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, Mar 6, 2019
EVERY TIME IT RAINS WATER GETS INTO THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME I DISCOVERED IT THE TRUNK WAS SOAKED AND THE CAR SMELLED HORRIBLE (8/24/2017, 11/2/2017, 1/2018 ETC ETC)
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 4, 2019
WHILE DROPPING OFF MY CHILDREN AT SCHOOL THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WENT INTO AUTO STOP. WHEN RELEASING THE PEDDLE SO THE CAR COULD TURN BACK ON THE WHOLE DASH BOARD AND THE RADIO SCREEN COMPLETELY CUT OFF AND WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF IT ALL SWITCHED BACK ON. THE DASH SCREEN FLAGGED AND SAID STEERING ASSISTANT IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE. THIS REPEATEDLY HAPPENDED ANOTHER TWO TIMES EVERYTIME I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER THE THIRD TIME THE CAR DID NOT TURN OFF AT ALL. IN THE PAST I HAVE HAD THE ERROR MESSAGE COME ON WHEN THE CAR WOULD COME TO A STOP AND THE CAR WOULD TURN BACK ON BUT I AM BEGINNING TO BECOME VERY WORRIED BECAUSE NOW THE WHOLE DASH BOARD AND RADIO ARE TURNING OFF. I WAS ON A REGULAR CITY STREET BUT AM WORRIED WHEN I RETURN TO WORK AFTER MY VACATION I WILL GET STRANDED. I AM ATTACHING SCREENSHOTS OF A VIDEO I WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE ON THE THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME. THE TIME IS ATTACHED ALSO.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 2, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A BUSY CITY STREET AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF THEREFORE REMAINING IN THE INTERSECTION FROM ON COMING TRAFFIC, IN OTHER TERMS THE VEHICLE DIED ON ME. I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING DUE TO NO CURRENT .THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BACK IN AUGUST 2018. IN JANUARY 2019 I NOTICED THAT MY HEADLINER, BACK SEAT, AND TRUNK WAS WET AND IT SMELL MILDEWY. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT HAVE ASTHMA AND I DON'T FEEL THAT IT IS SAFE FOR THEM. I TOOK IT BY THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THEM THEY SAID THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WELL THEY ORDERED A PART FOR THE VEHICLE AND STATED THEATER SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL ONGOING. I'VE BEEN BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY DID A WATER TEST AND CANNOT FIND THE SOLUTION. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER IT RAINED THE PROBLEM DOESN'T SHOW UP RIGHT WAY IT MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF HOURS OR A DAY. I'M AFRAID THAT IT MAY BE MOLD IN MY HEADLINER AND IN BETWEEN MY SEATS AND TRUNK FROM THE WATER BEING STATIONARY. I KNOW OF A ANOTHER CAR SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND WE ARE NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THIS ISSUE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2019
ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET MALIBU 2017 WITH 60K MILES. I AM RIGHT AROUND THE TIME WHERE MY WARRANTY WOULD BE OVER, AND I HAVE HAVING ISSUES WITH A CAR THAT I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 90-95% OF THE VEHICLES LIFE. MY CAR IS CUTTING THE POWER TO THE ENGINE AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND THE SAME PERCENTAGE OF TIMES THAT I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR IN TOTAL. I'VE HAD TO MOVE OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE, AND SHUT THE CAR DOWN. IT WOULD POWER BACK UP, AND TYPICALLY I WOULD BE OK, BUT THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON UNTIL THE CAR SITS FOR A WHILE, AND THEN GO AWAY. THEN I WOULD DRIVE SEEMINGLY FINE, THEN BOOM, ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-70, AND THE ENGINE IS REDUCING POWER, AND I'M SCRAMBLING TO GET OVER. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH HAS BEEN THE ONLY MECHANIC TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I DID RECEIVE NEW TIRES FROM ANOTHER PLACE, BUT ALL OTHER SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN WITH MY DEALERSHIP. I AM AFRAID I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AND THIS IS A JOKE BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY THREADS EXPLAINING WHAT COULD BE THE ISSUE AND I WOULD LIKE A FOLLOW UP ON HOW MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY DEALERSHIP WENT. WHEN I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE LOCATION, THEY SEEMED TO BE EXTREMELY FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING. IT WAS STRANGE THAT I COULDN'T GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER EITHER WAY, AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT OF SOME KIND. NOT ONLY THAT, I'VE BEEN PUT IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY IN BAD WEATHER TRYING TO MANAGE, AS QUICKLY AND SAFELY AS I CAN, A WAY TO GET OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE(SHOULDER). WHEN I PRESS MY ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN EVERYONE AROUND ME IS GOING AT A VERY HIGH RATE IS SPEED IS AN ISSUE NEEDLESS TO SAY. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON A RECALL ISN'T ANNOUNCED FOR THIS ISSUE AND CHEVROLET HELD RESPONSIBLE.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 12, 2019
A TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON THEN WARNING REDUCED POWER MODE AND ENGINE LIGHT WHILE CAR WAS IN DRIVE ON HIGHWAY 2 TIMES
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 12, 2019
TRUNK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. THE PLASTIC BETWEEN THE BACK WINDOW AND CEILING LETS WATER IN WHEN IT RAINS. IT ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, WHICH MEANS IN THE WINTER ICE FORMS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE. RAIN AND MOISTURE GETTING INTO THE CAR HAS ALSO CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK SPEAKERS NOT WORKING.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2019
I WAS ON MY WAY TO DO LAUNDRY AT THE LAUNDRY MAT. DRIVING DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MESSAGE CAME ON. MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20-30 MPH. I PARKED MY CAR AND DID LAUNDRY. WHEN GOING HOME STILL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. LIGHTS STILL ON AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER. SCHEDULED APPT. TO TAKE MY CAR FOR SERVICE ON 12/26. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON BUT REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT OFF. WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2019
