general problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

On 04/28/2026, when diagnosing a reoccurring check engine light on the vehicle at a chevy certified service, the mechanic "borescoped cylinder 4 and found significant scuffs on the cylinder wall which along with the misfires indicate a cracked piston. The big picture appears to be the piston cracked which caused excessive oil consumption and misfires. The excess oil and unburned fuel overloaded the converter causing it to fail. The engine and converter will need to be replaced. " in 2017, a recall was issued by gm to mitigate stochastic pre-ignition (spi) causing cracked piston (17019). Between the initial purchase of the vehicle (11/2016) and performed service required by this recall (03/10/2017), there were approximately 5000 miles driven. No engine diagnosis was performed or recommended. After the 17019 was addressed, the engine misfires continued along with reoccurring cel. C. S. P. N182195660 predictive monitoring for stochastic pre-ignition (spi) released in 2019 states the 1. 5 l lfv engines in certain 2016 and 2017 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles may have a preignition condition that requires immediate repair. This condition may cause the engine to perform poorly, misfire, run rough, and/or excessively consume oil. It may also illuminate the vehicle’s service engine light. Over time, if not repaired, the condition can damage the vehicle’s pistons and engine. The VIN for this Malibu was not attached to this notice despite it having spi recall history. On 06/2023 (after the n182195660 program ended), at 80k miles a diagnosis revealed a potential cracked cylinder with no mention of the pre-ignition condition that could cause the crack, and the only way to fix is to replace the entire engine (as per dealer recomendation). Since vehicle was out of warranty, the repair est. Was nearly $10k. I firmly believe my 2016 Malibu has suffered the consequences of poor mismanagement on this recall, and am demanding mitigation from gm to fix this issue.

The high-pressure fuel pump detached from the cylinder head. The dealership confirmed diagnostic trouble code p228c and reported that one mounting bolt was missing and another bolt was broken off inside the cylinder head, causing the pump to come loose and fail. The damaged parts were replaced at my expense and the components are available for inspection if needed. This failure caused loss of engine power and unsafe drivability, putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. The problem was confirmed and documented by a Chevrolet dealer service center. General motors has inspected the issue through their dealer network but has denied coverage because the vehicle’s VIN was not included in recall 18v-18v-358, even though the failure matches that recall description. Warning symptoms included weeks of engine misfires, loss of performance, and eventually complete power loss while driving. These symptoms first appeared shortly before the failure occurred.

My 2016 Chevrolet Malibu limited (VIN: [xxx] ) experienced sudden loss of power while driving on 9/11/2025 and set code p228c. The dealership diagnosed the problem as the bolts coming loose from the high-pressure fuel pump, which caused the pump to detach from the cylinder head and become damaged, requiring replacement. This failure directly matches the defect described in NHTSA recall 18v-358 (gm campaign 18188/18268). That recall explains that the high-pressure fuel pump can detach from its mounting due to a weld failure, leading to oscillation, damage to the fuel system, and an increased risk of fire. Although the dealer phrased it as “bolts came loose,” the result is identical: the pump detached from the cylinder head and damaged the fuel system. Despite this, my VIN does not show an open recall. Gm customer assistance told me the repair would not be covered because of the vehicle’s age and mileage (current mileage 129264), even though recalls are federal safety obligations that are not limited by warranty coverage. I am requesting that NHTSA review this exclusion and ensure recall 18v-358 coverage applies to my vehicle. This defect creates a serious safety risk of fuel leaks and fire. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Engine to power is reduced. Poor fuel efficiency. Rough idling while parked. Poor acceleration. Trouble starting up. Burning smell at times.

Vehicle experiences a loss a power will driving. A lawsuit for defective throttle control and pedal position sensor was filed but eventually dismissed. Gm is aware of the issue but has done nothing to fix it.

The fuel pressure system is faulty and shutting the engine down and reducing speed.

A couple days ago I went to drive my car and it took a second to actually turn on and it was shaking way more than usual and pooped up with a message saying “engine power is reduced” I haven’t drove my car since because I tried and it was moving very slow, and I also didn’t wanna cause further issues. For some time now my car has been shaky. I have taken it in and balanced my tires because of this issue and nothing had helped. I am always scared to drive it because it has been so shaky but now that this message has popped up it’s even worse and it’s during my whole drive. Also every time I park it isn’t connecting and says “shift to park” even though it is shifted into park. I have to shake it and press some button to go all register that it is shifted into park and can shut my vehicle off. I have read every where that this issue has happened to so many 2016/2017 chevy Malibu’s. I have read the dangers and I do not feel safe driving my car like this. I also didn’t have my car when there was a recall on this exact part before. And I’m guessing the dealership who had it before me did not fix it, causing the problems to worsen other parts of my car. I can’t drive this car due to the safety and I believe it should be a recalled. I am not totally sure what is doing it but as of all the other people online, they said it has to do the gas pedal (2k replacement) and fuel pumps and also could have burned wires which my car also has. Thank you.

