NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
166 reportsClear category filter45,000 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, GOING AROUND 70 MPH, AS I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE ONTO ANOTHER FREEWAY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A NOTIFICATION CAME ON THAT SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER. MY CAR THEN DROPPED SPEED TO ABOUT 40 MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE THE REST OF MY ROUTE TO WORK. I TOPPED AT 20 MPH. I CHECKED MY CODE READE…
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I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, GOING AROUND 70 MPH, AS I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE ONTO ANOTHER FREEWAY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A NOTIFICATION CAME ON THAT SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER. MY CAR THEN DROPPED SPEED TO ABOUT 40 MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE THE REST OF MY ROUTE TO WORK. I TOPPED AT 20 MPH. I CHECKED MY CODE READER AND P2138 CAME UP.
NHTSA ODI #11163602
30,000 miles · Nov 16, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL: MY VEICHLE HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE MONTHS NOW. I HAVE BEEN PAYING EXTRA MONEY TO REPAIRS AND STILL DOESN'T GET IT FIX. DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. MY CAR TURNS OFF AT THE LIGHT TO SAVE GAS BUT WHENEVER I RELEASE THE BRAKE BACK AGAIN THE WHOLE SCREEN GOES OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WIT…
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TAKATA RECALL: MY VEICHLE HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE MONTHS NOW. I HAVE BEEN PAYING EXTRA MONEY TO REPAIRS AND STILL DOESN'T GET IT FIX. DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. MY CAR TURNS OFF AT THE LIGHT TO SAVE GAS BUT WHENEVER I RELEASE THE BRAKE BACK AGAIN THE WHOLE SCREEN GOES OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WITH THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WANT TO TURN BACK ON. MESAAGE ON THE SCREEN SAYS ' POWER STEERLING REDUCED, PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE' ALSO IT SAYS SOMETIMES ' STABILITITANK ' . I NEED HELP ON THIS SITUATION BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. I SAW A RECALL OF 7,000 CARS SAME TYPE LIKE MINE ON 2016 FOR THE SAME ISSUES. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #11151898
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2018
Power Train
2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LEASED VEHICLE THAT HAS MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS; LOSING POWER, NOT ACCELERATING, AND NOT SHIFTING GEARS. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE 'RIGHT TRACK' DEVICE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11143168
19,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
CAR HESITATES WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR AND BEGINS TO MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATES RAPIDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND BECAUSE IT IS ONLY RANDOM WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, PULLING OUT OF…
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CAR HESITATES WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR AND BEGINS TO MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATES RAPIDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND BECAUSE IT IS ONLY RANDOM WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, OR PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SMART TRANSMISSION BECAUSE ME AND MY WIFE HAVE DIFFERENT DRIVING HAPPENS. (WHICH DOESN'T SOUND REASONABLE) LAST TIME IT DID THIS WAS YESTERDAY AND IT SEEMS TO HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA ODI #11141073
37,000 miles · Sep 21, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
CAR REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS BEEN SHIFTED INTO PARK, DESPITE HAVING BEEN PROPERLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. I RECEIVE THE ERROR MESSAGE "SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK" AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT.
NHTSA ODI #11130694
37,000 miles · Sep 12, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train
1ST PROBLEM MESSAGE POPS UP WHEN PARKING. MESSAGE READS SHIFT TO PARK EVEN WHEN SHIFTER IS IN PARK. WILL TURN OFF ENGINE BUT WILL NOT TURN OFF THE ACCESSORY. NEED TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL MESSAGE DISAPPEARS AND ALLOWS TO TURN OFF. 2ND PROBLEM MESSAGE POPS UP NO REMOTE DETECTED PRESS BRAKE TO RESTART
NHTSA ODI #11129088
50,000 miles · Aug 5, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
THE CAR STALLS IN TRAFFIC, LOSING ALL POWER. IT DOESN'T START SOMETIMES. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER THE ISSUE DOESN'T OCCUR AND THEY CLAIM THE COMPUTER IS COMING BACK CLEAN. HOWEVER, IT DODENT FO THIS ALL THE TIME IT CAN GO WEEKS AND DRIVE JUST FINE BUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME WILL LOSE ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF…
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THE CAR STALLS IN TRAFFIC, LOSING ALL POWER. IT DOESN'T START SOMETIMES. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER THE ISSUE DOESN'T OCCUR AND THEY CLAIM THE COMPUTER IS COMING BACK CLEAN. HOWEVER, IT DODENT FO THIS ALL THE TIME IT CAN GO WEEKS AND DRIVE JUST FINE BUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME WILL LOSE ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND DONE DAYS TAKE A VERY LONG TIME TO START. IT'S VERY SCARY WHEN YOUR IN TRAFFIC IN THE CAR SHUTS OFF THEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FROM STABILIZER BAR WARNING, TO ENGINE LIGHT. IT'S DANGEROUS AND SCARY WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AT TIMES ON SAN DIEGO HIGHWAYS. A CAR SHOULD NOT JUST SHUT OFF OR TAKE FOREVER TO START WHEN EVERYTIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY CLAIM THE READINGS ARE FINE. I ALSO SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. GM CHEVROLET WANT BE SATISFIED UNTIL SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT WITH THIS ISSUE LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11115805
53,000 miles · Jul 29, 2018
Power Train
WHEN PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK, NOT EVERY SINGLE TIME BUT, THE CAR IS COMPLETELY STOPPED AND DASHBOARD SAYS P (FOR PARK), WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AN ERROR POPS UP STATING CAR NEEDS TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK TO TURN OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11114424
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS LOCKING, UNLOCKING, AND TURNING ON MY CAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY GETS TURNED ON IT WILL SAY THAT THE KEYS ARE NOT DETECTED. OR WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WILL TELL ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. TAKATA RECALL - ABOUT ONCE A MONTH WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, A LOUD BUZZING…
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TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS LOCKING, UNLOCKING, AND TURNING ON MY CAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY GETS TURNED ON IT WILL SAY THAT THE KEYS ARE NOT DETECTED. OR WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WILL TELL ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. TAKATA RECALL - ABOUT ONCE A MONTH WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMES ON FOR AROUND 30 SECONDS.
NHTSA ODI #11111166
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2018
Power Train
WHEN CAR IS PUT IN PARK, AN ERROR "SHIFT TO PARK" APPEARS ON THE DASH. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO REGISTER THAT THE GEAR IS PUT INTO PARK.
NHTSA ODI #11110752
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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