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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

161 reports
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31,000 miles · Feb 12, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

TRUNK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. THE PLASTIC BETWEEN THE BACK WINDOW AND CEILING LETS WATER IN WHEN IT RAINS. IT ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, WHICH MEANS IN THE WINTER ICE FORMS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE. RAIN AND MOISTURE GETTING INTO THE CAR HAS ALSO CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK SPEAKERS NO…

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TRUNK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. THE PLASTIC BETWEEN THE BACK WINDOW AND CEILING LETS WATER IN WHEN IT RAINS. IT ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, WHICH MEANS IN THE WINTER ICE FORMS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE. RAIN AND MOISTURE GETTING INTO THE CAR HAS ALSO CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK SPEAKERS NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #11176464

59,928 miles · Feb 2, 2019
Electrical System

VEHICLE HAS "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MULTIPLE TIMES ERROR DISPLAYED AND WILL STALL ANYWHERE IN TRAFFIC CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THESE CARS ARE BEING SOLD PEOPLE ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS. YOU CAN STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHECK WHAT IS WRONG BUT RISK POSSIBLY BEING INJURED BY ON COMING VEHICLES IN ON GOING TRAFFIC. …

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VEHICLE HAS "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MULTIPLE TIMES ERROR DISPLAYED AND WILL STALL ANYWHERE IN TRAFFIC CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THESE CARS ARE BEING SOLD PEOPLE ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS. YOU CAN STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHECK WHAT IS WRONG BUT RISK POSSIBLY BEING INJURED BY ON COMING VEHICLES IN ON GOING TRAFFIC. THIS FEATURE SHOULD BE SOMETHING COVERED BY THE COMPANY FOR A BRAND NEW CAR THERE NO REASON BEHIND WHY THE CAR IS DOING THIS OR HOW THE DRIVER CAUSE THE CAR TO ENTER THIS LIMP MODE. I DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND THE CAR STALL COMPLETELY SENT ME INTO PANIC MODE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS, SOON WILL CAUSE THE DEATH OF A DRIVER AND THEIR FAMILY. ONCE GETTING THE CAR HOME IT NO LONGER STARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11173658

51,000 miles · Dec 24, 2018
Electrical System

VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" ERROR DISPLAYED AND WILL SUDDENLY STALL ANYWHERE IN TRAFFIC CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. PEOPLE WHO NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS. WILL HAVE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO CHECK WHAT IS WRONG AND RISK POSSIBLY BEEING HIT AND KILLEOTHER D BY ANOTHER VEHICL…

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VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" ERROR DISPLAYED AND WILL SUDDENLY STALL ANYWHERE IN TRAFFIC CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. PEOPLE WHO NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS. WILL HAVE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO CHECK WHAT IS WRONG AND RISK POSSIBLY BEEING HIT AND KILLEOTHER D BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS FEATURE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON ANY VEHICLE. IT CAUSES ENDAGERMEMT FOR DRIVERS AND OTHER TRAFFIC. IT IS A NEEDLESS FEATURE. IF ANY SENSOR IS BAD IT ALREADY GETS DISPLAYED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO ON TOP OF IT STALL THE VEHICLE CAUSING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHER TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11163282

41,100 miles · Nov 11, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE SHIFTER DOES NOT FULLY ENGAGE RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO PARK THE CAR OR TURN IT OFF. THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYS "SHIFT INTO PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER IS ACTUALLY IN PARK. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE DRIVER TRIES TO PARK THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11150786

29,959 miles · Sep 27, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL: JUST PURCHASED A USED 2017 MALIBU PREMIER IN JULY 2018 WITH 26,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS HESITATING TO START EVERY MORNING. EACH INITIAL START THERE AFTER THE CAR STARTS RIGHT UP AFTER I'VE PUT 3000 MILES ON THE CAR THE ENGINE JUMPS WHILE HOLDING BREAK.

NHTSA ODI #11131942

19,000 miles · Aug 6, 2018
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND, UPON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE "KEY COULD NOT BE DETECTED" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY RESTARTED AND WAS TAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND, UPON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE "KEY COULD NOT BE DETECTED" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PHIL SMITH CHEVROLET, 1640 SR 7, LAUDERHILL, FL, 954-271-1474), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA ODI #11118115

10,000 miles · Jul 26, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND FIXED IT IS THE BATTERY MODULATER SENSOR (IF I SPELLED IT RIGHT) THE SAME CODE COMES UP. DEALERSHIP STATES ITS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR SYSTEM ISSUE AND A FIX IS BEING WORKED ON ITS BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS ALL THEY CAN DO IS RESET THE SENSOR BUT …

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND FIXED IT IS THE BATTERY MODULATER SENSOR (IF I SPELLED IT RIGHT) THE SAME CODE COMES UP. DEALERSHIP STATES ITS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR SYSTEM ISSUE AND A FIX IS BEING WORKED ON ITS BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS ALL THEY CAN DO IS RESET THE SENSOR BUT IT KEEPS COMING ON.

NHTSA ODI #11113712

20,000 miles · May 7, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK, THE WINDOWS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE, AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (HEFNER MOTORS IN BATESVILLE, MS) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK, THE WINDOWS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE, AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (HEFNER MOTORS IN BATESVILLE, MS) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11092316

30,000 miles · Apr 5, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY 2017 MALIBU HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, IT HAPPENED WHILE ON VACATION. WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON A DARK CURVY ROAD, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS A MESSAGE INDICATING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. I PULLED OVER AN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT DID NOT GAIN FULL ENGINE POWE…

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MY 2017 MALIBU HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, IT HAPPENED WHILE ON VACATION. WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON A DARK CURVY ROAD, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS A MESSAGE INDICATING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. I PULLED OVER AN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT DID NOT GAIN FULL ENGINE POWER BACK. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION. THE NEXT MORNING (KIDS IN TOW) THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, AND THE VEHICLE STILL SEEMED SLUGGISH. WHILE DRIVING HOME ( OR TO A DEALERSHIP IF POSSIBLE) THE CAR AGAIN LOST POWER AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AS TO NOT OBSTRUCT TRAFFIC. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THEY CLAIM THE MATTER WAS RESOLVED I AM NOT CONFIDENT,

NHTSA ODI #11083454

5,300 miles · Mar 23, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFire

MY 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS ON THE STREET. IT STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND MELTED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL DEFECT FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11080993

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.