Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2023 · Maintenance schedule & cost to maintain

GM's oil life system sets this: change within 600 miles of CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON, at least once a year. No separate severe oil number, and the 2023 book lists trips of 4 miles or less as severe use. 1.5L: 5W-30 in the 2016 book, 0W-20 from 2018 (dexos1 second generation in the 2018 book, dexos1 later), 4.2 qt. 2.0L: 5W-30, 5.0 qt. Hybrid: 5W-20 (0W-20 allowed), 5.3 qt. 2017 book not checked.

GM calls for a rotation every 7,500 miles on both schedules, in every book checked (2016, 2018-2023). If uneven wear continues after a rotation, GM says check the alignment. Worn struts and bushings also wear tires unevenly, see the 60,000-mile items.

Not a GM mileage item. GM says regular alignment is not needed, and to check it for unusual tire wear or a pull to one side. Get one with every new set of tires and after strut, bushing or steering work, or the new parts wear the tires unevenly.

GM marks 22,500 miles or two years, whichever comes first, on both charts in every book checked (2016, 2018-2023), so no separate severe number. GM says change it sooner in heavy traffic, dust or poor air. It sits behind the glove box, and GM's steps start by unhooking the glove box damper arm before squeezing the sides past the stops.

GM's severe chart changes it at 45,000, 90,000 and 135,000 miles, and from the 2020 book the 1.5L CVT gets a new filter too. The normal chart has no change on gas cars, 150,000 on the Hybrid. GM's severe test: mainly heavy city traffic in hot weather, hills or mountains, frequent towing, high speed, or taxi, police or delivery use. None of that? Normal applies.

2016, 2018 and 2019 books: 45,000 miles or four years on both charts, so no separate severe number. In dust, GM says inspect it at every oil change. 2020-2021: that row applies only to cars without the Air Filter Life display. 2022 and 2023: no mileage, replace when the display asks and reset it after. The 2017 book was not checked, Firestone shows 45,000.

GM marks 60,000 and 120,000 miles on both charts in the 2016 and 2018-2022 books, and the 2023 book says every 60,000, so there is no separate severe number. The 2020-2023 books say the gaps are preset and not to re-gap. GM's books name five different 1.5L plug part numbers across these years, so match the plug to your model year.

No GM interval. RepairPal puts typical replacement at 50,000 to 100,000 miles. Monroe says worn struts let the tire bounce off the road, which cups the tread, so replace worn struts before new tires, not after. Budget an alignment right after the struts go in.

No GM interval, but GM's 7,500-mile list in the 2022 book includes checking for cracked or missing CV boots. Axles typically last 70,000 to 130,000 miles. A torn boot throws grease around the wheel and lets dirt into the joint, and a boot caught early costs far less than the axle.

No GM interval, typically around 100,000 miles. A worn bushing lets the wheel shift out of position, so an alignment will not hold and the tires wear unevenly. If an alignment does not hold, check these before paying for another one. RepairPal prints no bushing rows for 2016-2023, so the cost shown is a full control arm.

No GM interval, and we have not confirmed a mount weak point specific to this generation. Signs: a clunk shifting into drive or reverse, or vibration at idle. A broken mount lets the engine move, which can break the exhaust flex pipe and damage hoses, wiring and CV axles. Replace it before it takes those with it.

GM marks the Hybrid's plugs at 97,500 miles on both the normal and severe charts, so there is no separate severe number. GM lists ACDelco 41-152 in the 2016, 2018 and 2019 books. RepairPal's rows are not split by engine, so the cost shown is its range for the 2016-2019 model years.

GM marks 150,000 miles or five years on both charts in the 2016 and 2018-2022 books, and 150,000 or six years in the 2023 book, so the calendar usually comes first. DEX-COOL only. On the Hybrid the same row covers the Power Electronics loop too. On the 1.5L a proper bleed matters, see the coolant air-pocket problem above.

GM calls for a visual inspection, not a replacement, at 150,000 miles or 10 years, and says to replace it if frayed, cracked or damaged. Both charts carry the same row, so there is no separate severe number.

GM's rule is every five years with no mileage attached, and the chart row carries no mark at any mileage on either schedule, so there is no separate severe number. DOT 3 in the 2016 and 2018-2020 books, DOT 4 in the 2021-2023 books. Firestone's schedule pages leave brake fluid off, so ask for it.

Calendar item, not mileage. Load-test from year three and plan to replace by year five. GM's 2016 and 2018-2022 books say 1.5L cars have an AGM battery and a standard one will not last as long, and the 2023 book says the car may have one. If the car drains overnight, check the shifter switch problem first.