Engine to power is reduced. Poor fuel efficiency. Rough idling while parked. Poor acceleration. Trouble starting up. Burning smell at times.

- Wilsonville, AL, USA

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. This failure directly matches the defect described in NHTSA Recall 18V-358 (GM Campaign 18188/18268). That recall explains that the high-pressure fuel pump can detach from its mounting due to a weld failure, leading to oscillation, damage to the fuel system, and an increased risk of fire. Although the dealer phrased it as -??bolts came loose, -?? the result is identical: the pump detached from the cylinder head and damaged the fuel system. Despite this, my VIN does not show an open recall. GM Customer Assistance told me the repair would not be covered because of the vehicle-??s age and mileage (current mileage 129264), even though recalls are federal safety obligations that are not limited by warranty coverage. I am requesting that NHTSA review this exclusion and ensure Recall 18V-358 coverage applies to my vehicle. This defect creates a serious safety risk of fuel leaks and fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Omaha, NE, USA

The high-pressure fuel pump detached from the cylinder head. The dealership confirmed diagnostic trouble code P228C and reported that one mounting bolt was missing and another bolt was broken off inside the cylinder head, causing the pump to come loose and fail. The damaged parts were replaced at my expense and the components are available for inspection if needed. This failure caused loss of engine power and unsafe drivability, putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. The problem was confirmed and documented by a Chevrolet dealer service center. General Motors has inspected the issue through their dealer network but has denied coverage because the vehicle-??s VIN was not included in Recall 18V-18V-358, even though the failure matches that recall description. Warning symptoms included weeks of engine misfires, loss of performance, and eventually complete power loss while driving. These symptoms first appeared shortly before the failure occurred.

- Omaha, NE, USA

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

- Evans, GA, USA

The fuel pressure system is faulty and shutting the engine down and reducing speed

- Columbia, SC, USA

I started smelling a strong smell of gas while operating the vehicle. Took to a dealership who diagnosed a turbocharger clamp and exhaust failure. From what I understand I am not the only one with a clamp/exhaust/seal problem. A friend of mine who owned a GM product had similar problems to the point her engine failed altogether. Please investigate!

- Culpeper, VA, USA

A couple days ago I went to drive my car and it took a second to actually turn on and it was shaking way more than usual and pooped up with a message saying -??engine power is reduced-?? I haven-??t drove my car since because i tried and it was moving very slow, and i also didn-??t wanna cause further issues. For some time now my car has been shaky. i have taken it in and balanced my tires because of this issue and nothing had helped. I am always scared to drive it because it has been so shaky but now that this message has popped up it-??s even worse and it-??s during my whole drive. Also every time i park it isn-??t connecting and says -??shift to park-?? even though it is shifted into park. i have to shake it and press some button to go all register that it is shifted into park and can shut my vehicle off. I have read every where that this issue has happened to so many 2016/2017 chevy Malibu-??s. I have read the dangers and i do not feel safe driving my car like this. I also didn-??t have my car when there was a recall on this exact part before. and i-??m guessing the dealership who had it before me did not fix it, causing the problems to worsen other parts of my car. I can-??t drive this car due to the safety and i believe it should be a recalled. I am not totally sure what is doing it but as of all the other people online, they said it has to do the gas pedal (2k replacement) and fuel pumps and also could have burned wires which my car also has. thank you.

- Hutchinson , KS, USA

Warning display on dash reads "Engine power is reduced " and forces and abrupt reduction on vehicle speed, Especially on highway driving on commute. Noticed online multiple similar concerns and complaints. No recall or extended warranty?

- Canandaigua, NY, USA

I was driving about 70mph on a highway trying to pass a semi-truck. As I signaled right blinker to merge back into the right lane, the speed reduced to 40mph without notice. I then seen a notification on the dashboard saying "Engine Power Reduced". The car would not accelerate fast enough to clear the truck therefore almost causing a collision of 2 semi-trucks and myself. I was forced to drive off road to help avoid the collision. My fiancé was in the passenger seat when this happened on 11/25/2023. He then began telling me this happened to him a few months prior but he didn't mention it because it resolved itself. This was actually the 3rd time it had happened in this car over the last 2 years. I spoke to the chevy dealership about it the first time I experienced this and they advised that it had not been made a safety recall at that time yet, but the technician who helped me said his son experienced the same thing and it was becoming quite common. It still has not been recalled but there is currently a class action lawsuit because of this. I feel this is very dangerous and what I considered to be reliable transportation, is no longer the case for my family after this experience. This needs to be recalled immediately before people lose lives. Especially since the parts were Manufactured incorrectly and Chevrolet had knowledge prior to releasing 2016-2018 vehicles.

- Belleville, IL, USA

I took my car to to Firestone to have the brakes checked because I had a stiff brake pedal and could only use my emergency brake to stop. They did a basic and advanced diagnostic and said that the brake booster that I have has been recalled and also other equipments on my car has been recalled and I must bring it to a dealership. I searched my VIN and nothing popped up even though months ago I was emailed a recall notice on the fuel pump system and Air bags and it has never been repaired in my car even from the past owners.There have been 10 recalls from Malibu's manufactured in 2016 and my car shows every sign and indication that it is one of those few selected. My VIN should be updated or investigated for parts in my vehicle that have been recalled. The Car stops when idle for two minutes or longer and shuts off the engine and air if you use the USB outlet there is a serious electrical problem which is also a safety hazard according to NHTSA guidelines.

- Irving, TX, USA

The low oil pressure - cut engine off notification appeared on the speedometer & as i was getting on the freeway the car literally cut off. All the electrical worked but power to the engine & everything stopped completely.

- Detroit, MI, USA

When I accelerate, it hesitates to pick up speed. Once I made it to 75mph, a warning message came on that said engine power reduced and the check engine light came on. I looked up the issue and saw that several people with the same car were having the same issues. I added a gas treatment like they suggested but the light is still on. I have not been to a dealership or mechanic shop yet due to not having the money. But if this is a common problem then Chevrolet needs to pay for repairs. If my car fails while I-??m driving, I could cause an accident.I have had the throttle body cleaned before and the wheel sensors but I am still having issues.

- Kinder, LA, USA

I was driving down the Freeway at 65 mph. The roads were wet and slick from snow and in heavy traffic. I got a check engine light and immediately a Engine Power Reduced light. I suddenly lost power and another vehicle behind me almost hit me. I was able to get to the side of the road and shut it off. After a few minutes, I started it back up and the light was still on. I needed to get off the freeway and find a way to work so I put on the emergency flashers and drove to the next exit. The light remained on but I had full power. I am trying to get an appointment to have it looked at.

- Mountain Home, ID, USA

I was driving on a highway approx 60 miles an hour when a message came in my dashboard stating reduction in engine power, the vehicle abruptly slowed to 20 mph without any warning and I was barely able to pull my vehicle off to the side of the road without being rear ended by the vehicle behind me on the highway.

- Hymera, IN, USA

The car stalls if i stop or in traffic..the car is still running I can have the gas pedal to the floor it will not go then it takes off really quick when when it powers back on it feel like it loses power when I-??m trying to go but the car is running the whole time it-??s Hybrid propulsion system General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

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. The next day I had code read and it was a P2138. From what I have now learned online this is a wide spread problem that GM is very aware of.

- Springfield, MO, USA

I was coming to a stop at a traffic light. I received an alert on my dash "reduced engine power" and my check engine light came on. My car became much less responsive to pressing on the accelerator and seemed to be having trouble going more than ~30 mph. An inspection of the problem gave the error code P2138 as the source of the issue.

- Bordentown, NJ, USA

I was driving downtown when car engine warning light came on and it slowed down then shut off, luckily the car behind me didn't hit me. I was able to pull over. I've had it towed 2 time one mechanic said: I needed a motor. I bought a code reader replaced both batteries. Next code P2138 reduded engine power. It a defective throttle control accelerator pedal position sensor. I towed it to GM dealership they are trying to sell me a motor and will not acknowledge, pedal problem because there is no recall only special coverage adjustment #N192188250 global safety field investigation dcs5117 global warranty.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

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....

- Jamestown, NY, USA

Car stalled after auto stop while trying to excelerate. Error message saying emissions control. Mechanic stated that it was unknown and possible a recall. Has happened three times.

- Aiken, SC, USA