one persons lawsuit”
NHTSA complaint #11297501, filed 2020-01, 62,480 miles“The day before the car's dashboard said that the car's power assist was turning off. The next morning as I was going 75 miles per hour on the highway the car said that engine was reducing power and speed reduced to 45 MPH. The check engine light suddenly went on and it was a very dangerous situation that could have killed me.”
NHTSA complaint #11329306, filed 2020-06, 66,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V502000Jul 5, 2016General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2016, Cruze 2011–2016, Equinox 2010–2013 +4 more
- 16V084000Feb 11, 2016Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2016, Camaro 2016, Silverado 2016 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017876Apr 10, 2025This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct conditions of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely cold weather conditions, CAC Icing, MIL Illuminated with DTCs set.
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 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.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% |
| 2024 | 18 | 41% |
| 2023 | 12 | 17% |
| 2022 | 33 | 33% |
| 2021 | 30 | 33% |
| 2020 | 57 | 29% |
| 2019 | 62 | 32% |
| 2018 | 192 | 27% |
| 2017 | 161 | 23% |
| 2016 | 222 | 26% |
| 2015 | 68 | 25% |
| 2014 | 86 | 25% |
| 2013 | 376 | 45% |
| 2012 | 291 | 32% |
| 2011 | 235 | 24% |
| 2010 | 295 | 22% |
| 2009 | 368 | 24% |
| 2008 | 233 | 24% |
| 2007 | 113 | 12% |
| 2006 | 142 | 13% |
| 2005 | 180 | 18% |
| 2004 | 151 | 13% |
| 2003 | 289 | 51% |
| 2002 | 259 | 46% |
| 2001 | 285 | 40% |
| 2000 | 199 | 22% |
| 1999 | 144 | 18% |
| 1998 | 130 | 13% |
| 1997 | 87 | 20% |
| 1980 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
304 complaintsOther or unknown
177 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
166 complaintsVehicle speed control
152 complaintsBrakes
104 complaintsElectronic stability control
76 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsExterior lighting
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsAir bags
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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