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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 1 of 15)

problem #281

Mar 222024

Malibu

  • miles

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

I had my vehicle for about 2 years. I noticed that after I went over a certain amount of mileage, my car went into an engine power reduce mode. With the engine power reduce mode my vehicle could only go 25 mph. This was happening to me when I was driving on major highways, etc.. I would have to pull over and stop the vehicle because after certain amount of time it also would tell me oil pressure low to stop engine. I took it to the Chevy dealership to have it looked at. I got the runaround with trying to figure out exactly what the issue was. They kept telling me that it was something else I spent over $1600 in repairs due to them, telling me that they found the issue and corrected it. After about another week or two, The same issue happened, engine power reduced stop engine oil pressure low. The most dangerous part about it is again I-??m driving on interstates heading to work, etc. and the car is slows down on the interstate not allowing me to go over 25 mph again having to pull over on the interstate to give the car a break, crank it back up and get to a safe location. After having multiple mechanics look at it, still unable to fix. It started to get worse where once it pops up engine power reduce, oil pressure low stop engine, the car started jerking & shaking really bad. The only way to stop this from happening is to again shut the car down. I can-??t keep shutting the car down in the middle of the interstate and on major roads. I took the vehicle to the Chevy dealership first they couldn-??t find the issue. They said it was another issue that wasn-??t even the issue so I paid over $1600 for nothing. I took it to Rick Hendrick, who couldn-??t find an issue and all they could tell me was to trade it in. This vehicle issue needs to be recalled. My bf is now having the exact same issue that my car was having & after researching, others are as well. Same year, same model, just a different color. This vehicle needs to be recalled for this ongoing safety issue ASAP!

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #280

Dec 062024

Malibu

  • miles
I will be driving at posted speed limits (typically 55 to 60 MPH) and while going up a hill, the engine loses power. I get a notice on my screen that states engine power reduced. Speed reduces to no more than 35 MPH. This can put others in danger if they are too close or if the roads are icy due to it being winter in Indiana. I put on my hazard lights, and I am able to pull off the side of the road, turn off the car for 5 minutes and restart it and have power back. But engine light remains on. Mechanics cannot find anything wrong. No warnings prior to the incident. In fact, the car loses power and then the message appears on screen. This has happened 7 times in the last 4 months.

- Nashville, IN, USA

problem #279

Sep 302024

Malibu

  • miles
Reduce Engine Power - vehicle decreased acceleration drastically while driving on the highway.

- Smyrna, TN, USA

problem #278

Oct 012024

Malibu

  • 138,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Reduced Power Engine" message displayed and the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The brake pedal was firm while depressed and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the vacuum pump deteriorated and went into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #277

Sep 192024

Malibu

  • miles
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!

- Culpeper, VA, USA

problem #276

Sep 222024

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Hutchinson , KS, USA

problem #275

Sep 182024

Malibu

  • miles

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

I experienced a check engine light and a "reduced engine power" message in the middle of traffic in the stromy rain. I was driving 35 to 40 mph before vehicle slowed to almost a stop and when pressed gas pedal it excel slowly creeped to less than 30 MPH THANKFUL I wasn't rear-ended.Pulled into nearest Autozone part store and diagnostic scan showed the P2138 code. DC severity, sensor, and accelerator pedal position - see photos attached. Waited with engine off for approx over 30 minutes then started vehicle, engine lght off and proceeded to my destination excell with no issues.This has happened several times since purchase of vehicle began 2019. Throttle body repairs, ECM replacements and harness repairs later still reoccurring documented at dealships and repair shops. This is a serious and costly hazard.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #274

Sep 142024

Malibu

  • miles
Update to claim #11614644. Car was inspected by Auto Lenders in Lakewood, NJ. Vacuum pump failed and cam shaft has to be replaced, was told the engine **SHOULD* be salvageable. They won't know until they start taking it apart. Was told it will take 12 hrs for each part at $180 an hr. Damage is estimated at $4500. Car is currently under an extended warranty, we are waiting to hear if the warranty will cover the damage. My son still owes $9000 on the car, we bought it 2 yrs ago. Beyond angry that Chevy/GM has not recalled this car!!!

