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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls
Updated May 30, 2026·Ryan Davis5 Critical Recalls

Recall Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 11 recalls recorded by NHTSA.

7 High Risks Found — View Now

Total Recalls

11
7 High Risks

Source: NHTSA Campaign Data

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How to Handle Recalls

Check your VIN

Locate your 17-character VIN on the dashboard or driver's door jamb.

Verify Status

Visit the NHTSA Recall Website or the manufacturer's official page.

Schedule Repair

Contact a franchised dealership. Recall repairs are always free of charge.

Document It

Keep records of the repair for your vehicle history file to maintain value.

Note: Unrepaired recalls can affect vehicle safety and resale value. We recommend checking for open recalls at least once a year.

Recall Summary

What the recall count means for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 11 recall campaigns on record. Yes, buyers should pay close attention. The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 7 serious recalls touching safety-critical systems, so a VIN-specific remedy check should happen before you buy.

Which systems are affected?

The main systems named in recall filings for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM).

What should buyers check before purchase?

Run a VIN recall lookup, confirm dealer remedy completion, and compare the recall themes against the maintenance and complaints reports before committing.

What is the most serious recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Read the full buyer guideMaintenance costs and intervalsOwner complaints by system2017 Malibu recalls2015 Malibu recalls2018 Malibu recalls
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Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?

There are 11 recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.

Recall rows are tied to NHTSA campaign-level source references.

Review recall campaigns

Are there safety critical recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

There are 7 which have high risk. Prioritize campaigns affecting brakes, steering, airbags, fuel systems, or fire risk, then confirm remedy availability with VIN lookup.

Recall response workflow is provided next to the data table.

Show high risk recalls
Recall campaigns
11
Primary source
NHTSA recall filings and campaign references
Workflow
Count, campaign details, remedy status, and VIN verification

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Start here for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Start here

Buyer guide

Full ownership breakdown

Maintenance guide

Costs + intervals

Owner complaints

Issue volume + categories

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Subscribe to Recall Alerts

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Action Plan
  3. 03Should Buyers Worry?
  4. 04NHTSA Recalls
  5. 05Data and Methodology

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Recalls for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Buyer's Guide

11 total campaigns, 7 marked high risk

High Riskmoderate
ID: 16V084000

Electrical System

Software

Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

High Riskcritical
ID: 16V125000

Air Bags

Frontal

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

High Risklow
ID: 16V272000

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

High Riskcritical
ID: 16V151000

Air Bags

Side/Window

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."

High Riskcritical
ID: 16V781000

Air Bags

Side/Window

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.

moderate
ID: 16V502000

Electrical System

Ignition

General 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 ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

low
ID: 16V502000

Power Train

Automatic TransmissionControl Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

General 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 ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

High Riskcritical
ID: 18V400000

Air Bags

SensorOccupant Classification

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.

High Riskcritical
ID: 18V358000

Fuel System, Gasoline

DeliveryFuel Pump

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

low
ID: 21V649000

Seat Belts

Rear/OtherRetractor

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

low
ID: 21V649000

Seat Belts

Critical Fasteners

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.