2016 Chevrolet Malibu Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 152about this part
- Share
- 18%of 841 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,100miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 152 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 18% of the 841 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,100 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11405011, filed 2021-03, 50,000 miles“While driving on I-285,at a speed of around 70mph, the vehicle display showed 'reduced engine power.' all of a sudden the car immediately slows down to a speed of 40 then less right in the middle of traffic. Thankfully, I was able to pull over off shoulder. However, the vehicle had to be towed since it would not accelerate to an appropriate speed.”
NHTSA complaint #11323795, filed 2020-05, 61,470 miles“Driving at 65 MPH, car flashed warning of decreasing engine power. Car began to slow to a speed of between 20-30 MPH. This occurred while driving on the george washington bridge with many large trucks and other vehicles behind me. Some had to swerve to miss hitting me until I could find a safe shoulder to get the car off of the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11316051, filed 2020-03, 67,000 miles“As I was exiting the highway the just slowed to a crawl . The screen said reduced engine power and wouldn't allow me to accelerate past 15 - 20 miles per hour. Luckily there were no cars following behind me at the time . I pulled over shut the car off and issue continued. I plugged up a code reader and got p2138”
NHTSA complaint #11396726, filed 2021-02, 87,577 miles“The day before the car's dashboard said that the car's power assist was turning off. The next morning as I was going 75 miles per hour on the highway the car said that engine was reducing power and speed reduced to 45 MPH. The check engine light suddenly went on and it was a very dangerous situation that could have killed me.”
NHTSA complaint #11329306, filed 2020-06, 66,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11014171Jan 31, 2025This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 9% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 114 | 16% |
| 2017 | 135 | 19% |
| 2016 | 152 | 18% |
| 2015 | 28 | 10% |
| 2014 | 17 | 5% |
| 2013 | 28 | 3% |
| 2012 | 52 | 6% |
| 2011 | 87 | 9% |
| 2010 | 116 | 9% |
| 2009 | 73 | 5% |
| 2008 | 42 | 4% |
| 2007 | 31 | 3% |
| 2006 | 35 | 3% |
| 2005 | 27 | 3% |
| 2004 | 27 | 2% |
| 2003 | 85 | 15% |
| 2002 | 6 | 1% |
| 2001 | 25 | 3% |
| 2000 | 21 | 2% |
| 1999 | 7 | 1% |
| 1998 | 22 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
304 complaintsElectrical system
222 complaintsOther or unknown
177 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
166 complaintsBrakes
104 complaintsElectronic stability control
76 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsExterior lighting
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsAir bags
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology