2016 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 83owner reports
- 45,224median miles
- $621median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
376 of the 837 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 83 of those describe infotainment.
Tick what matches of 83 reports
Infotainment 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. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
Screen complaints read like a list of small betrayals. The display goes black or freezes, the backup camera shows nothing when you shift into reverse, CarPlay or Android Auto keeps dropping, or the radio changes volume on its own. Many owners had a software update that didn't fix it. A narrower sheet covers backup camera failures on their own, and another covers screens that freeze.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head unit or screen (45 reports), the camera (8 reports) and the module (4 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.
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
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Windshield wiper failure. Closed jan 13, 2005.
Windshield wiper. Closed mar 6, 2001, led to recall 01V-068.
Windshield wiper. Closed jul 12, 2000.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
6 of the 83 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,298 and 70,000 miles, from the 58 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 74 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 service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of seeing an intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle is in Park.
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 technical bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of radio display blank, instrument cluster gauges Inoperative or steering stiff conditions.
This informational bulletin provides information on Normal Radio Display Operation ? Display Does Not Remain Off at Times After Being Turned Off in Settings and no parts should be replaced due to this condition.
70 more on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu page.
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
“Warning display on dash reads "Engine power is reduced " and forces and abrupt reduction on vehicle speed, Especially on highway driving on commute. Noticed online multiple similar concerns and complaints. No recall or extended warranty?”
Filed Jan 3, 2024
“When the vehicle is in drive, the display will say "reduced engine power" and will drop the car to 25mph even on the highway. I've almost wrecked from this issue. I've seen where GM has had class actions on this prior but it was never recalled.”
Filed Jul 30, 2022
“Reduced engine power on my display for the 3rd time since I purchased the vehicle. This is ridiculous and needs to be addressed. Good thing it never happened on a highway. This is a safety hazard to people and property. Regards, [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
Filed May 9, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 83 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. 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 118 reports
- 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
- 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