The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 9 official safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu in AutoUtility's current federal dataset. The primary affected vehicle systems include Air Bags & Restraints, Electrical System, Visibility, Wipers & Glass.

Key Recall Findings
  • Official Recall Campaigns: 9 campaigns on file with NHTSA
  • Primary Affected Subsystems: Air Bags & Restraints, Electrical System, Visibility, Wipers & Glass
  • Official Remedy: Detailed per campaign in official NHTSA records below
  • Most Recent NHTSA Report: August 20, 2021
VIN-Specific Notice: Safety recall campaigns apply to specific production date ranges and vehicle identification numbers (VINs). A campaign listing on this model-year page does not establish that every vehicle or trim is affected. Check your 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov or with an authorized dealer to verify whether a safety repair is needed.
Official Recall Campaigns
9
Listed in current NHTSA data
Affected System Areas
5
Broad component categories
Latest NHTSA Filing
August 20, 2021
Most recent campaign report
VIN Verification
Required
Exact applicability depends on VIN

Vehicle Systems Involved in Recalls for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Distribution of official safety recall campaigns across automotive subsystem domains

Vehicle Subsystem 5 campaigns

Air Bags & Restraints

NHTSA records also contain 25 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 2 campaigns

Electrical System

NHTSA records also contain 233 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 2 campaigns

Visibility, Wipers & Glass

NHTSA records also contain 15 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 1 campaign

Brakes & Traction Control

NHTSA records also contain 171 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Vehicle Subsystem 1 campaign

Fuel & Propulsion System

NHTSA records also contain 54 consumer complaint filings involving this same system. View Complaints →
Domain Mapping Methodology: A single NHTSA recall campaign may involve more than one vehicle subsystem (such as electrical wiring affecting fuel delivery), so domain totals can exceed the total number of unique recall campaigns. Complaint and recall counts are grouped by broad vehicle system; component co-occurrence does not establish that an individual owner complaint is related to a specific recall campaign.

Official NHTSA Recall Campaigns (9)

Complete safety campaign filings including defect descriptions, safety hazards, and free dealer remedies

NHTSA Campaign #21V649000 Air Bags & Restraints
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
NHTSA Report Date: August 20, 2021
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

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

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #18V400000 Air Bags & Restraints
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
NHTSA Report Date: June 14, 2018
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

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

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #18V358000 Fuel & Propulsion System
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
NHTSA Report Date: May 31, 2018
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V781000 Air Bags & RestraintsVisibility, Wipers & Glass
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
NHTSA Report Date: October 26, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / 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.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V502000 Electrical System
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NHTSA Report Date: July 5, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

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."

Safety Risk / Consequence:

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

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V272000 Brakes & Traction Control
Affected Component: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
NHTSA Report Date: May 5, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

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."

Safety Risk / 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.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V151000 Air Bags & RestraintsVisibility, Wipers & Glass
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
NHTSA Report Date: March 11, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

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."

Safety Risk / Consequence:

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

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V125000 Air Bags & Restraints
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NHTSA Report Date: March 2, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence:

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #16V084000 Electrical System
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
NHTSA Report Date: February 11, 2016
Safety Defect Summary:

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."

Safety Risk / Consequence:

An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

Authorized Remedy Instructions:

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.

Manufacturer & NHTSA Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Source Data Notice: Campaign summaries, safety consequences, and remedy descriptions are direct text extracts published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation.

Recall History for Chevrolet Malibu

Official safety recall campaign volume across sibling model years (2015–2025)

Model Year NHTSA Recalls NHTSA Complaints Detailed Report
2015 Chevrolet Malibu 3 270 View 2015 Recalls →
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Current Page 9 859 Current
2017 Chevrolet Malibu 4 722 View 2017 Recalls →
2018 Chevrolet Malibu 6 694 View 2018 Recalls →
2019 Chevrolet Malibu 1 188 View 2019 Recalls →
2020 Chevrolet Malibu 1 195 View 2020 Recalls →
2021 Chevrolet Malibu 2 87 View 2021 Recalls →
2022 Chevrolet Malibu 1 91 View 2022 Recalls →
2023 Chevrolet Malibu 2 65 View 2023 Recalls →
2024 Chevrolet Malibu 2 37 View 2024 Recalls →
2025 Chevrolet Malibu 1 10 View 2025 Recalls →
Historical Reporting Note: Recall campaign counts are shown by model year and should not be interpreted as a vehicle reliability score. Campaigns may cover multiple model years, and newer model years naturally have had less calendar exposure time for new safety campaigns to be issued.

VIN-Specific Recall Verification

How to confirm whether an individual vehicle requires an authorized safety repair

Safety recall campaigns on this page are associated with this make, model, and model year in NHTSA federal records. A campaign may apply only to certain vehicles based on production date, equipment, manufacturing details, or other campaign-specific criteria.

AutoUtility cannot determine whether a particular VIN is affected or whether a recall remedy has already been completed.

For vehicle-specific recall status, check the 17-digit VIN using NHTSA's official recall lookup or contact an authorized dealer. Campaign-specific remedy information shown above is reproduced from official NHTSA recall records.

Official NHTSA Safety Resources: NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 711)
Official US Government Data Provenance

Recall records published on this page are retrieved directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Recalls Database.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.