← 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

What owners actually said

702 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2022
Steering

While driving the electronic power steering stopped working almost causing me to crash.

NHTSA ODI #11453277

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle speed reduced message was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle decelerated from 70 to 30 MPH. The contact pulled over and waited for 5 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The message disappeared and the vehicle was dri…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle speed reduced message was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle decelerated from 70 to 30 MPH. The contact pulled over and waited for 5 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The message disappeared and the vehicle was driven back to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11452401

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2022
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

The car will be driving fine and all of a sudden I engine power reduced pop up in the car. It's slows down significantly and not safe for a highway if this happens you will wreck or something worse. It is happening often now and I don't know why. Engine power reduced the the t/c light comes one and thr check engine light.i pull …

Read full complaint

The car will be driving fine and all of a sudden I engine power reduced pop up in the car. It's slows down significantly and not safe for a highway if this happens you will wreck or something worse. It is happening often now and I don't know why. Engine power reduced the the t/c light comes one and thr check engine light.i pull over and turn the car off. The check engine light stays on then the car drives like it had a crazy episode and not ready to drive. It's scary and unsafe and it needs to be looked into

NHTSA ODI #11451997

7,210 miles · Feb 14, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after pulling the vehicle into the driveway and attempting to shift the vehicle into Park; however, the engine revved up as if trying to accelerate forward. There was an error message on the instrument to shift the vehicle to Park however, the vehicle failed to re…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after pulling the vehicle into the driveway and attempting to shift the vehicle into Park; however, the engine revved up as if trying to accelerate forward. There was an error message on the instrument to shift the vehicle to Park however, the vehicle failed to remain in Park. After several attempts, the vehicle was shifted into Park and remained in Park. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the gear shifter wiring harness and switch were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,210.

NHTSA ODI #11451914

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2022
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I purchased my vehicle in August of 2020, in October while driving down a main highway the engine light came on with a warning that stated "driving with reduced power". The vehicle slows to 20 mph and will not accelerate any faster. I called my dealers service center and was told this issue was a "quirk that happens" and to "tur…

Read full complaint

I purchased my vehicle in August of 2020, in October while driving down a main highway the engine light came on with a warning that stated "driving with reduced power". The vehicle slows to 20 mph and will not accelerate any faster. I called my dealers service center and was told this issue was a "quirk that happens" and to "turn my vehicle off and start it again" and that by doing this it would make it go away and it would not happen again. Approximately 8 months later this happened again, so I called the service department and was told that a line was freezing and that I could bring my vehicle in so they could empty & refill the frozen line costing $500, but it would not solve the problem, the dealer then recommended that I park in a heated space to avoid it freezing, but again it would not resolve the problem long term. A month later while driving home from work in a blizzard, my vehicle once again lost power, with the engine light on and a warning that I was driving with reduced power and slowing to 20mph. This put myself and other travelers on this busy main road at risk. When I reached out to my dealer they said that there was nothing they could do that would guarantee a fix, but they could try three different options, again with no guarantee of a fix. None of this is covered under warranty and costs roughly $1500.

NHTSA ODI #11451583

64,000 miles · Feb 8, 2022
EngineVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the “Engine Power Reduced” warning light illuminated and the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The contact was able to pull over safely. The contact called the local dealer and was provided an estimate for the diagnostic fee; h…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the “Engine Power Reduced” warning light illuminated and the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The contact was able to pull over safely. The contact called the local dealer and was provided an estimate for the diagnostic fee; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #11450945

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

The vehicle constantly reduces speed when there are no issues with weather or any other issues on the road. This issues can potentially be fatal. I have had it checked and the diagnostic machine says it’s sensor issue that was reported for recall but my car was not part of the said recall. The car completely shuts off and will t…

Read full complaint

The vehicle constantly reduces speed when there are no issues with weather or any other issues on the road. This issues can potentially be fatal. I have had it checked and the diagnostic machine says it’s sensor issue that was reported for recall but my car was not part of the said recall. The car completely shuts off and will turn on by itself after 10 minutes. Uncertain what to do

NHTSA ODI #11450841

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I have a 2017 Chevy Malibu, I have 10 months with me since I bought last year ,it and it was 25000 mille now is 30000 m my real problem is on several times driving in freeway or hiway my car drop the speed from 55 to 40 to 20 and appear a light says POWER ENGINE REDUCED , after that my car LOOSE POWER - CHECK ENGINE IS ON …

Read full complaint

I have a 2017 Chevy Malibu, I have 10 months with me since I bought last year ,it and it was 25000 mille now is 30000 m my real problem is on several times driving in freeway or hiway my car drop the speed from 55 to 40 to 20 and appear a light says POWER ENGINE REDUCED , after that my car LOOSE POWER - CHECK ENGINE IS ON I got nervous for what happens and is really confused I just buy my first car from dealer and now this !!!! This is not fear help please I read a lot of comments regarding with this problem in this cars models and everyone from 2016 to 2018 has the same problem POWER ENGINE REDUCED. and dealers just charge and charge and don’t resolve the problem thank you blessings all

NHTSA ODI #11450556

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2022
EngineVehicle Speed Control

While merging into traffic my 2017 Malibu's power reduced (reduced power indicator appeared) which resulted in my inability to control the speed/acceleration. I've had two additional incidents. Very unsafe deficiency.

NHTSA ODI #11450108

76,484 miles · Jan 27, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact’s daughter stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to misfire. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact’s daughter stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to misfire. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 76,484.

NHTSA ODI #11449176

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.