"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
Complaints
168
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$2,500
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 W…
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.
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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