2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (7) · Vehicle Speed Control (4) · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Hybrid Propulsion System 2016-07-08 · campaign 16V521000 · 534 vehicles
Defect: 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 service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the MSD and correct the installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 51230.
Service bulletins (341)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 341 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-16 · Power Train · 72,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while shifting into park(p), the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission was in park(p). the contact had to manipulate and maneuver the gear shifter several times before the vehicle recognized that the gear shifter was in park(p). the message to "shift-to park" was illumina…”
2025-06-12 · Service Brakes“stability track warning randomly appears while driving and spontaneously causes total brake failure and the brakes fail to slow or stop vehicle. it has newer brakes but it’s very dangerous to drive. currently being sent to chevrolet dealership…”
2025-03-19 · Unknown Or Other“water leaks into the trunk and back seat of the vehicle because the seal around the upper brake light in the rear glass is faulty, causing a mildew/mold odor in the trunk. it is not available for inspection as i had it repaired and sold the vehicle. the problem was confirmed by the glass company to did the repair for much less than the quote the de…”
2025-01-10 · Unknown Or Other“the check engine light came on and we brought it to the shop where they said the code is for the electronic brake system modulator. it is also causing the abs to malfunction and be hypersensitive. there is a recall for the same make/model/year of vehicle, except the month before her car was manufactured. i believe this is a safety issue that needs …”
2024-08-26 · Unknown Or Other“there’s a warning on the display that says ‘shift to park’ while the vehicle is already in park. this is causing the battery to drain/die and needs jumpstart everyday. battery was tested and does not need to be replaced. i’m surprised this hasn’t been recalled yet. online search ‘chevy malibu shift to park’ shows this is a common problem. here’s …”
2024-04-01 · Vehicle Speed Control“our 2016 chevy malibu hybrid intermittently began alerting of "reduced engine power" and the accelerator would not allow the vehicle to accelerate. this happened twice, once on a busy highway that caused rapid deceleration of the vehicle. we brought the vehicle to the mechanic and there were a bunch of codes related to the accelerator position sens…”
2024-02-13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder · 75,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes were inoperable. the contact stated that the vehicle eventually stopped as needed. the vehicle was driven to the residence. the vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics; however, the failure could not be duplicat…”
2022-03-24 · Power Train“may car loses power when acceleration i don't why but there is something going on …”
2022-03-24 · Power Train“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 the…”
2021-10-01 · Power Train · 49,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu hybrid. the contact stated while driving at 55 mph, electrical system, power steering, and battery warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle proceeded to decelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. the battery saver warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the d…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.