Check a VIN

2016 Chevrolet Malibu driver assistance problems

84 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 57,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
84
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
57,000
crashes
3
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Warnings
    3
  • Automatic emergency braking
    2
  • Rearview system braking
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Malibu driver assistance problems in other years

1997200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driver assistance

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Adaptive cruise 7

Related recalls

Electronic stability control (ESC)Reported May 5, 2016 · 66 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.

Recall number 16V272000 · Recall details

What 2016 Chevrolet Malibu owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 144,000 miles · TN · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 55 MPH in a rain storm and making a right turn, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights had illuminated, and the driver suddenly lost control of the steering and crashed into a tree. During the incident the driver sustained a concussion and neck and shoulder injuries which later required medical treatment. No police report was filed. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.

Filed Jun 22, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · FL

When I put the car in park and try to turn the car off the Shift Park message comes on preventing me from cutting the car completely off. I put in back in drive or reverse then back in park it still dings and shows the message. I takes a number of repeating these steps for it to stop and turn off and this is happening every time I'm trying to turn the car off.

Filed Apr 4, 2025 · Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal made an abnormal grinding sound and became stiff. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband replaced the brake sensor; however, the failure recurred several days later. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the stability control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced and the engine needed to be deep cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. On another occasion, while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light flashing. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery sensor and AC/DC box needed to be replaced. The failure persisted. On the last occasion, while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 64,000 miles · CA

The contact's client owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his client was driving at an undisclosed speed, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle vibrated briefly and failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. The ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

Filed May 2, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NC · crash

-Braking system failed and is available upon request. - My safety, my family’s safety, and other parties on the road were affected as well. -Not confirmed by a dealer but multiple people have had this same issue and experience. -the components were inspected by police, dealerships, OnStar, and collision center. -no lights or indications of brake problems

Filed Mar 9, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IL

Seem to be a common problem... Backup camera stops working. Creates a safety problem at Busy shopping centers. GM will not cover the repair.

Filed Jul 6, 2021 · Driver assistance · 90,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that the brakes would not engage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the abs warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced again. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 93,315 miles · TX

Service stabilitrak and ABS. It previously happened last year and the vehicle was in park. Since it's been happening when vehicle is at a slow crawl or in reverse. Sometimes the light will come on however the just of the times, when braking, the car will grind and stutter when braking

Filed Apr 3, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · GA

The headlights constant comes on and blinks on and off and when this happens it unlocks the drivers side door I have been sitting in the car with the engine off and can hear the flickering of the lock just the other day I locked the door manually it unlocked by itself this happened several times before it actually lock.I have had to lock the doors manually for some time now. Back in october 2020 it was killing my battery causing me to have to get a boost constantly took it to the dealership they said it was the onstar system and I payed to have it removed and still the problem still is there. Battery was still dying due to the lights coming on at any given time and draining the battery. I decided to buy another battery no longer need a boost but the light problem still remains an issue

Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driver assistance

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have driver assistance problems?

Owners have filed 84 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driver assistance problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 57,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driver assistance?

Yes, 1 recall: 16V272000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have the most driver assistance problems?

The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2009 (264 complaints), 2010 (244 complaints) and 2011 (183 complaints).

Other 2016 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Engine 305Electrical 222Transmission 166Acceleration 152Brakes 104Fuel system 55Steering 42Body 40Lights 19Suspension 19Airbags 18Visibility 15Wheels 12Seat belts 9Seats 6Tires 3Locks 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history