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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,312 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.

2018 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #62

Aug 202021

Malibu

  • miles

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

While driving 70 mph, I get an Alert that stated reducing speed. And my check engine light came on. This is not the first time. Lucky I was able to get off the Highway without getting into an accident. Also my car sometimes will not cut off because it says my car is in shift even though I have it in park. This is dangerous to have a car reduce speed while driving 70 mph to Abruptly go 40 mph. Last time this happen a month ago no codes came up and the check engine light eventually went off. But now my check engine light is back on again.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #61

May 162021

Malibu

  • 62,000 miles
My engine power reduced signal on my 2018 Malibu lt comes on on my dash. I have almost been in a few accidents because of this on the highway. This is an issue that needs to be recalled asap. I have already gotten the entire gas pedal replaced. This is ridiculous because they already know about this problem but are too cheap to do a recall on it. Someone is going to die one day because of this and it will fall on the hands of the car company.

- Antioch, TN, USA

problem #60

Apr 072021

Malibu

  • 79,500 miles
Was driving the Malibu on the interstate traveling 75 mph and all of sudden vehicle started to slo dwn and on the dashboard appeared - engine power is reduced. This could have resulted in an accident and not safe as I do travel back and forth to college. I had to make my way over to breakdown lane, turn car off and then turn back on and drive again. This has happened several times so far with the most recent May 7, 2021

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

problem #59

Apr 302021

Malibu

  • 44,700 miles

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

I was driving on the highway this morning at over 65 mph when suddenly my 2018 Malibu started slowing down and would not respond to accelerator. I saw that the check engine light and traction control light were on and there was a message saying "engine power reduced." Was not able to accelerate past 30 mph. Highway was busy but was able to get out of the fast lane over to the far right lane and get to work. After a few hours, I started car and the check engine light remained on, but the "engine power reduced" message was gone. After seeing so many complaints for this issue, I feel GM should permanently fix this issue as it could have dangerous consequences.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #58

Apr 222021

Malibu

  • 51,340 miles
While operating my vehicle at approximately 50 mph on a busy highway I received a check engine light, traction control light and a warning that the engine power has been reduced. After all of those warnings my vehicle immediately slowed to 20 mph and would not speed up.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #57

Apr 022021

Malibu

  • 84,500 miles
When driving my 2018 Chevy Malibu it stalls out while I'm driving reducing my speed to 20 mph when I'am on the freeway. As I continue to drive home I seen a notification that said power reduce system it happens very often and as a result of the stalling I was rear ended from the rear and it is very dangerous for me to continue driving this car.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #56

Apr 022021

Malibu

  • 60,100 miles

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

The car us under 60,000 miles three years old and already breaking down. The air flow sensor out of self-test range, turbocharge engine underboost problems and mass air flow sensor performance is also problematic, making the car stop instantly and sporadically creating a high imminent danger of crashing and serious injuries. Luckily the car behind me was far enough to stop before rear-ending me. Had it been a semi-truck I don't think I would have been so lucky. These issues need to be immediately recalled and corrected!!!

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #55

Mar 222021

Malibu

  • 51,000 miles
I turned on my car and it said 'reduced engine power' on the screen and I could only accelerate up to 35mph. I was going up hill it felt like my car was barely moving. Turns felt much slower going uphill when driving in residential areas.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #54

Mar 202021

Malibu

  • 15,000 miles
While driving engine power reduced message comes on and speed is cut to below 35 mph.

- Frederick, CO, USA

problem #53

Feb 242021

Malibu

  • 45,000 miles
While driving the error message " power reduced" and will only do about 30 mph. I have looked on line and at least a couple of law firms have clients for the lemon Malibu 2018 model. First time this occured, I was going up a hill with a truck behind meand nearly rear ended me.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #52

Feb 192021

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles

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

I was driving at approximately 55mph on a highway when the vehicle gave a warning of 'engine power is reduced'. my car quickly dropped to 20mph and I was unable accelerate. This happened while there was another vehicle behind me and I was scared I was going to be rear ended. I put my hazard lights on and parked my vehicle. I shut the vehicle off and turned it back on which allowed me to operate the vehicle again but only at a capacity of 40mph. I had the vehicle repaired later that day it needed something with an electronic throttle control and pedal sensor replaced. I also learned that this is an issue that GM is well aware of and feel that they need to recall vehicles affected by this issue. There's no reason a vehicle should be dropping to 20 mph unexpectedly on a highway.

