2016 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

I am reporting a recurring safety defect related to GM’s known “Shift to Park” issue. My vehicle displays a “Shift to Park” warning even when the vehicle is already in park, preventing the car from shutting off properly and creating a safety risk. This issue has been widely reported and associated with GM recalls and service bulletins. GM previously repaired this issue once while my vehicle was under warranty, acknowledging it as a known defect. The same defect has now reoccurred after the warranty period expired. GM is refusing to repair it again, despite the issue being recall-related and tied to a known defective design rather than wear and tear. This defect affects safe vehicle operation, risks battery drain, rollaway hazards, and driver distraction. I believe this is an unresolved safety defect that should be covered regardless of warranty status.

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Acceleration · PA

UNKNOWN While I'm driving my car will lose power and go into reduced engine power mode and slows me down to a crawl. I've almost been hit in the back many times for to this. The coffee is P2138

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Acceleration · NE

Check engine light comes on and dash says reduced engine power

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · LA

The engine power reduced came light came on along with service stability trac. The car would stall after going into auto stop and just shut off. In certain instances it would shutoff when slowed down enough. It was brought in for service where the turbo charge solenoid starter and catalytic converter annd alternator all were replaced due to the turbo braking into pieces and being lodged into the converter and engine. Less than a week later the car returned to stalling at the auto stop feature. When brought in for service it was linked to the alternator and engine control module and mass air flow sensor. The car was then serviced again six months later for the alternator again. Now the car is once again stuck in engine power reduced with no direct codes linked to the problem and the starter was replaced and now the engine is remaining in limp mode. The car has stalled multiple times on not only at stop lights but on the highway and while turning at busy intersections causing traffic jams and even a side collision. The engine light as remained on since the day I got the car.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX · crash · 4 injuries

Engine power reduced defect, causing affected models to lose power while driving at highway speeds. My son’s was driving 55 mph and then all of sudden the car decelerated to 20 mph in minutes before his 2016 Malibu stalled on [XXX]. Unfortunately the car did not make it to the emergency lane and as a result a SUV hit his car killing my daughter who was 33 weeks pregnant. The baby survived with lifelong injuries. Despite this recall, GM failed to notify vehicle owners, including the owner of the vehicle involved in the fatal accident on [XXX], in Dallas, Texas, resulting in my daughter’s death. This defect has been found in several 2016 Malibus, prompting a class action lawsuit against GM. Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit reported having to restart their vehicles or replace faulty accelerator pedal position sensors to address the issue. GM's failure to notify vehicle owners of the safety recall constitutes negligence and gross negligence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · 107,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. Additionally, the message “Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · MN

Happened around 46000 miles after receiving a recall notice in the mail about the pedal positioning sensor causing a reduced engine power signal, and immediately reducing speeds on the interstate. Local Chevy dealership replaced. Fast-forward 80K miles and the same incident is happening, however likely not going to be covered by GM. Same message, same code being detected.

Filed Feb 9, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

Car showing warning : engine power reduced Car decelerate unexpectedly Car won’t accelerate past 20 mph intermittently - when putting car in park, car won’t recognize when in the park positioned and shows warning : shift to park

Filed May 26, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · OR

On may 23,2024 I was on a very busy highway going 66. All of a sudden my 2016 malibu lt aburtely slowed to 27 miles an hour and two warnings lights came on 1 -engine power is reduced 2 - speed reduced to 27 I barely avoided getting hit by two semi trucks, as well as a car. The car is available for inspection on request. An independent service person confirmed it was indeed a defective electron control and acceleration peddle position sensor. How very irresponsible of you not to put out a recall on the 2016-2018 models knowing very well of the many class action law suits that have arrived from this issue. I probably can guarantee none of you own a Malibu. How very incredious it is that you put people lives in danger knowing that there was issues with the problem. Unbelievable. I almost got killed because of the lack of responsibility because you dint make a recall.

Filed May 23, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · MO

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)