2016 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 44owner reports
- 61,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jan 2, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
222 of the 836 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 44 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 44 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (42 reports), the alternator (7 reports) and the starter (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 40,000 and 77,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle will display on dashboard âShift to parkâ while the vehicle is placed in âPâ. The engine will turn off, but the power remains on until the battery is disconnected from the vehicle. Codes have been verified by the Chevrolet dealership.”
Filed Apr 16, 2025
“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 Oct 16, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 44 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 118 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 106 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 102 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 83 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 30 reports