Chevy Malibu 9th Gen 2016-2022 common problems, issues, defects, recalls and complaints 

They should have done a recall for the Shift To Park issue

These cars out here causing trauma and anxiety 😩

I have a 2016 malibu 160k miles.and so far no problems... hope keep going ok for a while. 🤔🤔

i own a 2017, was dealing with the shift to park issue- now im dealing with the i-was-rear-ended-and-now-it’s-totaled issue

Just like they say in Fight Club, automotive industry knows about these problems but doesn't do anything to remedy their issues

Yep, dealing with the shift to park issue, also had to replace the accelerator thing. Experienced the lost of power while on the highway

Currently renting a 2021 with the CVT, 15K miles. It's developed a metallic chirping sound at speed in gear. It goes away in neutral and quiets down when I pull lightly on the shift lever.

U just helped my whole life suffering from engine reduce now

Thanks needed this

The worst of problems with mine was a failure of the PCV (positive crankcase valve). The PCV used to be a cheap $15 item that you could plug and unplug in the valve cover. It is now built into the valve cover and is non-replaceable. When it fails, a new $1500 valve cover is required. The fuel injectors also have to be reworked. With labor, expect $2500 plus. 57,000 miles. Totally incompetent engineering. Totally crass disregard for the people that have purchased the vehicle. I have also gone through several gas pedals and a catalytic heater heat exchanger. $1600 and the only thing wrong was a $20 solenoid valve controlling water flow through it failed. Only sold as a $900 assembly. No longer have any loyalty to GM.

Thanks so much

I literally had four of these issues with both of my Malibus, also I think you should mention the trunk latch.

I have 2017 malibu that bought brand new. Have been complaining of hesitation and lack of power since the day I bought it. Was told "since there's no cel, there's no problem" and that "its just a 4 cylinder engine not race car". Just hit 77k miles. shifter has been replaced 3 times for the same problem. Fuel pump replaced, pcv valve contraption replaced and it caused both upper and lower oil pan gaskets to blow out. Had a cel when I went to pick it up and was told the update didn't take (whatever that means). Hasn't driven right since. Get miscellaneous flashing cel's but never stays on and the dealer keeps telling me that there's no stored codes so it's basically all in my head... over all worse experience I've ever had with a brand new car or service. Let's not get into all suspension and transmission issues I've had... literally a tech tell the that the burning oil smell that still pumps into the cabin is just condensation from the a/c... WTF

Also on the 2016 model, there's NO trunk access if the vehicle loses electricity and battery charge completely. You can't pull down the back seat and there's no key hole access from the outside. If your jumper cables are in the trunk, they're as good as locked in a metal safe.

My 2020 malibu 2.0t premier just started accelerating on its own last night that’s why I am here. It’s still on warranty and Chevy took it to the dealership. I honestly don’t want it back it terrorized me

I thought my 2016 VW Jetta was a problem. I was think about trading it for a Malibu. Reading these post has changed my mind. I'm keeping my VW Jetta.

“Low fuel” and a check engine light got me here

Experience this with my 2018 LT my brakes got hard to push while driving and my engine refuse to turn over

I had a 2016 Malibu LT with the 1.4L Turbo engine and BOY was it a NIGHTMARE!! 1.) I had the shift to park issue from day one and LUCKILY the Toyota dealership I bought it from paid for it to be fixed.. (though with some hoops to jump through) 2.) The electronics were constantly an issue. From the car not detecting the key fob (even with multiple battery replacements), the infotainment screen freezing and sometimes going black without any way to reset it, the instrument cluster going black as well as the speakers not working so I just had to hope my turn signals were working as I couldn’t visually or audibly detect them, to the usb ports and wireless charger not working properly at times. 3.) The water leaking problem was horrible. The rear passenger side roof liner was soaked and stained constantly from anytime it rained or snowed or went through a car wash. The last time I went through a car wash I immediately went to the grocery store after and when I came back to my car I could barely drive it home because the water must have made its way to the shark-fin antenna and shorted it causing the onstar in my car to go haywire. It was contacting onstar and then hanging up and so forth the entire drive home so I couldn’t use the buttons or infotainment screen the entire time and just kept blasting the onstar sound on and off. 4.) The worst thing of all was the god awful engine problem I ran into as well as the transmission, but mainly the engine. For a few months I was constantly feeling this weird engine sensation, kind of like you don’t know what’s happening but you know SOMETHING isn’t right because you’ve not felt it up until that point. I got oil changes every 5k miles as most of my driving was highway and I even replaced the engine air filter and the mass air flow sensor twice thinking it was that causing my issues…. Come to find out I HAD LITTLE TO NO OIL IN MY CAR WHATSOEVER THAT ENTIRE TIME!!! I have absolutely ZERO IDEA how it didn’t blow up in my face from literally little to no oil at all but once I added oil it seemed to go back to normal. I then came to find out the was a service bulletin from Chevy explaining how they were aware of a manufacturing problem causing excessive oil leakage to flow from the engine into the turbo and cause it to burn more quickly which is why I never suspected an oil problem as I always kept up on it and never saw oil leaks on the ground. There were many more problems but I’m just saying… NEVER BUY ANY GM PRODUCT EVER!!! I knew in the back of my mind I was dumb for buying one in the first place but boy was I given the run a round with that vehicle. I’ve never felt so stressed to get in my car and actually use it every single time like I did with that car…. Especially coming from a flawless 2006 Honda accord v6 LMAO! Now I’m a happy Mazda owner :)

Vaccum Pump constantly goes out I had to change mine every single year and is a 750- 1k repair every time.

