Check a VIN

2016 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints

Page 7 of 9: complaints 161 to 190 of 222, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2016 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 17, 2019 · Electrical · 88,245 miles · AZ

Since I bought this car new in 2016 I have had to replace the vcm 4 times. Nothing seemed to fix the problem. The stop/start never worked right. Three times over the last month, after various repairs at the dealership, the car has completely stopped while driving and would not start again. The doors unlocked and locked, vehicle jumped 3 times, all kinds of warning lights and messages on the dash....then nothing but a dead car in the middle of the road on a sunny dry day. I could've been the cause of accidents while stopped in the roadway and many people could've been seriously injured. The car was fixed the fourth time yesterday and the mechanic took it out to test before returning the vehicle to me. It died on him again and had to be towed back to the service center. Serious safety hazard and the certified gm techs can't figure out what's wrong. P3055 and p3056 are the error codes that come up every time. New battery, new vcm, new wiring harness....each time the problem got worse until it completely stopped running. No recall and the car is out of warranty so chevy is not willing to help at all.

Filed Aug 13, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 15 miles · TN · crash

Egine power reduced light. The car wont go over 20-30mph. Brakes malfunction causing a small fender bender. Its hard to start wont stay running. It even lost power on the hwy a few times before the wreck.

Filed Aug 12, 2019 · Electrical · 27,000 miles · IL

Upon stopping and shifting the transmission into park, the instrument display gives a "shift to park" warning and when the "stop / start" button is pushed to shut off the engine, the engine stops, but the electrical system remains energized. The problem is intermittent and it often takes several attempts to remedy by re-starting the engine, shifting into gear, shifting back to park, then hitting the "stop / start" button again before it works correctly. Based on feedback from this and other sites, this appears to be a common problem and my local dealer has quoted me approximately $500 to replace the transmission control assembly. Gm has also issued a technical service bulletin, no. 18-na-297, which recognizes this problem. The car has 27,000 miles on it and is 3 months out of warranty. This is unacceptable from a 100 year old car company that the government bailed out just 10 years ago.

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 80,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While driving 65 MPH, the stability control and steering assist reduced warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle then shut down completely. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 29,000 miles · MI

When shifter was placed into park in a public parking lot, the vehicle displayed a "shift to park" error and would not turn off. The issue continued despite two dealer repair attempts. I have been unable to shut off the vehicle in my garage, in my driveway, and at numerous public parking lots. Later, the vehicle smacked the brakes without driver input while I was driving on the highway and displayed a "stabilitrak" error. When I pulled into a parking lot and shifted to park, it again displayed the "shift to park" error and would not turn off. Eventually I was able to turn off the vehicle. When I restarted it, it displayed "stabilitrak" error and "power steering" error. I disabled the stabilitrak system in order to get back on the road because I was in a remote area with no place to get the car fixed. While driving, the vehicle would turn the stabilitrak system back on and smack the brakes. A few seconds later, the speedometer and tachometer dropped to zero while the vehicle was still moving on the highway, and the climate control system stopped working. This issue continued to repeat itself while I was driving the vehicle to the dealership for repair.

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 29,000 miles · MI

When shifter was placed into park in a public parking lot, the vehicle displayed a "shift to park" error and would not turn off. The issue continued despite two dealer repair attempts. I have been unable to shut off the vehicle in my garage, in my driveway, and at numerous public parking lots. Later, the vehicle smacked the brakes without driver input while I was driving on the highway and displayed a "stabilitrak" error. When I pulled into a parking lot and shifted to park, it again displayed the "shift to park" error and would not turn off. Eventually I was able to turn off the vehicle. When I restarted it, it displayed "stabilitrak" error and "power steering" error. I disabled the stabilitrak system in order to get back on the road because I was in a remote area with no place to get the car fixed. While driving, the vehicle would turn the stabilitrak system back on and smack the brakes. A few seconds later, the speedometer and tachometer dropped to zero while the vehicle was still moving on the highway, and the climate control system stopped working. This issue continued to repeat itself while I was driving the vehicle to the dealership for repair.

Filed Jul 9, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 84,000 miles · VA

Vehicle was parked on an inclined driveway. The car was rained on for 2 constitutive days. The 3rd brake light assembly just above the rear leaked into the roof of the care and the trunk. The leak was extremely fast and caused a pool about 1/2 an inch deep to build up in the spare tire storage compartment of the trunk. The leak caused damage to the roof panel on the interior of the car with significant water marks, and completely soaked the trunk as mentioned before with the pool of water. The car was purchase new and has never been involved in any motor vehicle accident or collision of any type. The technician that repaired the leak showed the leak was caused by a loose nut on the 3rd brake light assembly just above the rear window. I have attached the invoice from the repair shop that fixed the leak. The manufacturer refused to service or investigate the source of the leak because the vehicle was out of warranty due to mileage. The care was stationary and parked under a rainstorm when the damages were noticed. As far as I can tell there is no electrical damage however the proximity to the 3rd brake light warrants the report of electrical damage. Body damage is due to water damage to the floor mats of the trunk, headrest in the passenger area of the car, and water damage to the roof of the vehicle. The damage was found on saturday july 6th, 2019. The repairs were performed on tuesday july 9th, 2019.

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · Electrical · 42,044 miles · AR

My 2016 malibu has intermittently not turned off when hitting the stop button and the error message "shift to park" was coming up. The car was in park. I am able to take my foot off the brake with no movement of the vehicle. This has increased to where I have to turn the car on and off multiple times and eventually it allows the car to turn off. When I called the dealership to explain the situation they informed me that the shifter was bad. He stated that he knew that was the problem because it was the 8th one they had replaced over the past couple of weeks. I do not live in a large metro area so 8 is a pretty high number for the population. I researched online and noticed that multiple complaints for the 2016-2017 malibu and volts over the same issue.

Filed Jun 28, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 63,110 miles · TX

While on vacation road trip to several northwestern states, while turning around in a parking lot, about to exit, car completely shuts off - no warning lights or nothing, just shuts off, looked under hood, nothing unusual, waited about five minutes, car started with stiil no warning lights . We were able to make it back to texas with no other problems. Checked internet and there were no recalls - however there were several other occurrences of this happening to other malibus. Upon return home phoned my dealership and made them aware of what happened, they informed me that they were not aware of anything like this happening, they encouraged me to file this complaint because there was nothing they could do at this time due to they have nothing stating this has happened.

Filed Jun 21, 2019 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA

The car shuts off in traffic. I can be at a stop light and the car just shuts off. All the lights in car flash and vehicle just shuts off. The engine light stays on in vehicle. This has been happening everyday for about a month now.

Filed Jun 13, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 35,982 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While attempting to park the vehicle, "vehicle not in park" appeared on the instrument panel. On another occasion, the contact was unable to shift the gear from park into drive. The vehicle was taken to berger chevrolet (located at 2525 28th st se, grand rapids, mi 49512, (616) 949-5200) where it was diagnosed that the shifter control failed. The transmission shifter control was replaced, but the failure recurred after 34,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter control failed again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 74,697. *tr see attached for the dealer paperwork for the 1st incident. I've also attached the my chevy diagnostic repent for the current issue.

Filed Jun 4, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 55,000 miles · OH

While driving on highway my "stabilitrak" light flashed on and I was unable to accelerate. I pulled over and while breaking the car was hopping. Turned the car off and back on and various lights came on (stabilitrak, check engine, traction control and steering assist). I attempted to start driving again and the car would not accelerate appropriately. Had it towed to dealership who couldn't find anything wrong with it because all the alerts had turned off.

Filed May 17, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 69,762 miles · CA

Car completely turned off at a red light and had no power. Steering locks up and had to push car have towed& then it started right up after. This is happening to many people and it stops even when the car is driving. This is a safety issue

Filed May 14, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 70,000 miles · MN

While driving in the highway the car slowed abrubtly, the engine light came on, and the dash gave out engine power reduced. This has happened on more than one occasion while I was driving at a high speed. I pulled over and turned off the car to reset it. The first time the light went off on its own the second and therafter it did not. Had the accelerator pedal replaced once and 7 months later it is doing the same exact thing. This is very dangerous for me as a driver and those around me!

Filed Apr 18, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · VA

My horn doesn't work sometimes, check engine light comes on and off, radio stop working sometimes,when turning on the heat or air conditioner it sounds like sparks coming from the inside of that area

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · GA

Takata recall, check engine light comes on and a reduce power indicator said reduce engine power, the car goes from 70mph to 40 MPH on the interstate putting you and your family in grave danger

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 26,437 miles · MN

While parking the vehicle and placing the shifter to park the car gives an error message "shift to park" after turning off the engine. Headlights will not turn off and I imagine other electrical systems still run during this error. Since the message never went away while I was at a non-gm auto repair shop in for routine oil change and brake check, they needed to replace the transmission control unit so that the car could turn off completely. They also found a tsb (attached) on this issue that informed them on how to fix the "shift to park" error. Since the repair was not at a gm dealer the cost was out of pocket. Have contacted gm and so far they are saying since there is no recall there is nothing they can do in terms of reimbursement.

Filed Mar 1, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 10,011 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the transmission and radio continued to activate after the vehicle was turned off. The failure occurred frequently. Also, the key fob was faulty and would work intermittently. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to findlay chevrolet (6800 s torrey pines dr, las vegas, nv 89118, (702) 982-4000) where it was diagnosed that a new gear shift and gear shift assembly were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 10,011.

Filed Feb 23, 2019 · Electrical, Wheels · FL

The rear passenger tire does not turn while driving or it starts to drag while driving.

Filed Feb 21, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · WI

While driving, engine loses power and the car shuts down. (this happens in traffic!)

Filed Feb 6, 2019 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · CA

Takata recall" my car has a ploblems with the shift parking, ones I put in parking and turn off the car the car said shift parking and the key stay open. And I can't lock the car, this is the second time that happen to my car I change in 10/2017 that's imposible that happen again.

Filed Jan 28, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 25,000 miles · PA

The transmission shifter will not acknowledge being in park. When the shifter is moved into the park position, it latches into position properly, but something electronically does not recognize that it is in park, so when you push the start button to turn off the car, it will shut off the engine but display a warning 'please put vehicle in park". Since it doesn't know it is in park, it will not fully turn off. It will stay in accessory mode, thus keeping on the lights, the radio, etc, and it will not allow you to lock the doors. Jiggling the sifter, rocking the car, restarting and turning off again, taking in and out of park, all did nothing to solve the problem. This is a safety risk for theft as it is obvious that the vehicle is not secured since the lights and radio are still on. You also can't keep any valuables in the car since it can't be locked. When this issue first happens it is very intermittent, so they dealer can't replicate the issue so they refuse to fix it. Once it happens regularly they can fix the problem, but it seems gm doesn't know what is causing the issue, so they force you to replace the entire shifter assembly for $700. It turns out this issue is very common in newer malibus. It is one of the most-discussed forum posts on the malibu forums website. This needs to be a recall and be covered at no charge from gm since no one expects to buy a vehicle that cannot be locked and doesn't turn off from accessory mode.

Filed Jan 26, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · NH

Throttle position sensor has gone bad on my 2016 malibu it has to be a known problem because there are thousands of videos of people showing how to fix the problem and installing a new tps and pedal.

Filed Jan 25, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 57,000 miles · NH

At cruising speed on the freeway, approximately 65 MPH, the car jerked and lost a significant amount of power. The check engine light illuminated and the warning "engine power is reduced" displayed on the information panel. The car continued to lose a significant amount of power until I was able to get out of a separated toll lane and to the breakdown lane. After restarting the car, it was able to again gain power. Over several days, the car would go in and out of this mode and the check engine light went off and on multiple times, it again lost power on the freeway, lost significant power while driving up hills (dropping from a speed of 55 MPH to below 20 MPH within a minute). Cars behind my car had to move out from behind me and I had to pull in to the breakdown lane on several occasions to let other cars pass me as I was unable to maintain a legal speed. This problem was assessed by quirk chevrolet and determined to be caused by the throttle position sensor in the gas pedal and the engine control module. Quirk identified that these components are not covered under the powertrain warranty (despite the fact that they are necessary components in the powertrain) and that the total cost to replace these would be approximately $520 plus the cost of a rental car. They also were not able to locate an available gas pedal/throttle position sensor assembly by the end of the business day and were unable to identify a timeframe for the length of time this would take to complete because of this missing part. They also identified that they would not be able to reset the ECM until this sensor assembly was completed.

Filed Jan 13, 2019 · Electrical · 38,000 miles · SC

The car is stopped and engine turned off handle does not allow exit from car exterior - cannot lock/unlock the doors from the door sensor or from the fob interior - cannot lock/unlock the passenger doors with the door sensor or fob upon entering vehicle random alarm ' as if vehicle is being stolen car will ding that the remote is still in the car while I'm still in the car. Attached is a letter I sent to chevy to tell them how unsafe this is in every situation. The car has been at the dealership with no answer in how to fix the problem since 11/20/18. The car has been in the shop 48 of the last 54 days with the past 37 days consecutive chevy offered me a rebate on a new car but refused to buy the car back. The car is a danger and is not road ready for anyone. I am having a difficult time uploading documents, please let me know if I need to send separately through email.

Filed Jan 10, 2019 · Electrical, Seat belts · 21,593 miles · GA

Water leaked into the body of the car through the center mount stop lamp at the top of the rear window. Either the gasket was defective, or it was simply missing from the car. Over time, water seeped into the car from under the drivers seat. The heat from the summer caused mold to grow on the vehicle floor boards and the drivers side seat blet. Moisture in the car caused damage to the electronic components. The car is totaled and currently awaiting inspection at the chevrolet dealership in my area. *ln*tp the consumer stated he no longer owns the vehicle.

Filed Jan 8, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 35,000 miles · FL · crash

On 1/4/2018 I was driving on I-95 and the car brakes sudenly stop working completly

Filed Jan 2, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 98,800 miles · DE

Driving down major highway, cel came on, vehicle went into reduced engine power mode. Scanned cel and found code for app sensor failure. Brought to chevy dealer near where car broke down and they said they would charge me to diagnose it and then charge for parts and labor. The only issue being is that the gas pedal and sensor are on a national backorder. Which means that since this is not a warranty issue with the thousand of gm vehicles affected by this issue I would have to pay for the repairs and the cost of the rental car through the dealer. There is no eta on when the part will be in (if ever) since gm has not been producing these parts for aftermarket repairs. This issue started on 12/21/18 and the dealer said it may take up to two weeks or longer to get the part, the part has still not been issued to the dealer which has several cars with this issue. I have owned several gm vehicles, my grandfather worked for gm, and I service many heavy duty gm engines through my job, but this will be the last gm vehicle I believe I will be purchasing. The quality of gm is gone immensely down and they are not worth the headache of owning one anymore.

Filed Jan 2, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 10 miles · IN

I'll be driving approximate 40 miles and car system will come up stating " engine is going to reduce speed" or something like that ? It's been going for at least two weeks or more now .

Filed Jan 1, 2019 · Electrical · 79,000 miles · CA

Takata recall, when my vehicle stops at a light and the auto stop goes in place as soon as I let off the gas to continue driving my check engine light came on and my radio and my dash lights all went out after a minute of driving again they all came back on

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