The Chevrolet Malibu Limited spans 2016–2016 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 5.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2016 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2016. It delivers up to 27 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Chevrolet Malibu Limited is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2016 to 2016 across multiple generations.
How to read a Chevrolet Malibu Limited VIN — every digit explained
Every Chevrolet Malibu Limited carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Chevrolet and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Malibu Limited.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Malibu Limited, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu Limited have?
The Chevrolet Malibu Limited has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2016. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Chevrolet Malibu Limited
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 1 tracked years, the worst years are 2016 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2016.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Malibu Limited | Engine | Avoid |
What are the most common Chevrolet Malibu Limited problems?
The most-reported Chevrolet Malibu Limited problems are Air (1 reports), Seats (6 reports) and Tires (3 reports) — out of 810 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited specifications & dimensions
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited measures 192″ long on a 108″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,583 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Chevrolet Malibu Limited window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 192″ | 73″ | 57″ | 108″ | 3,583 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Malibu Limited holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 100 cu ft of passenger volume and 16 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Chevrolet Malibu Limited get?
The Chevrolet Malibu Limited returns up to 27 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,300/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited (2.5L 4-cyl) gets 27 mpg combined and costs about $2,300/yr to fuel, emitting 329 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 6/10) — about $500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Malibu Limited | 23 | 33 | $2,300 | 329 | 6/10 | 2.5L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Malibu Limited stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Malibu Limited's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Chevrolet Malibu Limited have? Power & range
The Chevrolet Malibu Limited is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.5L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Chevrolet Malibu Limited cost to own?
A used Chevrolet Malibu Limited sells for a median of about $5,995 for a 2016 — most listed between $3,600 and $7,900, from 15 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Malibu Limited | $3,600–$7,900 | 15 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Malibu Limited is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Chevrolet Malibu Limited holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Malibu Limited loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $11,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Malibu Limited ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Chevrolet Malibu Limited to insure?
A Chevrolet Malibu Limited costs about $1,625 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 13% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (113, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Malibu Limited's HLDI loss index. See Chevrolet insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Chevrolet Malibu Limited safe?
The Chevrolet Malibu Limited earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Malibu Limited | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
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How many miles does a Chevrolet Malibu Limited last?
A well-maintained Chevrolet Malibu Limited typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 5.0/5.
Check your Chevrolet Malibu Limited’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Malibu Limited’s VIN free →All Chevrolet Malibu Limited model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Chevrolet Malibu Limited — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Malibu Limited | 1 recall | ★★★★★ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Malibu Limited?
By owner-complaint volume, 2016 drew the most reports. 2016 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Malibu Limited have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2016. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Chevrolet recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Malibu Limited get?
Up to 27 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Malibu Limited safe?
The Malibu Limited earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Malibu Limited last?
A well-maintained Malibu Limited typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Malibu Limited reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Malibu Limited is 5.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Chevrolet Malibu Limited warranty?
New Chevrolet models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Chevrolet dealer.
Where is the Chevrolet Malibu Limited made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Malibu Limited's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Chevrolet may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a Malibu Limited weigh?
The Malibu Limited's curb weight is around 3,583 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the Malibu Limited have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.