SIDE SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
397 reports with mileage · 305 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 253 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 161 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 139 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
161 reportsAT LESS THAN 32K MILES I"VE HAD ISSUE WITH THE SHIFT TO PARK INDICATOR, THE RADIO RANDOM ON AND OFF REGARDLESS IF CAR IS RUNNING OR PARKED AND OFF AND NOW MULTIPLE INDICATORS FOR AN EMISSION ISSUE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER OR STOP. I HAVE TAKEN CARE FOR SERVICE ON REGULAR BASIS AND HAVE HAD SERVICE REPAIRS DONE TWICE TO SUPP…
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AT LESS THAN 32K MILES I"VE HAD ISSUE WITH THE SHIFT TO PARK INDICATOR, THE RADIO RANDOM ON AND OFF REGARDLESS IF CAR IS RUNNING OR PARKED AND OFF AND NOW MULTIPLE INDICATORS FOR AN EMISSION ISSUE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER OR STOP. I HAVE TAKEN CARE FOR SERVICE ON REGULAR BASIS AND HAVE HAD SERVICE REPAIRS DONE TWICE TO SUPPOSEDLY FIX COMPUTER BOARD. UNFORTUNATELY, SERVICE EITHER SAYS THEY HAVE REST IT OR CAN'T FIND ISSUES I DESCRIBE. I WILL PARK THE CAR AND LET GM HAVE IT BEFORE I GET KILLED IN TRAFFIC!!!!
THE CAR WILL NOT START SOMETIMES. YESTERDAY THE LIGHTS AND RADIO CAME ON RANDOMLY WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE WITH THE FOB IN THE HOUSE. RANDOMLY SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE LAST TIME IT WAS HALF WAY THROUGH AN BUSY INTERSECTION. HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD.
ENGINE POWER REDUCED. ENGINE POWER REDUCED. AT FIRST IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS RAINING, BUT ON DRY DAYS NO PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND DISAPPEARS A FEW HOURS LATER. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS AS IF THEY CAN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING ONCE THE WARNING AND ENGINE LIGHT TURN OFF. LATELY IT'S BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTL…
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ENGINE POWER REDUCED. ENGINE POWER REDUCED. AT FIRST IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS RAINING, BUT ON DRY DAYS NO PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND DISAPPEARS A FEW HOURS LATER. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS AS IF THEY CAN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING ONCE THE WARNING AND ENGINE LIGHT TURN OFF. LATELY IT'S BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, SO I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT READ. ERROR CODES P2138 AND P2127, BOTH REFERENCING THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY COMPLAINT I SEE ON HERE. I ALSO HAVE READ ABOUT LAW SUITS BEING FILED REGARDING THIS AS WELL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, THE PARK ASSIST AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO STIVERS CHEVROLET (111 NEWLAND RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29229, (803) 254-1431) WHERE THEY WERE INITIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, THE PARK ASSIST AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO STIVERS CHEVROLET (111 NEWLAND RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29229, (803) 254-1431) WHERE THEY WERE INITIALLY UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT. AFTER MULTIPLE FAILURES, THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY SENSOR. THE PART WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY GO INTO ENGINE REDUCED POWER MODE CAUSING MY CAR TO DROP FROM WHATEVER SPEED I'M AT TO 30-40MPH, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT'S HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
THE ELECTRICAL BLINKS OUT . ENGINE REDUCED SPEED IS A PROBLEM AND IS VERY DAMGEROUS I WAS ALMOST HIT ON THE FREEWAY. THIS CAR IS A DUD AND MOST MODELS LIKE IT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
DURING THE COLD THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON, WILL SHOW A STABILITRAK PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT TURNS ON. WHEN IT IS ON AND YOU DRIVE IT, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF AND STAY OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR WHENEVER YOU PRESS THE BRAKE. I HAVE TWO OTHER FRIENDS WHO OWN THE SAME CAR AND IT DOES THE SAME , WHICH MAKES ME ASSUME A MA…
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DURING THE COLD THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON, WILL SHOW A STABILITRAK PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT TURNS ON. WHEN IT IS ON AND YOU DRIVE IT, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF AND STAY OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR WHENEVER YOU PRESS THE BRAKE. I HAVE TWO OTHER FRIENDS WHO OWN THE SAME CAR AND IT DOES THE SAME , WHICH MAKES ME ASSUME A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM OF CARS NOT TURNING ON IN THE COLD/ SENSOR ISSUE.
THE VEHICLES BRAKES KEEPS POPPING WHERE IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP. ALSO THE CAR IS DYING WHEN THE CAR DOES COME TO A STOP SO THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND START IT AGAIN. THE BACK GLASS IS LEAKING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND SHOWS IT BEING THE TURBO BUT HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTINUED TO SAY IT IS THI…
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THE VEHICLES BRAKES KEEPS POPPING WHERE IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP. ALSO THE CAR IS DYING WHEN THE CAR DOES COME TO A STOP SO THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND START IT AGAIN. THE BACK GLASS IS LEAKING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND SHOWS IT BEING THE TURBO BUT HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTINUED TO SAY IT IS THIS SENSOR OR THAT SENSOR OR A SENSOR IS DIRTY BUT NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE ANTENNA WAS REPLACED TO FIX THE BACK GLASS FROM LEAKING. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY IT COMES THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ISSUES THAT NEVER WAS SEEN BEFORE ON THE CAR. I HAVE BOUGHT SEVERAL OF NEW VEHICLES AND THE IS BY FAR THE WORST CAR. I HAVE BOUGHT MY FAMILY A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN.
ON NOV 12,2019 I WAS DRIVING IN GLEN BURNIE MARYLAND IN A STREET , COMING TO A STOP LIGHT I STOP AND THE CAR TURNED OFF, I TURN IT ON AGAIN AND GOT ON THE HWY I-97 NORTH CAME OFF RAMP. WHERE I STOP ON RED LIGHT THE CAR TURNED OFF AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME. I LOST ALL POWER IT WOULD NOT TURN ON NOR ANY LIGHTS , COMPLETELY DEAD. …
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ON NOV 12,2019 I WAS DRIVING IN GLEN BURNIE MARYLAND IN A STREET , COMING TO A STOP LIGHT I STOP AND THE CAR TURNED OFF, I TURN IT ON AGAIN AND GOT ON THE HWY I-97 NORTH CAME OFF RAMP. WHERE I STOP ON RED LIGHT THE CAR TURNED OFF AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME. I LOST ALL POWER IT WOULD NOT TURN ON NOR ANY LIGHTS , COMPLETELY DEAD. NOT EVEN EMERGENCY BLINKERS, AT THIS TIME I CALLED A TOW TRUCK , POLICE ASISTES ME , AFTER GIVING THE CAR A BOOST CABLE. IT TURNED ON , BATTERY IS NEW AS OF 3 MONTHS AGO , TOOK CAR TO GARAGE. THEY CAN NOT FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING ,
Official recalls
421V649000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners; Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
Aug 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.
18V400000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
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.
18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
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.
16V870000 · Air Bags:side/window
Dec 2, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Malibu vehicles manufactured on November 10, 2016. The right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold may have insufficient welds.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Insufficient welds could cause the inflator to separate and propel air bag debris into the cabin during a crash. Also, the inflator could fail to inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16146.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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