Illustrationthe trottle body position sensor just started acting up. took it to mechanic. they stated they can try to fix it but it may only work for a month then go back out. may end up paying over 6k and the car isn't worth it
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
870–25K
12025–50K
11050–75K
5275–100K
22100–150K
6150K+
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
Wheels complaints
7 reportsThe contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated upon attempting to change a flat tire, the contact was unable to replace the wheel because the lug nuts were swollen. The contact called Roadside Assistance, who informed the contact that the lug nuts were swollen, and Roadside Assistance replaced the wheel with specia…
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The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated upon attempting to change a flat tire, the contact was unable to replace the wheel because the lug nuts were swollen. The contact called Roadside Assistance, who informed the contact that the lug nuts were swollen, and Roadside Assistance replaced the wheel with specialized equipment. The vehicle was taken to Goodyear Tires, where the front tires were replaced with new tires and the rear tires were rotated. Additionally, the contact was advised that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the lug nuts were swollen due to cold weather. The dealer charged a fee and replaced the lug nuts with the same parts. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be contacted later. The manufacturer later informed the contact that no assistance could be provided because the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
THREE OF THE WHEELS ARE WORN OUT DOWN THE MIDDLE ONLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. I WAS TOLD THE ALIGNMENT WASN'T THE CAUSE AND THE CHEVROLET MECHANICS FAILED TO GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS PROBLEM.
CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT TIRES. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 16 MONTHS AND DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES. I AM NOW ABOUT TO REPLACE THE 4TH TIRE DUE TO A SIDEWALL SEPARATION AND BULGE, WHICH IF NOT REPLACED CAN EASILY BECOME A BLOW OUT. THESE ARE THE OEM THAT COME WITH THE 2017 MALIBU PREMIER AND HAVE A 40,000 MILE WARRANTY.
PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW WITH TWO MILES IN 2016. IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH OF PURCHASE, I REPLACE A TIRE BECAUSE IT POPPED. ONE YEAR LATER I REPLACED A SECOND TIRE BECAUSE IT DEVELOPED A LUMP THAT WAS 2017. THIS YEAR TWO MORE TIRES WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF LUMPS IN THE TIRE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE EVER. …
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PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW WITH TWO MILES IN 2016. IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH OF PURCHASE, I REPLACE A TIRE BECAUSE IT POPPED. ONE YEAR LATER I REPLACED A SECOND TIRE BECAUSE IT DEVELOPED A LUMP THAT WAS 2017. THIS YEAR TWO MORE TIRES WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF LUMPS IN THE TIRE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE EVER. ACTUALLY, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE.
WITHIN 7 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS OF REAR TIRES
THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 15 MINUTES -HORN STARTED WENT OUT SAW SMOKE CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME BACK AT FRONT DOOR FLAMES FROM FRONT END. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT FIRE -CAR TOTALED. WORRIED ABOUT SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION ESPECIALLY IF CAR PARKED IN GARAGE OR CLOSER TO HOUSE OR IF PEOPLE INSIDE
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.