NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
302 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 19, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other
I PURCHASED 2016 MALIBU 10/2016 AND AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 6MONTHS THE CHECK ENGINE/REDUCE SPEED LIGHTS STARTING COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK OVER 20TIMES AND THE ISSUES WAS NEVER FIXED. I ASK COULD THEY JUST REPLACE THE CALL SINCE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIXED IT. SO, AND STILL HAVING THIS ISSUES. GM EXTENDED THE RECALL AND I…
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I PURCHASED 2016 MALIBU 10/2016 AND AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 6MONTHS THE CHECK ENGINE/REDUCE SPEED LIGHTS STARTING COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK OVER 20TIMES AND THE ISSUES WAS NEVER FIXED. I ASK COULD THEY JUST REPLACE THE CALL SINCE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIXED IT. SO, AND STILL HAVING THIS ISSUES. GM EXTENDED THE RECALL AND I TOOK IT BACK IN YESTERDAY MARCH 18, 2020. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS FIXED AND TO PICK IT UP. SO, I GET THERE DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT THE LOT. SO, I RETURN BACK TO THE SERVICE DESK AND I WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. SO I ASK WHY THIS ISN'T ON MY SERVICE SHEET I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS WIPED OUT AND THAT I HAD TO REQUEST IT. PUTTING ME BACK IN DANGER. THIS HAS BEEN A HEADACHE. I FILE A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT AND THEY OFFER MY 4500 AND I OWE 18,000 ON A CAR THAT HAVE BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES FROM THE DAY ONE. GM OFFERING TO SETTLE OUT FOR 4500 IS ADMITTING FOUGHT
NHTSA ODI #11318732
70,000 miles · Mar 16, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR HAD A MESSAGE THAT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCING AND THE CAR DROPPED SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY TO 15MPH AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON SINCE THEN. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT THE SHOP SINCE I BROUGHT IT BRAND NEW 0 MILES FOR SOME TYPE OF ENGINE RELATED FAILURE, SENSORS ETC. MY WARRANTY HAS E…
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I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR HAD A MESSAGE THAT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCING AND THE CAR DROPPED SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY TO 15MPH AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON SINCE THEN. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT THE SHOP SINCE I BROUGHT IT BRAND NEW 0 MILES FOR SOME TYPE OF ENGINE RELATED FAILURE, SENSORS ETC. MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND NOW I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR MAINTENCE.
NHTSA ODI #11318199
53,000 miles · Mar 15, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING MY RADIO TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A MESSAGE SAYING LOW ENGINE POWER CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES AND STARTED TO GO SLOW WHILE IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11318172
120,000 miles · Mar 11, 2020
Engine
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.
NHTSA ODI #11317477
88,000 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Engine
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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CEASED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TO KINGDOM CHEVROLET LOCATED AT (6603 S…
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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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CEASED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TO KINGDOM CHEVROLET LOCATED AT (6603 S. WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60636 (773) 432-3000) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY ANOTHER DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #11317325
124,000 miles · Mar 6, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-10 WEST HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN & DUE TO THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY AN 18 WHEELER BECAUSE I COULDN'T PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FAST ENOUGH...ALSO, ON SOME DAYS WHEN I START MY CAR IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY NOISE …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-10 WEST HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN & DUE TO THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY AN 18 WHEELER BECAUSE I COULDN'T PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FAST ENOUGH...ALSO, ON SOME DAYS WHEN I START MY CAR IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY NOISE SO THEREFORE THE RADIO WILL NOT WORK, THE SIGNAL LIGHT SOUNDS DOESN'T WORK, NOR DOES THE SEATBELT SOUNDS WORK .
NHTSA ODI #11316556
79,026 miles · Mar 2, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED AND THEN SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN DRAMATICALLY. AN ERROR CODE, ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CAME ON STARTING REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO SPEED UP AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11315674
50,000 miles · Feb 28, 2020
Engine
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. IT REALLY UNSAFE AS TWICE I'VE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED.
NHTSA ODI #11312112
46,000 miles · Feb 13, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11309087
67,000 miles · Feb 9, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SPEED LIMIT WAS 70MPH I WAS GOING THAT SPEED THEN OUT OF NOWHERE I GOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A NOTICE ON MY DASH APPEARED AS 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' AND MY SPEED DRASTICALLY DECLINED I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK, I HAD PEOPLE IN THE BACK OF MY CAR AND WITH AN IMPACT FROM A TRAILER WE …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SPEED LIMIT WAS 70MPH I WAS GOING THAT SPEED THEN OUT OF NOWHERE I GOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A NOTICE ON MY DASH APPEARED AS 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' AND MY SPEED DRASTICALLY DECLINED I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK, I HAD PEOPLE IN THE BACK OF MY CAR AND WITH AN IMPACT FROM A TRAILER WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR EVEN KILLED. THIS A REOCCURRING PROBLE WITH MALIBU'S FROM THE YEAR 2016-2019 GM KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE IT. THIS ISSUE NOT ONLY PUTS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE IN HARM BUT OTHERS AROUND AS WELL. THE PROBLEM IS THE THROTTLE BODY RESPONSE SENSOR WHICH IS ABOUT A $300-$500 FIX WHICH IS NOT AN CHEAP FIX. THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BECAUSE ONE DAY THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ANYBODY WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR AND IT CAN KILL SOMEONE.
NHTSA ODI #11308024
Official recalls
9Aug 20, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Jun 14, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
May 31, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Oct 26, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16079.
Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
May 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.
Mar 11, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.
Mar 2, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.
Feb 11, 2016
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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