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

Happened around 46000 miles after receiving a recall notice in the mail about the pedal positioning sensor causing a reduced engine power signal, and immediately reducing speeds on the interstate. Local Chevy dealership replaced. Fast-forward 80K miles and the same incident is happening, however likely not going to be covered by GM. Same message, same code being detected.

NHTSA ODI 11644103

Car showing warning : engine power reduced Car decelerate unexpectedly Car won’t accelerate past 20 mph intermittently - when putting car in park, car won’t recognize when in the park positioned and shows warning : shift to park

NHTSA ODI 11641570

On may 23,2024 I was on a very busy highway going 66. All of a sudden my 2016 malibu lt aburtely slowed to 27 miles an hour and two warnings lights came on 1 -engine power is reduced 2 - speed reduced to 27 I barely avoided getting hit by two semi trucks, as well as a car. The car is available for inspection on request. An independent service person confirmed it was indeed a defective electron control and acceleration peddle position sensor. How very irresponsible of you not to put out a recall on the 2016-2018 models knowing very well of the many class action law suits that have arrived from this issue. I probably can guarantee none of you own a Malibu. How very incredious it is that you put people lives in danger knowing that there was issues with the problem. Unbelievable. I almost got killed because of the lack of responsibility because you dint make a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11590824

Out of nowhere, a notification pops up and it says “engine speed reduced” and all of a sudden you can feel the car losing speed. Took the vehicle to the dealership multiple times and either they always say it’s a fuel injection problem or they have no idea what’s causing it but when they perform that service on the vehicle, it still happens. Dealership even told me once that my car computer system needed to be updated and once updated I wouldn’t have the issue and I still have the issue. Each time the engine speed is reduced, a notification pops up that the StabiliTrak needs to be serviced. My safety and life is at risk because I’m going 65 mph down the interstate and all of sudden my engine speed is reduced like I’m not in the middle of traffic with cars going at speeds between 60-75 mph. I almost got ran over by an 18 wheeler because of the engine speed reduction. I had to swerve hard to the side of the road and risk flipping or crashing to get off the road so I wouldn’t be hit

NHTSA ODI 11590296

Vehicle check Engine light on, showing "Reduced Engine Power." Vehicle still able to be driven, but will not accelerate with any proper pace or power. Cannot get above 3000 RPM without losing power, has put me in two dangerous situations in the last two days that almost made me lose my life. On highway, trying to accelerate to match traffic speeds, lose power and had to dive to the emergency lane to not get plowed by a truck. Today, was city driving, at a red light, could not accelerate and had to dive to a crawl the vehicle into a turn lane where I ended up sitting for about 10 minutes till the engine offered enough power to keep driving. By all information I can find online, it seems it is similar to the issues presented by others online and might tie into "Special Coverage N182188250 Loss of Continuity within Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Circuit" that I found here: [XXX] , this issue has been going for about 3 weeks to a month and is only getting worse. I did stop at McCarthy Chevrolet of Overland Park to have codes run about on [XXX], the codes showing do not show in the above link...codes: U1502, U0422, P06DE, C0760...those all present on the paper as "Current." I have not had it diagnosed yet, planning to, service is just so expensive. I have had the car in my car for 1 year and 1 month, purchased from MAX Motors in Harrisonville, Mo. Reporting here as I also saw online that others are facing the same symptoms, and that there is a suit that might be addressing these issues: [XXX] Every time the car is turned on, the warning mentioned above shows. See picture attached. Does not matter what type of driving or set "speed limit" issues show. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11590465

When driving the car it will stop mid drive and slow to 20MPH. The car has broken down in the middle of the road on multiple occasions. It has locked me in the car where I am unable to get out. On one occasion the battery was dead and the car had locked me out. I had to have someone unlock it. The next day the car was fine with no signs of issues. The car has been taken to multiple mechanics and no one knows the issue. Car doesn’t throw any codes or show any symptoms of issues.

NHTSA ODI 11589445

While traveling at normal speed (55-60MPH) Engine Power Reduced message pops up and car will not accelerate until I pull over, turn it off, then back on after a period of time. Message is beginning to come up frequently. Occurred 3 times this morning on the way to work.

NHTSA ODI 11586716

Our 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid intermittently began alerting of "Reduced Engine Power" and the accelerator would not allow the vehicle to accelerate. This happened twice, once on a busy highway that caused rapid deceleration of the vehicle. We brought the vehicle to the mechanic and there were a bunch of codes related to the accelerator position sensor. With parts and labor $415 to fix. Upon researching, there are a bunch of reports on car forums related to this. I believe there have been previous reports to the NHTSA. This problem needs to be fixed and a recall issued to have Chevy replace the Accelerator Position Sensor before someone gets hurt or killed. Once I pick up the vehicle, I will upload the invoice and see if I can get specific code numbers.

NHTSA ODI 11580422

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH with the "Engine, Reduced Power" message had displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was driving rough. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 143,000.

NHTSA ODI 11579490

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

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

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

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

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.

NHTSA ODI 11530448

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.

NHTSA ODI 11527854

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.

NHTSA ODI 11502981

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.

NHTSA ODI 11502020

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

NHTSA ODI 11496988

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

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 “engine 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 !

NHTSA ODI 11493400

Reduced engine power alert. Ongoing issue since 2019

NHTSA ODI 11490415

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.

NHTSA ODI 11476653

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