I started smelling a strong smell of gas while operating the vehicle. Took to a dealership who diagnosed a turbocharger clamp and exhaust failure. From what I understand I am not the only one with a clamp/exhaust/seal problem. A friend of mine who owned a gm product had similar problems to the point her engine failed altogether. Please investigate!.

Warning display on dash reads "engine power is reduced " and forces and abrupt reduction on vehicle speed, especially on highway driving on commute. Noticed online multiple similar concerns and complaints. No recall or extended warranty?.

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.

I took my car to to firestone to have the brakes checked because I had a stiff brake pedal and could only use my emergency brake to stop. They did a basic and advanced diagnostic and said that the brake booster that I have has been recalled and also other equipments on my car has been recalled and I must bring it to a dealership. I searched my VIN and nothing popped up even though months ago I was emailed a recall notice on the fuel pump system and air bags and it has never been repaired in my car even from the past owners. There have been 10 recalls from Malibu's manufactured in 2016 and my car shows every sign and indication that it is one of those few selected. My VIN should be updated or investigated for parts in my vehicle that have been recalled. The car stops when idle for two minutes or longer and shuts off the engine and air if you use the usb outlet there is a serious electrical problem which is also a safety hazard according to NHTSA guidelines.

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.

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.

I was driving down the freeway at 65 mph. The roads were wet and slick from snow and in heavy traffic. I got a check engine light and immediately a engine power reduced light. I suddenly lost power and another vehicle behind me almost hit me. I was able to get to the side of the road and shut it off. After a few minutes, I started it back up and the light was still on. I needed to get off the freeway and find a way to work so I put on the emergency flashers and drove to the next exit. The light remained on but I had full power. I am trying to get an appointment to have it looked at.

I was driving on a highway approx 60 miles an hour when a message came in my dashboard stating reduction in engine power, the vehicle abruptly slowed to 20 mph without any warning and I was barely able to pull my vehicle off to the side of the road without being rear ended by the vehicle behind me on the highway.

The car stalls if I stop or in traffic. . The car is still running I can have the gas pedal to the floor it will not go then it takes off really quick when when it powers back on it feel like it loses power when I’m trying to go but the car is running the whole time it’s hybrid propulsion system general motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (msd) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.

Car suddenly lost power slowing to 20mph on highway slowing to the point I was an obstacle in the lane so had to abruptly drive on to shoulder and out of traffic to prevent a collision from behind me as I had a close call. Car showed reduced engine power message. I wait until late at night when there was no traffic to drive the car home safely. The next day I had code read and it was a p2138. From what I have now learned online this is a wide spread problem that gm is very aware of.

I was coming to a stop at a traffic light. I received an alert on my dash "reduced engine power" and my check engine light came on. My car became much less responsive to pressing on the accelerator and seemed to be having trouble going more than ~30 mph. An inspection of the problem gave the error code p2138 as the source of the issue.

Car stalled after auto stop while trying to excelerate. Error message saying emissions control. Mechanic stated that it was unknown and possible a recall. Has happened three times.

I was driving downtown when car engine warning light came on and it slowed down then shut off, luckily the car behind me didn't hit me. I was able to pull over. I've had it towed 2 time one mechanic said: I needed a motor. I bought a code reader replaced both batteries. Next code p2138 reduded engine power. It a defective throttle control accelerator pedal position sensor. I towed it to gm dealership they are trying to sell me a motor and will not acknowledge, pedal problem because there is no recall only special coverage adjustment #n192188250 global safety field investigation dcs5117 global warranty.

Component power train:automatic transmission ## #vpic# 1 - check digit (9th position) does not calculate properly #vpic#.

Incident has happened twice while driving on highway. Engine light came on, then received an error message of "engine power reduced". Engine power and acceleration was reduced dramatically. Luckily there were no cars behind me or I may have been rear ended and involved in an accident. I pulled off on shoulder and turned car off and then turned car back on and engine power and acceleration was restored. Engine light remained on though.

Check engine lights blinks on and off car defects as if it will cut off found out its the piston and throttle body from fieldsman Chevrolet now im out of a car with no loaner car because they are backed this car was called for recall for these repairs.

So I feel like there should be a recall if I had to read a lot of stories that are similar to mine. My vehicle was driving fine and then I get a signal on my dash as I am going up a hill saying that "engine power reduced" and my check engine light came on. I'm in the middle of a street trying to get to work and I could barely get up the hill. Thank goodness there wasn't a lot of traffic that time of day. I managed to make it to a store to get it checked out and the said something about a throttle unit replacement. It is supposed to control my acceleration. This is quite dangerous to keep happening and nothing be done about it when I have seen multiple complaints on it. I just wanted to share my story too and hopefully something can be fixed.

