← 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

Engine complaints

253 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2019
Engine

WHILE DRIVING IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY POPS UP A MESSAGE SAYING POWER ENGINE REDUCED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD GET YOU INTO AN ACCIDENT. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED THIS NEW VEHICLE IT HAPPENED THEN AGAIN NOT EVEN ONE YEAR AFTER THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT

NHTSA ODI #11218616

15,000 miles · Jun 2, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

INTERMITTENT ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70MPH) CAR WILL POP UP SERVICE STABILITRAK ERROR MESSAGE ON FRONT DISPLAY, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, WHILE CEL BEGINS FLASHING. AT THIS TIME, CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND SPEED WILL BEGIN TO FALL. CONTINUING TO DEPRESS ACCELERATOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN SPEED…

Read full complaint

INTERMITTENT ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70MPH) CAR WILL POP UP SERVICE STABILITRAK ERROR MESSAGE ON FRONT DISPLAY, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, WHILE CEL BEGINS FLASHING. AT THIS TIME, CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND SPEED WILL BEGIN TO FALL. CONTINUING TO DEPRESS ACCELERATOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN SPEED WILL CAUSE CAR TO SHUDDER. ENTIRE INCIDENT LASTS ONLY 1-2 MINUTES, BEFORE DRIVABILITY RETURNS. IN-THE-MOMENT ONSTAR DIAGNOSTICS SHOW NO ISSUES. PURCHASED CAR BRAND NEW; ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP, ONLY USE SHELL V-POWER GASOLINE. 1ST INCIDENT- DEALER SAID WET ROADS/RAIN TO BLAME; DID NOT RUN DIAGNOSTICS, DID NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE 2ND INCIDENT- DEALER NOTED CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE, SWAPPED COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUGS ON CYLINDERS 1 AND 3, CHANGED OIL. 3RD INCIDENT- ON MY WAY HOME FROM DEALERSHIP FOLLOWING ABOVE SERVICE, DEALER NOTED CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE, OPENED A CASE WITH GM, AND PERFORMED DECARBON SERVICE TO ENGINE, SAID CARBON BUILD-UP TO BLAME. 4TH INCIDENT- DEALER NOTED GENERAL ENGINE MISFIRE CODE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS ERRORS CODES; REPLACED ECM AND REPROGRAMMED CAR. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME USING NON-TOP TIER GAS IS TO BLAME. CAR HAS TOTAL OF 27K MILES ON IT- ISSUE BEGAN TO OCCUR AROUND 15K MILES. I HAVE DASHCAM VIDEO AND ALL SERVICE RECORDS.

NHTSA ODI #11217361

25,000 miles · May 31, 2019
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE TO 10 MPH OR LESS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL CRASHES. VANDEVERE CHEVROLET (1490 VERNON ODOM BLVD, AKRON, OH 44320) REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TWICE IN SIX MONTHS AND REFERRED THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE TO 10 MPH OR LESS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL CRASHES. VANDEVERE CHEVROLET (1490 VERNON ODOM BLVD, AKRON, OH 44320) REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TWICE IN SIX MONTHS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER AFTER LEARNING THAT SHE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #11217084

35,000 miles · May 25, 2019
Engine

I PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AT ABOUT 25K MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WARNING ON MY DASH SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". I WAS ON A 90 MILE TRIP AND CONTINUED ON, AS I HAD NOTHING I COULD DO THEN AND THERE. I ARRIVED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, FULLY EXPECTING …

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AT ABOUT 25K MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WARNING ON MY DASH SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". I WAS ON A 90 MILE TRIP AND CONTINUED ON, AS I HAD NOTHING I COULD DO THEN AND THERE. I ARRIVED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, FULLY EXPECTING ISSUES THE NEXT DAY WHEN I LEFT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST A COMPUTER GLITCH OR ISSUE, UNTIL NOW AT ABOUT 35K MILES, ON THE SAME TRIP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE SAME "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING CAME ON. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO BE RESOLVED. BOTH TIMES I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 15-20 MILES AND COMPLETED THE TRIPS.

NHTSA ODI #11209985

19,796 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. DURING COLD WEATHER, THE CHARGE AIR COOLER BECAME FROZEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUCKLICH CHEVROLET (3701 STATE ST, BISMARK, ND 58503) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CHARGE AIR COOLER, AND HEATED AND DRAINED THE REPLACEMENT AIR COOLER TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. DURING COLD WEATHER, THE CHARGE AIR COOLER BECAME FROZEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUCKLICH CHEVROLET (3701 STATE ST, BISMARK, ND 58503) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CHARGE AIR COOLER, AND HEATED AND DRAINED THE REPLACEMENT AIR COOLER TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,796.