- Ottawa, IL, USA

problem #51

Feb 162021

Malibu

  • 51,123 miles
While driving my engine and traction light came on and a sensor popped up that read 'engine power is reduced'. I was driving down the highway and my speed was reduced. I can't and could not speed up.

- Edgewood, MD, USA

problem #50

Feb 152021

Malibu

  • 69,387 miles
After pulling out of a convenient store, onto a main road for about a half a mile my car immediately lost speed and a display appeared in my dash engine power reduced, check engine light and traction control light appeared. I couldn't drive no more than 20 miles per hour.. scary moment, so glad nothing was coming behind me. Car in shop! this need to be fix it's a many people having the same problem with this year kind of car somebody is going to get killed fix the problem for free GMC

- Bumpass, VA, USA

problem #49

Feb 112021

Malibu

  • 52,224 miles
While driving 65 mph car issued warning reduced engine power and check engine light popped on. Car then would not drive faster than 30 mph. Very sudden and with no previous warning this happened. Took to repair shop and after diagnostic was told acceleration pedal sensor was bad. This is not a covered repair and cost $800. This sudden reduction of power is very dangerous and a safety hazard to me and other cars on the road

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #48

Feb 012021

Malibu

  • 51,000 miles
Car died in the middle of a busy intersection and wouldn't restart for approximately 2 minutes. Check engine light came on and reduced engine power on dash cluster was visible when it restarted. Dealership placed new battery & it went away for about a week then returned while driving in the 45 mph range, reduced engine power, then slow acceleration from a stop sign. Seems there have been multiple class action lawsuits for this issue with no recall in place at this time.

- Shelbyville, TN, USA

problem #47

Feb 022021

Malibu

  • 64,000 miles
I started to accelerate and the check engine light came on and reduced engine power was on my information display and my car would not go over 30 mph. Just happened out of the blue. I have approximately 64,000 miles on my Malibu. This happened on a city street and not in heavy traffic, but could have been very dangerous, if I was on a highway. Then after I limped the car home I turned it off and turned it back on and it seemed normal, but check engine light is still on. I am getting rid of this car has had 5 recalls of various problems so far. On one occasion the dealership had my car for 2 weeks...trying to fix a problem with the accelerator.

- Colfax, IN, USA

problem #46

Feb 012021

Malibu

  • 59,690 miles
On January 11 2021 while driving my 2018 Chevy Malibu to work I received a check engine warning on my dash, my message stating "reduced engine power" came on and my car suddenly and significantly reduced speed from 50 to 20mph. I was almost hit from behind by another motorist and had to manuever my car to the side of the road. I turned the car off, reestarted it and was able to continue driving. The check engine light remained on. I called the Chevy dealer and brought it in for service the next morning. I was told it was a sensor issue and it was covered under warranty. I received the car back on January 13th 2020.today, February 1st 2020 while driving to work my car experienced the same problem. I was able to avoid being hit again and stopped on the side of the road. My car is now back at the Chevy dealership. After expecting the issue was fixed and wouldnt happen again, I am extremely fearful for my safety (and those around me) in this car. I am a working mother and need to rely on my car to get my family to work and school.

- Dacula, GA, USA

problem #45

Jan 312021

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
When I drive I'm losing engine power where my speed is reduced significantly. This is very dangerous. I've looked up this issue and there is a recall on Malibu's 2016-2018. I haven't got a recall on my car yet but this defect in these cars are ridiculous. Someone needs to get in touch with me asap about this defect. This is very serious and dangerous on the roads. My speed is reduced while I'm driving.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #44

Jan 182021

Malibu

  • miles
While in motion the engine power is reduced then the car slowed to a speed of 20 mph. Upon starting M vehicle a week a later the engine reduction warning came on again. The throttle body was replaced now I'm being told it's the accelerator pedal position sensor. Why should I have to pay for this.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #43

Jan 262021

Malibu

  • 61,500 miles
I was driving at highway speed when suddenly car decelerated to 20mph. The check engine light warning popped up along with a engine power reduced message. I was unable to accelerate at normal highway speeds even after turning off and restarting car.

- Stockton, CA, USA

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