December 31, 2019 at 1:18pm, driving at speed on the most dangerous portion of I-95 in the springfield, va area, merging from a left highway entrance ramp into the far left lane of the highway, the vehicle suddenly dropped to 20mph and the warning light came on for reduced engine power. The vehicle would not gain speed, putting my son's and numerous other drivers� lives in jeopardy. Was able to get to a dealer who informed us this is a known problem and will �probably� not cost anything to repair. They told us it is safe to drive until repairs can be made in 3 days, but to be careful because it might happen again. This is a serious problem and I believe the advice from the dealer to continue driving it this way is ridiculous. There should be a recall in place for this problem because there are thousands of reports of this very same problem. We will never know how many people have already died due to this problem and Chevrolet and the NHTSA failing to do its job of requiring a recall.

Press on the gas and the car slows down to an almost stop position. While driving on a street or on the freeway, the car decides it wants to shut down. All electrical regarding the front and back cameras have gone black.

Coming back in town from visiting a friend. Soon as I was making an exit my check engine light came on and my car started running funny making weird noises. I parked and let my car sit for 15 minutes and gain a little speed to it. Luckily I was down the street from a auto zone. Autozone was able to tell me my fuel regulator pressure was low. I did contact my dealership and I now I have to tow it in which ill cost me hundreds of dollars. I also read that these types of things happens a lot to these type cars. If I would of known that I would of went with a different car.

Vehicle says to shift to park when already in park. Vehicle is hesitant to accelerate seems as if it is struggling to go at times. When blinkers are in use , there is no sound at times that is usually associated with turning a turn signal on. All issues happened during different operations of the vehicle. While stationary , while driving , while idled.

As I was driving from the va hospital in new orleans coming down the high rise bridge in dead traffic the car cut off the breaks got stiff it wouldnt start back up the engine power reduced light came on the stearing couldnt be controlled I thought I was going to die rolling out of control down the bridge thank god poeople moved out the way it could have been really bad I struggled to turn the stearing wheel so I wouldnt go of the side of the bridge and I finally rolled all the way down the bridge and got on the side I sat for alittle tried to start it the brakes was so stiff that it wouldnt start at first then I pushed hard and it started but the breaks didnt work and it would only go 20 to 30 miles an hour every time I hit the breaks the car would turn off I feared for my life because I had two more bridges to go over until I got home and been sitting at home no transpertation called chevy matt bowers and they told me I had to pay to have it towed plus pay 135. 00 dollars an hour for them to just look at im a disabled veteran I bought this brand new car thinking it was liable transpertation to get me back and forth to my doctors I bought this cxar brand new in 2016 and had nothing but problems with it im not a healthy man and I depend on this to get me to my doctors I get alittle money and didnt buy this car so it could break down this early in time I trusted them with my life and they told me I wouldnt have any problems getting to my doctors at the veterans hospital in new orleans.

The car constantly gets message of engine power reduced while driving with no previous issues or warnings. The check engine light comes on then my driving speed decreases while driving. This is very dangerous! this happens on city streets and on the highway. I have to pull over to shut the car off and wait a few minutes then restart the car. The car then starts normal without the check engine light or error code.

Takata recall my windows don't work at times no power my trunk will not release it's not unlocking my dashboard reads engine is reducing power while driving & it shuts off while driving my radiator light is on been on for 8months now the car won't pick up speed without me shifting the car in l6 while driving my throttle not working the fuel system has been repaired several times.

Takata recall, check engine light comes on and a reduce power indicator said reduce engine power, the car goes from 70mph to 40 mph on the interstate putting you and your family in grave danger.

Vehicle stalled on highway while driving at speed on two different occasions despite servicing after the first incident. Both times, pop up alert says "shift to park" and then "engine has reduced power" after which the gas pedal no longer works. After pulling to the side of the road, there was a low battery alert.

I was driving vehicle and "check engine" light came on and message said engine power reduced. The car rapidly slowed down and would not speed up even though I pressed down hard on the gas pedal. I pulled over and parked, shut down and restarted the engine. It worked fine. As I drove to go back home, the car could barely go the speed limit. I parked the car for more than 24 hrs. When I started the car, the engine light had gone out so I drove off. While driving the engine light came back on and the car's speed suddenly dropped down to a very slow pace. The speed limit was 40 mph. I pushed the gas pedal to the floor but the car would only go about 10-20 mph. Speed control was a definite problem. The dealership was not far so I drove it there. I explained the problem and the service attendant told me what the problem was before he checked the vehicle. Ironically, there was another customer there with the same problem. We both had the same year and make and model with approximately the same amount of mileage. The service attendant addressed both of us together since we both had the same issue. We needed a app pedal sensor. They didn't have the part. It was on back order. This tells me this is a common problem with this car. Had I been on the highway and this happened, I or someone else could have been killed. This is a serious safety hazard and Chevrolet needs to recall and fix it quickly. While checking the web for information about this issue, I noticed there are numerous online complaints regarding this problem from other consumers.

Engine reduced light.