← New search

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 →

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.

16 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

67 reports
Clear category filter
56,735 miles · Aug 4, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes

DRIVING AND MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP BECAUSE MY STABLITRAK AND ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND NOW THE DEALER IS SAYING I NEED A VACUUM PUMP AND THROTTLE CHANGE. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUES IN THE GM CARS JUST SEEN ON GOOGLE THAT A GLOBAL LETTER WAS SENT OUT AUG OF 2019 ABOUT THIS ISSUES BUT I NEVER RECEIVED IT. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED …

Read full complaint

DRIVING AND MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP BECAUSE MY STABLITRAK AND ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND NOW THE DEALER IS SAYING I NEED A VACUUM PUMP AND THROTTLE CHANGE. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUES IN THE GM CARS JUST SEEN ON GOOGLE THAT A GLOBAL LETTER WAS SENT OUT AUG OF 2019 ABOUT THIS ISSUES BUT I NEVER RECEIVED IT. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND WE SHOULD BE GIVEN OUR MONEY BACK. I HAVE 2017 CHEVY MALIBU AND I FEEL THIS PREMEDITATED MURDER BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S A ISSUE AND I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE JULY 30 2020 AT 959PM

NHTSA ODI #11343119

47,000 miles · Jul 10, 2020
Service Brakes

COMING HOME FROM FLORIDA TO ATHENS ALABAMA WE STOPPED AT A REST STOP AND I NOTICED MY BRAKES WAS REALLY HARD TO PUSH AND MADE A AWFUL NOISE. WE LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND THOUGHT THE PADS WAS BAD. I MANAGED TO GET IT HOME LUCKILY ON MAJOR TRAFFIC JAMS ON INTERSTATE 65. MY HUSBAND PUT A CODE READER AND IT SAID BRAKE BOOSTER SENSOR …

Read full complaint

COMING HOME FROM FLORIDA TO ATHENS ALABAMA WE STOPPED AT A REST STOP AND I NOTICED MY BRAKES WAS REALLY HARD TO PUSH AND MADE A AWFUL NOISE. WE LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND THOUGHT THE PADS WAS BAD. I MANAGED TO GET IT HOME LUCKILY ON MAJOR TRAFFIC JAMS ON INTERSTATE 65. MY HUSBAND PUT A CODE READER AND IT SAID BRAKE BOOSTER SENSOR BUT MY HUSBAND PULLED THE LINE FROM THE VACUUM PUMP AND THE VACUUM PUMP WASN'T PULLING.THANK GOD WE MADE IT HOME. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THIS WEBSITE A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE. CAR IS NOW PARKED IN GARAGE WHAT TIL CHEVY DEALERSHIP OPENS ON MONDAY!!!

NHTSA ODI #11338710

85,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

MY CHEVY MALIBU HAS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY MORE OFTEN DURNING TRAFFIC TIME IT ALWAYS STOPS WHEN IT ENTERS AUTO STOP THEN IT CUTS ALL THE WAY OFF AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT I CALLED IN ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR . ALSO IT MAKES IT REALLY TOUGH TO PUSH MY BREAKS WHEN I START THE CAR UP IT DOES MAKE THE SOUND LIKE IT WANTS TO…

Read full complaint

MY CHEVY MALIBU HAS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY MORE OFTEN DURNING TRAFFIC TIME IT ALWAYS STOPS WHEN IT ENTERS AUTO STOP THEN IT CUTS ALL THE WAY OFF AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT I CALLED IN ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR . ALSO IT MAKES IT REALLY TOUGH TO PUSH MY BREAKS WHEN I START THE CAR UP IT DOES MAKE THE SOUND LIKE IT WANTS TO START THEN IT DIES OUT

NHTSA ODI #11308588

59,555 miles · Dec 19, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemSeat BeltsService Brakes

EMGINE REDUCED SPEED HAS BEEN COMIN ON FOR A WHILE ON MOST CHEVY MODELS. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWS ON THE FREEWAY DURING TRAFFIC AND ANYWHERE. THE SEATBELTS DO NOT ALWAYS ATTACH.

NHTSA ODI #11290146

35,000 miles · Dec 16, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11289530

63,000 miles · Nov 21, 2019
Electrical SystemService BrakesVisibility/wiper

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…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11281657

40,000 miles · Oct 5, 2019
Service Brakes

WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD MY 2017 MALABU STARTED SLOWING DOWN ON IT'S ON I TRIED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND THE BREAKS DID NOT WORK CAR DIED AND WILL NOT RESTART. CODE INDICATES BREAK BOOSTER CAR IS IN YARD

NHTSA ODI #11266506

50,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE SAVOIE CHEVROLET (1900 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (877) 819-1038) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE SAVOIE CHEVROLET (1900 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (877) 819-1038) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 9-555-18878406. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11265357

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

MY BRAKE BOOSTERS WENT OUT AND I PAID $700 NOW SOMETHING ODD IS HAPPENING TO MY BRAKES WITH THE AIR OR PRESSURE. SHOULD THIS WHOLE CAR BE RECALLED? MY ELECTRICS BLINKED OUT THE DAY I GOT THE CAR AND THE SALESMAN SAID ' IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE A BATTERY FOR$290 ON A CAR I HAVE LESS THAN 2 YEARS?? IT WAS MENTION…

Read full complaint

MY BRAKE BOOSTERS WENT OUT AND I PAID $700 NOW SOMETHING ODD IS HAPPENING TO MY BRAKES WITH THE AIR OR PRESSURE. SHOULD THIS WHOLE CAR BE RECALLED? MY ELECTRICS BLINKED OUT THE DAY I GOT THE CAR AND THE SALESMAN SAID ' IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE A BATTERY FOR$290 ON A CAR I HAVE LESS THAN 2 YEARS?? IT WAS MENTIONED THE AUTO START AFFECTS MY BATTERY!! I NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT AND COVERING MY BATTERY. LET'S TAKE AUTO START OFF TOTALLY IT'S A NUISANCE NOT A SOLUTION AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAS TAKEN IN 4 GMC/CHEVROLET THIS WEEK AND 2 WERE MALIBU'S. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERS RIGHT NOW!

NHTSA ODI #11256803

40,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Service Brakes

WHEN EXITING OFF THE FREEWAY TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR. BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SOLID MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP OR EVEN SLOW THE CAR DOWN. ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON AND WHEN DIAGNOSED, THE FOLLOWING CODES APPEAR: BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE SENSOR, WORN/DAMAGED VACUUM LINES, CORRODED/DAMAGED CONNECTO…

Read full complaint

WHEN EXITING OFF THE FREEWAY TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR. BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SOLID MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP OR EVEN SLOW THE CAR DOWN. ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON AND WHEN DIAGNOSED, THE FOLLOWING CODES APPEAR: BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE SENSOR, WORN/DAMAGED VACUUM LINES, CORRODED/DAMAGED CONNECTOR, DAMAGE/FAULTY WIRING, DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER, DEFECTIVE PCM.

NHTSA ODI #11234390

Official recalls

4

21V649000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.