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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 16, 2019
DURING THE COLD THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON, WILL SHOW A STABILITRAK PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT TURNS ON. WHEN IT IS ON AND YOU DRIVE IT, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF AND STAY OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR WHENEVER YOU PRESS THE BRAKE. I HAVE TWO OTHER FRIENDS WHO OWN THE SAME CAR AND IT DOES THE SAME , WHICH MAKES ME ASSUME A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM OF CARS NOT TURNING ON IN THE COLD/ SENSOR ISSUE.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Visibility/wiper, Nov 21, 2019
THE VEHICLES BRAKES KEEPS POPPING WHERE IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP. ALSO THE CAR IS DYING WHEN THE CAR DOES COME TO A STOP SO THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND START IT AGAIN. THE BACK GLASS IS LEAKING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND SHOWS IT BEING THE TURBO BUT HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTINUED TO SAY IT IS THIS SENSOR OR THAT SENSOR OR A SENSOR IS DIRTY BUT NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE ANTENNA WAS REPLACED TO FIX THE BACK GLASS FROM LEAKING. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY IT COMES THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ISSUES THAT NEVER WAS SEEN BEFORE ON THE CAR. I HAVE BOUGHT SEVERAL OF NEW VEHICLES AND THE IS BY FAR THE WORST CAR. I HAVE BOUGHT MY FAMILY A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Electrical system, Nov 14, 2019
ON NOV 12,2019 I WAS DRIVING IN GLEN BURNIE MARYLAND IN A STREET , COMING TO A STOP LIGHT I STOP AND THE CAR TURNED OFF, I TURN IT ON AGAIN AND GOT ON THE HWY I-97 NORTH CAME OFF RAMP. WHERE I STOP ON RED LIGHT THE CAR TURNED OFF AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME. I LOST ALL POWER IT WOULD NOT TURN ON NOR ANY LIGHTS , COMPLETELY DEAD. NOT EVEN EMERGENCY BLINKERS, AT THIS TIME I CALLED A TOW TRUCK , POLICE ASISTES ME , AFTER GIVING THE CAR A BOOST CABLE. IT TURNED ON , BATTERY IS NEW AS OF 3 MONTHS AGO , TOOK CAR TO GARAGE. THEY CAN NOT FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING ,
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 13, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR SAYS "STEERING ASSIST REDUCED. DRIVE WITH CARE". IT HAS STARTED OUT OF NO WHERE
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 10, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT ON CONTINUALLY AND NEVER WENT OFF; I DROVE TO DEALER WHO SAID THE GAS CAP AREA OF FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING; NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THEY SAID AND TRIED TO ORDER IT FROM GM BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART; THEY ORDERED THE PART AND CANNOT TELL ME WHEN IT IS COMING. THEY COULD NOT ADVISE ME ON THE SAFETY OF THIS CONDITION. I KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR MODEL CAR. CAN I DRIVE THIS OR SHOULD THE DEALER GIVE ME A LOANER? I AM STILL UNDER THE 3 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS FILLING THE CAR AND IT IS NEVER COMPLETELY FULL. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS WITH NO ADVISE. THEY DID RECALIBRATE ONE TIME. THEY SAID IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE DASH BOARD REPORTING LESS GAS THAN IS IN THE TANK. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS AS WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 28, 2019
FOR THREE WEEKS I HAVE BEEN GETTING A "SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR WHEN I PLACE CAR IN PARK. IT PREVENTS ME FROM FULLY TURNING CAR OFF AND WILL NOT ALLOW DOORS TO LOCK. I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE SHIFTER TO GET THE WARNING TO COME OFF. LAST WEEK IT WAS IN THE SHOP AT BASIL CHEVROLET IN DEPEW, NY AND THEY REPLACED THE SHIFT RELAY AND IT IS STILL DOING IT. TODAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY SHOWED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MILES PER HOUR AND SHOWED "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND THE "SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING SHOWED. FINALLY GOT THAT ERROR TO GO OFF AND SHUT OFF CAR. CAR WAS ABLE TO RESTART WITH ONLY THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. STAYED ON FOR THE NEXT 35 MILES. JUST WENT BACK OUT AT LUNCH TIME AND NOW NO LIGHTS AND IT WAS DRIVING FINE UNTIL I TRIED SHUTTING OFF AND THE "SHIFT TO PARK" WOULDN'T GO OFF NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRIED TO WIGGLE THE HANDLE. CAR GOING BACK TO DEALER AT 5PM.
