What 810 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Charged air cooler makes it so your car slows down to 20 on interstate

NHTSA ODI 11568016

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.

NHTSA ODI 11565863

Warning display on dash reads "Engine power is reduced " and forces and abrupt reduction on vehicle speed, Especially on highway driving on commute. Noticed online multiple similar concerns and complaints. No recall or extended warranty?

NHTSA ODI 11563256

Shift to park message appears on dash screen when car is attempting to shut off ignition when shifter is in park position. Can't turn off car.

NHTSA ODI 11560964

Shift to park message while in park position when attempting to shut off car; I can't cut off car without making many tries. this has happened before dealer repairing the problem and within two years dealer installing new "fix.".

NHTSA ODI 11560968

*Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor- It is available upon request. * Due to the malfunction of the accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, the check engine light comes on and it flashes "engine reduced power" which slows the car down to a very low rate of speed not allowing the driver to go any faster. I was on the highway going speeds of around 75mph and that light came on and slowed my vehicle down which caused the car behind me to almost run into the back of my vehicle. I've had this occurrence with this problem several times. * UNKNOWN *UNKNOWN *No, absolutely nothing prior to the check engine light and "engine reduced power". The issue is sporadic and happens at any given moment. There is no warning that alerts when this happens.

NHTSA ODI 11560801

My car enters a reduced engine power mode causing my car to slow down during high speeds with a potential acciden…. the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, the ‘Engine Power is Reduced’ message will display. I have called GM and was told it wouldn't be covered, I have talked to the dealer and taken it in before but I can't afford to keep paying a $150 fee to have my car looked at. I have been having this issue since April

NHTSA ODI 11558039

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.

NHTSA ODI 11556784

Bulletin 19-NA-122 that General Motors posted about my specific car having future engine issues happened to my car right after their mile limitation. They said due to my miles being pass the number and although I’m with in the 10 year window they cannot do anything for my car. I was driving in the high way using cruise control then my car just randomly slowed down on the highway, my stabilitrack sign came on and my check engine sign started to blink and my engine started to shake my car. Very dangerous and I was not notified about these issues a single time I took my car to the dealership when it was within the time frame.

NHTSA ODI 11555111

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.

NHTSA ODI 11554408

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.

NHTSA ODI 11550242

Engine losing power going highway speed acceleration will not work

NHTSA ODI 11547596

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

NHTSA ODI 11547600

My 2016 Malibu is a piece of shit. Randomly, and this cannot be anticipated or reproduced, I will be driving and the car will say "engine power has been reduced". This is dangerous! It takes me from 70 mph on the highway to 15 mph almost immediately. I cannot speed up. It has almost caused at lease 5 accidents. It happens on the freeway, regular roads etc. and Chevrolet refuses to issue a recall to fix it. I can't take it into a dealership because it cannot be reduced and Chevrolet was EXTREMELY rude. They said you issue recalls and I need to contact you. The most recent date this happened was 9/25/2023 but it has happened many other times.

NHTSA ODI 11547033

Water has been leaking into my car from the roof and onto my seats. Today I discovered that I have black mold under my headliner. So water is somehow leaking through and had been for some time.

NHTSA ODI 11547147

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her dad was driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated and decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle was speeding up and then slowing down independently. The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to crash into a pole, however, the air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. While the mechanic was driving the vehicle, the vehicle drove as designed. However, the contact stated that while her dad was driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the wheels were extremely hot. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the brake vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 11545200

The engine only has 78K miles on it. I took it in because I received a notification that said stabilitrack. First I had a mechanic change the spark plugs, then I was told I had to take it in for a bigger issue with the engine. I was told it would cost $2500 just to break down the engine and diagnose it. Then I was quoted 11k on top of that to completely replace the engine. 78k miles and the engine needs replacing for more then the car is worth. The diagnosis was that I had a piston crack and the whole engine was ruined.

