"reduced engine power" warning came and power was suddenly reduced and vehicle speed reduced. This happened while travelling 70mph on an interstate road. Very dangerous as the speed dropped to 40 MPH.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu powertrain problems
moderate 168 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
168
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 168 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 20 model years of Chevrolet Malibu we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 168.
Owners have filed 168 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet malibu. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the transmission became stuck in neutral. The contact's vehicle rolled backwards and crashed into a parked vehicle. The incident occurred on three separate occasions. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
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.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 168 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 106 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 25,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 42,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.