2016 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 834 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu overview page.
What owners report
“AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT FAILURE/ SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK WHEN STATIONARY 2016 BRAKE LINE DETERIORATION, BRAKE FAIL WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION FALL 2017 MAY…”NHTSA complaint 11092564 — filed 05/08/2018
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGES "CRITICAL ENGINE", "TRANSMISSION FAILURE", AND AN ANTILOCK BRAKING MESSAGE APPEARED. IN ADDITION…”NHTSA complaint 11084954 — filed 04/13/2018
“THIS CAR TOTALLY CUT OFF ON ME (STALLED, ALL POWER EVERYTHING SHUT OFF) MORE THAN ONCE WITHIN AN HOUR WHILE DRIVING, AT LEAST 30MPH ON…”NHTSA complaint 11074349 — filed 02/22/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu: 162 of 834 complaints on file (19.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have in total?
834 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 22 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 14 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
