---
title: "2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu Key Fob Battery"
description: "The 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu key fob takes a CR2032 (smart key fob) coin cell. How to open the fob without breaking it, and which substitutions actually work."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/key-fob-battery"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu Key Fob Battery Type and Replacement

The 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu key fob takes a CR2032 (smart key fob) coin cell. How to open the fob without breaking it, and which substitutions actually work.

**Quick answer**: The 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu key fob takes a CR2032 (smart key fob) coin-cell battery, available at any pharmacy, hardware store, or online for a few dollars.

## Replacing the 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu key fob battery

- Pry the fob open gently at the seam with a small flathead screwdriver or a coin, working around the edge. Many fobs have a hidden release slot near the key ring or emergency-key blade.
- Note the battery orientation (usually positive side up) before removing the old cell.
- Avoid touching the new battery's faces with bare fingers; skin oils can shorten its life.
- If the fob doesn't work after replacement, check that the battery is seated fully and the contacts weren't bent. Most vehicles do not need re-pairing after a battery change.

## Which Chevrolet Malibu model years does this cover?

These key fob battery specifications apply to every Chevrolet Malibu built from 2016 through 2025, the 9th generation (E2XX), mid-size sedan (production ended november 2024; 2025 is the final model year). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2016 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016)
- [2017 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2017)
- [2018 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2018)
- [2019 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2019)
- [2020 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2020)
- [2021 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2021)
- [2022 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2022)
- [2023 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2023)
- [2024 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2024)
- [2025 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2025)

## What changed during the 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2016 | Generation launch, nearly 300 lbs lighter, stop-start standard on 1.5T. Note: a 2016 'Malibu Limited' is the previous-generation car sold to fleets, use 2013-2015 data for those. |
| 2017 | 2.0T Ecotec's transmission upgrades from an 8-speed to a 9-speed automatic, and the 2.0T becomes Premier-exclusive (dropped from LT) |
| 2018 | Final carryover year before the 2019 mid-cycle refresh; LS/LT/Premier lineup and 1.5T 6-speed / 2.0T 9-speed powertrains unchanged from 2017 |
| 2019 | Facelift: new fascias, RS trim added, 1.5T switched from 6-speed to CVT, 2.0T to 9-speed, fuel tank grew to 15.8 gal, low-beam bulb changed to H11. Final year of the Hybrid. |
| 2020 | Base L trim gains standard 16-in aluminum wheels (from LS); all trims standardize on the 8-in Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, replacing the previous 7-in unit |
| 2020-2022 | L dropped (2020 was its last year); lineup LS/RS/LT/Premier. 2022 was the final year for the Premier trim and 2.0T engine. |
| 2021 | Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added |
| 2022 | Mechanical parking brake replaced by an electronic parking brake across all trims |
| 2023 | Premier trim replaced by 2LT; LT no longer comes standard with leather seats |
| 2023-2025 | 1.5T only (LS/RS/1LT/2LT). Production ended at Fairfax Assembly in November 2024; 2025 is the final model year. |
| 2024 | Final full model year of Malibu production; Chevrolet ended assembly at the Fairfax plant (Kansas City) in November 2024 with no direct successor |

## 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu key fob battery: common questions

### What battery does the 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu key fob take?

A single CR2032 (smart key fob) coin cell.

### Can you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025 in a 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu key fob?

This fob takes a CR2032 (smart key fob), so start there. The two cells share a 20 mm diameter but differ in thickness, and the thicker one does not always seat in a housing built for the thinner.

### How do you open a 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu key fob?

Slide out the mechanical emergency key first, which usually releases a catch, then part the halves with a plastic pry tool or a coin wrapped in tape. A screwdriver will mark the case and can crack the seam.

## Sources

- [AMSOIL product lookup, 2016-2019 Malibu 1.5L LFV / 2.0L LTG / 1.8L LKN capacities](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2016/chevrolet/malibu/)
- [ChevyMalibuForum, 2016-2017 5W-30 to 2018+ 0W-20 oil spec change](https://www.chevymalibuforum.com/threads/2016-2017-oil-spec-change.126013/)
- [parts.chevrolet.com, GM 23430313 engine air filter fitment](https://parts.chevrolet.com/product/acdelco-gm-original-equipment-air-filter-23430313)
- [PartsGeek, ACDelco PF2257G oil filter, 2016-2019 Malibu 1.8L Hybrid](https://www.partsgeek.com/22s3tpg-chevrolet-malibu-oil-filter-set.html)
- [AutoZone, Malibu battery guide (Group 48/H6, 2016-2024)](https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/chevrolet/malibu)
- [TireSize.com, Malibu OE tire sizes by year and trim](https://tiresize.com/tires/Chevrolet/Malibu/)
- [NHTSA, recall report 18V-358 (high-pressure fuel pump)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCLRPT-18V358-3649.PDF)
- [BizzyCar, April 2026 rearview camera recall 26V-212, 2023-2025 Malibu](https://www.bizzycar.com/blog/april-2026-gm-recall-for-rearview-camera-defect-on-chevrolet-malibu-affecting-271770-vehicles)
- [Go-Parts, P0234 wastegate solenoid on 2016-2022 Malibu 1.5L](https://www.go-parts.com/garage/obd-p0234-chevrolet-malibu-2016-2022-lfv-1-5l)
- [Margarian Law, 2019-2022 Malibu CVT shudder/stall defect tracker](https://www.margarianlaw.com/chevrolet/malibu/)
- [GM Authority, 2023 Malibu drops Premier trim and 2.0L LTG](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/08/2023-chevy-malibu-drops-premier-trim-2-0l-engine/)
- [Automotive News, Malibu production ends November 2024 at Fairfax](https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/2024-chevy-malibu-production-ending-year-kansas/)
- [fueleconomy.gov, 2016 and 2019 Malibu EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2016_Chevrolet_Malibu.shtml)
- [Car and Driver, 2016 Malibu Hybrid powertrain details (1.8L, 1.5 kWh pack)](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15103297/2016-chevrolet-malibu-hybrid-first-drive-review/)
- [PartsGeek, 2016-2025 Malibu 300mm front / 288mm rear rotors](https://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/brake_rotors/chevrolet/malibu.html)

## Other Chevrolet Malibu generations

- [2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2013-2015/key-fob-battery)
- [2012 Chevrolet Malibu key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/key-fob-battery)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/key-fob-battery).

## More for the 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/oil)
- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/battery)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/filters)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/bulbs)
- [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/brakes)
- [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/fluids)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/oil-reset)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.