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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2016 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 9 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, spanning 6 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

Distinct campaigns9not VIN-specific
Component groups6distinct top-level categories
Latest recordAugust 20, 2021report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2016 Chevrolet Malibu recall campaigns

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu report contains 9 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 21V649000 dated August 20, 2021.
CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 21V649000

Component
SEAT BELTS
Report received
August 20, 2021
Potential units
402campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

Why it matters: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

Owner notification: September 17, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V400000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
June 14, 2018
Potential units
66campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.

Why it matters: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.

Owner notification: August 7, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
May 31, 2018
Potential units
895campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Why it matters: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Owner notification: July 2, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 16V781000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
October 26, 2016
Potential units
18campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.

Why it matters: If the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16079.

Owner notification: October 27, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Report received
July 5, 2016
Potential units
8,367campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention.".

Why it matters: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Owner notification: October 14, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 16V272000

Component
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Report received
May 5, 2016
Potential units
66campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. 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). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems.".

Why it matters: If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.

Owner notification: June 17, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 16V151000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
March 11, 2016
Potential units
3,137campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection.".

Why it matters: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.

Owner notification: April 14, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 16V125000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
March 2, 2016
Potential units
1,579campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Why it matters: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.

Owner notification: April 14, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 16V084000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
February 11, 2016
Potential units
139campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

Why it matters: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.

Owner notification: March 14, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

The most frequent component groups in 2016 Chevrolet Malibu campaign records are Air Bags (4), Electrical System (2), Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (1), Power Train (1), Fuel System, Gasoline (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Air Bags4
Electrical System2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Power Train1
Fuel System, Gasoline1