2016 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

Fuel Injector Backing ring Failing causing O-ring to dislodge and Rupture due to high pressure fuel leaking past the seal. This is causing a Major fire Hazard. Gm seal kits will not fix the problem do to Backer ring not being in the kit.

While driving, the vehicle experienced a mechanical failure involving the engine and lubrication system. Oil leakage was observed, and the engine began operating abnormally. This created a risk of sudden engine failure while the vehicle was in motion, which could result in loss of power, stalling, or loss of control, especially at highway speeds or in traffic.

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.

while driving the engine lost power started idling rough and the MIL came on. The MIL was found to be cyl 1 misfire, mechanic tracked it down to a cracked piston. A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE.

Intercooler pipe coming loose at multiple locations. While driving in traffic on multiple occasions the intercooler piping has “come loose” from the plastic intercooler connection and the throttle body. This causes the car to go from full power to no power instantly.

While in rush hour traffic going 75 MPH on an interstate free way in the most left lane the car entered low engine power mode without warning resulting in the car being only able to go 40 MPH and with losing the ability to easily steer.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light would illuminate intermittently whether the vehicle was idling or while driving at various speeds. The contact stated there was an abnormal sound of liquid moving around in the dashboard and underneath the hood while driving, especially while accelerating.

Reduce engine power on dash I have received this message twice. Car goes to 60mph and it drops down dramatically to 20 MPH this could case a big accident and gm needs to fix this problem immediately. This is a car I do not recommend it's been nothing but problems.

I was Leaving Dayton, OH headed back home to Columbus and while driving down then Highway doing 75 MPH…A message popped up on my dash saying “Engine Power Reduced”….car speed immediately dropped down to 30 and I had to hurry up and pull over before I was rear ended by the SUV behind me…I turned the car off and back on but the same message popped back up on the screen so I had to have the car towed back to Dayton.

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.

Okay so I’ve been getting this “engine power reduced” sign on my dash off and on for the past half year. I take it to the shops to get fix. They do some temporary fix and it’s good for a month or two then the problem persists.

While driving on the highway at accelerated speed dash will say reduce engine speed it will drop to 30mph and will not increase, mind you I'm on the highway with other cars and 18 wheelers. Fortunately I was able to pull over and sit this has happened more than once, and reading the complaints I'm not the only one. Thankfully this was not resulting in a accident/ death.

Problem has huge accident potential. *driving on the highway in moderately heavy traffic. * the engine light comes on (and I immediately start counting how much time and money this will cost me).

While driving on the freeway or the streets the vehicle looses power. A dashboard light comes on along with the check engine light and the dashboard says engine power is reduced. This causes the car to drop speed and lose power.

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.

I started getting different messages and lights on my dash over time. The first time I got a service stabilitrak message and check engine light when I was parked with the car idling and the engine started running rough. I turned the car off and called the dealer.

While driving on the street headed home the engine sign light came on the dashboard with a message trakstabil warning. The engine lost power but not completely. Stopped the vehicle on the side and opened the hood, nothing appeared in the engine compartment.

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 contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that occasionally while attempting to accelerate the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while stopped at a traffic light.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Reduced Power Engine" message displayed and the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The brake pedal was firm while depressed and the vehicle failed to stop immediately.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the engine power reduced warning message was displayed.

Warning message appeared after incident happened It read "Engine power is reduced". I was driving on the highway at 70 MPH and the power in my car was reduced to almost nothing. I could not accelerate.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed.

As I accelerated from a stop, the vehicle lost power and the reduced power warning came on along with my engine light. I could not go over 30mph until I pulled over and restarted the vehicle. I was then able to proceed home at normal speed the check gnome light is still on.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle.

This vehicle is very dangerous, while riding on the highway or just driving all together the engine speed reduced light will come on and the speed drops if I'm on the highway it drops to 40mph if im driving the street it drops to 20mph, my kids and I were almost hit by other drivers on several occasions because of this, I have taken it to the dealership and no one seems to know the problem, for the past week it has been getting worse and happens at least 5 times a day, something has to be done about this as its very dangerous for my family and I

Check engine light came on car had turned off 2 times and was stalling also said engine power reduced

Engine power is reduced message popped up with check engine light while driving car down the road. Car acceleration did not work there was no power and would not go past 20 MPH. Pulled into traffic and was almost ran over by another vehicle due to this problem of sudden loss of power.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle occasionally accelerated independently.

