2016 Chevrolet Malibu: hesitation when accelerating

Filed May 29, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · UT

I am filing a complaint regarding ongoing and worsening issues with my Chevrolet vehicle, which appear to point to broader defects involving the engine and electrical systems. Months ago, while driving, the car suddenly lost power and displayed "Engine Power Reduced." I had to keep using it due to work needs. Over time, it hesitated more during acceleration and felt increasingly unsafe. When I finally brought it to a Chevrolet service center, I was told the issue involved the pistons. The vehicle also regularly shows a "Shift to Park" warning even when the gear is in Park, raising concerns about the transmission's reliability. The power loss continues, especially when going uphill — again triggering the "Engine Power Reduced" alert and dropping the speed to no more than 35 MPH. A diagnostic showed a P0302 code for a cylinder 2 misfire. The radio head unit, already replaced once under warranty, failed again after just 9 months. Prior to the worsening idle and gear issues, I also received network-related codes involving the ECM and transmission computers. Although I’ve replaced the alternator, the car still shows "Service Electric System" warnings, suggesting ongoing electrical problems. I also noticed GM’s N182195660 campaign involving predictive monitoring for Stochastic Pre-Ignition (SPI) on SCP platforms. My car has the 2.0L turbo engine, and I’m concerned it may be experiencing SPI or coolant intrusion issues affecting overall performance and system integrity. I’m requesting that Chevrolet investigate these problems thoroughly and determine whether my vehicle qualifies for recall, extended warranty, or defect coverage. These issues are persistent, serious, and deserve immediate attention. Thank you for your time. I hope to see resolution soon.

Filed May 7, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Took my car to Chevy dealership to diagnose my car, as it was rough idling, causing hesitation, and knocking... all while the check engine light was on. They showed me two codes my car was giving from the check engine light. They said he would look further into it. They told me I needed a tune up, though I had gotten a tune up 4 months prior. They fixed some things and charged me over $4,000. The day I drove off the lot, the problems were still present. On my way home going about 50 mph, my car slowed down and the engine reduced power illuminated. I kept driving because I needed a car for work. The car continued to decline and acted like it didn't want to accelerate when pressing the gas. I finally took it back into chevy, and they told me it was my pistons. I'm 90% sure there is a defect that they won't tell me about, or the won't fix. I've had the car 2 years. Now the car won't run.

Filed Aug 24, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · KY

I was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden my information center on my was driving down the interstate when all of a sudden my information center on my 2016 Chevy Malibu popped up a warning, reduced engine power and drop me down to 20 mph without warning. I barely made it to the side of the road before being run over by 18 wheelers all around me. Once I got it home I read the code, and it shows there’s not enough power going to the turbo in the engine that’s caused by the accelerator sensor. When I start at low speed or from a stop in attempt to accelerate the car hesitates to the point I can’t pull out with any cars around because I will be hit. I’ve been told this is a known problem for the vehicle and it’s a $500 part to fix. It’s extremely dangerous and I am so shocked there has not been a recall for this, it is putting everybody that is in one of these vehicles in danger

Filed Jul 25, 2022 · Transmission · 159,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the gear selector indicator started fluctuating between park(P) and reverse(R). The vehicle started to jerk and hesitate while driving. The contact was able to stop and turn the vehicle off. After restarting the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · LA

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.

Filed Apr 27, 2021 · Engine · 56,800 miles · TX

We got a check engine light on. Checked for codes and p2097 came up. Vehicle has some hesitation when accelerating.

Filed Nov 20, 2020 · Engine · 62,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact called on behalf of a friend who owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating after being idle. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally while idling. The contact took the vehicle to vann york chevrolet buick (321 eastchester dr, high point, nc 27262; (336) 841-4133) and was informed that the rod bearing failed and that the engine was blown. The owner was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted by the dealer and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 50,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the engine power reduced warning light illuminated with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle started to decelerate. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, turned the vehicle off and back on which resume back to normal operation. The contact aslo mentioned that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated and jerked forward. The vehicle was taken to friendly chevrolet (7501 highway 65 ne, fridley, mn 55432) where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the vacuum pump and accelerator pedal assembly needed to be replaced. The accelerator pedal assembly was repaired however, the vacuum pump was not. The failure recurred with the brake pedal. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · GA

When I press the gas it hesitate to move forward and also my battery sensory has gone out. My car is only 4 years old I believe it has something to do with it being an eco which has caused major issues to my transmission and other parts of my car.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 49,120 miles · CA

When taking off from a complete stop the car hesitates for 15-20 seconds before take-off. The lights and radio goes off and the dome light glitches. The electronic stability control light comes-on. The car has a real slow take-off. This problem was repaired in july 2018 and it started over in the last two-weeks.

Filed Oct 22, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 57,000 miles · GA

When at a stp light, and press excelerator the total electrical system h will go out & car hesitate to move. Then, it will kick on. Also, this throws my sirus radio out completely & I have to cut the car off completely to get station back on or call for a refresh, but local stations will remain. Now I get a waring about the steering ability-drive carefull.

Filed Jun 9, 2019 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · SC

Car is stalling whenever I come to a complete stop. I have to try to avoid making a left turn because it takes so long for the car to react when I get on the accelerator to go. Some days it will hesitate a little and go, but lately it has been stalling all the way out and it takes a few mins for it to react when I'm trying to pull off!!