NHTSA ODI 11542541

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine oil pressure control circuit is stuck. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was driving when all of a sudden my car would not let me speed up to the speed limit and almost caused someone to rear end me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dick Allen's in Meadville as well as AutoZone who read the code Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning until the light came on and the car slowed down. This is the 3rd time this has happened. Previously I was told to put Cataclean into my fuel to help which it did but it seems to only be a temporary solution.

NHTSA ODI 11542260

I was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden my information center on my was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden my information center on my 2016 Chevy Malibu popped up a warning, reduced engine power and drop me down to 20 mph without warning. I barely made it to the side of the road before being run over by 18 wheelers all around me. Once I got it home I read the code, and it shows there’s not enough power going to the turbo in the engine that’s caused by the accelerator sensor. When I start at low speed or from a stop in attempt to accelerate the car hesitates to the point I can’t pull out with any cars around because I will be hit. I’ve been told this is a known problem for the vehicle and it’s a $500 part to fix. It’s extremely dangerous and I am so shocked there has not been a recall for this, it is putting everybody that is in one of these vehicles in danger

NHTSA ODI 11540588

automatic transmission shifter assembly is out of specifications and needed to be replaced by removing the center console to gain access with all other related new seals gaskets and non-reusable hardware and reinstall all components for repairs in the reverse order of removal. cleared all diagnostic trouble codes. the system is NOW operating as designed. Before the repair was made the car kept telling me that the shift was NOT in park, when it was. I am uncertain as to my safety or risk but was afraid to drive the vehicle as is. The repair was made on 8/17/23 by Richard Lucas Chevy, 1077 Rt.1 S, Avenel, NJ 07001 732-634-0100 at the cost to me of $435.42. My claim with GM is [XXX]. I was notified that this was a common problem with my specific vehicle and yet there has been no recall. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11539436

I was driving on the highway started to exit the exit ramp at the top of the exit ramp. There’s a stop sign. Want to stop for it previously to this my brakes were fine then I went to press on them to come to the final stop at the stop sign and they were super hard. and

NHTSA ODI 11539217

After driving I went to put my car in park and across the information display screen it said shift to park. I have to wiggle the shifter back and forth then the message goes away. Otherwise, the car lights stay on, car beeps at me saying I left the key behind.

NHTSA ODI 11539227

I bought the car brand new. Periodically the doors will not lock or unlock, only one at a time. I have had it in the shop on numerous occasions to get it repaired. It's fine for a while then it does it again, it changes from door to door. Now I can not get the driver's side back door to lock. My dash lights up to let me know the door is unlocked. I am afraid when i go to a public place, that someone will get into my car. I am so aggervated with this. I have an appointment AGAIN with the dealership for 8/16/23 for them to look at it and try to solve the problem. I have no idea when this started as it's been ongoing. The dealership is Wantz Chevrolet in Taneytown MD

NHTSA ODI 11538655

The contact's finance owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brake pedal would hardened when depressed without warning. While driving at 15 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle due to the hardened brake pedal. The driver side air bag failed to deploy as needed; the air bag slightly popped out of place but did not deploy. A police report was filed; no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic verified that the vacuum pump needed repair. In addition, the contact mentioned that the vehicle would independently downshift while driving at a high rate of speed as the "engine reduce speed" warning message would appear on the instrument panel. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified the failures; a case was filed with the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11538729

I took my car to to Firestone to have the brakes checked because I had a stiff brake pedal and could only use my emergency brake to stop. They did a basic and advanced diagnostic and said that the brake booster that I have has been recalled and also other equipments on my car has been recalled and I must bring it to a dealership. I searched my VIN and nothing popped up even though months ago I was emailed a recall notice on the fuel pump system and Air bags and it has never been repaired in my car even from the past owners.There have been 10 recalls from Malibu's manufactured in 2016 and my car shows every sign and indication that it is one of those few selected. My VIN should be updated or investigated for parts in my vehicle that have been recalled. The Car stops when idle for two minutes or longer and shuts off the engine and air if you use the USB outlet there is a serious electrical problem which is also a safety hazard according to NHTSA guidelines.

NHTSA ODI 11537472