Most common 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Malibu Hybrid years: 2008, 2018, 2009. Compare all years →
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid recalls (1)
Hybrid propulsion system
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid owners say
Electrical system
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 illuminated. While receiving a routine oil change, the vehicle failed to start. The mechanic charged the battery; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was inspected, and it was determined that the was experiencing the "Shift to Park" failure. The contact found information of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train); and linked the failure to the recall. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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 dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the radio and an electrical failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V084000 (Electrical System) or 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Transmission & drivetrain
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 illuminated. While receiving a routine oil change, the vehicle failed to start. The mechanic charged the battery; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was inspected, and it was determined that the was experiencing the "Shift to Park" failure. The contact found information of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train); and linked the failure to the recall. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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 dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the radio and an electrical failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V084000 (Electrical System) or 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Engine & cooling
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...
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. Restarted and drove fine but later the same day after starting the car and shifting to reverse the car moved forward, car was in EV mode. Shifted to neutral and car still moved forward, still in EV mode. Shifted to reverse and neutral again the car still moved forward, still in EV mode. Turned off engine, restarted and worked fine, still in EV mode. 8/16/2018 - 85 degrees. Car shut down while driving, restarted and worked. …
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 47 / 46 / 46 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Malibu Hybrid rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Malibu Hybrid at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
The electrical system — 11 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (8) and engine & cooling (8).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, the most recent from July 8, 2016 (hybrid propulsion system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2018 and 2009. See the full Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 30,000 miles; 79% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.