2016 Chevrolet Malibu driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V272000May 5, 201666 vehicles
  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."

  Risk: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 28, 2026144,000 miTNCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 55 MPH in a rain storm and making a right turn, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights had illuminated, and the driver suddenly lost control of the steering and crashed into a tree. During the incident the driver sustained a concussion and neck and shoulder injuries which later required medical treatment. No police report was filed. The vehicle was later towed to the local…

   NHTSA complaint #11734304 · source
2. Filed Jun 22, 2025FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   When I put the car in park and try to turn the car off the Shift Park message comes on preventing me from cutting the car completely off. I put in back in drive or reverse then back in park it still dings and shows the message. I takes a number of repeating these steps for it to stop and turn off and this is happening every time I'm trying to turn the car off.

   NHTSA complaint #11668474 · source
3. Filed Apr 4, 2025120,000 miKSDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal made an abnormal grinding sound and became stiff. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband replaced the brake sensor; however, the failure recurred several days later. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11652737 · source
4. Filed Apr 1, 2024120,000 miGATowedDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the stability control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced and the engine needed to be deep cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. On another occasion, while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light flashing. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11580375 · source
5. Filed Jul 12, 202364,000 miCABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact's client owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his client was driving at an undisclosed speed, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle vibrated briefly and failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. The ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V272000 (Electronic…

   NHTSA complaint #11531797 · source
6. Filed May 2, 2023NCCrashBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   -Braking system failed and is available upon request. - My safety, my family’s safety, and other parties on the road were affected as well. -Not confirmed by a dealer but multiple people have had this same issue and experience. -the components were inspected by police, dealerships, OnStar, and collision center. -no lights or indications of brake problems

   NHTSA complaint #11519939 · source
7. Filed Mar 9, 2022ILDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Seem to be a common problem... Backup camera stops working. Creates a safety problem at Busy shopping centers. GM will not cover the repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11455945 · source
8. Filed Jul 6, 202190,000 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that the brakes would not engage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the abs warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where it…

   NHTSA complaint #11423558 · source
9. Filed Apr 30, 202193,315 miTXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechSuspension

   Service stabilitrak and abs. It previously happened last year and the vehicle was in park. Since it's been happening when vehicle is at a slow crawl or in reverse. Sometimes the light will come on however the just of the times, when braking, the car will grind and stutter when braking

   NHTSA complaint #11414666 · source
10. Filed Apr 3, 2021GADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemLighting

    The headlights constant comes on and blinks on and off and when this happens it unlocks the drivers side door i have been sitting in the car with the engine off and can hear the flickering of the lock just the other day i locked the door manually it unlocked by itself this happened several times before it actually lock.i have had to lock the doors manually for some time now. Back in october 2020 it was killing my battery causing me to have to get a boost constantly took it…

    NHTSA complaint #11406255 · source
11. Filed Mar 3, 2021TNDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    "service park assist system" always comes back no matter how many times i've taken it to a chevy dealer! No known fix - straight from gm there isn't any known fix. They thought it's when you use remote start ... Well i didn't use the remote start after chevy "reprogrammed" the car and the message came back and i cannot use the park assist system plus why have a feature that cannot be used. Car is below 50,000 miles and very lightly driven - the average speed according to the…

    NHTSA complaint #11398853 · source
12. Filed Nov 3, 202097,347 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    While on my way to work mon morning for the 5 or 6 time the energy reduction light came on im the middle of the highway almost causes me to get rear ended in the road i quickly turned my emergency lights on to keep from being hit pulled over on the side of the highway turned the vehicle off and called the dealership they tell me its a recall on the vehicles theres nothing they can do for me to contact the gmc dealerships i pay almost 500 on car payments to be experiencing…

    NHTSA complaint #11372801 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology