2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 724 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 17 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat belts, critical fastenersAug 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.
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V649000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationJun 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.
In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 18V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpMay 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.
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 18V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowDec 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 16V870000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
172 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. Additionally, after the auto start, the fuel-saving feature was activated, the vehicle was hesitant to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Electrical system, Aug 23, 2021
Get "SHIFT TO PARK" after putting car in park to shut it off. I am unable to turn the car off - so do I leave it running in my garage? This is a known error that they charge to fix. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10186071-9999.pdf Attached is my bill to have this known error fixed.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 18, 2021
There needs to be a recall on the third brake light on the Chevy Malibu. Everyone that I speak with that has a Malibu has had to replace the third brake light because of it breaking and when it rains water leaks into the car.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 10, 2021
2017 Malibu with less than 36000 miles, complete shutdown of all power. Engine auto stop shuts down engine but does not restart. Have sat in traffic for 15 minutes or longer before the engine would start. When restarted there is no volume on the radio. Has happened 10 to 12 times in the last 2 months. Dealership said they could not recreate issue and gave a load bull as to why it may happen...
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 10, 2021
I was driving on the interstate and the dashboard said Engine loss of power. It was very dangerous because it reduced my speed drastically in the middle of traffic! My whole family was in the car and this is the 3rd time this has happened to me since purchasing the car. And now my check engine light is on. I don’t understand why this happens, but defective parts that create this problem put our lives in danger! Why is there not a recall on this? This is very important and should be fixed immediately! I almost wasn’t here to write this so please show me and other owners of these cars in these model years how to not die in your vehicles please?!
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2021
At engine shutdown and shifting transmission to PARK, I got "Shift to Park" message on DIC. If vehicle left in this state, the battery will eventually run down and leave driver stranded. Seems to be a common failure mode of the PARK indicator switch.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2021
While driving received recurring check engine light for p2127/p2138 code. Has been to Quirk Chevrolet twice previously for same issue, drives fine for a week or two and light comes back. Third service appointment scheduled for Monday 6/7/21. Recurring issue has made vehicle unusable while effected as car goes into limp mode while in motion limiting speeds to 25mph which was interesting to say the least as it happens while in motion.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 2, 2021
OBD2 codes ran on vehicle show: P0138 ("O2 sensor circuit High voltage bank 1 sensor 2") P013E (unknown) P2138 ("Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor Switch D/E Voltage Correlation") Vehicle is getting poor fuel mileage and has a drastic delay in acceleration after pressing the gas pedal, putting driver in immediate danger in traffic.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 7, 2021
SPEED REDUCED ON FREEWAY TO 20MPH, SPEED REDUCED WARNING WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Mar 22, 2021
ON 03/10/21, I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I APPROACHED THE STOP LIGHT AND REDUCED SPEED. I CAME TO A FULL STOP AND THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY, THEN LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. I HAD NO HAZARD LIGHTS, NO RADIO, NO DASHBOARD, NOTHING. AFTER BEING STRANDED FOR 5 MIN LIKE THAT AT A VERY DANGEROUS LEFT LANE STOP, THE CAR FINALLY RESTARTED. CALLED ONSTAR IMMEDIATELY TO SCAN THE CAR FOR CODES - THEY FOUND NONE. THE ISSUE OF THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY SHUTTING DOWN LIKE THAT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE OCTOBER OF 2020. TAKEN THE CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I CURRENTLY HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AM BEING TOLD THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG DESPITE FOUR DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN MY CAR WITNESSING IT HAPPEN TO ME MORE THAN ONCE AND MY PROVIDING A LOG OF EVERY TIME IT'S HAPPENED.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 22, 2021
