Out of nowhere, a notification pops up and it says “engine speed reduced” and all of a sudden you can feel the car losing speed. Took the vehicle to the dealership multiple times and either they always say it’s a fuel injection problem or they have no idea what’s causing it but when they perform that service on the vehicle, it still happens. Dealership even told me once that my car computer system needed to be updated and once updated I wouldn’t have the issue and I still have the issue. Each time the engine speed is reduced, a notification pops up that the StabiliTrak needs to be serviced. My safety and life is at risk because I’m going 65 mph down the interstate and all of sudden my engine speed is reduced like I’m not in the middle of traffic with cars going at speeds between 60-75 mph. I almost got ran over by an 18 wheeler because of the engine speed reduction. I had to swerve hard to the side of the road and risk flipping or crashing to get off the road so I wouldn’t be hit
2016 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 152, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When driving the car it will stop mid drive and slow to 20MPH. The car has broken down in the middle of the road on multiple occasions. It has locked me in the car where I am unable to get out. On one occasion the battery was dead and the car had locked me out. I had to have someone unlock it. The next day the car was fine with no signs of issues. The car has been taken to multiple mechanics and no one knows the issue. Car doesn’t throw any codes or show any symptoms of issues.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH with the "Engine, Reduced Power" message had displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was driving rough. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 143,000.
While driving at a fast pace a hazard message pops up on dash that states engine power reduced and the car goes slow unable to accelerate past 20 mph. It doesn’t happen all the time but it’s been happening quite frequently and it’s dangerous. I’m assuming there has something to do with the speed and or fuel function. The vehicle has not been inspected. I am willing to bring it for inspection if needed. I feel like this is a malfunction and I’m requesting this to be fixed.
I was driving about 70mph on a highway trying to pass a semi-truck. As I signaled right blinker to merge back into the right lane, the speed reduced to 40mph without notice. I then seen a notification on the dashboard saying "Engine Power Reduced". The car would not accelerate fast enough to clear the truck therefore almost causing a collision of 2 semi-trucks and myself. I was forced to drive off road to help avoid the collision. My fiancé was in the passenger seat when this happened on 11/25/2023. He then began telling me this happened to him a few months prior but he didn't mention it because it resolved itself. This was actually the 3rd time it had happened in this car over the last 2 years. I spoke to the chevy dealership about it the first time I experienced this and they advised that it had not been made a safety recall at that time yet, but the technician who helped me said his son experienced the same thing and it was becoming quite common. It still has not been recalled but there is currently a class action lawsuit because of this. I feel this is very dangerous and what I considered to be reliable transportation, is no longer the case for my family after this experience. This needs to be recalled immediately before people lose lives. Especially since the parts were Manufactured incorrectly and Chevrolet had knowledge prior to releasing 2016-2018 vehicles.
My 2016 Chevy Malibu that does not have many miles on it is shifting into, Reduced Engine Power Mode. When this comes on I cannot accelerate up to speeds and can only go about 25 MPH. It is dangerous that my car can go from highway speeds to this slow. I have had 0 issues before this started happening and other Malibus have been recalled for this same issue.
I'm having a problem with the car going into park. When it's in park, the doors will not lock in the vehicle will Just drain the battery.
Acceleration to the engine malfunction no power to engine going excessive speeds on interstate failure light appeared car shut off one stopped car turn right back on. I’ve reported this incident of the last two years to the dealership GMC to 2016 Chevy Malibu that has already had this instance back in 2019 and now has occurred at once again mileage since the last engine was replaced is 10,000 miles on the new engine
When driving the car and when stopping at either a stop sign or stop light, turning a corner the car will lose power and will not go for at least 10-15 seconds. when letting the brakes go and pressing the gas pedal the car does not move, pressing all the way on the gas pedal the car will take about 10-15 seconds before moving. It’s like the engine lose power and the car will not accelerate.
Lights that alert inside the vehicle at random times but more often in the last few months are: stability trek, power steering reduced and check engine. Acceleration decreased/reduced after being idle. This prompts serious danger for myself and children when there is no power being given to the car when sitting in traffic. Multiple mechanics have diagnosed the issue. Dealership gives me the run around and isn't specific with detail if check light engine goes off.
Car loses speed from 60mph to 15mph while driving. Engine Reduce Power light comes on after the fact. This is very dangerous when driving on a busy highway/interstate.
Code 2138 accelerator sensor popped up yesterday. After researching, I found out this is a common concern with Chevrolet Malibus for 2016. I'm sure you are well aware of this by now so I want to know what my options are at this point. Thank you.
Had car looked and i was told that the break box is defective
The low oil pressure - cut engine off notification appeared on the speedometer & as i was getting on the freeway the car literally cut off. All the electrical worked but power to the engine & everything stopped completely.
UNKNOWN the air bag on my dash board come on and off ALL THE TIME even if I have no one sitting in my passenger seat.I got this vehicle for the winter thinking it was going to help me save gas and be a good reliable car for my daily routine to work, school, and my kids school. But it’s definitely the opposite. I’m struggling financially and In a hole now the engine light is on and I can’t get to my destination without going more then 30-40mph because “engine speed reduce” appears on my dash board and reduced the speed and not only is this inconvenient and annoying but also dangerous I dam almost got into accident because of this I was driving in the highway about 65-70 mph when this happen with a 18-wheeler behind me not only was my daughter’s life and mine put in danger. But the person driving the 18-wheeler. He definitely lost somewhat the control to swerve my vehicle it was a miracle of god no other cars where next to us and that nothing happened.their is so many 2016 Chevrolet malibu like this that I hope from the bottom of my heart that their is some compassion for this issue where they can make the issue get recalled. To help people like me I’m struggling to make ends meet day to day and I have forcefully have to keep using my car on the daily. I have no other transportation. And like i said not only for my safety but everyone around I am not the only one with this issue if the make in model. Their is hundreds of us !
Reduced engine power alert. Ongoing issue since 2019
1. The car when s parked the electronic system does not recognize this and the electronics of the car remain on. Draining the battery and sometimes taking several attempts or more at having to restart the car, shifting through gears in order to get the car to properly turn off. 2. I have been driving down the highway doing approximately 65-75 mph and the car out of no where, with no other cars around has slammed on the breaks and decreased in speed instantly. This has happened twice. 3. Stabilitrak light has come on several times, car violently shakes while ideling. I have already had to replace a piston in the engine. At the time the car was at about 50,000 miles. It is now at 75, 000 and still happens every so often.
When the vehicle is in drive, the display will say "reduced engine power" and will drop the car to 25mph even on the highway. I've almost wrecked from this issue. I've seen where GM has had class actions on this prior but it was never recalled.
When I accelerate, it hesitates to pick up speed. Once I made it to 75mph, a warning message came on that said engine power reduced and the check engine light came on. I looked up the issue and saw that several people with the same car were having the same issues. I added a gas treatment like they suggested but the light is still on. I have not been to a dealership or mechanic shop yet due to not having the money. But if this is a common problem then Chevrolet needs to pay for repairs. If my car fails while I’m driving, I could cause an accident.I have had the throttle body cleaned before and the wheel sensors but I am still having issues.
When I was driving to work, a light appeared on my dashboard stating that my "Engine Power Reduced". When I was in the left lane passing a vehicle, my car slowed down to 40pmh instead of accelerating when I had pressed the gas pedal. The car behind me almost re ended me in the process. This has happened now on a couple of occasions afterwards.
I was driving to the clinic I go to everyday in the mornings I was in the freeway going about 70mph when suddenly I get a msg saying “engine power reduced” also engine light came on and the car starts slowing down and it’s not letting me go more than 20mph on the FREEWAY! I could have caused an accident, (this is very unsafe specially since my 2 and 4 year old were in the car with me) I got off on the next exit and pulled in to a gas station and turned the car off and waited about 10 mins I turned the car back on and the msg was gone but the engine light was still on about a minute or 2 later the msg comes back on so I have to pull over again, it did it about 5x before I can make it to my destination not to mention the way back home I had to stop about 3x more. This is very unsafe and something has to be done as it is not only my car with this problem.
My problem started with the engine first sending me a code “reduced engine power” and this code would appear one week and gone the next. I have taken it to mechanics and had parts replaced and temporary fixes. After getting it back from the mechanic and them telling me that the cylinder one isn’t holding the correct pressure and the exhaust value is burnt due to the consistent auto engine shutoff. The day I got it back on the road the engine went full shutdown at a stop light and would not turn on immediately. I was lucky enough to get it running long enough to crawl into a gas station and get a tow truck to come pick it up and tow it back to the mechanic shop and that’s where it’s been sitting there till I find a new engine to replace it.
Driving on highway at speed of 70mph during rush hour very very busy when my car shows a warning engine power reduced and slows all the way down to 20mph lucky I was able to get over the 3 lanes of traffic without causing an accident but this is very unsafe I looked to see if there was a recall on the vehicle but there’s not so I had a mechanic look at the car and they said nothing is wrong with it ??? Well today on my way home it did it again!! I’m sorry but how is nothing wrong with it if my car is slowing to a dangerous speed this issue could cost someone their life
While driving several times I had the problem where the car out of nowhere slows down and the message comes on engine reduce power, I have been on the highway with my family and out had to pull over turn my car on and off several times for it to come off and be able to drive my care pass 20 miles per hr. This is very dangerous because it happens suddenly and cars are going by fast I almost got into an accident and was rear-ended on the highway. There needs to be a recall on his engine this is ridiculous that GMC/Chevrolet keeps getting away with this until someone is seriously injured or killed because of this failure!
Driving along and Reduced Engine Power warning message came on said can not go above 20 mph but yet car still could be accelerated above 20mph. Pulled over when could. Stopped car and turned it off and on. message gone but engine warning light still on. OBD2 stated P2122 error. Upon reviewing internet there are class action lawsuits going on because can create a very dangerous scenario if car suddenly stops in the middle of the highway.
Three times now I have had the warning “engine reduced power” pop up on my panel all times that I drive to my military base for work. Thankfully I haven’t been involved in an accident yet, my highway speed has went from 60mph to 35-40mph due to this issue. I was told I needed to purchase another pedal because of it not responding to the engine but after a second opinion I was told there was something wrong with the computer itself. That there’s faulty wiring which I don’t have the funds to cover because how much it would have cost. I also don’t have the funds to drop on another vehicle so at this point I’m driving a human boobie trap not only for myself but for other drivers around me. I pray no harm is done to anyone else who also owns this vehicle and having the same issues.
Engine power reduced, reduced power to the vehicle regardless of speed.
Was driving home from a job interview about two hours away from home, traveling at 55 mph when the vehicle reduced speed rapidly to ~ 15 mph and on the dash a warning message appeared stating that I had reduced engine power. The situation was incredibly dangerous as there was snow piled on the shoulder, leaving me with no safe way to quickly get out of the way of fast-moving traffic. Once out of the way and after restarting the car and seeing no warning lamps, messages, or anything indicating there were ongoing issues, I turned my hazards off, my turn signal on and made my way back onto the roadway when there was enough distance between myself and the next oncoming car. Upon re-entering the roadway and reaching 24 mph, the car display the same message and reduced speed to max of 12 mph and I was nearly rear-ended by the driver I entered the roadway in front of (with more than ample time and distance to safely reach the speed limit). After several more attempts, I placed hazards on and continued on side of roadway as far as possible. Drove to an AutoZone where they were able to scan my car and informed me that the code I received (have printed doc of code being thrown with date of incident from AutoZone) was very common in the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu's and he recommended that I see if I can return the car to the dealership (had just purchased less than 60 days prior with 78,000 miles on it).
I was driving to work this morning at 50 miles per hr then suddenly my car reduced the speed and the motor light turns on it showed me reduced engine power sign and the motor light turns on
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