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2019
WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF A MESSAGE POPS UP SAYING SHIFT TO PARK....I TURN IT BACK ON PUT IN DRIVE AND PUSH THE GEAR HARD IN PARK AND IT WORK ...I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT EVERY TIME. IT JUST RECENTLY STARTED.2017 CHEVY MALIBU LS
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2019
SHIFT TO PARK ERROR WHEN PARKING VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK AND INFORMATION CENTER INDICATES IT IS NOT IN PARK. THEN I AM UNABLE TO SET VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM AND ALSO CAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES.. I HAVE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND JIGGLE SHIFT HANDLE TO GET IT TO CLEAR SHIFT TO PARK ERROR... THEN I AM ABLE TO PARK AND LOCK THE CAR.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 9, 2019
CAR STALLS WHILE OPERATING, CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND FAILS TO REBOOT WITHOUT WARNING. I EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIME WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. CAR WILL ALSO SHUT DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION IE STOP SIGNS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, STOP & GO TRAFFIC...ETC. MOST RECENT ISSUE VEHICLE PROMPT "STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE" OR SERVIC STABLITRAK
Electrical system, Oct 1, 2019
VEHICLE DOES NOT REGISTER THAT IT HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO PARK. WHEN YOU STOP AND SHIFT IT TO PARK AND THEN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, IT WILL COME UP WITH A WARNING TO "SHIFT TO PARK". IF YOU IGNORE THE WARNING, AND TRY TO OPEN THE DOORS, IT STARTS TO HONK AT YOU. IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND SHIFTING OUT OF PARK AND BACK INTO PARK BEFORE IT REGISTERS THAT IT IS IN PARK.
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2019
THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO PARK. I WILL PLACE THE CAR INTO PARK, TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR, AND THE MONITOR WILL DISPLAY "SHIFT CAR INTO PARK". THIS HINDERS ME FROM TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND I'LL SPEND TIME HAVING TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO DIFFERENT GEARS TO GET IT TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S IN PARK.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2019
THE CAR ON A IRREGULAR BUT BASIS BUT AT INCONVENIENT TIMES WILL NOT START WITH PUSH BUTTON START. ERROR MESSAGE IS "NO REMOTE DETECTED" THE INTERNET TELLS ME THE A TSB 197955 WAS ISSUED BUT I CAN GET ACCESS TO THE TSB..
Suspension, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 23, 2019
THE VOLT SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PARK (IF IT IS IN PARK??) TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A SAFETY ISSUE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 20, 2019
MY BRAKE BOOSTERS WENT OUT AND I PAID 700 NOW SOMETHING ODD IS HAPPENING TO MY BRAKES WITH THE AIR OR PRESSURE. SHOULD THIS WHOLE CAR BE RECALLED? MY ELECTRICS BLINKED OUT THE DAY I GOT THE CAR AND THE SALESMAN SAID ' IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE A BATTERY FOR290 ON A CAR I HAVE LESS THAN 2 YEARS?? IT WAS MENTIONED THE AUTO START AFFECTS MY BATTERY!! I NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT AND COVERING MY BATTERY. LET'S TAKE AUTO START OFF TOTALLY IT'S A NUISANCE NOT A SOLUTION AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAS TAKEN IN 4 GMC/CHEVROLET THIS WEEK AND 2 WERE MALIBU'S. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERS RIGHT NOW!
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 18, 2019
STEERING ASSISTANT! WHEN ECONOMIC STOP HAPPENS I'M ALERTED AND CAR TURNS OFF AND ELECTRIC WIPES OUT N COMES BACK ON!! MY CAR STOPPED THIS TIME. EVERY OTHER ONE OF YOUR CARS HAVE THIS RECALLS. I AM IN MY CAR NOW STRANDED!
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, IT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART INDEPENDENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO BLINK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT CALLED MORITZ CHEVROLET (9101 CAMP BOWIE, DR. WEST STE. # 1, FORT WORTH, TX 76116, (817) 696-2000) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,211.