Vehicle listed a warning "engine power is reduced" and check engine light came on. Vehicle was taken to local dealer shop to have issue resolved. Original thought from technician was the oil was low.

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 contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently and she observed a loud noise emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was stopped but the failure persisted.

Bulletin 19-NA-122 that General Motors posted about my specific car having future engine issues happened to my car right after their mile limitation. They said due to my miles being pass the number and although I’m with in the 10 year window they cannot do anything for my car.

Engine/Pistons Car has 80,000 miles and the engine/pistons have gone out on this car. I have had the car inspected by the Chevrolet dealership and they were shocked that a car that has been taken care of so good with so little miles is giving me a problem so major and expensive

This is not a safety issue but potentially it could be & I want GM to take action. I drive a 2016 Chevy Malibu. Beginning 2017, I started getting this message after ignition “SHIFT TO PARK”.

I purchased this car new and continue to own it. During the past 6 years I have had this engine issue several times. I purchased this car from a Chevy dealership, [XXX] u now [XXX] in Flint, who denied there was a problem several times.

2nd time, check engine light came on, low tire warning, loss of power down to 30 MPH while driving. Turned car off and started working again. First time it happened when I took to garage nothing showed up in code reader.

2016 Malibu with 188K miles has shift to park error message when vehicle is in park. This car had the exact same issue at 90K miles and the entire gear shift had to be replaced. The car was under the extended warranty at the time and repairs were made.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the RPM decreased by approximately 4,000 revs per minute. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder and cruised until the vehicle began to accelerate as needed.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated.

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

I was driving on the parkway and my car suddenly made a clunking noise with a notice that popped up saying reduced engine power and dropped down to 20 MPH. I was able to safely pull over, but this was extremely dangerous and I almost got hit on a 4 lane road high speed road. I was not able to accelerate my car past 20mph.

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE DISPLAYED " REDUCED ENGINE POWER". VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE, WAITING A MINUTE, AND RESTARTING VEHICLE IT RAN OK FOR 5 MINUTES. SOMETIMES IT RUNS LONGER BEFORE THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND I LOSE POWER AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!!

DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THEN TAPPING THE BRAKE TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO AUTO STOP AND THEN SHUT EVERYTHING OFF EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC CAR TO RESTART THE CAR IT'S LIKE A STANDARD IT HAS TO ROLL BACKWARDS BEFORE YOU CAN GO FORWARDS, THE FUEL ISSUE IS I'VE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THREE TANKS OF GAS AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GREAT CAR ON GAS ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY I'M BARELY GETTING A 150 FOR EACH FULL TANK OF GAS. THE 47 HW AND 27 CITY FOR GAS MILAGE IS MORE LIKE 27HW AND 10 CITY ....

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.

REDUCE ENGINE POWER

I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR HAD A MESSAGE THAT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCING AND THE CAR DROPPED SPEED DRASTICALLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK AND NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON SINCE THEN.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine power reduced. Warning light illuminated and the vehicle decelerated independently while in traffic.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 25 MPH, while the instrument panel indicated reduce speed to engine. The contact stated that the failure recurred six times.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the message center displayed "engine power reduced" and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the vehicle started to lose power.

Driving at 55 mpd the "reduced engine capacity" light comes on and the car slows to 30 mpd with no ability to accelerate. Was able to get it to the service at dealership 11 miles away... No part available, they have to keep the car.

When I was driving on the expressway the reduce engine power alert popped up on the dash along with my engine light reducing my speed to 30mph. I thought it was because I was due for an oil change. So went to get an oil change as soon as the reduce engine power alert came one.

At 63k miles, the piston cracked and the engine needs to be replaced. There was a recall on this same exact issue, where chevy decided to retard the timing so this would fix the issue. Obviously, this did not fix the issue and now the engine needs to be replaced.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate and decelerated to 20 MPH. Also, the reduce engine power warning indicator illuminated.

I am having an issue with my car and the code is p2138. This is an accelerator issue and when the issue comes about, the car engine reduces and my car will not go over 20 MPH. I called the dealership to get the part and it is on back order.