- Galloway, NJ, USA

problem #273

Sep 142024

Malibu

  • miles
Vacuum pump failure. Brakes failed while driving the car, brakes became manual power but was able to pull over safely. There was no previous warning or error codes. Car is currently at a Mr. Tire facility. The manager ran diagnostic code - "reduce engine power" error and found the cause as the vacuum pump. Due to the time of the failure, late Saturday 9/14/24, the part cannot be ordered until Monday from the local Chevy dealership. The facility will not know if there is additional engine damage until the part is remove and inspected. There is known issues with vacuum pumps failing and a class action lawsuit currently in ligation.

- Galloway, NJ, USA

problem #272

Aug 122024

Malibu

  • miles
The car will not turn off when placed in the park position. A warning comes on that states "shift to park" when the car is already in park. I have contacted Chevrolet twice and was notified that their are no open recalls on this. This is a very common and known problem with 2016-2019 Chevy malibu as well as Chevy Cruze model. Chevrolet is no help in this matter. I feel this is a large safety issue as you cannot turn the car off. PLEASE HELP!

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #271

Jul 012024

Malibu

  • miles

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

The main head gasket fails on these vehicles causing oil to leak everywhere and on top of electrical wires. The lost of oil has caused the engine to reduce the engine speed randomly on the highway which had risk of accidents multiple times, by unable to move the vehicle off the road at a reasonable time. The oil sips land on top of electrical wires which creates the risk of fire.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #270

Jun 202024

Malibu

  • miles
Driving and the car does not shift correctly when speeding up onto the interstate and then engine light comes on and words engine power is reduced comes on. Called Chevrolet and can no longer drive vehicle.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #269

Jun 012024

Malibu

  • miles
Vehicle listed a warning "engine power is reduced" and check engine light came on. Vehicle was taken to local dealer shop to have issue resolved. Original thought from technician was the oil was low. Upon topping off the oil problem persisted. After having the engine tested it was determined to have a cracked piston.

- Merriam, KS, USA

problem #268

May 152024

Malibu

  • miles
while driving the engine lost power started idling rough and the MIL came on. The MIL was found to be cyl 1 misfire, mechanic tracked it down to a cracked piston. A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE. the VIN does not show it as being included in any recall

- Maybrook, NY, USA

problem #267

May 012024

Malibu

  • miles
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)

- Raytown, MO, USA

problem #266

May 222019

Malibu

  • 176,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently engine seized and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the battery would not stay charged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a no-start dead battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of TSB 16-NA-209 in which the failure description was similar to that of the contact's vehicle. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for repair. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and the vehicle had a scheduled service appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

- Beltsville, MD, USA

problem #265

May 032024

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Appling, GA, USA

problem #264

Jan 292024

Malibu

  • miles
My car was started shaking really bad and the stabili trak sensor came on. My engine had to be replaced in February 2023. My car was at 66K miles. I rarely drove it. I worked from home for 3 years due to the pandemic. I purchased the car with about 12K miles. I was on my way home and my car just shut off. I could not get it to start at all. The stabili trak light came on. This was in January 2024 with 75K miles. The tow truck driver told me he had picked up multiple Chevrolets experiencing this same issue. It took the dealership almost two months to figure out that the crank sensor needed to be replaced.

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

problem #263

Apr 032024

Malibu

  • miles
I bought this car August 2013 and I have been constantly having issues with it I contacted the BBB they showed them a check off list of the problem I was having to quiet them I was having rear in issues that they claim they did a full exspection of the vehicle which isn't true they tried to give me excuses now the car shows it's in part but it's saying action is required the car isn't in parking made a video on my phone so they can't make a excuse this should be a recall because I have read reviews with people having the same problem not once but two times after the first repair and it's not fair to the consumer someone need to investigate the dealerships.I can't get my video to upload I do have a short video on my cell phone

- Tifton, GA, USA

problem #262

Feb 192024

Malibu

  • 176,051 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently and she observed a loud noise emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was stopped but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there was no oil in the vehicle, and several unknown codes appeared on the diagnostic machine. Oil was administered to the vehicle. The contact stated that two days later the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the blown head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 176,051.

- Monetta, SC, USA

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