Electrical system, Aug 30, 2019
WHEN PARKING AND TURNING CAR OFF IT SHOW A MESSAGE " SHIFT TO PARK" AND CAR IS PARKED, DUE TO THIS THE MUSIC KEEPS PLAYING UNLESS WE MANUALLY TURN OFF AND WHEN WE STEP OUT OF THE CAR IT WILL BEEP AS IF CAR ISN'T OFF.
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2019
1. ONCE THE CAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT POWER DOWN DUE TO AN ERROR MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK." 2. MPG IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT 30 MILES PER GALLON HOWEVER I AM ONLY GETTING ABOUT 20MPG.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 9, 2019
INDICATOR LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMES AND SAYS, PLEASE SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK. I WILL HAVE BEEN PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY ALREADY IN PARK MODE, I WILL HAVE TO KEEP STARTING AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RECOGNIZE IT IS ALREADY SHIFTED GEARS INTO THE PARK POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 6 TIMES SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 24, 2019
CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING-THE CAR GOES DEAD DE-ENERGIZED COMPLETELY. ALL CONTROLS WOULD NOT WORK JUST LOCKED UP ON ME. I HAD TO HAVE THE UNIT TOWED TWICE, WE SWITCHED THE BATTERY IN THE KEY FOB AND THE CAR ENDED UP STARTING, HOWEVER 2 WEEKS LATER IT DIED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT AGAIN!! 3 TIMES THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION GOING STRAIGHT AND COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WITH THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING!! THIS HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF MAL-FUNCTION OR RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Jul 24, 2019
WHILE DRIVING IN THE LEFT MOST LANE OF A TOLLWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR WAS AT A STOP AND SUDDENLY LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING OR WARNING LIGHTS. NOTHING WORKED INCLUDING HAZARD LIGHTS. ATTEMPTS TO JUMP START THE CAR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SAFE PLACE. AFTER THAT THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. NO ERROR LIGHTS OR ANY VISIBLE SIGNS THAT SOMETHING WAS EVER WRONG. BATTERY WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND FUEL WAS 1/3 TANK.
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2019
I AM GETTING A MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK'. THE MESSAGE IS INTERMITTENT. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR WEEKS. IT'S NOT REGISTERING THE CAR IS IN PARK. I HAVE TO RE-START CAR TO GET IT IN PARK
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 8, 2019
DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH A CUSTOMER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, POWER IS REDUCED TO A CRAWL, AND THEN "POWER REDUCE" LIGHT COMES ON. AT THAT POINT NO ACCELERATION OCCURS AND CAR CUTS OFF ( I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO THE SIDE) AND WILL NOT START BACK UP. AFTER AN HOUR,( AND ME HAVING TO CALL ANOTHER CAR TO PICK UP MY CUSTOMER) CAR CUTS BACK ON. TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP, WAS ADVISED THAT A BULLETIN WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM 18 MONTHS AGO, 1 MONTH BEFORE I PURCHASED CAR. SAID I NEEDED MY CYLINDERS REPLACED (THE ENGINE) BUT ONCE I TOOK IT IN, THEY REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTIONS (23,000 MILES). 60 DAYS LATER, THE SAME EXACT ISSUE HAS OCCURRED, AGAIN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, THIS TIME I HAD JUST DROPPED OFF A PASSENGER. WAITED 30 MINUTES, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. SINCE IT WAS THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR IMMEDIATE REPAIRS AGAIN. CALLED TODAY 7/8/19 TO SPEAK TO MY ADVISOR, HE HAS NOT CALLED ME BACK. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED IN OR DRIVE ON THE BACK ROADS AT A CRAWL.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 8, 2019
WARNING MESSAGE SAYS 'SHIFT INTO PARK' & EVEN THOUGH ENGINE SHUTS OFF, THE RADIO (& I'M ASSUMING BATTERY) DOESN'T. CAR WON'T LOCK BECAUSE OF IT. HAS REQUIRED TURNING CAR BACK ON & OFF AS MANY AS 8 TIMES, AND/OR MOVING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS NUMEROUS TIMES. CHEVY DEALER'S SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME "YEAH, WE'VE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THAT. WE USUALLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER CONTROL BOX".
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 23, 2019
CAR WILL ADVISE TO "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT OFF. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY ISSUES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS