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: other or unspecified
150 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 22, 2020
REDUCED ENGINE POWER STARTED POPPING UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND FORCEFULLY REDUCES SPEED TO 20MPH. HUNDREDS OF CHEVY OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS ABNORMALITIES RECENTLY AND CHEVROLET IS CONCEALING THIS MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2020
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED APPEARS ON INFO DASH WORD AND CAR SLOWS DOWN TO SLOW SPEED WHILE ON HIGHWAY
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2020
I WAS DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS WHEN ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED LIGHT CAME ON AND CARS MAX SPEED TOPPED OUT AT 20-25 MPH. STARTED THE CAR AN HOUR LATER AND EVERYTHING WENT OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. A MONTH LATER SAME EXACT ISSUE. THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY AT 30MPH WHEN ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND SPEED WAS AFFECTED AGAIN. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS REMAINING ON.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING 35MPH WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A NOTIFICATION CAME ON MY DASHBOARD SAYING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". THE CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT FROM 35MPH TO 20MPH; I'M LUCKY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 8 DAYS AGO AT 35,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ACCELERATION PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 36,000 MILES NOW.
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2020
YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING AND PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT. THE CAR SHUT UP AS NORMAL FOR THE ENERGY SAVER FEATURE, BUT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CARE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONTO THE SCREEN. I WAITED 2 MINUTES, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE AFTER THAT. THE RADIO'S SOUND STOPPED WORKING AFTER THAT. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN, BUT NO SOUND WAS COMING OUT, EVEN WHEN I PUSHED THE ON-STAR BUTTON. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR 10 MINUTES AND BACK ON AND THE RADIO WORKED AGAIN LIKE NORMAL.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2020
WHEN IT RAINS, THE FLOOR MATS GET WET UNDER THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS; THEY FIXED THE ISSUE WITH THE RAIN LEAKING IN THE TRUNK BUT NOT WITH THE RAIN LEAKING INSIDE THE CAR.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 6, 2020
ENGINE POWER REDUCED. ENGINE POWER REDUCED. AT FIRST IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS RAINING, BUT ON DRY DAYS NO PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND DISAPPEARS A FEW HOURS LATER. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS AS IF THEY CAN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING ONCE THE WARNING AND ENGINE LIGHT TURN OFF. LATELY IT'S BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, SO I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT READ. ERROR CODES P2138 AND P2127, BOTH REFERENCING THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY COMPLAINT I SEE ON HERE. I ALSO HAVE READ ABOUT LAW SUITS BEING FILED REGARDING THIS AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Dec 28, 2019
THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT LEAKS WATER AND HAS BEEN LEAKING WATER EVIDENT BY WATER MARKS ON THE VEHICLES HEAD LINER
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2019
2017 CHEVY MALIBU REPETIVELY GETS REDUCED POWER LIGHT. I DRIVE HIGHWAY AT 65-80MPH AND THE CAR GETS THAT REDUCED POWER LIGHT AND CAR SLOWS TO 20 MPH AND WON'T ACCELERATE PAST 20MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 8 TIMES. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE FATAL CAR ACCIDENT. I FINALLY HAVE APPOINTMENT TOMORROW TO GET FIXED. IT'S DEFECT WITH THROTTLE BODY AND PEDAL POSITION SENSOR.
