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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

147 reports
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68,880 miles · Oct 14, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAYS OR STREETS. WITH MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR OF THE ACCELERATOR, IT GETS TO 20 MPH IN ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS WHICH PREVENTS ANY PICKUP. ONLY THING THAT HELPS THE PICKUP IS WHEN I USE OCTANE BOOSTER IN THE TANK AND IT'LL DRIVE AS IT SHOULD WITH PICKUP FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD (5 MILES) …

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IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAYS OR STREETS. WITH MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR OF THE ACCELERATOR, IT GETS TO 20 MPH IN ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS WHICH PREVENTS ANY PICKUP. ONLY THING THAT HELPS THE PICKUP IS WHEN I USE OCTANE BOOSTER IN THE TANK AND IT'LL DRIVE AS IT SHOULD WITH PICKUP FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD (5 MILES) OTHERWISE THE ACCELERATION IS EXTREMELY LAGGY WITH NO PICKUP.

NHTSA ODI #11364254

41,102 miles · Oct 11, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR STARTED TO SAY DRIVING ASSISTANCE OFF PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE THEN IT ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN OFF. NOW ITS SYING

NHTSA ODI #11363771

14,000 miles · Oct 4, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY TRUNK WAS FLOODED FOR NO REASON. PLUS WHEN I SHIFT TO PARK IT SAYS SHIFT TO PARK WHEN I ALREADY HAVE. MY SISTER JUST GAVE ME THIS CAR WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES AND TWO PROBLEMS. THE TRUNK MAT IS GETTING WHITE MOLD. THIS CAR SAT FOR 6 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11362692

2,500 miles · Sep 6, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT THE 2017 MALIBU PREMEIR WITH 5 MILES ON IT IN SEPT 2017 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE START. 2018 WHILE RIDING ON INTERSTATE MY CAR JUST STOPPED WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALER THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AFTER KEEPING CAR FOR 2 DAYS. WENT TO LEAVE DEALER SHIP AND CAR STOPPED IN PARKING LOT ,SENSORS WENT OUT ON FRONT OF CAR. F…

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I BOUGHT THE 2017 MALIBU PREMEIR WITH 5 MILES ON IT IN SEPT 2017 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE START. 2018 WHILE RIDING ON INTERSTATE MY CAR JUST STOPPED WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALER THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AFTER KEEPING CAR FOR 2 DAYS. WENT TO LEAVE DEALER SHIP AND CAR STOPPED IN PARKING LOT ,SENSORS WENT OUT ON FRONT OF CAR. FIXED 2019.NEXT MY CAR KEPT GETTING WATER IN TIRE WELL AND I WENT TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT A RECALL. SO I KEPT BAILING OUT WATER AND PARKING IN GARAGES. THREE MONTHS LATER RECALL .I WAS WITHOUT CAR FOR 4 WEEKS AS CARPET ,HEADLINER AND COMPLETE TRUNK CARPET AND MOLDING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF MOLD,2020.MY CAR TELLS ME TO SHIFT TO PARK WHEN CAR IS IN PARK AND I HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND ON ND MOVE FROM D TO P TO GET IT TO WORK. TELLS ME WHEN 'I'M DRIVING NO KEY FOUND IN VEHICLE OR PUT KEY FOB IN POCKET.,YESTERDAY SEPT 5.2020 WENT TO GET INSPECTION STICKER AND ATTENDENT TOLD ME YOU HAVE NO BACKUP LIGHTS. NEVER NOTICED IT. SO WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND BOUGHT LIGHT AND WENT TO MECHANIC SHOP TO HAVE PUT IN. WHILE SITTING IN CAR WENT TO OPEN SUNROOF, IT WASN'T WORKING AND IT HAD BEEN MONTHS SINCE I REMEMBER OPENING IT, SO 'I'M READING OWNERS MANUAL AND WENT TO TURN ON MAP LIGHTS. NO LIGHTS. SO MECHANIC COMES AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR BULBS. LET ME CHECK FUSES, USUALLY WHEN BOTH LIGHT GO OUT AT SAME TIME ITS A FUSE PROBLEM TOLD HIM ABOUT SUN ROOF AND MAP LIGHT, HE CHECKED EVERY FUSE INSIDE AND OUT. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY FUSES OR THE LIGHTS. THEY JUST WONT COME ON. NEITHER WILL SUNROOF OPEN. MY CAR HAS 56000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE 25000 MILES. I THOUGHT I WOULD KEEP THIS CAR FOR AT LEAST TEN YEARS AS IT COST A PRETTY PENNY FOR THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #11353384

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WHEN SHIFT CAR INTO PARK AND GO TO TURN CAR OFF A MESSAGE POPS UP THAT CAR NEEDS TO BE IN PARK EVEN THOUGH IT SHOWS IT IS IN PARK. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT HAPPENS AND YOU HAVE TO TURN CAR ON AND OFF AND SHIFT A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT WILL RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI #11352075

38,000 miles · Aug 19, 2020
Unknown Or Other

A DASHBOARD NOTICE TO 'SHIFT TO PARK' POPS UP AFTER PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT OFF. THE CAR DOES NOT REGISTER THAT THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN STOPPED AND SWITCHED TO PARK.

NHTSA ODI #11350299

45,000 miles · Aug 1, 2020
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

THE NUTS USED TO FASTEN 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ARE NOT LOCKING NUTS THEREFOR LOOSEN CAUSING THE 3RD BREAK LIGHT TO FILTER TO LOOSEN AND BREAK. THIS ALSO CAUSES FLOODING IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD 2 INCHES OF WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT ALONG WITH A SOAKED TRUNK WHICH CAUSED A TERRIBLE SMELL. YOU WILL SEE IN THE PICTUR…

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THE NUTS USED TO FASTEN 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ARE NOT LOCKING NUTS THEREFOR LOOSEN CAUSING THE 3RD BREAK LIGHT TO FILTER TO LOOSEN AND BREAK. THIS ALSO CAUSES FLOODING IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD 2 INCHES OF WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT ALONG WITH A SOAKED TRUNK WHICH CAUSED A TERRIBLE SMELL. YOU WILL SEE IN THE PICTURES I HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR THE BROKEN PLASTIC ON THE BREAK LIGHT WITH AN EPOXY MIX. REPLACEMENT WOULD BE BETTER. I THINK BREAKAGE IS CAUSED BECAUSE THE NUTS LOOSEN.

NHTSA ODI #11342734

56,780 miles · Jul 15, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHEN I GET TO A STOP LIGHT THE AUTO STOP ACTIVATES. WHEN THE CAR GOES TO TURN BACK ON IT TRIPS UP AND DIES COMPLETELY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE CAR WON'T TURN BACK ON. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES UNTIL THE CAR WILL TURN ON AGAIN. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT FOR LONGER…

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WHEN I GET TO A STOP LIGHT THE AUTO STOP ACTIVATES. WHEN THE CAR GOES TO TURN BACK ON IT TRIPS UP AND DIES COMPLETELY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE CAR WON'T TURN BACK ON. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES UNTIL THE CAR WILL TURN ON AGAIN. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT FOR LONGER THAN 30 SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI #11339500

49,000 miles · Jul 2, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, THE CAR FLASHED 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND STOPPED WORKING. I DID NOT LOSE ELECTRICAL POWER, BUT THE GAS PEDAL AND GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO WORK. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED PUSHED ME INTO THE MIDDLE LANE WHILE I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. AFTER A FEW MINUTES,…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, THE CAR FLASHED 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND STOPPED WORKING. I DID NOT LOSE ELECTRICAL POWER, BUT THE GAS PEDAL AND GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO WORK. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED PUSHED ME INTO THE MIDDLE LANE WHILE I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, MY CAR RESTARTED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I DROVE A FEW MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE A DEFINITE FIX, INSTEAD THEY SAID THERE'S SOME CORROSION AROUND THE BATTERY. ACCORDING TO THIS SITE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2017 MALIBU'S. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337131

12,988 miles · Jun 26, 2020
Unknown Or Other

EVERY TIME I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE CAR OFTEN TIMES TELLS ME TO SHIFT THE CAR TO PARK WHEN IT'S ALREADY IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331019

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.