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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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83,000 miles · Dec 3, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD AT 47 MILES AN HOUR. OUT OF NO WHERE, THE CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 15 MILES AN HOUR. ON THE DASH BOARD A NOTICE FLASH STATING "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" I WAS BARELY ABLE TO NAVIGATE OUT OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT BEING HIT. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL HOURS LATER WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY HOME, I HAD TO CONSTANT…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD AT 47 MILES AN HOUR. OUT OF NO WHERE, THE CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 15 MILES AN HOUR. ON THE DASH BOARD A NOTICE FLASH STATING "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" I WAS BARELY ABLE TO NAVIGATE OUT OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT BEING HIT. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL HOURS LATER WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY HOME, I HAD TO CONSTANTLY KEEP PULLING OVER.

NHTSA ODI #11377726

39,838 miles · Nov 26, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU LT. I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD STATING, 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND I HAD TO FRANTICALLY FIND A WAY TO PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO JUST ABOUT 20 MPH. FORTUNATELY, I WA…

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I OWN A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU LT. I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD STATING, 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND I HAD TO FRANTICALLY FIND A WAY TO PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO JUST ABOUT 20 MPH. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS EXACT THING HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO ALSO OWN A CHEVY MALIBU 2016-2018. GM NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER MAKING THIS A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11376430

60,000 miles · Nov 23, 2020
EngineService Brakes

THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP IS BAD THEY USED TO CHEAP CHINESE KNOCKOFF PART THAT BREAKS AND GET SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE POSSIBLY CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE BUT FOR THE MOST PART IN YOUR BRAKES CAN FAIL LEAVING THE CAR WITHOUT ANY BREAKING SUPPORT FROM THE BOOSTER VACUUM I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE ADVISOR IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME TO TAK…

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THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP IS BAD THEY USED TO CHEAP CHINESE KNOCKOFF PART THAT BREAKS AND GET SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE POSSIBLY CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE BUT FOR THE MOST PART IN YOUR BRAKES CAN FAIL LEAVING THE CAR WITHOUT ANY BREAKING SUPPORT FROM THE BOOSTER VACUUM I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE ADVISOR IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR WORK AT GENERAL MOTORS EXPENSE THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMPS ARE FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE AND POSSIBILITY OF INJURY 5 MINUTES AFTER I DID EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME I RECALLED THE DEALING TO CONFIRM MY APPOINTMENT THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER THE PHONE AND PUT ME ON HOLD THEN WHEN THEY ANSWER THE PHONE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SERVANTS ADVISOR I TALKED TO NO LONGER WORKS THERE BEST CHEVROLET KENNER LOUISIANA 70062 WITHOUT THE VACUUM PUMP THE BRAKES ARE VERY HARD THE PRESS THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS I'M TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED BUT GENERAL MOTORS IS REFUSING THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THE BEST THING THAT I CAN DO IS TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING AND WHENEVER GENERAL MOTORS FEELS LIKE DOING A RECALL I MAYBE CAN GET REIMBURSED

NHTSA ODI #11375852

113,342 miles · Nov 6, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

MY CARS CUT OFF AND THEN DISPLAY POWER STEERING REDUCES DRIVE WITH CAUTION THIS IS SCARY BECAUSE MY SON IS WITH ME IN THE CAR IT'S JUST CUT OFF EVERY TIME I STOP OR I'M DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11373527

68,880 miles · Oct 14, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAYS OR STREETS. WITH MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR OF THE ACCELERATOR, IT GETS TO 20 MPH IN ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS WHICH PREVENTS ANY PICKUP. ONLY THING THAT HELPS THE PICKUP IS WHEN I USE OCTANE BOOSTER IN THE TANK AND IT'LL DRIVE AS IT SHOULD WITH PICKUP FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD (5 MILES) …

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IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAYS OR STREETS. WITH MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR OF THE ACCELERATOR, IT GETS TO 20 MPH IN ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS WHICH PREVENTS ANY PICKUP. ONLY THING THAT HELPS THE PICKUP IS WHEN I USE OCTANE BOOSTER IN THE TANK AND IT'LL DRIVE AS IT SHOULD WITH PICKUP FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD (5 MILES) OTHERWISE THE ACCELERATION IS EXTREMELY LAGGY WITH NO PICKUP.

