2016 Chevrolet Malibu fuel/propulsion system problems
50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I bought this car about 10 days ago. Throat was in pain, coughed up blood, dizzy, sweaty, and shaking. There's gas all over the ground coming from front under hood smelling through the vents. Very loud smelling. Took it to Chevrolet dealership on Covington hwy Decatur GA today and had to leave it…”
filed May 27, 2026
“On 04/28/2026, when diagnosing a reoccurring check engine light on the vehicle at a Chevy Certified Service, the mechanic "Borescoped cylinder 4 and found significant scuffs on the cylinder wall which along with the misfires indicate a cracked piston. The big picture appears to be the piston…”
filed Apr 28, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Malibu years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Malibu | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 Malibu | 6 | 11% |
| 2022 Malibu | 6 | 7% |
| 2021 Malibu | 8 | 10% |
| 2020 Malibu | 14 | 7% |
| 2019 Malibu | 17 | 9% |
| 2018 Malibu | 84 | 12% |
| 2017 Malibu | 56 | 8% |
| 2015 Malibu | 18 | 7% |
| 2014 Malibu | 24 | 7% |
| 2013 Malibu | 32 | 4% |
| 2012 Malibu | 51 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.