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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

Engine complaints

253 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2022
Engine

While driving on highway, engine light came on with signal for service stabilink, and engine power is reduced on dashboard. This cause me to lose acceleration control.

NHTSA ODI #11453379

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…

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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…

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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…

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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 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…

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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

112,693 miles · Jan 26, 2022
EngineVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact was able to pull over safely. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the “Reduced Power” message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer but, the v…

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The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact was able to pull over safely. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the “Reduced Power” message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer but, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 112,693.

NHTSA ODI #11449006

93,400 miles · Jan 25, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the "Engine Power Reduced" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle independently downshifted and decelerated to 35 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed to the floorboard. The contact was able to regain normal spee…

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The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the "Engine Power Reduced" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle independently downshifted and decelerated to 35 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed to the floorboard. The contact was able to regain normal speed after several minutes; however, the warning message remained on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, a diagnostic test showed no codes were retrieved. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,400.

NHTSA ODI #11448787

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

On January 2022, Wednesday the 19th. My husband, myself and our two daughters 12 & 4 are on the Northbound freeway 99 in the far-right lane and the car pops up with the warning “Engine Power Reduce” and then proceeded to decline in speed from 70 MPH to 15 Mph almost instantly almost causing an accident. WE all were so shaken up!…

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On January 2022, Wednesday the 19th. My husband, myself and our two daughters 12 & 4 are on the Northbound freeway 99 in the far-right lane and the car pops up with the warning “Engine Power Reduce” and then proceeded to decline in speed from 70 MPH to 15 Mph almost instantly almost causing an accident. WE all were so shaken up! Had we been in front of a big rig we would have been crush from the backseat as fast as the speed declined. WE just bought this vehicle 5 months ago no more than 10K miles on it. The dealership says its not there problem to contact GM. Nobody will help this is a death trap vehicle. There are already multiple class action lawsuits about this issue and the vehicle. We are simply being told to buy a newer vehicle rather then someone taking ownership of this issue. This is a deadly issue and why there is not a recall is outrageous, There are cars out there that are capable of causing a deadly crash and killing thousands of people and everyone is turning there head when the consumers are reaching out for help.

NHTSA ODI #11448652

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2022
Engine

An error message appears on the dash, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. It happen three times this morning and twice yesterday - probably a dozen times over the past year. I've had it into the dealer but they could not find anything by the time I got there. It has happened at 35 MPH and between 45-55 MPH, suddenly and with no other warni…

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An error message appears on the dash, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. It happen three times this morning and twice yesterday - probably a dozen times over the past year. I've had it into the dealer but they could not find anything by the time I got there. It has happened at 35 MPH and between 45-55 MPH, suddenly and with no other warnings. Turning off the engine for a few minutes clears the message on the dah, but the check engine light remains lit. The check engine light will clear eventually - it may be a few hours or two days of driving. Again, I've had it checked on multiple occasions as the car was "certified" by GM, but now the warranty has expired, the issue continues and I see a LOT of reports of the same online.

NHTSA ODI #11448200

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.