Chevy Malibu Pre Purchase Inspection Guide
Shift-to-park faults, stop/start battery drain, and turbo carbon.
The Malibu is a comfortable used sedan and there are a lot of them for the money.
The 2016 car is completely different from the 2015. We inspect them differently.
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- 2.0L turbo
- 2.4L eAssist (2013–2014)
- 1.5L turbo (2016+)
- 1.8L hybrid (2016+)
On 2016 and newer cars a shifter switch can fail. The car says "Shift to Park" when it's already in park, and it can keep the car from locking or shutting down.
WE CHECK We cycle the shifter and watch the dash message and the door locks.
The auto stop/start system is hard on batteries, and a weak battery causes strange electrical faults.
WE CHECK We test the battery and charging system and watch for warning messages.
The 1.5 and 2.0 turbo engines are direct-injection and can build carbon or set boost codes.
WE CHECK We scan for boost and misfire codes and drive it under load.
The 6-speed automatic can shudder from tired torque converter fluid.
WE CHECK We road test at light throttle and check the fluid and records.
The condenser can leak and the AC stops cooling.
WE CHECK We run the AC and check vent temperature.
The 2013–2014 eAssist has a small hybrid battery that ages.
WE CHECK We check for hybrid system faults and how the stop/start behaves.
- Know which car you're looking at — 2016 was a full redesign
- Cycle the shifter and watch for a "Shift to Park" message
- Test the battery and the stop/start behaviour
- Road test for torque converter shudder
- Scan turbo engines for boost codes
Each year has its own guide — the engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Counts are pulled from NHTSA's public Manufacturer Communications file. Full bulletins stay with the maker — we use the summaries to guide the inspection.
What is the Shift to Park problem?
Is the 2016 Malibu different from the 2015?
Where do you inspect?
Do you pull recalls?
We'll check it first
Pre-tagged for the Chevy Malibu. One call and a tech is on it.
951-267-8500Call nowRequest a Chevy Malibu inspection
Pre-tagged for the Chevy Malibu.
Buying a Chevy Malibu? Let us check it first.
Engine-specific checks, a live recall pull, and a clear report.