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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

What owners actually said

702 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2019
Electrical System

THE CAR ON A IRREGULAR BUT BASIS BUT AT INCONVENIENT TIMES WILL NOT START WITH PUSH BUTTON START. ERROR MESSAGE IS "NO REMOTE DETECTED" THE INTERNET TELLS ME THE A TSB 197955 WAS ISSUED BUT I CAN GET ACCESS TO THE TSB..

NHTSA ODI #11258732

61,100 miles · Sep 24, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

A 'SHIFT TO PARK' DISPLAYS WHEN I AM ALREADY ON PARK WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR. SO I AM UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR PROPERLY DUE TO THIS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSTICS AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT IT'S A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE SHIFT CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #11257862

54,000 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Exterior LightingStructure

I HAVE NOTICED A FUNKY SMELL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2017. THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY SO I NEVER LOOKED INTO IT. AFTER A BAD RAIN STORM, THE INTERIOR SMELLED AGAIN. I WENT INTO THE TRUNK A DAY LATER AND THE TIRE WELL COVER WAS WET. I FOUND WATER UNDER THE COVER AND SAW THAT IT RAN IN FROM UNDER THE DRI…

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I HAVE NOTICED A FUNKY SMELL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2017. THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY SO I NEVER LOOKED INTO IT. AFTER A BAD RAIN STORM, THE INTERIOR SMELLED AGAIN. I WENT INTO THE TRUNK A DAY LATER AND THE TIRE WELL COVER WAS WET. I FOUND WATER UNDER THE COVER AND SAW THAT IT RAN IN FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW AREA. I ALSO FOUND WATER TRAILS DOWN THE REAR WINDOW SIDE PLASTIC CASING INSIDE THE CAR. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS FROM 2016 THRU 2019 VEHICLES ABOUT THE 3RD BREAK LIGHT LEAKING DUE TO LOOSE SCREWS. SOUNDS TO THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM. A SIMPLE FIX OF TIGHTENING THE SCREWS OR USING LOCK TYPE SCREWS. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR FOR SOMETHING GM IS NOT DOING

NHTSA ODI #11257445

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

THE VOLT SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PARK (IF IT IS IN PARK??) TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11257351

2,500 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

HAVING ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION (HARD SHIFTING, NOT GOING INTO GEAR, NOT GOING INTO PARK). THIS STARTED WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF OWNING THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING ALSO GOES OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CAR GETS SIGNIFICANTLY HARDER TO STEER, OR TURN. HAPPENS WHEN LANE DEPARTURE IS TURNED OFF AS WELL. ALSO THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE…

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HAVING ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION (HARD SHIFTING, NOT GOING INTO GEAR, NOT GOING INTO PARK). THIS STARTED WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF OWNING THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING ALSO GOES OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CAR GETS SIGNIFICANTLY HARDER TO STEER, OR TURN. HAPPENS WHEN LANE DEPARTURE IS TURNED OFF AS WELL. ALSO THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE AS CONSTANTLY FAILING. ALMOST LIKE THE CAMERA JUST STOPS WORKING, AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN, OR IT SAYS ITS STILL ENGAGED AND CANT SEE THE CARS IN FRONT SLOWING DOWN. SOMETIMES THE HEADS UP DISPLAY ALERT DOESN'T EVEN GO OFF WHEN IT SHOULD. NOT SURE IF THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, OR EACH INDIVIDUAL SYSTEM HAS PROBLEMS. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE THE CAR, AND HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 25 DAYS NOW. ALWAYS THE SAME OUTCOME... "WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT". THEY EVEN HAD A SPECIALIST COME IN AND REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION TO TRY TO "FIX THE PROBLEM". IT HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM YET. TRANSMISSION ISSUES USUALLY HAPPEN STATIONARY, GOING FROM DRIVE TO PARK, SOMETIMES YOU WILL GET A LOUD AND VERY HARD SHIFT INTO GEAR, SOMETIMES IT SAYS ITS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AND TAP ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. IT ACTS AS IF ITS STILL IN PARK. IT WOULD ALSO SAY "SHIFT TO PARK" AFTER YOU ALREADY HAVE AND WONT LET YOU TURN OFF THE CAR, UNTIL IT REGISTERS YOU IN "PARK". AS FOR THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE, IT HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION. ITS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I CANT EVEN USE IT ANYMORE. IT MAY WORK FOR 3 MILES, THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. STEERING ISSUE HAPPENS WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. SOMETIMES WHILE PARKED, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER SPEED WISE.

NHTSA ODI #11257349

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…

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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

62,000 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO ART MOEHN CHEVROLET HONDA (2200 SEYMOUR RD, JACKSON, MI 49201, 517-787-7700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO ART MOEHN CHEVROLET HONDA (2200 SEYMOUR RD, JACKSON, MI 49201, 517-787-7700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE CAMSHAFT THAT BURST AND SPREAD METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED THE CONTACT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #11256526

55,000 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

STEERING ASSISTANT! WHEN ECONOMIC STOP HAPPENS I'M ALERTED AND CAR TURNS OFF AND ELECTRIC WIPES OUT N COMES BACK ON!! MY CAR STOPPED THIS TIME. EVERY OTHER ONE OF YOUR CARS HAVE THIS RECALLS. I AM IN MY CAR NOW STRANDED!

NHTSA ODI #11256388

59,211 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, IT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART INDEPENDENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO BLINK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, IT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART INDEPENDENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO BLINK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT CALLED MORITZ CHEVROLET (9101 CAMP BOWIE, DR. WEST STE. # 1, FORT WORTH, TX 76116, (817) 696-2000) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,211.

NHTSA ODI #11256381

15,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

ON PUSH TO START IGNITION, OCASSIONALLY WHEN STOPPING AND PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN PRESSING STOP ON IGNITION BUTTON, A WARNING MESSAGE POPS UP TO SHIF TO PARK. AFTER PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE AND PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON ON TO START THE VEHICLE, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON TO STOP VEHICLE ( WITHOUT TOUCHING…

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ON PUSH TO START IGNITION, OCASSIONALLY WHEN STOPPING AND PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN PRESSING STOP ON IGNITION BUTTON, A WARNING MESSAGE POPS UP TO SHIF TO PARK. AFTER PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE AND PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON ON TO START THE VEHICLE, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON TO STOP VEHICLE ( WITHOUT TOUCHING SHIFT), THE MESSAGE DOES NOT RETURN. THIS OCCURRENCE SEEMS PURELY RANDOM AND OCCASIONAL.

NHTSA ODI #11255001

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.