2014 Chevrolet Malibu: sudden loss of power

Filed Dec 23, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · TX

I am filing a complaint regarding a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu that I purchased from a dealership on November 22, 2024. The vehicle was advertised as being in “excellent condition” at the dealership’s site. During the test drive, I raised concerns about potential transmission issues, but the dealership assured me that the vehicle was “clean” and safe to drive. Unfortunately, this assurance turned out to be false, as the vehicle has since displayed significant mechanical failures, including overheating issues, that pose serious safety risks. Within a week of purchase, the vehicle broke down twice: first on November 29, while driving to work, and again on November 30, while on I-10 Katy freeway. The second breakdown created a life-threatening situation as the vehicle suddenly lost power in traffic. I incurred towing costs of $125 to return the vehicle to the dealership. After an attempted repair, the vehicle was returned to me on December 5, 2024. However, it broke down again on December 8, 2024, requiring another tow. Since that time, the vehicle has remained at the dealership, yet no adequate resolution has been provided. Additionally, I have since discovered that the vehicle has persistent overheating issues that were not disclosed at the time of sale. These overheating problems pose a serious safety risk as they could result in a fire or explosion, endangering my life and the lives of others on the road. The dealership’s negligence in addressing these critical safety concerns demonstrates a disregard for consumer safety. I believe the dealership knowingly sold me a defective vehicle with significant mechanical issues that were either hidden or misrepresented. The sudden and repeated breakdowns, particularly in hazardous driving conditions, and the risk of fire or explosion due to overheating, warrant immediate attention from the federal safety agency.

Filed May 5, 2024 · Engine · IL

Reduced power and coolant system My safety was put a risk when my car stop on me in the middle of traffic

Filed Apr 9, 2024 · Engine · 167,611 miles · IL

While driving 60 MPH on the highway my car started stuttering then lost all power. It threw 3 codes P0131, P2097 and P0171. I have spent over $1,000.00 and a month later they tell me it was my intake bolts that were loose. They replaced every part PCV valve, MAF sensor, O2 sensor and car still wouldn't run right. PLEASE address this issue as that is UNSAFE for a car to just stop on the highway.

Filed Mar 16, 2023 · Engine · 75,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the intake cam shift solenoid control circuit and the variable valve solenoid intake and the variable valve solenoid exhaust were faulty and needed to be replaced. The intake cam shift solenoid control circuit, variable valve solenoid intake, and variable valve solenoid exhaust were replaced but the failure recurred with the cold start engine rattling noise and loss of power failure persisting. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Apr 21, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Reduced Engine Power

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · NH

I’ve had 2 warning messages appear and disappear I now they have been on permanently for the last two days.They messsges are reduced engine power and Service stabilitrac. My car does not seem to want to drive over 40 mph

Filed Feb 6, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 53,079 miles · LA

When start stop was engaged at light the car shut off everything on the dash and radio went blank. It auto started and AC was no longer working. Afterwards I smelled a slight burning scent (in louisiana traffic, I was unsure it was me) but car ran fine. When start stop engaged there was a longer than normal pause before would auto start would engage. It would intermittently fail to crank on occasion for a few key turns. Engine light came on. Trunk would mysteriously pop open. Started displaying two key fobs programmed, ABS stable track, reduced engine power, low battery and another thing I can't remember at start up. I changed the battery and alternator with new ones and the next day the instrument panel flickered as well as head lights. And when I was to take it in to dealership it had complete electrical failure. The dealership said it was the engine fuse block and replaced it. Now the engine light is still on and has a pause before it start. Will not send diagnostics to my chevy app. Remote start is not working with eng light on. I told them I thought is was battery control module but he insisted that it was just the engine fuse block. I cannot explain the anxiety. And have told my family that if I die in that car to sue gm. There should be nothing wrong with this car at 6 years old. 53000 miles and is driven less than 50 miles a week.

Filed Jan 6, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · GA

Driving on interstate after work around 12 am & reduced engine power appears on screen, car slows down & I couldn't accelerate more than 10mph & had to keep pulling over to turn engine on & off. Terrifying! Read other complaints about this just now & needs to be recalled asap before someone is injured or worse especially driving on a busy interstate/highway

Filed Dec 2, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 90,000 miles · MN

This has happened twice now, once for my wife and the second time I was driving. Both incidents happened while in motion on the highway and the vehicle display showed reduced engine power and the vehicle de-rated and slowed automatically on the highway. The check engine light displayed and after connecting a code reader to the obd and code p2138 was logged which is potentially a faulty throttle position sensor/ foot gas pedal. I replaced the throttle position sensor cleared the stored code and a couple weeks later the vehicle again went into limp mode and de-rated on highway. The check engine light came on and the same code p2138 was logged indicating voltage difference between app sensor 1 and app sensor 2 of the throttle positioning sensor. After further research on line I found that a gm service bulletin was issued for potential moisture intrusion of the connectors from the throttle position sensor to the ECM. (see attached) it seems like my vehicle is experiencing moisture in the connectors as both incidents happened within minutes of taking the vehicle through an automatic car wash. In my opinion this is a safety concern for this model vehicle to de-rate and slow down suddenly at highway speeds with cars following behind and has been a known issue by gm and should have a recall issued.

Filed Aug 27, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 110,000 miles · SC

Auto/stop is having issues. When in gauged it stalls the car out and will not allow it to turn back over. I have been in traffic at a stop light several times when this has happened and almost got into an accident because of it. Also I am having an issue with my rpms jumping and the car losing power. I have replaced both the intake and the exhaust solenoid and still lose power.

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Engine · 107,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the service stabili-trac and reduced engine power warning messages displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective vvt (variable valve timing) sensor. The mechanic recommended that both vvt (variable valve timing) sensors be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to second independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with an engine misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2020 · Engine · 132,000 miles · AR

The vehicle has sudden loss of power due to the failure of the intake rocker arm vvt oil control valve. Gm has halted production on this part with no viable solution or replacement option. Gm p#12633613. This issue has happened multiple times in the past 6 months