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2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 with an automatic 6-spd and front-wheel drive. It starts at $25,020 MSRP and is rated at 30 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway (30 mpg combined).

The Malibu measures 193.8 inches long on a 111.4-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$25,020 ($33,881 *)
MSRP with Destination$25,895 ($35,066 *)
Destination Charge$875
Engine
Engine Type1.5L I4 Turbo
Displacement1.5 L
ValvetrainDual-overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Bore and Stroke74.0 × 86.6
Injection TypeHigh-pressure direct injection with electronic throttle control
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd
Fuel Economy
City27 MPG
Highway36 MPG
Combined30 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded gasoline
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson strut with dual-path mountings, specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (hollow); hydraulic ride bushings
Rear SuspensionFour-link independent rear; hollow stabilizer bar
Brakes
Front Brake DiscFour-wheel disc with ABS and brake pre-fill; vented 11.8 in (300 mm) FNC-treated Duralife rotor
Rear Brake DiscFour-wheel disc with ABS; solid 11.3 in (287 mm) FNC-treated Duralife rotor
Dimensions & Weight
Length193.8 in
Width73 in
Height57.6 in
Wheelbase111.4 in
Front Track62.6 in
Rear Track62.5 in
Interior
Headroom Front40.1 in
Headroom Rear37.5 in
Legroom Front45.3 in
Legroom Rear38.1 in
Shoulder Room Front58.5 in
Shoulder Room Rear57.1 in
Hip Room Front54.1 in
Hip Room Rear53.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (10.2 % risk)
Tested variant: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD

Recalls

9 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet MALIBU. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 20, 2021 · SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V649000

Jun 14, 2018 · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V400000

May 31, 2018 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V358000

Oct 26, 2016 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V781000

Jul 5, 2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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."

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V502000

May 5, 2016 · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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."

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V272000

Mar 11, 2016 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

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."

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V151000

Mar 2, 2016 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V125000

Feb 11, 2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

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."

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V084000

865 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet MALIBU

Owner Complaints

865 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet MALIBU (24 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine312
Electrical System233
Unknown Or Other181
Power Train174
Vehicle Speed Control158
Service Brakes107
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 16, 2026 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 61 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly began idling roughly. The contact stated that a loud noise was heard coming from the…”
Oct 16, 2026 · Unknown Or Other, Service Brakes, Fuel/Propulsion System
“It said service to stabilitrak press the gas and it won't go its delayed..”
Oct 14, 2026 · Engine
“My vacuum pump has failed. Causing extremely dangerous driving conditions and potentially damaging my engine.”
Oct 12, 2026 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“I believe my fuel pump was cracked”
Sep 4, 2026 · Air Bags Crash
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and taking her children to school, there was an abnormally loud banging sound coming from the…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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