Used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited Consumer Reviews

Overall a great car

I am a true Chevy lover. I owned a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo - regret trading that one in. However I find the 2016 Chevy Malibu Limited is a very reliable vehicle in all seasons. I just purchased it - right as winter started and it does very well in the snow. There are only a few things that I am not happy with - but will continue to drive this. First, the auto stop needs to have an on/off button It gets very irritating to have the vehicle shut off at almost every stop sign/light/railroad crossing ect. This should be an option - not standard. I understand the point - but it is more irritating than anything. Second - the visors are a little too short/narrow. I am 5'3 so even when I raise the base of the seat up to a comfortable position - once the sun comes in the windshield - it is hard to see. The visors offer very little blockage of the sun. The acceleration could use a little boost, but it is not too bad. Overall i really enjoy the stability of the vehicle and the safety I feel while being behind the wheel even in the snow/ice.

2016 Malibu Limited

I absolutely LOVE my 2016 Malibu Limited inside and out!!!! We have owned ours for over a month and have absolutely no complaints or concerns except for that we wish Chevy would have put parking sensors on the front bumper. It is a little challenging to make sure you do not hit a curb or another car when parking.

Would Not Buy Again

Purchased this car after driving a 2001 Toyota Avalon. This car is very appealing on the surface, however after a year of owning it is a very high maintenance car. Repairs pop up fast and often, and it needs to be perfectly maintained (i.e. needs a specific brand of oil, transmission fluids, etc.) otherwise the cars performance fades quickly. It’s an okay car, but be ready to spend more on it than the average sedan requires after purchasing. In my opinion, you’re better off paying a higher sticker price on another manufacturer, than going for this car. You get what you pay for, and if I could do it again, I wouldn't buy a chevy, let alone the malibu. Car has electrical problems, the radio will just turn off randomly, the bluetooth and aux cord features are abysmal, and the car has pretty bad sight lines. Mechanically, after two years since it was originally put on the road the car has trouble starting, accelerating, and shifting gears (after being at a mechanics and the dealership service for a total of 3 weeks over the course of a month and a half, I was told there are no apparent problems with the car, yet the problems still persist). Additionally, the car is too low - i.e. it scratches on everything (speedbumps, steep hills, driveways, etc.). Essentially, don't buy this car.

My son loves his 2016 Malibu Limited.

The Malibu limited does everything you want from a good sized car very well. Unusually attractive interior and connective technology for everything. Top Safety ratings at a reasonable price. Good lease!

40K Carefree Miles

After 170K miles on a 2007 Malibu Maxx (with a whopping $70 in repair costs) and 100K on the 4cyl Equinox LTZ ($0 repair costs) it was natural for me to look at another GM vehicle. Found a good deal on a GM certified 2016 Malibu Limited LTZ with 30K miles, so decided to go for it. Thus far it has been like the others. Comfortable, reliable and economical (0$ in repairs & 34+mpg on the highway - averages 32mpg in my overall driving). My main complaint in the Equinox (same engine & trannie) was that it down-shifted too far on a long mountain uphill - engine screaming away at up to 5000rpm). The Malibu does a much better job, only dropping into 5th for long/steep uphills. If I have a complaint, it would be that my car has the standard speaker package and I would prefer the upgraded as I have in my two previous GM vehicles. Now up to 87K. New tires. All is well.

Best car I've every had!

Driven Mercedes and many other high end cars - this is more comfortable with way more features for half the price! I love this car!

A Big Cost to Save the Environment

Beware of the Chevrolet's engine idle shut-off feature. This mechanism may prove good for the environment, but extremely costly for the owner of a Chevrolet or other GM vehicle. After only 18,450 miles, the check engine light on my 2016 Malibu LT illuminated, prompting a visit to my friendly dealership. After a $125 engine analysis fee, a service tech informed me of the need to replace a fuse block and connector (per a manufacture bulletin). The total tab would be almost $900, recognizing that I was now three months past the standard 36-month new vehicle warranty. I submitted a claim with GM, who in turn submitted a request to the dealership for assistance. The dealership would do nothing, but GM offered an extended warranty upon proof of repair of the system failure--at my cost. I may buy another GM vehicle, but I most assuredly will find another Chevrolet dealership in the Salt Lake City area. Update, 6/1/23: The Malibu now has now registered 44,500 miles, not much for a 2016 model year. The car has performed remarkably well, still a pleasure to drive. I'd buy another Chevy. Update 6/2/24: The Malibu now registers 54,300 miles, and it continues to perform well. It's become one of the best vehicles I've owned. I'm sorry GM no longer makes this model.

2016 Malibu

So far everything is good. I'm still waiting for good gas mileage. I'm sure that takes time.

STAY AWAY!!!!

I PURCHASED this car sadly with only 12 miles. This car is a [non-permissible content removed] excuse my language but this car is just that bad. Seems like to me every body who has had the car enjoys it for the first year and thats when it all goes down hill.I dont know what everybody else car has done but I will tell you about mine. 1.After about 6 months the sun roof went out. 2.The interior where the carpet meets the plastic on the doors to secure it sucks almost all of it will come untucked. 2.The start/stop feature turns the car off when at a complete stop. One time I was driving approached a red light and stopped car turned off as usual AND FAILED TO START. 3. The ac unit in the back blows hot air 100 percent of the time. 4.The car will die a lot have jumper cables at all times .5 The car basically bucks every time the auto start stop happens. and the worst part about this is the "most luxurious package"

Really? No Back Up Camera??