NHTSA ODI #11203435

15 miles · Apr 19, 2019
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I BOUGHT A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU IN JUNE OR JULY OF 17. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER ON 11-10-17, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD AN OXYGEN SENSOR SHORTING. THEY FIXED THAT. THEN ON 2-2-18 I WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND LUCKY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE MY CAR INSTANTLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ALLOW BE TO GO OVER 15 MPH. THEY SAID I…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU IN JUNE OR JULY OF 17. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER ON 11-10-17, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD AN OXYGEN SENSOR SHORTING. THEY FIXED THAT. THEN ON 2-2-18 I WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND LUCKY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE MY CAR INSTANTLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ALLOW BE TO GO OVER 15 MPH. THEY SAID IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HOWEVER, ONSTAR SENT ME MESSAGE STATING MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. SO THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE PEDAL AND "FIXING" THE PROBLEM. I GOT MY CAR BACK ON 2-5-18. IN THE SAME MONTH ON 2- 9-1818, I WENT TO GO PICKUP MY DAD WHO IS AN EXPERIENCE SEMI-TRUCK DRIVER AND HE WAS 2 HOURS AWAY. ON THE WAY THERE MY CAR KEPT FISHTAILING AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I AM JUST OVER EXAGGERATING AND MAYBE IT JUST ME. BUT, WHEN I GOT TO MY DADS DESTINATION I ASKED HIM TO DRIVE BACK AND HE DID. HE ASKED ME WHAT WRONG WITH YOUR CAR? IT FEELS LIKE ONE SIDE OF THE CAR IS PULLING FASTER THAN THE OTHER. HE THEN SAID WE NEED TO TAKE THIS TO GET SERVICED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. HOWEVER, THIS WAS THE WEEKEND SO I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY. 2-12-18 I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE SERVICED HOWEVER MY CAR WAS BACK TO ACTING NORMAL. ON 2- 22-18 . MY CAR KEPT CALLING ONSTAR EMERGENCY AND KEPT EXPLAINING TO THEM IT WAS MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME TO PULL OVER, TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEY WOULD TRY TO SEND TO SIGNAL TO MY CAR. THE LADY SAID SHE DID COULD NOT GET ANY SIGNAL FROM MY CAR AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO BE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. THE ONSTAR VOICE KEPT RUNNING I COULD NOT TURN IT OFF OR DOWN. ONCE AGAIN THIS WAS A WEEKEND. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY. THEY FIXED THAT PROBLEM. NOW AGAIN ON THE APRIL 1, 2019 I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AGAIN DUE TO MY CAR NOT ALLOWING ME TO GO OVER 20MPH. MY CAR IS UNSAFE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT SLOWED DOWN LUCKY I WAS IN THE FIRST LINE AND WAS ABOUT TO GET OFF SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI #11202556

68,973 miles · Apr 16, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. ON MOST OCCASIONS, THE SPEED WOULD REMAIN CONSISTENT. OTHER TIMES, THE SPEED WOULD DECREASE DURING THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHUCK HUTTON CHEVROLE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. ON MOST OCCASIONS, THE SPEED WOULD REMAIN CONSISTENT. OTHER TIMES, THE SPEED WOULD DECREASE DURING THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHUCK HUTTON CHEVROLET (2471 MT MORIAH RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38115, (901) 318-3703) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW ACCELERATOR FUSE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ELEVEN TIMES OVER THREE YEARS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,973.

NHTSA ODI #11196735

25,865 miles · Apr 16, 2019
Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." THE ENGINE POWER WAS CUT TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHICH WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON AN EXPRESSWAY AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOOK THE VEHICLE…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." THE ENGINE POWER WAS CUT TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHICH WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON AN EXPRESSWAY AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD TO CUT THE ENGINE AND OPEN/CLOSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO REGAIN ENGINE POWER BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. ACCORDING TO THIS DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT ULTIMATELY FIXED THE CAR, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH CONFIRMS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU THAT GM HAS YET TO APPROPRIATELY FIX. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS FIXED, IT IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION AT BEST. FURTHERMORE, OTHER DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED SCARY INCIDENTS WHEN THEY WERE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY AND SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY. MY VEHICLE HAS 25,865 MILES AND I DO NOT WISH TO KEEP PAYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11196641

41,000 miles · Apr 13, 2019
Engine

ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING 65 MPH AND THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED ERROR APPEARED ON MY DASH AND THE CAR LOST ENGINE POWER AND ALMOST GOT INTO A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI #11196019

37,938 miles · Apr 11, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

2017 MALIBU LOST POWER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ON 4/10/2019! DROPPED FROM 65 DOWN TO 45 WHILE IN THE 3RD LANE. THIS HAS TO DO WITH SOME ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AROUND THE DRIVE PEDAL! THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF PPL LOSING POWER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. JUST GOOGLE IT! THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED! AS A FO…

Read full complaint

2017 MALIBU LOST POWER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ON 4/10/2019! DROPPED FROM 65 DOWN TO 45 WHILE IN THE 3RD LANE. THIS HAS TO DO WITH SOME ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AROUND THE DRIVE PEDAL! THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF PPL LOSING POWER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. JUST GOOGLE IT! THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED! AS A FORMER QE IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY, THIS WOULD HAVE ALREADY RESULTED IN RECALL EFFORTS BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY RISK! SO NHTSA, I HOPE YOU TAKE THIS COMPLAINT VERY SERIOUSLY AND NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DIE OR GET SERIOUSLY HURT! SUCH AS THE TAKATA AIRBAG, FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH ALMOST KILLED A FAMILY MEMBER!

NHTSA ODI #11195541

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.