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2018 WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON MORE THAN 7 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL INJECTOR WORKED ON, SOMETIMES IT WON'T SHIFT COMPLETELY INTO PARK, I HAD IT DECREASE IN SPEED FROM 70 ON THE HIGHWAY TO NO MORE THAN 20 MPH WITH OVER $400 IN REPAIRS JUST THAT TIME. I DO NOT DRIVE FAST OR DEPRIVE MY CAR OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I HAVE NEVER HAD ISSUES LIKE THIS WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T LET ACCELERATE AND I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK THE IGNITION WILL NOT SHUT OFF WITH THE MESSAGE NOT IN PARK. 10 MONTHS AGO HAD DEALER FIX. NEW HARNESS FROM TRANS TO SHIFTER. NOW PROBLEM BACK AGAIN IGNITION STAYS ON EVEN WHEN SHIFTER IS IN PARK SAFETY ISSUE IF CAR WILL NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Mar 11, 2021
GOING TO WORK ON A CITY STREET CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. IT BLACKED OUT. NO HAZARDS NO LIGHTS AND THIS WAS AT 3:30 IN THE MORNING. AND IT'S HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. IT HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND ON A BUSY STREET. ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT AND TRY TO START IT UNTIL LUCKILY IT DID. BUT BEFORE THIS STARTED, THE CAR KEPT ON SHUTTING OFF ON ME WHEN I COME TO A STOP. IT'S HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS. AND TODAY IT STATED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT IT WAS REDUCING ITS SPEED. WHAT'S NEXT?! IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE MY KIDS WITH ME AND I'M AFRAID SOMEONE MIGHT REAR END ME ONE DAY. OR IF IT COMPLETELY BLACKS OUT ON ME ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HAVE NO ONE TO HELP ME AND I GET STRANDED. I WISH THEY WOULD DO A RECALL. I'VE SEEN ONLINE HOW IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
Electrical system, Mar 11, 2021
WHEN I SHIFT TO PARK AND ATTEMPT TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF A WARNING COMES UP TELLING ME TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND I THEN HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON MOVE THE SHIFTER DOWN TO DRIVE AND SLOWLY MOVE THROUGH EACH GEAR UNTIL THE PARKING SENSOR WILL RECOGNIZE THE SHIFTER IS IN PARK THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENS TO OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE TO ALLIED TO WITH THE SAME MODEL
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 26, 2021
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN. THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE MORE THAN 20 MPH. LUCKILY I WAS NEAR THE SHOULDER, BUT IF I WASN'T I COULD'VE EASILY GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER VEHICLES AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD GET SOMEONE KILLED.
Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2021
VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL RECALLS
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 15, 2021
THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF MORE THAN 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING REQUIRING A TOW AND WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE STILL TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 22, 2020
MY POWER STEERING ASSIST POPS UP AND DISAPPEARS. CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME AT A STOP SIGN(TWICE) AND WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 15, 2020
I WAS ON THE EWAY AND I WAS GOING 80MPH IN THE LEFT LANE, AND MY CAR JERKED TO DECELERATE TO 20MPH. THE MESSAGE SAID, 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED'.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2020
"STEERING ASSISTANCE REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE" WARNING APPEARS ON DASH RIGHT BEFORE I'M GOING TO ACCELERATE AFTER BEING STOPPED.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2020
WHEN DRIVING AT AUTO STOP, WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE, CAR ACTS LIKE IT SHUT OFF AND SAYS STEERING ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE. I NOTICED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE GOES DOWN TO 11.0 V. ALSO THE RADIO SCREEN FLICKERS BLACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN MULTIPLE DAYS.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 6, 2020
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
Electrical system, Oct 7, 2020
SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE (2017 MALIBU). THE FIRST TIME AT 30,000+ MILES, AND NOW AGAIN AT 74,000+ MILES. FORTUNATELY, THE 1ST WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. THIS TIME WILL BE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES (FOR THE SAME ISSUE), AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE AN "UNNECESSARY" DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FEE. CONDUCTING RESEARCH REVEALS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS MANUFACTURER AND/OR VEHICLE. CAN WE PLEASE GET A RECALL?
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2020
MY SUNROOF IS STUCK OPEN AND MY SEATS POWER GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY.