Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
870–25K
12025–50K
11050–75K
5275–100K
22100–150K
6150K+
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
45,000 miles · Jan 9, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 AS WE WERE DRIVING HOME WE ALMOST RE-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A CITY STREET AT THE SPEED OF 55 MPH DUE TO CAR BRAKES LOCKING AND HARD TO PRESS DOWN, LUCKILY HARD WE WERE ABLE FO BRAKE BY PUSHING HARD ENOUGH. ALSO SENSOR HAVE FAILED TWICE- THREE TIMES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WILL BRAKE ON THEIR OWN WITHOU…
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ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 AS WE WERE DRIVING HOME WE ALMOST RE-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A CITY STREET AT THE SPEED OF 55 MPH DUE TO CAR BRAKES LOCKING AND HARD TO PRESS DOWN, LUCKILY HARD WE WERE ABLE FO BRAKE BY PUSHING HARD ENOUGH. ALSO SENSOR HAVE FAILED TWICE- THREE TIMES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WILL BRAKE ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT ANY CAR BEING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WHICH IS SCARY AND COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. WE CONTACT GMC AND FILED A CLAIM (83737025405) AND ALSO TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN OUR HOMETOWN WHICH IS NOT DOING MUCH BUT CHARGING US $1000+ FOR A CHANGE ON A VACUUM TOP AND SEAL BUT DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR WE HAVE ALMOST CRASHED OVER 4 TIMES DUE TO THESE ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #11061491
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2017
Unknown Or Other
I PURCHASED MY 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN OCTOBER OF 2017. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE THE INTERIOR CARPET COMES UNTUCKED FROM THE TRIM. CHEVROLET INDICATES IT IS A BIG PROBLEM AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE DO NOT HAVE A FIX TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. IF THE CARPET COMES LOSE WILL BE A HAZARD TO DRIVERS.
NHTSA ODI #11057649
1,515 miles · Nov 27, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
INACCURATE GAS METER OR OTHER FUEL COMPONENTS. THE METER DOES NOT MATCH THE READING ON THE MYCHEVROLET APP. I JUST FILLED MY TANK UNTIL THE PUMP STOPS AND THE METER READS FULL IN MY CAR. THE APP READS 78% THUS I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I REALLY HAVE LEFT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED MY CAR ON 12/10/2016. AF…
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INACCURATE GAS METER OR OTHER FUEL COMPONENTS. THE METER DOES NOT MATCH THE READING ON THE MYCHEVROLET APP. I JUST FILLED MY TANK UNTIL THE PUMP STOPS AND THE METER READS FULL IN MY CAR. THE APP READS 78% THUS I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I REALLY HAVE LEFT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED MY CAR ON 12/10/2016. AFTER 2 OR 3 VISITS TO MY DEALER, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AFTER CALIBRATING THE METER MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS FINE UNTIL TODAY. TODAY 11/27/2017, THE METER IS NOW INACCURATE AGAIN. I DO NOT HAVE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH ANY OF MY OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THIS VEHICLE'S GAS METER AND THE CAR IN GENERAL IF YOU CHECK CHEVROLET'S FACEBOOK PAGE. THIS CAN CAUSE SOMEONE TO RUN OUT OF GAS BEFORE EXPECTED IN AN INCONVENIENT PLACE POSSIBLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THIS BECOMES A MAJOR PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11048824
17,000 miles · Sep 25, 2017
Steering
TWO TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING I PUT ON MY BRAKES AND MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP COMPLETELY I COULD BARELY DRIVE IT I ALMOST GOT INTO A WRECK I TOOK CAR TO CHEVROLET AND THEY SAID THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED
NHTSA ODI #11025387
204 miles · Sep 14, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB STEELE CHEVROLET (2800 FLORIDA 520, COCOA, FL 32926 (321) 632-6700) WHERE NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB STEELE CHEVROLET (2800 FLORIDA 520, COCOA, FL 32926 (321) 632-6700) WHERE NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOTIFY HER TO RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204.
NHTSA ODI #11023497
900 miles · Aug 5, 2017
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WHICH I HAD FOR 2 AN HALF WEEKS. THE VEHICLE MAKE A GRINDING OR RUBBING NOISE WHILE DRIVING IT DONT MAKE ANY NOISE WHEN PRESSING BRAKES. IT MAY BE THE ENGINE OR THE BRAKES OR SOMETHING IS RUBBING THE TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #11012932
5,000 miles · Jul 28, 2017
EngineStructureWheelsFire
THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 15 MINUTES -HORN STARTED WENT OUT SAW SMOKE CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME BACK AT FRONT DOOR FLAMES FROM FRONT END. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT FIRE -CAR TOTALED. WORRIED ABOUT SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION ESPECIALLY IF CAR PARKED IN GARAGE OR CLOSER TO HOUSE OR IF PEOPLE INSIDE
NHTSA ODI #11011224
2,757 miles · Jul 20, 2017
Engine
THE VEHICLE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. IT THEN CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO STIFFEN AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CAR POWER WENT INTO LOW MODE. THE AC WENT INTO FAN MODE. AND THE CAR STAYED STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI #11006591
25 miles · Jun 24, 2017
Unknown Or Other
WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AN ELECTRIC MOTOR KICKS IN FOR ABOUT 30 SECOND AND THEN THE ENGINE MOTOR RESTARTS MAKING THE CAR WHAT TO JUMP FORWARD. IF THE DRIVER HAS ONLY A LIGHT FOOT ON THE BREAK PETAL HE/SHE COULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH ME DEALER AND GM AS I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN IT DESIGN.…
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WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AN ELECTRIC MOTOR KICKS IN FOR ABOUT 30 SECOND AND THEN THE ENGINE MOTOR RESTARTS MAKING THE CAR WHAT TO JUMP FORWARD. IF THE DRIVER HAS ONLY A LIGHT FOOT ON THE BREAK PETAL HE/SHE COULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH ME DEALER AND GM AS I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN IT DESIGN. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE AND HAVE TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND WAIT FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS
NHTSA ODI #11000968
242 miles · Jun 20, 2017
Power Train
I PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU LAST WEEK. I WAS LOOKING OVER THE DATA ON THE CHEVY WEBSITE. CHEVY IS LISTING TWO DIFFERENT HP RATINGS FOR THIS CAR. ONE AREA STATES 163HP & 184 LB-FT TORQUE. THE OTHER SAYS 160HP & 184 LB-FT TORQUE. THE MAIN ISSUE I HAVE IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. GM SAYS THE CAR COMES WITH A 6T45 TRANSMISSI…
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I PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU LAST WEEK. I WAS LOOKING OVER THE DATA ON THE CHEVY WEBSITE. CHEVY IS LISTING TWO DIFFERENT HP RATINGS FOR THIS CAR. ONE AREA STATES 163HP & 184 LB-FT TORQUE. THE OTHER SAYS 160HP & 184 LB-FT TORQUE. THE MAIN ISSUE I HAVE IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. GM SAYS THE CAR COMES WITH A 6T45 TRANSMISSION. THAT TRANSMISSION IS RATED AT 215HP & 232 LB-FT TORQUE. ENOUGH FOR THE RATED ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR IS A 6T40. RATED AT 180HP & 177 LB-FT TORQUE. THE TORQUE ON THE MOTOR IS 184 LB-FT AT 2500 RPM TO 3000 RPM. I WORK AND LIVE IN PHOENIX, AZ. 95% OF DRIVING IS CITY DRIVING. I AM PAST THE MAX OF THE TRANSMISSION MOST OF THE TIME. THIS TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL VERY FAST IN THIS HEAT. PLUS THE EPA FUEL RATING I'M SURE WAS CALCULATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION ADVERTISED BY GM NOT IN THE CAR. I OWN A CAR THAT IS NOT AT ALL WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year