NHTSA ODI #11364254

108,188 miles · Aug 20, 2020
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SHUT OF CAUSING ME TO NEARLY GET HIT MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE OFF RAMP I WAS APPROACHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED 100 MILES TO MY HOUSE AND THEN TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP CAME APART AND SENT METAL EVERYWHERE. THE VAC…

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I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SHUT OF CAUSING ME TO NEARLY GET HIT MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE OFF RAMP I WAS APPROACHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED 100 MILES TO MY HOUSE AND THEN TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP CAME APART AND SENT METAL EVERYWHERE. THE VACUUM COMING APART ALSO CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT TO BREAK ALONG WITH A HOSE AND A CAMSHAFT SENSOR. THE REPAIRS ALONE ARE ESTIMATED SO FAR TO COST ME ABOUT $2,500.

NHTSA ODI #11350525

40,000 miles · Jul 30, 2020
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIVE STAR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIVE STAR CHEVROLET (2199 DAVID H MCLEOD BLVD, FLORENCE, SC 29501, (843) 605-0183) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONSTAR DIAGNOSTIC TOOL SHOWED A FAILURE WITH THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #11342310

49,000 miles · Jul 2, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, THE CAR FLASHED 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND STOPPED WORKING. I DID NOT LOSE ELECTRICAL POWER, BUT THE GAS PEDAL AND GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO WORK. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED PUSHED ME INTO THE MIDDLE LANE WHILE I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. AFTER A FEW MINUTES,…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, THE CAR FLASHED 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND STOPPED WORKING. I DID NOT LOSE ELECTRICAL POWER, BUT THE GAS PEDAL AND GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO WORK. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED PUSHED ME INTO THE MIDDLE LANE WHILE I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, MY CAR RESTARTED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I DROVE A FEW MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE A DEFINITE FIX, INSTEAD THEY SAID THERE'S SOME CORROSION AROUND THE BATTERY. ACCORDING TO THIS SITE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2017 MALIBU'S. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337131

20,000 miles · Jul 1, 2020
EngineCrashInjury

ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR THE PASS YEAR.THIS IS A 2017 AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THIS SOON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE PERSON LET ME KNOW THE BATTERY IS FINE. THE CODE THAT CAME UP ON THE COMPUT…

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ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR THE PASS YEAR.THIS IS A 2017 AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THIS SOON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE PERSON LET ME KNOW THE BATTERY IS FINE. THE CODE THAT CAME UP ON THE COMPUTER I BELIEVE IS P011, SOMETHING WITH THE AIR FILTER. I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO PAY THIS TIME BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD MY ENGINE LIGHT SHOULD NOT BE ON THIS SOON. MY CAR IS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331971

76,775 miles · Jun 29, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control

ENTERED ON-RAMP TO HEAD SOUTH ON I-93 AND HALF-WAY UP THE RAMP IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE "REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT" CAME ON AND THE SPEED DROPPED IMMEDIATELY. I COULDN'T TURN AROUND AND GO HOME, SO I CONTINUED DOWN THE INTERSTATE GOING IN AND OUT OF THE BREAKDOWN LANE TO AVOID UPCOMING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO DE…

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ENTERED ON-RAMP TO HEAD SOUTH ON I-93 AND HALF-WAY UP THE RAMP IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE "REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT" CAME ON AND THE SPEED DROPPED IMMEDIATELY. I COULDN'T TURN AROUND AND GO HOME, SO I CONTINUED DOWN THE INTERSTATE GOING IN AND OUT OF THE BREAKDOWN LANE TO AVOID UPCOMING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO DEALERSHIP AND DROPPED OFF VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME SINCE MARCH 15, 2020, SO I PROBABLY PUT APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES ON THE VEHICLE SINCE THE ECM WAS REPLACED. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON THAT THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. HOWEVER, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AND TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE!!! I'M THINKING PEOPLE HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE - IT IS SO UNSAFE!!!! I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11331509

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.