RoadVitals

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Jun 16, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
46%
of 24 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 16, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission was in park(P). The contact had to manipulate and maneuver the gear shifter several times before the vehicle recognized that the gear shifter was in park(P). The message to "Shift-to Park" was illuminated. While receiving a routine oil change, the vehicle failed to start. The mechanic charged the battery; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was inspected, and it was determined that the was experiencing the "Shift to Park" failure. The contact found information of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train); and linked the failure to the recall. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ID
11667071
Incident
Jun 16, 2024
Mileage
72,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 12, 2025

Stability track warning randomly appears while driving and spontaneously causes total brake failure and the brakes fail to slow or stop vehicle. It has newer brakes but it’s very dangerous to drive. Currently being sent to Chevrolet dealership

NHTSA ID
11666586
Incident
Jun 10, 2025
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 10, 2025

The check engine light came on and we brought it to the shop where they said the code is for the electronic brake system modulator. It is also causing the ABS to malfunction and be hypersensitive. There is a recall for the same make/model/year of vehicle, except the month before her car was manufactured. I believe this is a safety issue that needs to be looked into and that her car should also be a part of this recall. We purchased the car in mid November and the engine light showed up a couple weeks later. I contacted GM who said to contact this site to request further investigation for safety risks.

NHTSA ID
11635349
Incident
Dec 11, 2024
Electrical
Filed Aug 26, 2024

There’s a warning on the display that says ‘shift to park’ while the vehicle is already in park. This is causing the battery to drain/die and needs jumpstart everyday. Battery was tested and does not need to be replaced. I’m surprised this hasn’t been recalled yet. Online search ‘Chevy Malibu shift to park’ shows this is a common problem. Here’s a YouTube link that includes comments to prove this further. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11611028
Incident
Jul 15, 2024
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 24, 2022

I was driving my car home from work and all of a sudden my car starting showing in the dash engine power reduced. My car literally couldn't go anywhere. So I pulled over and shut the car off for a minute started it back up and it was running great and then I happen again a few minutes later. So I took it to the dealership were i purchsed it and they replaced the gas pedal they said a sensor was bad and that was causing the problem.So picked up the car a couple days later and it happen again about two weeks later...

NHTSA ID
11458179
Incident
Jan 13, 2022
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 24, 2022

May car loses power when acceleration I don't why but there is something going on

NHTSA ID
11458124
Incident
Feb 3, 2022
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, electrical system, power steering, and battery warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle proceeded to decelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The battery saver warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the radio and an electrical failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V084000 (Electrical System) or 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 49,000.

NHTSA ID
11435131
Incident
Aug 26, 2021
Mileage
49,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 28, 2021

Car will randomly stall. I see GM recalled 500+ Malibu Hybrids for this problem, but mine is not one of them. This is the worst car I have ever owned.

NHTSA ID
11430832
Incident
Aug 27, 2021
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 11, 2019

ON JUNE 30, 2019, I WAS DRIVING MY CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID HOME ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNED ON AND A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAID 'SHIFT TO PARK'. I COASTED TO THE NEXT EXIT AND STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF A STREET. I PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON AND SHIFTED TO PARK. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK THE ENGINE. I CALLED AAA AND AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNED OFF. I TRIED AGAIN TO START THE CAR AND IT TURNED ON. I CANCELED AAA AND DROVE THE CAR HOME. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, I DECIDED TO SCAN THE TROUBLE CODES IN THE CAR WITH MY CODE SCANNER. THE REPORT SAID FOUR CONFIRMED TROUBLE CODES, NO PERMANENT TROUBLE CODES, NO PENDING TROUBLE CODES, NO BODY CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES, 1 TELEMATICS TROUBLE CODES, NO HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE MODULE TROUBLE CODES, AND FOUR ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES. I SAVED THE REPORT AND RESET THE TROUBLE CODES. COPY OF THE REPORT ATTACHED. THEN ON JULY 2, 2019, I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WITH THE SAME MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON AND SHIFTED TO PARK. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT DID START AND I DROVE IT HOME. NEXT DAY I SCANNED THE TROUBLE CODES AGAIN. THE REPORT SAID NO CONFIRMED TROUBLE CODES, NO PERMANENT TROUBLE CODES, NO PENDING TROUBLE CODES, 2 BODY CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES, 3 FRONT CAMERA ACTIVE SAFETY TROUBLE CODES, 3 TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES, AND 1 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE TROUBLE CODES. I SAVED THE REPORT, COPY ATTACHED. NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR TROUBLE SHOOTING, AND REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
11243134
Incident
Aug 2, 2019
Mileage
13,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2018

DRIVING HOME, TURNED OFF HIGHWAY, CAR STOPPED A FEW FEET ONTO SIDE ROAD--NO BRAKES, STEERING, NOTHING. THE ICON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND STAYED ON.(MANUAL SAYS IT IS THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP.) TURNED CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE. NO LUCK.; CALLED FOR A TOW. WAITED ALMOST 2 HOURS. TOWED HOME. THIS WAS IN THE EVENING. PRESENTLY WAITING FOR ANOTHER TOW TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THE FOLLOWING DAY IN THE AFTERNOON.

NHTSA ID
11088391
Incident
Apr 15, 2018
Mileage
30,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM MAY HAVE POSSIBLY FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS WERE FLASHED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE SENSORS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10958850
Incident
Feb 26, 2017
Mileage
9,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .