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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,620 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 9 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #121

Jan 132020

Malibu

  • 27,943 miles

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

While driving, the car suddenly flashed the "reduced engine speed" message, and the engine warning light came on. The vehicle would not exceed 20 mph after the message came on. The earliest dealership appointment was for 1/20/20 in a city approximately 30 minutes away; I called the Chevrolet warranty line and was advised to try calling other dealerships and take my vehicle to be serviced there, despite my repeated explanations of the safety risk due to the engine failure. I received my car back today (1/22/20) and was told the accelerator wiring was replaced under a "special" warranty extension and that they are not providing the warranty rental car coverage.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #120

Jan 062020

Malibu

  • 46,000 miles
On Jan 6 2020. I was driving a 2016 Chevy Malibu, when the check engine light and engine reduce power light came on. I pulled over and let the car seat for maybe 10 mins. I restarted the vehicle and begin driving again (it was pulling normal). About 3 miles down the road I was making a left turn and the car stop pulling and the reduce engine power light comes on which leaves me in the middle of a intersection section causing a vehicle coming from my right side to slam into the side of vehicle deploying all of my airbags and making on-star assistance come on. In the result I have neck, back and side injury from the impact. Which in the result I'm getting sued because my car stalled in the middle of the turn going left. My car was totaled out and my insurance don't want to pay the full value of what I was leasing it for. Which I have to come out the pocket with expenses. After reviewing the "engine reduce power" and doing my research I come to find out it has been numerous complaints. I could have lost my life!

- Stone Montain, GA, USA

problem #119

Jan 092019

Malibu

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the vehicle decelerated to 25 mph, while the instrument panel indicated reduce speed to engine. The contact stated that the failure recurred six times. The contact also stated that it would take two to three minutes for the vehicle to go 30 mph and will not advance in speed. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to vyletel Buick GMC dealer, (40755 van dyke ave, sterling heights, mi 48313, (586) 722-0607) and was diagnosed that the electronic sensor dealing with the throttle failed. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was invalid.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

problem #118

Oct 122019

Malibu

  • 77,615 miles

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

The acceleration sensor is making the engine reduce power, know as the throttle body.. it only comes on when it's raining outside or my car is driven in the rain, then next day this starts happening.. has to be some type of recalll on this sensor, very dangerous reduces your speed down to 40 or sometimes 20 when it comes

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #117

Jan 132020

Malibu

  • 51,000 miles
My check engine light came on & I received an alert stating that my engine power had been reduced while driving. The car will not accelerate.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #116

Jan 012020

Malibu

  • 190,000 miles
Going 80 mph and all of a sudden reduced engine power unable to accelerate beyond 20 miles per hour on 75 South in ocala fl.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #115

Oct 122019

Malibu

  • 71,345 miles

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

Reduce engine power comes on every time I'm driving or it comes back a week or so with the same message

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #114

Jan 082020

Malibu

  • 150,000 miles
The accelerator pedal censor is faulty and causes the vehicle to start to power down. This common in many Chevrolet models from the Impala, to the Malibu and Cruze.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #113

Jan 072020

Malibu

  • 44,000 miles
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

- Inkster, MI, USA

problem #112

Jan 032020

Malibu

  • 85,000 miles
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.

- Bethlehem, GA, USA

problem #111

Dec 262019

Malibu

  • 240 miles

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

Vehicle purchased in September 2015 with 18 miles. 3 weeks later when brakes were pressed, they started making this grinding sound. The sound appeared occasionally every few months for a few seconds. Brake noise still occasionally occurring in 2019, dealerships said it's just moisture. Think it's something else. 3 weeks after purchase engine light comes on with code P2097, then light cuts off a few days later, dealer states just needs computer update. The engine light keeps coming on every few months reading the same code P2097. Receive a shift to park message when vehicle is in park and off, have to cut vehicle on and off until the message disappears. Took to dealership paid $300 to replace a sensor. Still experiencing the same problem every few weeks. The vehicle runs fine minus these reoccurring issues since purchased.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #110

Dec 042019

Malibu

  • 60,200 miles
Driving down the road, loss of power. Vehicle would not go over 20mph. This has happened multiple times.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #109

Dec 092019

Malibu

  • 49,120 miles
When taking off from a complete stop the car hesitates for 15-20 seconds before take-off. The lights and radio goes off and the dome light glitches. The electronic stability control light comes-on. The car has a real slow take-off. This problem was repaired in July 2018 and it started over in the last two-weeks.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #108

Dec 082019

Malibu

  • miles
When I am driving my 2016 Chevy Malibu will reduce speed in the middle of traffic. The dash reads 'engine reduced power'. this has happened a lot times since I purchased my vehicle in September 2016. The dealership has notes of many times I have reported.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #107

Oct 312019

Malibu

  • 31,239 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the message center displayed "engine power reduced" and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the vehicle started to lose power. The contact pulled over in a parking lot before driving home. Leman's Chevy city (1602 momssey dr, bloomington, il 61704) was contacted by phone, but they did not have any appointments available for at least three weeks. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 31,239.

- Normal, IL, USA

problem #106

Nov 222019

Malibu

  • 83,000 miles
System reading 'engine power reduced'

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #105

Nov 212019

Malibu

  • 113,000 miles
Engine reduced power notification. 2016 model has done this 4 times.

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #104

Nov 192019

Malibu

  • 39,050 miles
Driving at 55 mpd the "reduced engine capacity" light comes on and the car slows to 30 mpd with no ability to accelerate. Was able to get it to the service at dealership 11 miles away... no part available, they have to keep the car. They state it is the accelerator pedal that needs replaced hoping this fixes it because this was scary

- New Cumberland, WV, USA

problem #103

Nov 142019

Malibu

  • 69,143 miles
I was driving home on the highway going 60mph and the reduced engine power sensor and check engine light came on! the car speed reduced to 20mph and I had to swerve to the far right lane to avoid getting hit by the other vehicles on the highway. This almost cost me my life! I got off the nearest exit taking the street way home. This is the second time I have seen this sensor go off. The first time it came on (April 2019) nothing happen to my car, it was driving perfectly fine and the sensor disappear 2 days later and I haven't seen it since until now. When the sensor disappear, then my car begin shaking when its in idle. I took the car to the nearest Chevrolet dealership and they stated that I had a leaking gasket. I couldn't believe it because my car never leaked any oil and I had my oil changes on time. A recall need to be added for this issue as it appears that people encounter this problem regularly!

- Creve Coeur, MO, USA

problem #102

Nov 112019

Malibu

  • 43,918 miles
When I was driving on the expressway the reduce engine power alert popped up on the dash along with my engine light reducing my speed to 30mph. I thought it was because I was due for an oil change. So went to get an oil change as soon as the reduce engine power alert came one. When I left the shop my car was fine. No engine light either. Fast forward a week later I'm headed to work again and the alert pops up. I was already close to my job so I kept going. When I got off of work the alert and engine light was off. Fast forward another week, yesterday, I'm leaving work and the engine light pops up and my engine reduced the speed again. I've made an appointment the nearest GM dealership for them to look at my car. This is a dangerous situation to be in on the expressway. Especially in Chicago when the weather is bad. I searched this problem on google and it seems to be a problem that to many Chevy Malibu car owners are having. Seems like enough for them to do a recall.

- Homewood, IL, USA

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