2016 Chevrolet Malibu Key Replacement

The 2016–2020 Malibu uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Chevrolet Malibu key guide.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: 46E (Hitag2 Extended)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

The redesigned 2016 Malibu has push-button start with a smart proximity fob, but the old-body 2016 'Malibu Limited' fleet car (46E flip key, keyed ignition) was sold the same year — we confirm by VIN.

What kind of key does a 2016 Malibu use?

The redesigned 2016 Malibu has push-button start and a smart proximity fob. The car senses the fob nearby, so you do not insert anything to start it. The chip family listed for this setup is 46E (Hitag2 Extended), verified against transpondery.com.

Every one of these fobs also carries a mechanical backup key, a thin emergency blade hidden inside the fob. That blade matters more than most owners realize, because it is what opens the door when the fob itself stops working.

The most common complaint on this year is a dead fob battery. The dash reports 'no remote detected' even though the fob is in your pocket, and the hidden blade still opens the door. If that message appears, the battery is the first thing to check before assuming the fob is broken.

The other two problems we see are water-damaged fobs and crushed fobs. A fob that went through the wash or got stepped on in a parking lot often has damage to its circuit board, and a new battery will not fix that.

Key type: smart proximity fob with push-button start
Chip family: 46E (Hitag2 Extended)
Emergency blade: yes, hidden in the fob
Programming method: through the OBD port

Can you copy a 2016 Malibu key, or do I need all keys lost service?

Both are possible on this car. If you still have a working fob, we can make a duplicate, but the original key has to be present for that. A duplicate is usually the more economical route compared with waiting until you have no keys at all.

If every key is gone, that is an all-keys-lost situation, and it can still be done. We do not need to tow the car to a dealer just to get a first key made, though the work takes more steps than a copy.

If you have one fob left, make a spare now. Losing the last fob is the point where the job gets bigger, and a spare costs less effort than starting from nothing.

How we handle a Malibu key job, step by step

Programming on this year runs through the OBD port, and the data for this setup does not call for NASTF SDRM access. That keeps the job simple to describe, and one of our mobile vans can usually do it where the car is parked.

You call (213) 577-1366. Someone answers any hour, any day.
We ask for the VIN and confirm which Malibu you have, because 2016 had two different key setups.
We check whether you have a working fob for a duplicate, or whether this is an all-keys-lost job.
A technician comes to you in a mobile van, or you bring the car to our storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood.
We cut or supply the fob, program it through the OBD port, and test that the car starts and the door opens.
If the problem was only a dead battery, we say so plainly instead of selling you a new fob.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of a 2016 Malibu key?

Lost-fob replacement on a smart key costs more than it did for older bladed keys. The fob holds a transponder and radio parts, not just a cut piece of metal. We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the final figure depends on a few real factors:

Whether you have a working fob to copy, or all keys are lost
Whether the fob needs a new battery only, or a full replacement
Whether the old fob is water-damaged or crushed and needs to be replaced instead of repaired
Whether you come to the storefront or need a mobile van sent to you
Which Malibu version your VIN shows, since the key hardware differs

One honest note: we confirm 2016 Malibus by VIN

Our data for this year is conflicting, and we would rather say so than guess. The redesigned 2016 Malibu has push-button start and the smart fob described above. But the old-body 2016 Malibu Limited, a fleet car sold the same year, used a 46E flip key and a keyed ignition. Those are two different keys for what looks like the same model year on paper.

So before we order or cut anything, we check your VIN or look at the car in person. If you tell us you have a push-button car, that is a good starting point, but the VIN settles it.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, with a storefront and mobile vans serving 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work, and you deal with one company, not a dispatch middleman. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith you hire for theirs.

For general information, see our Chevrolet Malibu key page or the wider Chevrolet key replacement overview. If you are ready to start, use our contact page or call (213) 577-1366.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have a push-button start?

The redesigned 2016 Malibu does, with a smart proximity fob. The older-body Malibu Limited sold the same year used a flip key and keyed ignition, so we confirm by VIN.

What chip does a 2016 Malibu key use?

The listed chip family is 46E (Hitag2 Extended), verified against transpondery.com. Because the Limited and the redesigned car differ, we still check your VIN before ordering.

My dash says 'no remote detected'. Is the fob dead?

Often it is just the fob battery. The hidden emergency blade inside the fob still opens the door. If a new battery does not clear the message, the fob itself may be damaged.

Can I get a Malibu key made if I lost every key?

Yes. All-keys-lost service is possible on this setup, and programming is done through the OBD port. It involves more steps than a copy from a working fob.

Do you need my original key to make a duplicate?

Yes. For a duplicate, the original key has to be present. If you have one fob left, getting a spare made now is usually the more economical route.

Do you program Malibu keys at the car or at the shop?

Either. Our mobile vans can come to you, or you can bring the car to 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood. Call (213) 577-1366 and we will set up whichever works for you.

Is a water-damaged Malibu fob repairable?

Sometimes a fob with only a dead battery can be revived, but water or crush damage often reaches the circuit board and means replacement. We check it and tell you which applies.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.