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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,900 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #139

Jan 152024

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at a fast pace a hazard message pops up on dash that states engine power reduced and the car goes slow unable to accelerate past 20 mph. It doesn-??t happen all the time but it-??s been happening quite frequently and it-??s dangerous. I-??m assuming there has something to do with the speed and or fuel function. The vehicle has not been inspected. I am willing to bring it for inspection if needed. I feel like this is a malfunction and I-??m requesting this to be fixed.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #138

Nov 252023

Malibu

  • miles
I was driving about 70mph on a highway trying to pass a semi-truck. As I signaled right blinker to merge back into the right lane, the speed reduced to 40mph without notice. I then seen a notification on the dashboard saying "Engine Power Reduced". The car would not accelerate fast enough to clear the truck therefore almost causing a collision of 2 semi-trucks and myself. I was forced to drive off road to help avoid the collision. My fiancé was in the passenger seat when this happened on 11/25/2023. He then began telling me this happened to him a few months prior but he didn't mention it because it resolved itself. This was actually the 3rd time it had happened in this car over the last 2 years. I spoke to the chevy dealership about it the first time I experienced this and they advised that it had not been made a safety recall at that time yet, but the technician who helped me said his son experienced the same thing and it was becoming quite common. It still has not been recalled but there is currently a class action lawsuit because of this. I feel this is very dangerous and what I considered to be reliable transportation, is no longer the case for my family after this experience. This needs to be recalled immediately before people lose lives. Especially since the parts were Manufactured incorrectly and Chevrolet had knowledge prior to releasing 2016-2018 vehicles.

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #137

Nov 082023

Malibu

  • miles
My 2016 Chevy Malibu that does not have many miles on it is shifting into, Reduced Engine Power Mode. When this comes on I cannot accelerate up to speeds and can only go about 25 MPH. It is dangerous that my car can go from highway speeds to this slow. I have had 0 issues before this started happening and other Malibus have been recalled for this same issue.

- Little Chute, WI, USA

problem #136

Oct 012023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm having a problem with the car going into park. When it's in park, the doors will not lock in the vehicle will Just drain the battery.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #135

Oct 012023

Malibu

  • miles
Acceleration to the engine malfunction no power to engine going excessive speeds on interstate failure light appeared car shut off one stopped car turn right back on. I-??ve reported this incident of the last two years to the dealership GMC to 2016 Chevy Malibu that has already had this instance back in 2019 and now has occurred at once again mileage since the last engine was replaced is 10,000 miles on the new engine

- Hobesound , FL, USA

problem #134

Jun 262023

Malibu

  • miles
When driving the car and when stopping at either a stop sign or stop light, turning a corner the car will lose power and will not go for at least 10-15 seconds. when letting the brakes go and pressing the gas pedal the car does not move, pressing all the way on the gas pedal the car will take about 10-15 seconds before moving. It-??s like the engine lose power and the car will not accelerate.

- Columbus , OH, USA

problem #133

Jun 182023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Lights that alert inside the vehicle at random times but more often in the last few months are: stability trek, power steering reduced and check engine. Acceleration decreased/reduced after being idle. This prompts serious danger for myself and children when there is no power being given to the car when sitting in traffic. Multiple mechanics have diagnosed the issue. Dealership gives me the run around and isn't specific with detail if check light engine goes off.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #132

Jan 172023

Malibu

  • miles
Car loses speed from 60mph to 15mph while driving. Engine Reduce Power light comes on after the fact. This is very dangerous when driving on a busy highway/interstate.

- White Springs, FL, USA

problem #131

Jan 152023

Malibu

  • miles
Code 2138 accelerator sensor popped up yesterday. After researching, I found out this is a common concern with Chevrolet Malibus for 2016. I'm sure you are well aware of this by now so I want to know what my options are at this point. Thank you.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #130

Dec 092022

Malibu

  • miles
Had car looked and i was told that the break box is defective

- Maywood, IL, USA

problem #129

Nov 142022

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The low oil pressure - cut engine off notification appeared on the speedometer & as i was getting on the freeway the car literally cut off. All the electrical worked but power to the engine & everything stopped completely.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #128

Sep 302022

Malibu

  • miles
UNKNOWN the air bag on my dash board come on and off ALL THE TIME even if I have no one sitting in my passenger seat.I got this vehicle for the winter thinking it was going to help me save gas and be a good reliable car for my daily routine to work, school, and my kids school. But it-€™s definitely the opposite. I-€™m struggling financially and In a hole now the engine light is on and I can-€™t get to my destination without going more then 30-40mph because -€œengine speed reduce-€ appears on my dash board and reduced the speed and not only is this inconvenient and annoying but also dangerous I dam almost got into accident because of this I was driving in the highway about 65-70 mph when this happen with a 18-wheeler behind me not only was my daughter-€™s life and mine put in danger. But the person driving the 18-wheeler. He definitely lost somewhat the control to swerve my vehicle it was a miracle of god no other cars where next to us and that nothing happened.their is so many 2016 Chevrolet malibu like this that I hope from the bottom of my heart that their is some compassion for this issue where they can make the issue get recalled. To help people like me I-€™m struggling to make ends meet day to day and I have forcefully have to keep using my car on the daily. I have no other transportation. And like i said not only for my safety but everyone around I am not the only one with this issue if the make in model. Their is hundreds of us !

