Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 837 of 837 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 507 of 837 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
304 complaint records1 fire report5 crash reports
"URGENT Complaint: NO RESPONSE to Demand for Rescission - Odometer Fraud, Deceptive Practices - Banner Ford of Monroe, LA..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Electrical system
223 complaint records4 crash reports
"URGENT Complaint: NO RESPONSE to Demand for Rescission - Odometer Fraud, Deceptive Practices - Banner Ford of Monroe, LA..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Power train
166 complaint records3 crash reports
"WHEN SHIFTING TO PARK THE CAR DOESN'T KNOW IT'S ACTUALLY ON PARK AND AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF IT DISPLAYS THE MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK'..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V649000 | Seat Belts | 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. | Normally free |
| 18V400000 | Air Bags | 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. | Normally free |
| 18V358000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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... | Normally free |
| 16V781000 | Air Bags | 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. | Normally free |
| 16V502000 | Power Train | 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. | Normally free |
| 16V272000 | 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. | Normally free |
| 16V151000 | Air Bags | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. | Normally free |
| 16V125000 | Air Bags | 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,... | Normally free |
Show 1 more recall campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V084000 | Electrical System | Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021522 2021-08-20 | Seats And Restraints | 24 | Issue: On certain vehicles, a bolt that attaches the rear seat belt retractor(s) may be missing. As a result, the seat belt may not work as designed in a crash. Note: On Chevrolet Malibu models, the right rear seat belt could be affected. |
| 2019420 2019-08-21 | Other | 5,327 | Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. |
| 2018322 2018-06-15 | Airbag | 4 | On certain vehicles that had the front passenger presence system (PPS) replaced, the replacement parts may have been incorrectly calibrated. |
| 2016351 2016-07-07 | High Voltage | 33 | On certain hybrid vehicles, the manual service disconnect (MSD) may not have been properly installed and may not be locked in position. |
| 2016341 2016-06-30 | Powertrain | 1,419 | Certain vehicles may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 114 - Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention. |
Show 3 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016199 2016-05-05 | Brakes | 56 | Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 126 - Electronic Stability Control Systems. |
| 2016116 2016-03-11 | Structure | 105 | Certain vehicles may not comply with the side impact protection requirements of United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 214, which is voluntarily-adopted in Canada. |
| 2016102 2016-03-02 | Airbag | 161 | On certain vehicles, the second stage of the driver frontal airbag may not deploy properly in certain high speed crashes. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIT5698F Sep 2026 | Unknown Or Other | This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it. | |
| PIP4902W Sep 2026 | Unknown Or Other | This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance. | |
| PIT5099J Jul 2026 | Unknown Or Other | PI to help diagnose A/C concern | |
| PIP6113 May 2026 | Unknown Or Other | This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. | |
| PIT3271Q Apr 2026 | Unknown Or Other | This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIP4902V Mar 2026 | Unknown Or Other | This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance. | |
| PIP6104 Mar 2026 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect. | |
| PIP4902U Jan 2026 | Unknown Or Other | This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance. | |
| PIT5214G Nov 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical... | |
| 13598 Sep 2025 | Unknown Or Other | New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH | |
| PIP4902T Aug 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance. | |
| PIC5650M Aug 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. | |
| PIP4902S Jun 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance. | |
| 25-NA-156 Jun 2025 | Wheels | This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities. | |
| 00-06-01-026R Jun 2025 | Engine | This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage. | |
| PIT5074R May 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. | |
| 23-NA-153 May 2025 | Engine | The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay. | |
| 15-NA-010 May 2025 | Engine | This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states. | |
| PI0281L Apr 2025 | Steering | This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. | |
| PIT5551R Apr 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary information communicates a "Forward Collision System Reduced" message displayed on the DIC when the Forward Automatic Braking has been set to the "Alert" setting. This is normal when the FAB has been set to "Alert". | |
| 18-NA-069 Apr 2025 | Electrical System | This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct conditions of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely cold weather conditions, CAC Icing, MIL Illuminated with DTCs set. | |
| 07-00-89-037W Apr 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs. | |
| 25-NA-087 Apr 2025 | Electrical System | This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs. | |
| 13-08-116-001K Mar 2025 | Electrical System | The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them. | |
| 25-NA-052 Mar 2025 | Engine | This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system. | |
| 25-NA-065 Mar 2025 | Steering | This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis. | |
| 24-NA-098 Mar 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information. | |
| 08-03-10-006I Mar 2025 | Wheels | This service bulletin provides a procedure on how to clean and resurface aluminum wheel bead seats for vehicles that have the condition of Tire Slowly Goes Flat, Tire Air Loss, Low Tire Pressure Warning Light Illuminated, Aluminum Wheel Bead Seat Corrosion. | |
| 15-06-03-001F Mar 2025 | Electrical System | This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries. | |
| 17-NA-073 Mar 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy. | |
| PIT5994A Feb 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor. | |
| 05-03-07-009L Feb 2025 | Suspension | This service bulletin provides information on Wheel Alignment Specifications, Requirements and Recommendations for GM Vehicles. | |
| 11-00-89-005Y Feb 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This Warranty Administration bulletin provides information on Dealer Empowerment for Goodwill, Customer Enthusiasm and Policy (U.S. Only). | |
| PIP5358D Feb 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. | |
| 05-08-51-001L Feb 2025 | Structure | This informational bulletin provides a procedure on how to remove the paint stain that may present itself under the shipping film. | |
| PIT5551Q Feb 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary information communicates a "Forward Collision System Reduced" message displayed on the DIC when the Forward Automatic Braking has been set to the "Alert" setting. This is normal when the FAB has been set to "Alert". | |
| 16-NA-109 Feb 2025 | Steering | This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear. | |
| 07-00-89-037V Feb 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs. | |
| 10-08-110-001L Jan 2025 | Structure | This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats. | |
| 21-NA-043 Jan 2025 | Electrical System | This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer. | |
| 22-NA-074 Jan 2025 | Engine | This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system. | |
| 01-08-42-001Q Jan 2025 | Exterior Lighting | This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and Replacement Guidelines. | |
| 09-06-04-026Z Jan 2025 | Power Train | This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2. | |
| 20-NA-132 Jan 2025 | Electrical System | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements. | |
| 07-00-89-037U Jan 2025 | Unknown Or Other | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs. | |
| 18-NA-263 Dec 2024 | Unknown Or Other | This warranty administration bulletin provide policy information for variable diagnostic time allowances on select labor operations (U.S. Only). | |
| PIT5074Q Dec 2024 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. | |
| PIT5962B Dec 2024 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses. | |
| PIT6261 Dec 2024 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary information communicates to dealers GM is working on a solution for outdated Apps | |
| 08-07-30-035I Nov 2024 | Power Train | This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid. | |
| 19-NA-219 Nov 2024 | Engine | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. | |
| 21-NA-043 Nov 2024 | Structure | This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer. | |
| 04-06-01-029K Oct 2024 | Steering | This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules. | |
| PIP4723J Oct 2024 | Electrical System | This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving... | |
| PIT5698E Oct 2024 | Electrical System | This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus. | |
| PIT5569C Oct 2024 | Electrical System | This Preliminary information communicates direction and examples when diagnosing multiple DTCs, one of which includes U**** Byte 71 DTC. | |
| PIP6015 Oct 2024 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer a process for accessing the procedure to add attachments to a GM technical assistance case using the dealer case management tool. | |
| 24-NA-040 Oct 2024 | Unknown Or Other | This service bulletin provides information on All hazmat parts being returned to the Warranty Parts Center (WPC) must be shipped using Central Transport. Hazardous materials should never be sent by air transportation to the WPC. | |
| 24-NA-223 Oct 2024 | Power Train | This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions. | |
| 10-00-89-009F Oct 2024 | Unknown Or Other | This service bulletin provides information on key code security rules and information on GM keycode look-up applications (U.S). |
Showing 60 of 1502 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 9 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Chevrolet Malibu →