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2019, crash
GEAR SHIFT NOT STAYING IN PLACE. MONITOR COMES ON DASHBOARD WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND SAYS 'SHIFT TO PARK'. CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK, BUT STILL ROLLED DOWN THE HILL OF A DRIVEWAY, AND GOT DAMAGED.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 24, 2019
A 'SHIFT TO PARK' DISPLAYS WHEN I AM ALREADY ON PARK WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR. SO I AM UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR PROPERLY DUE TO THIS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSTICS AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT IT'S A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE SHIFT CONTROL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2019
ON PUSH TO START IGNITION, OCASSIONALLY WHEN STOPPING AND PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN PRESSING STOP ON IGNITION BUTTON, A WARNING MESSAGE POPS UP TO SHIF TO PARK. AFTER PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE AND PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON ON TO START THE VEHICLE, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON TO STOP VEHICLE ( WITHOUT TOUCHING SHIFT), THE MESSAGE DOES NOT RETURN. THIS OCCURRENCE SEEMS PURELY RANDOM AND OCCASIONAL.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 10, 2019
I SERVICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON MOST OF THE TIME. I HAVE GONE TO REPAIR SHOP AROUND 15X TIMES IN A ALMOST 2 YEARS PERIOD. I HAVE TROUBLE DOING MY LAST INSPECTION DID NOT WANNA PAST, THEY TOLD ME TO RUN THE CAR IN HIGH WAY FOR 20 MILES NON STOP,DNT UNDERSTAND WHY I NEEDED TO DO THIS. ALSO AT MORE TIMES THEN I CAN REMEMBER THE CAR DIDNT WANT TO START IT WOULD AFTER 10-15 MIN AFTER I TRY TO START IT UP, I FEEL MOTOR JUMPS ALOT, AND TRANSMISSION NOT RUNNING NORMAL AS IT SHOULD, I HAVE DONE 2 CASES WITH THE HEADQUATERS IN CHICAGO BUT BOTH TIMES THEY CLOSE THE CAES AND NOTHING WAS SOLVED,AND UNTIL THIS DAY I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2019
I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN MY ENGINE OFF AND THERE'S AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING, "PUT IN PARK." I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON, AND PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND PARK NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2019
MY MALIBU WILL SHUT OFF AFTER ATEMPTS TO RESTART WHEN IN AUTO STOP. AT FIRST IT WOULD CUT OFF BUT RESTART. AS TIME WENT ON IT WOULD GO TOTAL BLACK NO LIGHTS NO ONSTAR CAN NOT PUT IN GEAR. SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER THEY CAN NOT MAKE IT DO IT AND THERE IS NO CODE THERE IS NOTHING BUT BLACK. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL START AGAIN SOMETIMES 20 MINUTES SOMETIMES AN HOUR. NEVER DOES IT AT THE DEALER.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2019
TWICE THIS WEEK AS I WOULD COME TO A STOP LIGHT A NOTIFICATION WOULD COME UP IN THE DASHBOARD SAYING SOMETHING REGARDING THE STEERING ASSIST AND ALL OF MY LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INSIDE THE DASHBOARD THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF I DON'T EXACTLY KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT SO TURN BACK ON BUT I WOULD TURN IT ON AND OFF AND THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES IT WOULD JUST CLICK THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'LL CRANK BACK UP. I'M ABOUT TO HAVE A CHILE SO THIS IS VERY CONCERNING FOR ME.
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2019
SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF IT CLAIMS IT'S IN PARK BUT THEN GIVES A SAFETY NOTICE THAT YOU NEED TO SHIFT TO PARK
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2019
ONCE CAR IS IN PARK, MESSAGE INDICATES CAR NEEDS TO BE SHIFTED TO PARK - ALREADY IN PARK
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 24, 2019
2017 CHEVY MALIBU HAS "SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING LIGHT COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED EVEN WHEN HAS BEEN PUT IN PARK SEVERAL TIMES. THIS LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHEN STATIONARY AND TRYING TO PARK THE CAR. IF I LEAVE IT LIKE THAT AND TAKE THE KEYS WITH ME, IT HONKS REPEATEDLY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2019
CARPET CUT TOO SHORT COMING ALL APART IN FRONT FLOOR BOARD AND NEAR DOORS
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2019
BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2017 WITH 22K MILES ON IT, AND NOW A YEAR AND A HALF LATER WITH 60K MILES ON IT THERE ARE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE TO GET IT EITHER COMPLETELY REBUILT OR REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT EVERY SHOP I TOOK IT TO TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE 'ALL CARS SKIP LIKE THIS'. THE CAR SKIPS VERY BADLY (MORE SO IN THE LAST MONTH OF MAY 2019), RPMS STAY AT 3500 IF I AM GOING ABOVE 50 MPH, SHIFTS VERY HARD OR NOT AT ALL UNTIL I PRESS MY BRAKES. ALL OF THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IN PARK, IT OCCASIONALLY IDLES AROUND 1-2 RPMS AND MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE.
Other or unspecified, May 26, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH AND SUDDENLY I LOST POWER AND MESSAGE SHOWED UP ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. I ALMOST CRASHED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THERE IS A HUGE FORUM ABOUT IT. HOW COME CHEVROLET DIDN'T ISSUE A RECALL?
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 19, 2019
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 26, 2019
WELL COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITH NO POWER. THIS HAPPENED TO ME MULTIPLE TIME WITH THE CAR HAVING NO POWER THAT I CAN'T EVEN PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. PRIOR TO THIS MY VEHICLE NOTED "SERVICE STABILITY" ON DASH BOARD AND THAT WENT AWAY. AFTER THAT ISSUE POPPED UP ANOTHER ISSUE OCCURRED. MY DASHBOARD NOTED "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN MY GEAR WAS IN PARK. MY DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT IN WHICH THAT'S WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF MORE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2019, fire
THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY HOUSE FOR 2 HOURS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT SAID IT STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SIDE OF HOOD. IT BURNED TO A SHELL