--- title: "Chevrolet Malibu Key Fob Battery" description: "How the Chevrolet Malibu key fob battery specification changed from 2012 to 2025, compared generation by generation. The 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/key-fob-battery" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # Chevrolet Malibu Key Fob Battery Type and Replacement The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Chevrolet Malibu key fob battery specification changed by year? | Model years | Fob battery | | --- | --- | | [2016-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/key-fob-battery) | CR2032 (smart key fob) | | [2013-2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2013-2015/key-fob-battery) | CR2032 (flip key and keyless-entry remotes) | | [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/key-fob-battery) | CR2032 (remote transmitter) | ## Full specifications by generation The key fob battery on a Chevrolet Malibu is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/key-fob-battery) - [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) ## Chevrolet Malibu key fob battery: common questions ### What battery does the Chevrolet Malibu key fob take? A single CR2032 (smart key fob) coin cell. ### Can you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025 in a 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 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) ## Find your exact Malibu - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012) More Chevrolet Malibu guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/oil-reset) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.