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Used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews

3.1 out of 5 stars
94 reviews
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1 out of 5 stars

Too many problems

Carlene , 06/04/2020
updated 06/05/2023
2016 Chevrolet Malibu L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful

Purchased 2016 Chevy Malibu October 19, 2016. 1. March 7, 2017...Miles 3501 open recall 17019, Stochastic pre ignition causing cracked piston. 2. Nov 21, 2017...Miles 9,454 1st radio problem no sound, no visual 3. May 30, 2018...miles13,121 water found in trunk musty, replaced everything, back seat, and trunk. The 3rd brake light was not installed properly. 4. March 4, 2019, ...miles 18,557. Went for oil change and was told I had an oil leak. (I did not have any prior since we had just had a new driveway put in and I would have seen it) was told it was lower oil pan gasket. They replaced it. 5. March 25, 2019. ..miles 19,125 Another oil pan leak upper. Replaced. 6. April 11, 2019....miles 19,413 Another oil leak. 7. October 8, 2019....miles 24,163...Radio not working unable to go to dealer had to go to Boston. But went to dealer it worked the next day ..couldn’t do anything. But reported. 8. October 10, 2019...miles 24,500...radio out again at 730pm unable to bring to dealer closed. Couldn’t do anything again it was working again. WARRANTY ended October 19, 2019... 3 years.. 30,000 miles Miles was 24,500 9. November 3, 2019.....radio out again 700 pm 10. November 14, 2019.....radio out again this time AM brought it to dealer. Was told now it was out of warranty cost $700.00 .. I told them problem was prior to this. Called Detroit GM got a case number. They finally replaced it no cost. 11. December 5,2019 ...replaced radio broke faceplate. 12. December 9, 2019...replaced faceplate. 13. May 20, 2020...miles 28,496...check engine light code p0300 from on Star. Emission problem. Towed to dealer 5/22 got a loaner car since now they had to replace the ENGINE piston problems. Covered under power train warranty. Got it back June 3,2020.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Leased a 2016 LS Malibu Silver Color

Guy, 09/14/2016
2016 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
45 of 49 people found this review helpful

Its a giant car so if will probably meet your space needs. I think I got an amazing deal. I would have had to pay the same amount for a leasing a corolla but with a low residual. I think its too big for a single guy like me but I its way more comfy than the compact sedans I test drove. I liked the ride and apple carplay and guided rearview camera is cool. Keyless entry Yes Please. Push Start button. Apple car play is amazing. It comes with onstar so I can have wifi within car, locate my car from my phone and even lock it. If your car has remote start it will let you do it from your phone as well. I will not end up continuing onstar because I am usually driving it alone and my phone internet is enough. The nice thing is the tech stuff comes with all trims but since its LS the interior doesn't come bells and whistles but its better than the basic trim of most (non luxury) compact sedans. Edmunds is right about the screen getting stains. Acceleration is not mind blowing in the start but does get the job done. You are not going to win races but you are not going to feel that its underpowered either. Mileage is not phenomenal but its not a deal breaker either. I was nervous about the start and stop but it never bothered me at all. I am single and fresh out of grad school and got this as my first car. My only regret is that I shouldn't have gotten this nice of a car but I think price wise it made a lot of sense. Its quite and handles bumpy road well. I had no trouble in acceleration at high speeds. Me and my sister went on a long trip and loved it. I love the looks of ford fusion but not a fan of how they their price and interior that comes with base trims. My personal opinion is that the interior of Malibu is a lot better than fusion interior and I love the infotainment (Did I mention carplay). I got compliments for the exterior so yeah I would definitely recommend it. If you can afford I would definitely recommend do get safety features like blind spot because the pillars are kind of thick.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Chevy should be ashamed

Matt Purkins, 08/09/2018
2016 Chevrolet Malibu LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
70 of 78 people found this review helpful

All the reviews were so positive on this car.....it has been nothing but a lemon since it left the lot. Constantly have the check engine light on for anything from emission sensor to transmission issues. Gas pedal shorted out going 55 mph. Needed pistons replaced at 61,000 (conveniently after the warranty ran out). Stabiltrack goes out but when you turn car off and restart it's fine. It's lost power and died on an interstate twice. Now it's in the shop with electrical issues. Won't stop overheating. Needs a new battery because something is draining it. Starter is fried. The last time I was able to drive it the message screen told me to roll my windows down! GM won't stand behind it....they tell me to talk to the dealer. Dealer says it's between GM and me. I will never own another GM product. Bought because I needed a reliable car with good MPG. It's spent most of the last year in the shop. So disappointed in Chevy and their dealerships.

Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

Has some good traits and some bad traits

Ken, 06/22/2016
2016 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan w/1LT (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
57 of 64 people found this review helpful

I have a lease for a 2016 Chevy Malibu LT1. There are some nice things about the car that I like, but there are quite a few areas that need improvement. First the good points: 1) The style of the car is very sharp. 2) The 1.5 liter turbo engine is surprisingly pretty good on acceleration. 3) The interior looks like a high-end luxury car with a few exceptions (see bad points). Next, the bad points: 1) The 7" Infotainment system is severely limited in that it does not provide a hands-free voice command interface to my smartphone over bluetooth. Instead, you have to use the touch-screen to make phone calls or play music via bluetooth. 2) There are hardly any storage compartments for things like sunglasses, coins, etc. The only storage compartments are on the doors, in the armrest and in the glove box. I have driven other cars that have change-holders, sunglasses holders, and other various storage compartments that are more convenient than what the Malibu provides. 3) The AutoStop feature can be annoying at times. It shuts the engine off too quickly when easing to a stop, especially if you are using the brake to ease forward into a parking space or the garage.

Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic! Base engine is definitely adequate

James, 05/19/2016
2016 Chevrolet Malibu LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Spent 6 days and over 800 miles driving the new model Malibu as a rental. Surprisingly, this was the new 2016 model and not the 2016 Limited that you would typically find in a rental fleet. I currently own a 2015 Malibu 1LT and love it as well. I would say that the new 1.5L base engine in the new 2016 Malibu is definitely adequate. Acceleration is not going to push you back into your seat, but is certainly adequate, even for merging into high speed traffic in Washington DC with short on-ramps (I know, rare that you ever have to merge into "high speed" traffic in DC!). The seats were especially comfortable in the front. While I prefer the leather in my 2015 Malibu, the cloth seats were exceptionally comfortable for long drives (3+ hours at a time). My rear-seat, adult passengers did comment they felt the seats in my 2015 1LT were more comfortable than these in the new 2016; however, they did state that they weren't uncomfortable nor did they feel cramped. I was very impressed with the fuel economy of the 1.5L base engine as, just like I get in my 2.5L 2015 Malibu, I averaged 40+ mpg on the highway at 60-65mph speeds. If you are willing to sacrifice fuel economy, the 2.0L turbo sounds like it provides very nice power; however, the fuel economy of the 1.5L combined with very adequate acceleration make this a definite winner in my book.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
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