2015 Chevrolet Malibu: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · KY

While driving my 2015 Chevrolet Malibu on a four-lane highway with a posted speed limit of 70 mph, the vehicle displayed an “Engine Power Is Reduced” message and limited the vehicle to less than approximately 25 mph. This created a serious safety concern because the vehicle could no longer maintain highway traffic speed, resulting in a significant speed differential of nearly 45 mph below the posted limit and surrounding traffic flow, creating a high risk of being struck by other vehicles. The vehicle also experienced an alternator problem while being driven on the highway. It repeatedly acted like it was not getting enough power to maintain the speed of surrounding traffic, and we had to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle has also had an engine-related issue discovered during repairs. When the valve cover gaskets were replaced, the vacuum pump was found to be severely damaged, and metal shavings were found in the engine oil. The reduced-engine-power problem has occurred in connection with the vehicle's electrical and engine problems. The vehicle and affected components may be available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has been inspected during repairs, and the damaged vacuum pump and metal shavings in the oil were observed during that inspection. These problems create a safety risk because the vehicle can suddenly lose engine power and become unable to maintain highway speed. The loss of normal power while traveling on a four-lane highway could make it difficult to accelerate, merge, or get out of the way of other vehicles.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Transmission · 151,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact then veered to the left as the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was driven back to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2024 · Engine · IL

As your driving the REDUCED ENGINE POWER pops up and dropped your speed down to 25-20 mph no matter how fast you're going no way to reset it unless you have a scan tool but then it comes back on scan tool says PEDAL ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR IS THE ISSUE put new one on and a day later same thing same answer now im putting second PEDAL ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR on

Filed Oct 13, 2023 · Engine · MT

When driving at highway speeds the car will show “Engine reduced power” and will either drop to 20-40 mph or shut off completely. Engine codes show as cam shaft sensor, crankshaft sensor and fuel pressure regulator. I had the cam shag and crank shaft sensors replaced and it stopped for a few months. It started doing it again this week and today it did it then shut off completely and won’t restart

Filed Jan 2, 2023 · IN

On multiple occasions since July of 2022 my vehicle has had a reduced engine power warning and caused dangerous situation where the speed limit was 70 and I couldn’t go over 25 and I was miles from an exit. Took it in had throttle body replaced, and it happened again. Took it in again replaced the gas pedal position sensor. Happened again replaced the throttle body again and this time we broke down in Nashville on our way to Florida. Then 10 miles away from Nashville same issue. I took it to the nearest dealer and here I wait, thousands of dollars into it and not knowing how to proceed.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Acceleration · 85,000 miles · OH

On 1-24-2021, while driving the car initially had issues gaining acceleration despite pressing the gas pedal. Once I was able to get the car to reach a speed of 40mph I received a warning on the dash stating the car's speed is being reduced to 25mph, followed by a message that said reduced engine power and the check engine light came on. This LED to the car stalling and eventually shutting down about 2-3 minutes later. I was able to pull to the side of the road before the car shut down and turned the hazard lights on. After approximately 20 minutes I was able to start the car. The reduced engine power message remained along with a new message of service stabilitrak. I was still unable to accelerate beyond 25mph which was below the minimum speed for the road I was driving on.

Filed May 18, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 41,000 miles · MS

I own a 2015 chevrolet malibu ltz and I can be driving down the highway and the 'service stabilitrack' light will come on, then it will say 'reduced engine power'. I will have to pull over, turn car off, and let it sit for a minute or two, then crank back up and those lights will go off, but the service engine light will come on. Sometimes I have to do this every 5-10 miles, depending on the distance of my destination, which poses a safety issue for me, especially if I'm traveling at night. This mostly happens when I'm driving on the highway.

Filed Jul 16, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 135,047 miles · MD

My 2015 chevy malibu ltz eco, just suddenly loss power while at a stop light. The auto stop had engaged once I came to a complete stop. Upon giving the car gas to take off, the auto stop had been disengage. Foot on the gas to go and the vehicle just sat there for a few seconds then it just came alive and took off. At first I was thinking it was the transmission acting up. Then the complete loss of power happened.

Filed May 17, 2018 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · MI

Started car and reduced power engine warning came on for the second time. I had it fixed once already and it just came on. I am very disappointed with chevy. I was driving it the first time my light came on. The second time I just started my car. I was on a city street first time and city street second time. Both times my car wouldn't accelerate passed 12 miles per hour so I was a roll hazard.