Message: "reduced engine power" engine power is reduced, speed drops, check engine light is displayed.

Check engine light came on, code given is p1101 intake air flow system performance test failed since dtc clear, history dtc, test not passed since power up, warning indicator requested. Car runs fine for now, code reset and reactivated hour or so later. Remote start does not work.

As soon as I started the car, the check engine light came on stating that the engine's emission is being reduced to where you can feel that the speed of the car is slowing down, but then the engine light went off a little while later. This happened on this past sunday, now it comes on again two days later. I have been having this problem for about the past year and this is a brand new car.

I had my chevy malibu 2016 for 1 year and a piston in my engine broke. I was also getting an oil change every 10 days. The day I purchased this car my check engine light came on and every other month after that I would get a check engine light on the mechanic said it was for different reasons.

Car has died multiple times when coming to a stop and the auto stop feature stopped working each time it dies out. Car stays at a higher idle and don't activate auto stop feature. Dealer can't figure out why.

Just over 37000 miles, car starts running funny, alot of vibration in steering wheel. I get out of the car one day, I leave it running, I get back in just a minute and a half later the engine light is flashing along with the stabilitrack light and the car is really running rough and steam or smoke is coming from engine compartment.

My car had a recall and I took it in and now my cylinder 2 is messed up on a piston and iooked into reviews and it says even if the recall got fixed it messed the piston.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the "engine power reduced" message suddenly displayed and the vehicle's speed reduced and would not accelerate. After turning off and restarting the engine, the vehicle returned to normal.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to phil smith dodge (441 state rd 7, ft.

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The issue occurred on numerous occasions.

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

I will be driving at posted speed limits (typically 55 to 60 MPH) and while going up a hill, the engine loses power. I get a notice on my screen that states engine power reduced. Speed reduces to no more than 35 MPH.

Reduce Engine Power - vehicle decreased acceleration drastically while driving on the highway.

The car will not turn off when placed in the park position. A warning comes on that states "shift to park" when the car is already in park. I have contacted Chevrolet twice and was notified that their are no open recalls on this.

Driving and the car does not shift correctly when speeding up onto the interstate and then engine light comes on and words engine power is reduced comes on. Called Chevrolet and can no longer drive vehicle.

Engine losing power going highway speed acceleration will not work

Loss of power not wanting to go faster than 25 missing and spitting and sputtering bad

When driving the car it will cut off on it's own, shutting down after the reduce engine power light comes on and it fails to re-start. It happens when you are decreasing speed befor e the auto stop can be engage and come to a complete stop. There are approximately 62,000 miles on the vehicle.

Engine power reduced showed up on dashboard out of no where in the middle of driving , I get no gas , car slowed all the way down in the middle of a busy road.

After driving, the car will not shift into park. The battery is still on. Jiggling the shifter knob, turning the car off and back on, and shifting from another gear to park does not resolve this issue.

Stability track

Reduced engine power while driving

Reduce engine power comes on every time I'm driving or it comes back a week or so with the same message

Engine reduced power notification. 2016 model has done this 4 times.

My low engine power light came on. Then my vehicle reduced speed to 10-20 MPH.

While driving at 55mph car all of a sudden slowed down and a warning saying 'engine power reduced' appeared. Car would no longer accelerate properly

Power failure when driving and engine light comes on and car loses power and won't pull.

Letter from constituent regarding issues with his 2016 chevrolet malibu lx and feeling like he is being penalized for the last 10 months on the malibu and is seeking help to resolve the problem.

While driving, the engine loses power and the car stops right where it is.(in traffic) this has happened 3 time recently. This is a safety issue. I purchased the car from andrew chev.

The engine developed a cracked piston after approximately 60,000 miles.

Oil light came on took car in to get oil changed and fix nail in tire. There was a recall on pre ignition. Ecm was reprogrammed and oil and oil filter was changed

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced reduced engine power and deceleration. The contact stated the vehicle would not accelerate past 20 MPH and the "engine reduced power" warning indicator illuminated.

Driving down the road then the motor mount on the left side fell off.

My car is constantly saying engine power has been reduce. No mechanic can find the correct problem.