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #127

May 012019

Malibu

  • miles
Reduced engine power alert. Ongoing issue since 2019

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #126

Aug 012022

Malibu

  • miles
1. The car when s parked the electronic system does not recognize this and the electronics of the car remain on. Draining the battery and sometimes taking several attempts or more at having to restart the car, shifting through gears in order to get the car to properly turn off. 2. I have been driving down the highway doing approximately 65-75 mph and the car out of no where, with no other cars around has slammed on the breaks and decreased in speed instantly. This has happened twice. 3. Stabilitrak light has come on several times, car violently shakes while ideling. I have already had to replace a piston in the engine. At the time the car was at about 50,000 miles. It is now at 75, 000 and still happens every so often.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #125

Jul 302022

Malibu

  • miles
When the vehicle is in drive, the display will say "reduced engine power" and will drop the car to 25mph even on the highway. I've almost wrecked from this issue. I've seen where GM has had class actions on this prior but it was never recalled.

- Tahlequah, OK, USA

problem #124

Jul 142022

Malibu

  • miles
When I accelerate, it hesitates to pick up speed. Once I made it to 75mph, a warning message came on that said engine power reduced and the check engine light came on. I looked up the issue and saw that several people with the same car were having the same issues. I added a gas treatment like they suggested but the light is still on. I have not been to a dealership or mechanic shop yet due to not having the money. But if this is a common problem then Chevrolet needs to pay for repairs. If my car fails while I-€™m driving, I could cause an accident.I have had the throttle body cleaned before and the wheel sensors but I am still having issues.

- Kinder, LA, USA

problem #123

Jul 012022

Malibu

  • miles
When I was driving to work, a light appeared on my dashboard stating that my "Engine Power Reduced". When I was in the left lane passing a vehicle, my car slowed down to 40pmh instead of accelerating when I had pressed the gas pedal. The car behind me almost re ended me in the process. This has happened now on a couple of occasions afterwards.

- Bastrop, TX, USA

problem #122

Mar 282022

Malibu

  • miles
I was driving to the clinic I go to everyday in the mornings I was in the freeway going about 70mph when suddenly I get a msg saying -€œengine power reduced-€ also engine light came on and the car starts slowing down and it-€™s not letting me go more than 20mph on the FREEWAY! I could have caused an accident, (this is very unsafe specially since my 2 and 4 year old were in the car with me) I got off on the next exit and pulled in to a gas station and turned the car off and waited about 10 mins I turned the car back on and the msg was gone but the engine light was still on about a minute or 2 later the msg comes back on so I have to pull over again, it did it about 5x before I can make it to my destination not to mention the way back home I had to stop about 3x more. This is very unsafe and something has to be done as it is not only my car with this problem.

- Sacramento , CA, USA

problem #121

Oct 142021

Malibu

  • miles
My problem started with the engine first sending me a code -€œreduced engine power-€ and this code would appear one week and gone the next. I have taken it to mechanics and had parts replaced and temporary fixes. After getting it back from the mechanic and them telling me that the cylinder one isn-€™t holding the correct pressure and the exhaust value is burnt due to the consistent auto engine shutoff. The day I got it back on the road the engine went full shutdown at a stop light and would not turn on immediately. I was lucky enough to get it running long enough to crawl into a gas station and get a tow truck to come pick it up and tow it back to the mechanic shop and that-€™s where it-€™s been sitting there till I find a new engine to replace it.

- Desloge, MO, USA

problem #120

Mar 082022

Malibu

  • miles
Driving on highway at speed of 70mph during rush hour very very busy when my car shows a warning engine power reduced and slows all the way down to 20mph lucky I was able to get over the 3 lanes of traffic without causing an accident but this is very unsafe I looked to see if there was a recall on the vehicle but there-€™s not so I had a mechanic look at the car and they said nothing is wrong with it "?" Well today on my way home it did it again!! I-€™m sorry but how is nothing wrong with it if my car is slowing to a dangerous speed this issue could cost someone their life

- Anderson, IN, USA

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