Do you know the exact size of hardware to fix the leaking 3rd break light?

Definitely experiencing some of these issues with my 2016…. After dealing with Chevy for over a month they refused to service my car which was under warranty due to me not saving my oil change receipts….. highly disappointed in the quality and service at the dealerships especially with these being known and common problems! and the paint condition after a few years is absolutely horrible. A car I once loved I am now embarrassed to drive

This car is a beautiful piece of shxt 😂. My ex had it once and then I was recently gifted the same year car. It literally has the same exact issues!! I’m getting ready to trade it in now.

I own a 2016 Malibu LT and ive had a few of these issues but the biggest one i have is weird. Since i move from west coast to east coast my car act completely different. Only during the summer do I have issues if I drive it more than 30 minutes and its extremely hot and humid out, i go to give it gas. And it just sits there waiting for me. And it suck it i am at a stop light or any type of hills im in big trouble. I gotta plan my route so that I don't get caught in a bad situation. I took it into the dealership and they couldn't figure out the issue and said bring it back when it does it again. I didn't have this issue back in washington, which the weather is way different. I have no idea!

What about the alarm going off all the time after driving it

Smh I had mines for three years and had at least 4 of these issues! In shop now from brake booster going out on interstate, almost crashed and died ! In shop now , brake light up top came loose. Also notice weak power on acceleration sometimes.

I have a 2016 Malibu LS and over the last year it's starting to have all kinds of issues tire pressure sensors old and new not working right, auto start/stop not working right, car shuts off completely no power or anything dead in the water, replaced battery 6 months ago and still have issues, I put the vehicle in park but dash still says "put vehicle in park" and so on and so on...I just wanna scream sometimes. 🙄 I bought this car pre-owned from a dealership in Augusta, GA in 2018 and I've taken care of it like a baby. It only has 31,000 miles on it, but it shouldn't be having all these issues...this is turning out to be the worst car I've ever bought.

I have an Chevy Malibu 2019 I had transmission problems,Brake vacuum pump went out, and now it reads manufacturer control these cars are discontinued and needs to be an recall.

My steering wheel feels stiff when I’m driving but loose when I’m going slow? Should I be worried

I have a 2016, if your car enters into limp mode one more thing to check is the battery, that will also cause the problem. For some reason my car goes thru a battery every 2 years or less. Also some of them have a crappy design or cv joints I have this design and within a year I got mine replaced 3 times untill I got a good set.

I have a 19 Malibu and have had a majority of these problems 😐

I have a 2015 and I'm experiencing this problem. I dont know why there is no recall on this year.

Having a prob wit my 02 censor, they said I have to bring it in to get blown out...

I had the 3rd bake light issue and the gas Gauge issue on my 2018 and also the active noise canceling issue when you step on the brake a rumble sound comes through tge speakers

I have a 2017...6 months in 1st service; Dealer reprogrammed engine computer: No reason given...Then the fun starts...3 times I had to use the key to open door...12 times in seat but "No Remote Detected" fixed by placing remote fob in center storage holder...Hundreds of times "Shift to Park"...Dealer: No problem found, but I found a work around, simply sit in seat & wait for computer to reset: Shortest time 10 seconds...Longest time ~ 3 minutes...Center brake light leaked water into trunk; Dealer replaced complete assembly...After 3 years windshield washer fluid tank cracked; Dealer wanted $500 labor & $200 part; I stated NO...Throttle body assembly needed cleaning @ 30k & 60k; both times was billed...2 years ago a P1101 code: MAP sensor replaced + service = $600...Latest service by the manual @ 82k = $200...At this point I can only imagine what the big important items are going to cost...but when the time comes that this Lemon dries up I will have no problem test driving a Toyota Camry...!

2020 malibu RS. At the dealer waiting for a new piston and fuel injector. Issues with acceleration with engine light, ASC service code and traction control light flashing, resulting in non working cruise control only after I shut car off to “reset” it. It’s getting fixed under warranty but I don’t know if we should trade it in!!

another problem is ice and sludge in the intercooler and turbo control solenoid. nothing worse than a 2 month old car failing at -39 on a dark morning at 5AM 20 miles from anywhere. Now picture the dealer not being able to fix this for 6 times now.

But how to fix the reduced engine power?? My car won’t start and they said it’s an electrical issue

Came to a stop and the car started stuttering and shut off on me 🤦🏻‍♂️

My pistons cracked at 20k miles. Absolute bullshit. Spent 3 days arguing with them about that. 20k miles are you joking 2017 Chevy Malibu 1.5L

Replaced my vacuum pump, throttle body needed cleaned completed, water leaks in and into my truck. Definitely not good lol

I have a 2017. I now have low compression cylinders. 123.🤷🏻‍♂️

I don't understand why GMC don't have a recall on all these problems ... Due to water getting in my trunk it won't open ... Little problems but things that cost alot

I have a 2014 Malibu with 200k miles and I just recently ran into a problem where when I crank it up it’ll go from park to manual “ it dosnt shift nor do I shift it” the light indicator changes on the center consol. Another problem that came with this is I caint put it into drive until it kicks itself back into park and shows that it’s in park. Also when I’m driving the same little light will randomly switch from d(drive) into M(manual). And I have put so many hours into trying to find out why or how to fix it, but apparently no one else has made a video, post, nor a arrival about how to fix this. And the Chevy place charges 100 just to inspect it and find the problem and I don’t want that. But it’s looking like my last resort

More then 10 problem . It has a 1000 problems trust me

Have the 2017Malibu Lt it has only 31k miles on it and so far only one issue. The MyLink touch screen went completely black and won't come on. Radio still works through the steering wheel controls fine. I'm trying to figure out how to get the screen to power back on or reset. Tried to disconnect the battery 5mins-2hrs and nothing. Done the open/close the door thing Google says and still nothing. Going to try the fuse tomorrow. Anyone else have this issue and know how to fix it??

My 2016 had major hesitation at lights excellerating it was tourqe conveter. It had no codes that made it so strange to two Mechanic's demmed car unsafe to drive. I to car to Chevy they found the problem tourqe conveter

My biggest regret purchase. My 2020 Malibu I’ve only had for 1 year in the shop rn for check valve cracking off somehow and now I need a new motor… not to mention when I got it at first, had to get The whole transmission replaced since it would severely lack when shifting to drive from reverse. Down with GM

Is any one getting an message about steering assist reduced ??

I have two of those problems shift to Park sensor in my 2018 Chevy Malibu is acting up and the same thing on the top pieces where the brake light is so I put duct tape black waterproof duct tape over it and cut around the edges so it fits they want $800 to fix that and I will not pay 8:00 tape is working fine for now cost me $7 and I keep taping it I know it's a cheap way but it works now the problem I have is the passenger side door will not lock it just started this week all of the locks are red except the passenger I even tried to reset it it goes back to it and then said presents itself again anybody know about this problem

My windows goes half way up then goes back down my seat won't go back but goes to front

I will never purchase a chevy malibu again nothing but problems with those cars ..

Onstar defect and Russian hackers. Sure is possible with navsat intrusions.

What is wrong with GM

How can they sell cars with so many problems? I’m going through it right now with my 2016 Malibu

2016 malibu has low power on hills and on level at times

why not just recall this car all together ugh its a headache, if anyone has the valve cover torq specs for the 2016 ..1.5... let me know please, had the brake fuel pump brake off into the camshaft area, luckly it didnt cause to much damage i can see so far.. $300 in so far with repairs

Malibu 2017 engine reduce power massage and cuts off,p0017:00 what could be reason

i am mad i just purchased this car only had it for a week and i no longer have it it broke down out of no where

My driver side door won’t lock. Anybody have this same problem???

Still want the 2019 😭 cause im a broke college student that wants to own my car

My ecs just came on..and i got a 2021...smh

Dealing with the Shift to Park error as we speak. 🥲

Yeah im having acceleration issue

I have problems whit the trunk Sometimes open and sometimes not Any idea?

I bought a 2017 malibu, and I've had nothing but problems with it. I'll never buy a chevy again!

My 2019 is giving me hell.

2017 Chevy Malibu 79,000 miles went into limp mode and now won’t start cranks over but sounds like the starter stuck 🤷🏻‍♂️

Number ten 🤦🏾‍♂️

Ok so what are the causes to problem #8 the incorrect fuel gauge reading? You didn't talk about that one.

Why do they not just put the 2.0 engine in all the cars to fix the engine problem

They need to do a recall on the whole car😂. I'm having issues with the brake booster. They want to charge me a female $2600.00 for a new one.

I don’t understand how I’ve had 3 BRAND NEW and all gave me issues! I think that’s why the stop making Malibu’s any after 2013 HAVE ISSUES!!!!!!!! What wrong GMC🤬

2017 has a stabilitrack problem

Have been dealing with the park issue. Now dealing with stalling and gas leak smell. Will update this post later. For now, do not buy these cars. Went from a Cruze to a Malibu and have lost all faith in Chevy.

Also u get played in 2016 malibu they don't have a freaking dip stick for transmission fluid which means u got 2 bring it 2 dealership money vulchers Fk Chevy this my last encounter with they azz to many problems I encountered with this vehicle since I had it...😢

Why do these American automakers keep building junk? Because you keep paying for it. Simple as that don't be fooled by how something looks. God bless Toyota Motors 💪

One thing for sure America can't build a good car for anything but they sure can build good bombs and guns 🙄.

28k 2023 turbo dead😡🤬

I'm living in north Iraq but sorry to say Shits vehicle

Total vehicle failure

So basically the cars are trash

Malibu’s are the worst. I regret purchasing. If it’s not one thing it’s another. Pls stay away!