I took the Chevy Malibu off my list when I realized a backup camera wasn't included in the fully loaded Limited LTZ model. All leather seats....sunroof....and NO BACK UP CAMERA?? Really?? Chevy really missed the mark(et) by not offering that as a standard feature. Some LT models had it with cloth interiors !!! But to not have it standard in the fully loaded LTZ model is ridiculous. Wait....it comes standard in the Chevy Cruze LTZ but not the Malibu. I think the lack of a backup camera has turned many against the Malibu. Its a standard feature on most vehicles after 2013. Wow Chevy...what a costly mistake. What a shame.

Another hit for Chevy

Bought Malibu used with 35000 on the odometer put on in just the first year. Car runs like brand new. Backseat is a little snug but only gets used when young grandkids are around. Car is very comfortable and quiet and handles great at all speeds. Very stylish exterior and interior fit and finish is above par. Took awhile to get used to the touch screen but all is good now. Start/stop works great and is not even noticed. Overall a great car that we are very happy to own.

My 2016 LTZ 4 years in. 170,000.

$0 repairs Only dislike is stereo and Bluetooth reboots on auto start. I love my Malibu. It has been very reliable.

Great car/value$

Had for 2 yrs now,bought with 112,000km. Almost 207,000 now,going strong every day. My poor man's Cadillac and I love it! 2.5L comes alive when you need it, and gives superb mileage with well-designed 6-speed automatic. Only one complaint is Auto Stop NOT able to turn off! Pop Hood before starting... then close hood with car running still. Get in and drive like a normal car should be until you shut it off again and have to repeat process.

There are way better cars!!

This is the most unimpressive and uncomfortable vehicle I’ve ever had the unfortunate privilege to own. It’s cheaply made and just all around a waste of money. I’d recommend staying away from any of these models of Malibu’s.

If your a Chevy fan Malibu LTZ is #1

I have this car 3 years ago at Car Max it had 39,000 miles it’s the best car I have ever owned I love the fact on cold mornings I can warm the car up with the auto turn on!! It’s been a great even at 61,000 now just keep the synthetic oil changed and follow the manual guidelines for maintenance.

Slow Mali

Acceleration is very slow.

Great car but the tranny is a ticking time bomb

I’ve had my car since 2017, but my driver experience isn’t a typical one to rely since I used my Chevy for Uber. I’ve put over 230,000 miles on it, so needless to say, I would naturally run into more issues than the typical driver of this car. A lot of the pro’s and con’s are outlined pretty well by other reviews, but the biggest con I want to emphasize is the transmission. For some reason, Chevy models of different years are notorious for having issues with the transmission. It’ll start off with the car hitting high RPMs with the gear shifts being sluggish and abrupt. When this occurs, you have a single window to get the tranny fixed for less than $1k before it gets worse. Once it gets worse, the whole tranny would then need to be replaced which costed me around $3500. This happened twice, and only on the second occurrence did I have the experience to know to get it looked at immediately.

Lemon

electronic start doesn't work

Chevy

40K Carefree Miles

After 170K miles on a 2007 Malibu Maxx (with a whopping $70 in repair costs) and 100K on the 4cyl Equinox LTZ ($0 repair costs) it was natural for me to look at another GM vehicle. Found a good deal on a GM certified 2016 Malibu Limited LTZ with 30K miles, so decided to go for it. Thus far it has been like the others. Comfortable, reliable and economical (0$ in repairs & 34+mpg on the highway - averages 32mpg in my overall driving). My main complaint in the Equinox (same engine & trannie) was that it down-shifted too far on a long mountain uphill - engine screaming away at up to 5000rpm). The Malibu does a much better job, only dropping into 5th for long/steep uphills. If I have a complaint, it would be that my car has the standard speaker package and I would prefer the upgraded as I have in my two previous GM vehicles.

Love my Malibu

Great buy.

This car continues to surprise me!

From my first drive until today, I have always been impressed with this car. The get up and go is there. It’s not costly to fill up at the gas pump. I love the storage in the car. I love the way it grips to the road as you go around curves.

Great car so far!!!

We bought this with 5000 miles on it and it was like new! We have owned it for almost 6 years and it still looks like new. The only service it has needed was regular oil changes and recommended service.

3rd car, worst of them all

I had a 2012 Lincoln mkx 1st, then a 2012 chevy malibu Lt and it was wayyyyy better than this bs. I should have just gotten another 2012 but I THOUGHT it'd been an upgrade getting a newer car but I was mistaken. The radio/touchscreen randomly turns off on it's own during drives, there's no button to open your trunk inside the car, no way to retract your side mirrors and the autostop is irritating. Overall it's just old looking and physically unappealing given it being a newer car. I meant to get the regular 2016 chevy malibu lt minus the limited. I just don't like the car much other than it being red and it has little secret compartments but that's it. I wish I could return it

It’s my first car and it’s ok it could be better.

I bought the car used, $8,800 from Hertz Rental. I really like the outside shape. It’s nicer than a Honda Civic but it’s Twenty-Nineteen, where’s the Bluetooth to play music off my phone. Why are we * still using an auxiliary cord? There’s about 10 little rusted spots on the body of the car. Needs a push to start. I like how loud the horn is — the automatic and manual is a double thumbs up. Not sure if my car was a drug car prior but the bumper, glove compartment lastly including the seat material; all was ripping, falling, tearing off, or maybe just put on poorly. But it’s my first car so I cannot complain — #WhatAGirlWants