← 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

What owners actually said

702 reports
4,800 miles · Mar 20, 2018
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD SUDDENLY INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE DRIVER HAD TO DEPRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2018, WHILE IN A BANK PARKIN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD SUDDENLY INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE DRIVER HAD TO DEPRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2018, WHILE IN A BANK PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER (DAVIS CHEVROLET IN HOUSTON, TX) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800. *TT VIDEO ATTACHED *BF

NHTSA ODI #11080330

260,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Steering

AFTER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOSING POWER STEERING ON MY 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU I DID THIS RESEARCH ON LINE. I AM INCLUDING SOME OF THE MOST SERIOUS COMPLAINTS AND LINK TO THE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR YOUR CONNIVANCE. I CONTACTED SHAHEEN CHEVROLET AND WAS ADVISED BY ROBIN THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM BUT THAT GM WOUL…

Read full complaint

AFTER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOSING POWER STEERING ON MY 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU I DID THIS RESEARCH ON LINE. I AM INCLUDING SOME OF THE MOST SERIOUS COMPLAINTS AND LINK TO THE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR YOUR CONNIVANCE. I CONTACTED SHAHEEN CHEVROLET AND WAS ADVISED BY ROBIN THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM BUT THAT GM WOULD COVER THE COSTS. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO SHAHEENS I RECEIVED A CALL INFORMING ME THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1,300 FOR THE REPAIRS AND GM WOULD NOT COVER THE COSTS. I REQUESTED A CALL BACK FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER 2-5-18 9.30. HE RETURNED MY CALL A 2.30 PM AND RELAYED TO ME THAT GM WOULD NOT COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIRS. HE ALSO STATED THAT ROBIN SHOULD NOT HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT GM 1.800. 222-1020 AND THEY REPLIED THAT GM WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS BIG SAFETY ISSUE PLEASE RESEARCH AND RESPONSE WITH YOUR FINDINGS. IF YOU CANNOT HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANY STATE AGENCY COULD HELP ME RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE RESPOND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT TO DO FOR A CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11080127

18,300 miles · Mar 14, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE STARTER WOULD TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OVER FOR 10 SECONDS THEN THE STARTER WOULD SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON 3/7/18 AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. THE FUEL PUMP 'CONTROL MODULE' WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I TOOK POSSEION OF THE CAR ON 3/10/18. ON 3/12/18 THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME …

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE STARTER WOULD TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OVER FOR 10 SECONDS THEN THE STARTER WOULD SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON 3/7/18 AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. THE FUEL PUMP 'CONTROL MODULE' WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I TOOK POSSEION OF THE CAR ON 3/10/18. ON 3/12/18 THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO FUEL PRESSURE AND RESULTED IN THE CAR TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHICH IS NOW REPLACING THE 'FUEL PUMP' DUE TO A GM TSB COMMUNICATION 16-NA-225.

NHTSA ODI #11079116

5,775 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Air BagsCrash

VEHICLE MOVING SLOWLY AND ALMOST STATIONARY WHEN STRUCK IN DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR AREA BY FULL SIZE PICKUP TRUCK WITH EXTENSIVE AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND LIKELY A TOTAL LOSS BUT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #11073220

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2018
Service Brakes

2017 CEHVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PURCHASING A VEHICLE THAT DID NOT INCLUDE FEATURES STATED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE SOFTWARE UPDATED TWICE THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THE SYSTEM WAS ONLY DESIG…

Read full complaint

2017 CEHVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PURCHASING A VEHICLE THAT DID NOT INCLUDE FEATURES STATED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE SOFTWARE UPDATED TWICE THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THE SYSTEM WAS ONLY DESIGNED TO OPERATE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO TEST IF THE FEATURE ACTUALLY WORKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.*JS

NHTSA ODI #11061930

6,000 miles · Feb 7, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

AFTER FILLING VEHICLE FULLY WITH FUEL THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER FULL. MY DEALERSHIP CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID IT IS A "NON-ISSUE" BUT THE DEALERSHIP DISAGREES SINCE THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #11067381

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY POOR AND EVEN UNSAFE ON DARK WET NIGHTS. AS PURCHASED THE LIGHTS WERE TOO HIGH. WITH THE LIGHTS AIMED LOWER, IT IS BARELY OK ON MOST NIGHTS BUT UNSAFE ON WET, DARK NIGHTS. I HAVE PURCHASED AFTERMARKET BULBS BUT THEY WERE ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE STILL TOO HIGH TO LIGHT THE ROAD, BU…

Read full complaint

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY POOR AND EVEN UNSAFE ON DARK WET NIGHTS. AS PURCHASED THE LIGHTS WERE TOO HIGH. WITH THE LIGHTS AIMED LOWER, IT IS BARELY OK ON MOST NIGHTS BUT UNSAFE ON WET, DARK NIGHTS. I HAVE PURCHASED AFTERMARKET BULBS BUT THEY WERE ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE STILL TOO HIGH TO LIGHT THE ROAD, BUT THEY DO ILLUMINATE THE TREES. A EUROPEAN CUTOFF BEAM PATTERN WOULD HELP TOO.

NHTSA ODI #11067315

12,000 miles · Feb 2, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CALLED ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC SAID INJECTOR ERROR SAME THING I HAD FIXED ON JANUARY 11TH 2018

NHTSA ODI #11066600

11,200 miles · Feb 2, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I CALLED ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED INJECTOR ERROR

NHTSA ODI #11066599

1,500 miles · Jan 20, 2018
Steering

I DROVE THE DESCRIBED CAR AS A RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE WHILE MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A MOSTLY STRAIGHT PARKWAY AT 55 MPH, AND SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, ON ITS OWN, AND I LEFT THE ROADWAY AND HIT THE GRASS MEDIAN, GOT THE CAR BACK ON THE ROADWAY, SHAKEN, AND CONTINUED DRIVIN…

Read full complaint

I DROVE THE DESCRIBED CAR AS A RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE WHILE MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A MOSTLY STRAIGHT PARKWAY AT 55 MPH, AND SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, ON ITS OWN, AND I LEFT THE ROADWAY AND HIT THE GRASS MEDIAN, GOT THE CAR BACK ON THE ROADWAY, SHAKEN, AND CONTINUED DRIVING VERY CONFUSED AS TO WHAT JUST HAPPENED. TURNS OUT THESE CARS HAVE A STEERING DEFECT THAT APPARENTLY IS NOT CAUSING A RECALL, AND IT IS NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED BU CHEVY. BLOGS OF OWNERS DESCRIBE THE EXACT SAME EVENT WHICH HAS PITTED CHEVY OWNERS AGAINST THE COMPANY WHICH IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEFECT. I WAS TOO SCARED TO GET IN THAT CAR AGAIN. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF A RECALL HAS FINALLY OCCURRED FOR THIS SCARY DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11063899

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.