2016 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 118owner reports
- 43,601median miles
- $500median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Jul 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
549 of the 837 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 118 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Malibu.
Tick what matches of 118 reports
Stalling on other Malibu years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (17 reports), the throttle body (7 reports), the alternator (5 reports) and the engine (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 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.
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
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.
All 9 recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Malibu
Erratic fuel gauge. Closed dec 30, 2003.
Engine stall due to fuel starvation. Closed nov 3, 2003.
Engine coolant boils over. Closed sep 24, 2002.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
11 of the 118 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $350 to $700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 27,880 and 73,000 miles, from the 79 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This service bulletin provides a procedure to inspect and possibly repair terminals that may be damaged to correct customer concerns of Loss of Power, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, Gauges Inoperative and/or Multiple Warning Lights/Messages ...
This Preliminary information communicates A vehicle may have a concern of running poor and stalling. No trouble codes may be set referencing this condition. Fuel trims around -20% may be observed on both banks.
This Preliminary information communicatesIn ambient temperatures 100F (37.7 C)degrees or higher, DTCs P2635 and/or P018B may set.The vehicle may also exhibit a hesitation or stalling condition.Excessively Hot and sustained ambient temperatures over 100F (37.7 ...
4 more on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu page.
What owners wrote
“âSteering assist is reduced, drive with careâ is showing up for a couple second and disappearing. When that happens my car seems to shut off and the steering wheel stiffens and pull to either the left of right side. All this happens while driving. After the 3rd time of it happening within 10min, my gas fuel level dropped but when back up to the âoriginalâ level”
Filed Jul 19, 2026
“âShift to parkâ intermittently indicated when vehicle is in park. Power will not shut off while indicated. Was repaired twice but has returned”
Filed Jul 27, 2024
“while driving the engine lost power started idling rough and the MIL came on. The MIL was found to be cyl 1 misfire, mechanic tracked it down to a cracked piston. A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE. the VIN does not show it as being included in any recall”
Filed May 24, 2024
“Shift to park message appears on dash screen when car is attempting to shut off ignition when shifter is in park position. Can't turn off car.”
Filed Dec 19, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 118 reports involved a crash and 6 people were hurt. 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 106 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 102 reports
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 96 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 83 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 78 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 44 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 30 reports