2016 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet
Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on
- 78owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Apr 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
78 of the 837 complaints on this car describe traction control light.
Tick what matches of 78 reports
Traction control light 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: 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
This sheet collects reports of the traction control or stability control light staying on, or a "Service StabiliTrak" style message, often with no obvious reason. Six in ten complaints here mention the traction control light or a warning, and four in ten mention the ABS, the brakes or the check engine light as well.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the wheel speed sensor (12 reports) and the ABS/ESC module (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the stability control covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
All 9 recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 37,000 and 76,000 miles, from the 65 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice 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 informational bulletin provides information on Some vehicles may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
What owners wrote
No report on this problem is short enough to quote in full.
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 78 reports involved a crash and 2 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
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
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 83 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 44 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 30 reports