2016 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet
Water leaks into the cabin
- 30owner reports
- 40,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 8, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
268 of the 837 complaints on this car are about the structure. 30 of those describe water leak.
Tick what matches of 30 reports
Water leak on other Malibu years
No other Malibu model year has enough reports of water leak for a sheet of its own. See every Malibu year.
What this problem usually is
These owners find water where it shouldn't be: a soaked carpet, a wet footwell, water pooling in the cargo area, and often a musty smell before they find the source. The smell is the most common thread, mentioned in more than four in ten of these complaints.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the carpet (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the structure 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 structure on the Malibu
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 36,000 and 61,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 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 advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse, and/or water leaks.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of finding a water leak in the rear compartment.
N192210570 Special Coverage Adjustment . Certain vehicles there may be a water leak through the center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL).
5 more on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu page.
What owners wrote
“Water leaking and running into spare tire compartment in truck. Due to no recall alert and dealership won't do anything, now my dome light shorts out and water stain on ceiling liner by rear window.”
Filed Aug 8, 2025
“Water has been leaking into my car from the roof and onto my seats. Today I discovered that I have black mold under my headliner. So water is somehow leaking through and had been for some time.”
Filed Sep 28, 2023
“The 3rd brake light broke(high mount stop lamp) which caused water leakage into the trunk and filled the compartment where the spare tire goes.”
Filed Jun 2, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 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
- 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