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND WAS SLOWING DOWN MY CAR JERKED AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MESSAGE CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY OR BUILD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO SHIFT AS IT SHOULD. VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. I STARTED DRIVING DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THE HWY. EVENTUALLY THE CAR BUILT ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO SHIFT OUT OF 2ND. CAR DROVE BETWEEN 20-35 MPH. TOOK A LONG TIME TO BUILD UP SPEED AFTER STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS. (ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPLACED) DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND THE VEHICLES AROUND ME.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2019
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY I SLOWED DOWN AS APPROACHING SLIGHT CONGESTION OF CARS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AS WELL AS "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MESSAGE APPEARED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. FELT AS IF IT WERE STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE TO APPROX 20-30 MPH AND WAS VERY SLOW TO BUILD ANY MOMENTUM. I EXITED THE FREEWAY, CALLED ONSTAR, FOUND A PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPLACED FOR THE 2ND TIME. VEHICLE 37,735 MILES
Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2019
REAR WINDOW LEAKS AND MESSES UP HEADLINER
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2018
WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE SHIFTER DOES NOT FULLY ENGAGE RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO PARK THE CAR OR TURN IT OFF. THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYS "SHIFT INTO PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER IS ACTUALLY IN PARK. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE DRIVER TRIES TO PARK THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 9, 2018
WHEN I PRESS ON THE BREAK PEDAL IT MAKES A SPONGY SOUND AND FEELS UNSAFE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 27, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: JUST PURCHASED A USED 2017 MALIBU PREMIER IN JULY 2018 WITH 26,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS HESITATING TO START EVERY MORNING. EACH INITIAL START THERE AFTER THE CAR STARTS RIGHT UP AFTER I'VE PUT 3000 MILES ON THE CAR THE ENGINE JUMPS WHILE HOLDING BREAK.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 17, 2018
I PURCHASED 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN 03/ 2017 WITH APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES AT THE OURISMAN ROCKMONT CHEVROLET, LOCATED IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND. AT ABOUT 20,000 (12/23/2018) MILES I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AS I HAD A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT & THEN TRIED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN EXCEPT THE CAR STALLED ONCE THE EMISSIONS PORTION OF THE CAR TRIED TO KICK IN, IT CUT OFF AND DID NOT RESTART IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY INTERSECTION. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 0 MINS UNTIL THEN FINALLY THE ACR RESTARTED AGAIN. THIS OCCURENCE CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PEIODICALLY, I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THIS REACTION, BUT I LET THE DEALERSHIP KNOW IF EVERY INSTANCE AND BROUGHTTHE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED AT 20,000 MILES, 24,000 , 26, 000 MILES & 27,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE "GUY" THAT GMC WAS NOTIFIED AND THAT I SHOULDN'T CONTINUE TO BRING THE CAR THERE. THAT WAS APRIL 2018. UNFORTUNATELY, THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS LEAVING THE GARAGE AT WORK. CAR CUT OFF ANOTHER CAR ALMOST SLAMMED IN THE BACK OF MY CAR DUE THE ABRUPTNESS OF THE CAR GOING OUT. THE SSUE HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND DURING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT AUGUST 2018 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS ISSUE IN ADDITION TO A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IN AUGUST 2018 THAT I AM OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 50,000 MILES CURRENTLY. THAT IS NEITHER HERE OR THERE. AS THE ORIGINAL ISSUE WAS NEVER ADDRESSED WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I AM NOT WILLING TO LOSE MY LIFE TRYING TO HAVE THIS CAR REPAIRED IN A TIMELY FASHION. INSTEAD I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN RENTAL CAR FEES AS I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING IN A CAR WITH AN ISSUE SO SEVERE THAT GMC WAS NOTIFIED AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE WITH MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2018
TAKATA INFLATORS
Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2018, fire
US GOVERNMENT OWNED 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLE FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN, BUT WAITING ON A FIRE REPORT FOR POSSIBLE CAUSE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2018
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND FIXED IT IS THE BATTERY MODULATER SENSOR (IF I SPELLED IT RIGHT) THE SAME CODE COMES UP. DEALERSHIP STATES ITS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR SYSTEM ISSUE AND A FIX IS BEING WORKED ON ITS BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS ALL THEY CAN DO IS RESET THE SENSOR BUT IT KEEPS COMING ON.
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2018
'TAKATA RECALL' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE NEXT DAY THE SPEED OF VEHICLE DECREASED AND SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2018
GAS TANK ONLY FILLS TO 7/8 OF A TANK. I HAVE HAD IT AT CHEVY FIVE TIMES AND NOW IT READS FULL BUT WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR TEN MILES IT READS LESS THE 3/4 OF A TANK.
Structure, Seats, Other or unspecified, May 21, 2018
WE HAD A DOWN POUR 05/20/2018 IN KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA. MY VEHICLE HAD STAND STILL WATER IN MY TRUNK, THE WATER SEEPED THROUGH TO THE INTERIOR DAMAGING THE REAR SEATS, WATER COVERED THE FLOOR, THERE ARE STAINS ON THE ROOF AND THE SMELL OF AGED WATER IS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE TRUNK WAS CLOSED AND THE WINDOWS WERE UP AS NORMAL AS MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THE NIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2018
LOUD VIBRATIONS NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WHEN DRIVING ON RUFF ROADS
Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2017
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2017
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2017
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