WHEN THE CAR GOES INTO THE AUTO STOP MODE IT COMPLETELY DIES AND THE LIGHT. NO DASH LIGHTS, NO DOME LIGHT, NO HAZARD LIGHTS, LITERALLY NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SO FAR, AND ALL THREE TIMES I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I'M NOT HAPPY, I HAVE HAD TROUBLE OUT OF THIS CAR WITH OTHER ISSUES SENSE I GOTTEN IT BACK IN JULY OF 2020
2016 chevrolet Malibu electrical problems
critical 165 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
165
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING 74, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT ON (REGULAR LIGHTS, WARNING LIGHTS, EVERYTHING) IT LASTED ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. DROVE ANOTHER TWO MILES REGAINING SPEED TO 74 AND HEADLIGHTS WENTOUT, ALL LIGHTS IN THE INSIDE (DASHBOARD, RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL), AND I HAD NO POWER AND QUICKLY DROPPED SPEED. THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I…
PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN TO AN ALMOST STOP POSITION. WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET OR ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR DECIDES IT WANTS TO SHUT DOWN. ALL ELECTRICAL REGARDING THE FRONT AND BACK CAMERAS HAVE GONE BLACK.
TAKATA RECALL: I PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE IN 2016. I START HAVING ISSUES 6MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. THE FIRST ONE THAT WAS NEVER RESOLVED: CHECK ENGINE, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO CHEVY WEBB IN LANSIN, IL. THIS CAR HAS STOP ON ME ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ON THE STREET. WHEN REDUCE SPEED COME I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND HOPING I AM NOT ON THE EXPRESS AGAIN. NOW, CHEVY STOP ASSISTING ME WITH…
On December 16, 2025 the check engine light and service stabiltrek warning light appeared on my 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid. On December 17, 2015 I took the car the Capital Cheverolet service dept who has been servicing my car regularly for the past five years. They performed a complete diagnostics on my car that determined I need to "replace the EBCM with brake pressure modulator valve" and said it…
WHEN PUT MY CAR IN PARK, A DISPLAY COMES ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING PUT CAR IN PARK. IT'S NOT RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK AND WON'T SHUT OFF! IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE LASTED BEING 12/19/2020!
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2016 chevrolet Malibu?
It's a serious issue. 165 complaints have been filed, including 4 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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