2016 Chevrolet Malibu: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

I am reporting a recurring safety defect related to GM’s known “Shift to Park” issue. My vehicle displays a “Shift to Park” warning even when the vehicle is already in park, preventing the car from shutting off properly and creating a safety risk. This issue has been widely reported and associated with GM recalls and service bulletins. GM previously repaired this issue once while my vehicle was under warranty, acknowledging it as a known defect. The same defect has now reoccurred after the warranty period expired. GM is refusing to repair it again, despite the issue being recall-related and tied to a known defective design rather than wear and tear. This defect affects safe vehicle operation, risks battery drain, rollaway hazards, and driver distraction. I believe this is an unresolved safety defect that should be covered regardless of warranty status.

Filed Dec 24, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

The vehicle went into shift to park and will not turn off. This is a known problem with ALL GM vehicles that hasn’t been fixed or offered a warranty for. It’s dangerous and causes the car not to move shut off in traffic and drains the battery. My car currently isn’t working due to this issue and the repair to fix is too much with no assistance from GM for a known defect. My car was almost hit because of the car had to be towed because it’s unable to be moved.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Electrical · FL

2016 Chevy Malibu is experiencing a “Shift to Park” issue, where the car does not recognize it is in Park even after shifting correctly. This prevents the vehicle from turning off, leaving lights and electronics running, which can drain the battery. A service advisor at AutoNation Chevrolet Orlando confirmed this is a common problem in GM vehicles like the Traverse and Silverado. She explained the repair—replacing the faulty sensor/shifter assembly—typically costs around $800. Beyond battery drain, there are safety concerns, since the system’s failure to recognize Park could risk the car rolling if the brakes disengage. The issue first appeared about four months ago, went away, and has now reoccurred.

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OH

To whom it may concern, I am writing to formally report a recurring safety-related issue with my 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle consistently displays a “Shift to Park” warning message, even when the gear selector is properly in the Park position. This malfunction prevents the car from turning off completely and poses a serious safety and reliability concern. This issue first occurred while the vehicle was under warranty, and the dealership performed a repair. However, the problem has returned, and my warranty has since expired. Despite the previous fix, the issue continues to persist. This malfunction is widely documented among other 2016–2019 Chevy Malibu owners and appears to stem from a design or manufacturing flaw in the shifter assembly or park switch. I am concerned that this defect could: Prevent the vehicle from being securely parked. Lead to battery drain due to the vehicle not shutting off. Pose a risk if the driver believes the car is in park when it is not. I am requesting that Chevrolet consider this a safety defect and either recall the affected vehicles or offer extended coverage for repairs. I also ask that the federal safety agency investigate this issue further as it compromises the safety, reliability, and proper functioning of the vehicle. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would appreciate any assistance or updates regarding how this issue will be addressed. Vehicle Info: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu E2 Year: 2016 Make: Chevrolet Model: Malibu Mileage: 60,000 VIN: ALREADY INSERT Previous repair date(s): 02/21/2020 Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Toledo, Ohio INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 22, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 176,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently engine seized and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the battery would not stay charged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a no-start dead battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of TSB 16-NA-209 in which the failure description was similar to that of the contact's vehicle. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for repair. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and the vehicle had a scheduled service appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

I'm having a problem with the car going into park. When it's in park, the doors will not lock in the vehicle will Just drain the battery.

Filed Feb 16, 2023 · Transmission · TX

My 2016 Chevrolet malibu is displaying a "shift to park" message for the second time. We had the Automatic Transmission Control (GM part# 84347430) replaced two separate times already costing us over $1600 in repairs. Also had to replace 2 batteries within the past 3 years which cost over $300. First replaced in March of 2020 and now again in Feb 2023. Current lawsuits for this problem are on-going. No loaner cars were given for these repairs resulting in inconvenience of over 2 months. Manufacturers and dealers are aware this problem exists yet they do nothing. As far as danger it causes is you can't turn off your car, also will lead to battery drain which will leave you stranded in the middle of no where and late for work. Please issue a recall for this problem GM.

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · OH

1. The car when s parked the electronic system does not recognize this and the electronics of the car remain on. Draining the battery and sometimes taking several attempts or more at having to restart the car, shifting through gears in order to get the car to properly turn off. 2. I have been driving down the highway doing approximately 65-75 mph and the car out of no where, with no other cars around has slammed on the breaks and decreased in speed instantly. This has happened twice. 3. Stabilitrak light has come on several times, car violently shakes while ideling. I have already had to replace a piston in the engine. At the time the car was at about 50,000 miles. It is now at 75, 000 and still happens every so often.

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Engine · MI

This is not a safety issue but potentially it could be & I want GM to take action. I drive a 2016 Chevy Malibu. Beginning 2017, I started getting this message after ignition “SHIFT TO PARK”. This is purely GM’s mistakes in designing the part. Solution is to replace the shifter asm completely irrespective of the warranty coverage. This is a common issue on multiple cars between 2016 to 2019, I suppose. I took the car to Ed Rinke dealer in MI back in 2018 timeframe & they said the shifter cable needs to be replaced. I did pay around $200 for the service & issue was gone for a while. It was back again in 2019-2020 timeframe intermittently. Its pretty bad now, I cannot shut the engine off & have to wait for quite sometime to get rid of the message & seriously do not know what to do. If I close the door & leave, message is still ON & battery drains out. I want GM to cover for expenses because dealership would want to diagnose when we all know what the issue is.

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Electrical · MS

I have taken my vehicle multiple time and still the problem not fixed. Had a reduced engine problem at first and now there's a message that comes Battery charging system. replaced battery twice and replaced the alternator twice. I spent at least $2,000 trying to get my car fixed. The Charging system battery, the battery drains until it goes dead. The car stopped on a busy interstate with me in it. I had to wait on a tow truck,(while working) on the interstate while watching the trucks and cars pass by hoping that they wont hit me. After charging the battery and putting it back into the car the battery light comes on. and while the car is crank and sitting still the battery charging light comes on. the battery quickly looses power. GM realyl need to do a recall on these vehicles. Please help.

Filed May 3, 2021 · Transmission · 25,422 miles · NJ

From time to time, the vehicle does not register the car is in park and exhibits a "shift to park" message. It can take restarting the car upwards of 10 - 15 times to get the message to disappear. The car cannot be left in this condition as there is no assurance the car is parked properly nor will it turn off, which could drain the battery. It is a known issue for years, and gm has issued tsb 19-na-206 (rev dec 11, 2020). This is well known and pervasive, yet gm has not issued a recall, or been proactive about the fix, and is not covering it outside of warranty.

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