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Campaign 16V502 Posted June 29, 2016 8,367 units

2010-2017 Chevrolet Multi-Model Recall 16V502: Park Lock

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 31, 2026

Recall 16V502 covers 8,367 2010-2017 Chevrolet vehicles with an electronic park lock defect. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.

Chevrolet is recalling 8,367 2010-2017 Equinox, Cruze, Malibu, Verano, Regal, Terrain, and Encore vehicles because the electronic park lock lever can let the ignition key come out before the transmission is in PARK. If that happens while people are exiting, the vehicle can roll away and increase the risk of injury; Chevrolet dealers will make the repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The electronic park lock lever sits inside the steering column electrical assembly on affected 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox, Regal, Cruze, Terrain, Malibu, Verano, and Encore vehicles. Its normal job is to block ignition key removal until the transmission is in PARK. That lock helps keep a driver from shutting down and walking away while the vehicle is still able to move.

In this recall, the lever was damaged during supplier lock housing testing. Once damaged, the lever does not hold the key the way it was designed to. The driver is then able to remove the ignition key even though the transmission is in a position other than PARK, which defeats the rollaway-prevention function tied to the ignition and shifter.

The warning sign is direct: the key comes out of the ignition while the transmission is not in PARK. If that happens, treat it as the defect and keep the vehicle secured in PARK with the parking brake set before arranging the recall repair.

Who's affected?

Spans seven nameplates across 2010-2017, with both ignition and automatic transmission control components listed.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox electrical system
2010 Chevrolet Equinox automatic transmission
2011 Buick Regal electrical system
2011 Buick Regal automatic transmission
2011 Chevrolet Cruze electrical system
Units affected8,367
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.

What's the safety risk?

If the key comes out while the transmission is not in PARK, the vehicle can roll away as people are getting out, increasing the risk of injury. Before exiting, confirm the shifter is in PARK, set the parking brake, and treat a removable key outside PARK as a warning to call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox, Regal, Cruze, Terrain, Malibu, Verano, or Encore is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free key-cylinder lock-housing inspection and replacement that fixes the park-lock condition that lets the key come out before PARK.
  3. Reference recall number 16V502 when you call, and ask whether Chevrolet recall 50490 or 50491 applies to your VIN.
  4. Bring the recall notice to the dealer if you have it.
  5. Set the parking brake every time you park, and confirm the transmission is in PARK before removing the key.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician inspects the key cylinder lock housing and replaces it if the inspection shows it is defective. The recall repair is free and covers both parts and labor. If you already paid for a related repair before the recall notice, Chevrolet's submitted reimbursement plan provides a way to claim those costs. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment to the service desk, and ask how to submit the reimbursement claim for recall 16V502.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

June 29, 2016 Dealer notification began
June 29, 2016 Dealer notification ended
July 5, 2016 NHTSA published the recall
October 14, 2016 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 16V502?

Recall 16V502 covers 8,367 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox, Regal, Cruze, Terrain, Malibu, Verano, and Encore vehicles with an electronic park lock lever defect. The key can be removed before the transmission is in PARK, creating a rollaway risk. Chevrolet dealers will inspect and replace the key cylinder lock housing for free.

What should I do if my 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox, Regal, Cruze, Terrain, Malibu, Verano, or Encore is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V502. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for the key cylinder lock housing inspection. Reference recall number 16V502 when you call. The dealer repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost. Chevrolet dealers will inspect the key cylinder lock housing and replace it when needed free of charge, with parts and labor covered under recall 16V502.

What is the safety risk?

The risk is vehicle rollaway. If the ignition key comes out before the transmission is in PARK, the vehicle can move while people are getting out, increasing the risk of injury. Until the repair is complete, confirm the vehicle is fully in PARK before removing the key.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer and reference recall 16V502 when scheduling the inspection.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V502000
Chevrolet customer service1-800-222-1020
NHTSA recall #16V502
NHTSA recall # (full)16V502000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →