What 810 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. Additionally, the message “Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 11665802

I started smelling a strong smell of gas while operating the vehicle. Took to a dealership who diagnosed a turbocharger clamp and exhaust failure. From what I understand I am not the only one with a clamp/exhaust/seal problem. A friend of mine who owned a GM product had similar problems to the point her engine failed altogether. Please investigate!

NHTSA ODI 11617854

A couple days ago I went to drive my car and it took a second to actually turn on and it was shaking way more than usual and pooped up with a message saying “engine power is reduced” I haven’t drove my car since because i tried and it was moving very slow, and i also didn’t wanna cause further issues. For some time now my car has been shaky. i have taken it in and balanced my tires because of this issue and nothing had helped. I am always scared to drive it because it has been so shaky but now that this message has popped up it’s even worse and it’s during my whole drive. Also every time i park it isn’t connecting and says “shift to park” even though it is shifted into park. i have to shake it and press some button to go all register that it is shifted into park and can shut my vehicle off. I have read every where that this issue has happened to so many 2016/2017 chevy Malibu’s. I have read the dangers and i do not feel safe driving my car like this. I also didn’t have my car when there was a recall on this exact part before. and i’m guessing the dealership who had it before me did not fix it, causing the problems to worsen other parts of my car. I can’t drive this car due to the safety and i believe it should be a recalled. I am not totally sure what is doing it but as of all the other people online, they said it has to do the gas pedal (2k replacement) and fuel pumps and also could have burned wires which my car also has. thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11616515

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

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

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

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.

NHTSA ODI 11495405

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.

NHTSA ODI 11474027

I was driving down the Freeway at 65 mph. The roads were wet and slick from snow and in heavy traffic. I got a check engine light and immediately a Engine Power Reduced light. I suddenly lost power and another vehicle behind me almost hit me. I was able to get to the side of the road and shut it off. After a few minutes, I started it back up and the light was still on. I needed to get off the freeway and find a way to work so I put on the emergency flashers and drove to the next exit. The light remained on but I had full power. I am trying to get an appointment to have it looked at.

NHTSA ODI 11445078

I was driving on a highway approx 60 miles an hour when a message came in my dashboard stating reduction in engine power, the vehicle abruptly slowed to 20 mph without any warning and I was barely able to pull my vehicle off to the side of the road without being rear ended by the vehicle behind me on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11444572

The car stalls if i stop or in traffic..the car is still running I can have the gas pedal to the floor it will not go then it takes off really quick when when it powers back on it feel like it loses power when I’m trying to go but the car is running the whole time it’s Hybrid propulsion system General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11430408

Car suddenly lost power slowing to 20mph on highway slowing to the point I was an obstacle in the lane so had to abruptly drive on to shoulder and out of traffic to prevent a collision from behind me as I had a close call. Car showed reduced engine power message. I wait until late at night when there was no traffic to drive the car home safely. The next day I had code read and it was a P2138. From what I have now learned online this is a wide spread problem that GM is very aware of.

NHTSA ODI 11423548

I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I RECEIVED AN ALERT ON MY DASH "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR BECAME MUCH LESS RESPONSIVE TO PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND SEEMED TO BE HAVING TROUBLE GOING MORE THAN ~30 MPH. AN INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM GAVE THE ERROR CODE P2138 AS THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11405011

I WAS DRIVING DOWNTOWN WHEN CAR ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SLOWED DOWN THEN SHUT OFF, LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME DIDN'T HIT ME. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I'VE HAD IT TOWED 2 TIME ONE MECHANIC SAID: I NEEDED A MOTOR. I BOUGHT A CODE READER REPLACED BOTH BATTERIES. NEXT CODE P2138 REDUDED ENGINE POWER. IT A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE CONTROL ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. I TOWED IT TO GM DEALERSHIP THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL ME A MOTOR AND WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE, PEDAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL ONLY SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #N192188250 GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATION DCS5117 GLOBAL WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11385684

DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THEN TAPPING THE BRAKE TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO AUTO STOP AND THEN SHUT EVERYTHING OFF EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC CAR TO RESTART THE CAR IT'S LIKE A STANDARD IT HAS TO ROLL BACKWARDS BEFORE YOU CAN GO FORWARDS, THE FUEL ISSUE IS I'VE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THREE TANKS OF GAS AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GREAT CAR ON GAS ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY I'M BARELY GETTING A 150 FOR EACH FULL TANK OF GAS. THE 47 HW AND 27 CITY FOR GAS MILAGE IS MORE LIKE 27HW AND 10 CITY ....

NHTSA ODI 11382816

CAR STALLED AFTER AUTO STOP WHILE TRYING TO EXCELERATE. ERROR MESSAGE SAYING EMISSIONS CONTROL. MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS UNKNOWN AND POSSIBLE A RECALL. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11372802

COMPONENT POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI 11322316

13 MONTHS AGO I BEGAN HAVING ACCELERATOR SENSOR ISSUES. DRIVING 40+ MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, "ENGINE REDUCED POWER", "STABILITRAK" CAME ON MY HUD. MY FATHER HAS A 2017 MALIBU AND THIS HAD JUST HAPPENED TO HIM, SO I KNEW TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON, BUT THE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PAST 40MPH AND TOOK FOREVER TO GET UP TO SPEED. TOOK IT IN AND THEY "FIXED" IT. I HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED 3 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS. ALL SIMILAR SITUATIONS, DRIVING 45+ MPH. MY TOUCH SCREEN RADIO ALSO WENT OUT, AND HAD TO GET A NEW HEAD UNIT. STILL TO THIS DAY ONLY ONE OF THE USB SLOTS WORKS. SUMMER GOES ON, NO ISSUES. OCTOBER TIME FRAME, MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH FOR A SPLIT SECOND. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, RADIO, SPEEDOMETER, ALL OF IT AT 5AM. IT CAME BACK ON WITHIN 2 SECONDS AND THE CAR WAS FINE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING. HAD A BUDDY OF MINE RUN A CODE CHECK AND NOTHING SHOWED UP. A MONTH LATER I HAD ANOTHER ACCELERATOR SENSOR ISSUE, DRIVING 60+ MPH. HAD TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD UNTIL I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT IN AND GOT IT FIXED FOR FREE SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL. 2 MONTHS GO BY, WE'RE IN JANUARY 2020 NOW, DRIVING 60+ AND MY CAR SHOWS "STABILITRAK" AND HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THE PREVIOUS LOW POWER, AND NOT ACCELERATING. TURNS OUT TO BE THE AIR CHARGE COOLER. NOT A WEEK LATER AFTER GETTING IT BACK, DRIVING 70+ MPH AND MY CAR LOSES POWER. HAD TO TOW IT SINCE I WAS IN A DIFFERENT STATE. CYLINDER 1 HAS LOW PRESSURE AND THE CHARGE AIR COOLER IS FLOODED WITH DEBRIS. AND NOW CHEVY IS TELLING ME I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE!! WTF?

NHTSA ODI 11311438

INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE OF "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". ENGINE POWER AND ACCELERATION WAS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS BEHIND ME OR I MAY HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I PULLED OFF ON SHOULDER AND TURNED CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED CAR BACK ON AND ENGINE POWER AND ACCELERATION WAS RESTORED. ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON THOUGH.

NHTSA ODI 11309087

ENGINE REDUCED LIGHT

NHTSA ODI 11307093

CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS BLINKS ON AND OFF CAR DEFECTS AS IF IT WILL CUT OFF FOUND OUT ITS THE PISTON AND THROTTLE BODY FROM FIELDSMAN CHEVROLET NOW IM OUT OF A CAR WITH NO LOANER CAR BECAUSE THEY ARE BACKED THIS CAR WAS CALLED FOR RECALL FOR THESE REPAIRS

NHTSA ODI 11297891

SO I FEEL LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IF I HAD TO READ A LOT OF STORIES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO MINE. MY VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FINE AND THEN I GET A SIGNAL ON MY DASH AS I AM GOING UP A HILL SAYING THAT "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET TRYING TO GET TO WORK AND I COULD BARELY GET UP THE HILL. THANK GOODNESS THERE WASN'T A LOT OF TRAFFIC THAT TIME OF DAY. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO A STORE TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A THROTTLE UNIT REPLACEMENT. IT IS SUPPOSED TO CONTROL MY ACCELERATION. THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS TO KEEP HAPPENING AND NOTHING BE DONE ABOUT IT WHEN I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON IT. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY TOO AND HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11297075

DECEMBER 31, 2019 AT 1:18PM, DRIVING AT SPEED ON THE MOST DANGEROUS PORTION OF I-95 IN THE SPRINGFIELD, VA AREA, MERGING FROM A LEFT HIGHWAY ENTRANCE RAMP INTO THE FAR LEFT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPED TO 20MPH AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED, PUTTING MY SON'S AND NUMEROUS OTHER DRIVERS' LIVES IN JEOPARDY. WAS ABLE TO GET TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED US THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WILL 'PROBABLY' NOT COST ANYTHING TO REPAIR. THEY TOLD US IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE MADE IN 3 DAYS, BUT TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THE ADVICE FROM THE DEALER TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT THIS WAY IS RIDICULOUS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF REPORTS OF THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. WE WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DIED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND CHEVROLET AND THE NHTSA FAILING TO DO ITS JOB OF REQUIRING A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11292393

PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN TO AN ALMOST STOP POSITION. WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET OR ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR DECIDES IT WANTS TO SHUT DOWN. ALL ELECTRICAL REGARDING THE FRONT AND BACK CAMERAS HAVE GONE BLACK.

NHTSA ODI 11291709

COMING BACK IN TOWN FROM VISITING A FRIEND. SOON AS I WAS MAKING AN EXIT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED RUNNING FUNNY MAKING WEIRD NOISES. I PARKED AND LET MY CAR SIT FOR 15 MINUTES AND GAIN A LITTLE SPEED TO IT. LUCKILY I WAS DOWN THE STREET FROM A AUTO ZONE. AUTOZONE WAS ABLE TO TELL ME MY FUEL REGULATOR PRESSURE WAS LOW. I DID CONTACT MY DEALERSHIP AND I NOW I HAVE TO TOW IT IN WHICH ILL COST ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I ALSO READ THAT THESE TYPES OF THINGS HAPPENS A LOT TO THESE TYPE CARS. IF I WOULD OF KNOWN THAT I WOULD OF WENT WITH A DIFFERENT CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11288307