BestCarRank
Chevrolet

2016 Chevrolet MALIBU HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet MALIBU HYBRID has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu hybrid. while driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle restarted independently after five seconds. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated that the ecm may have possibly failed. the transmission was replaced.

1 crash report 3 injuries

46

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

11 complaints
24%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM MAY HAVE POSSIBLY FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED
  • • DRIVING HOME, TURNED OFF HIGHWAY, CAR STOPPED A FEW FEET ONTO SIDE ROAD--NO BRAKES, STEERING, NOTHING. THE ICON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND STAYED ON.(MANUAL SAYS IT IS THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP.) TURNED CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE. NO LUCK.; CALLED FOR A TOW. WAITE
  • • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM MAY HAVE POSSIBLY FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

8 complaints
17%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM MAY HAVE POSSIBLY FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED
  • • 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
  • • WHILE DRIVING EVERYTHING IS FINE, AS SOON AS I STOP AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK IT WILL SHOW AN INDICATION TO (PUT THE CAR IN PARK). I CAN LITERALLY SPEND 30 MINUTES JIGGLING THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THAT NOTIFICATION GOES AWAY. IF I DON'T MAKE IT GO AWAY, ALL THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND MY CAR WILL B
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM MAY HAVE POSSIBLY FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

8 complaints
17%
  • • 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
  • • 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
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 29-34 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BUCKNER CHEVROLET (9301 EARL THORNTON
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

6 complaints
13%
  • • 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
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 29-34 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BUCKNER CHEVROLET (9301 EARL THORNTON
  • • COMING OFF THE HWY MY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN FROM 55 MPH TO ABOUT 40 MPH FAIRLY FAST THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TRIED PRESSING ON THE PEDALS BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT SPEEDING UP AT ALL. THE TRACTION LIGHT ALSO CAME UP. TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

6 complaints
13%
  • • 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
  • • 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 L
  • • WHILE DRIVING EVERYTHING IS FINE, AS SOON AS I STOP AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK IT WILL SHOW AN INDICATION TO (PUT THE CAR IN PARK). I CAN LITERALLY SPEND 30 MINUTES JIGGLING THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THAT NOTIFICATION GOES AWAY. IF I DON'T MAKE IT GO AWAY, ALL THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND MY CAR WILL B
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 46 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM MAY HAVE POSSIBLY FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM MAY HAVE POSSIBLY FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    SPEED CONTROL: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Chevrolet MALIBU HYBRID — Year Comparison

How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2018
22Excellent Reliability
2017
31Above Average
2016
46Above Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
46
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
3
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Chevrolet MALIBU HYBRID

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