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: vehicle speed control
136 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Dec 2, 2022
My check engine light came on and I had reduced power and could not speed up. I have seen other with same problem 2017 chevy Malibu. This needs investigated big time before someone gets hurt. Should be a recall on this.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 27, 2022
During driving on the highway, the car went into reduced power mode and speed was limited to 30 MPH. This was during driving on highways with 55 MPH or 65 MPH speed limits and could have resulted in an accident. My daughter was driving the car on all 3 occasions which makes this problem even more upsetting. The same part has been replaced 3 times (refer to receipts) relating to the accelerator pedal 3.451 N. This is a MAJOR DEFECT that is reoccurring. NHTSA needs to take action on this safety defect with General Motors for a corrective repair. I see this has been reported before on this website by others. You immediately action on this matter is appreciated.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 17, 2022
About 2 years ago I began having issues with my 2017 Chevy Malibu right before I hit my 100k mile extended warranty. The error message "Engine Power Reduced" appeared on the dash while driving on the interstate and my car began rapidly decelerating on its own. I had no where to get off the interstate and pulled over on the side. I shut my car off for a couple minutes, restarted and went on my way for about 30 seconds when it happened again. This continued making my normal 45 minute commute home far longer. I took it into the dealership right away and the replaced the accelerator sensor. Problem solved for just over a year when it happened again in February 2022. The car was no longer in warranty so we took it to our local mechanic who said it was the same issue. We replaced the sensor for a second time. Now, November 2022 and it is happening AGAIN. This is not a cheap repair and is a major safety concern when driving at high speeds and the car decides to rapidly decelerate, not allowing me to drive more that 20mph. I live in Wisconsin where roads are slick in the winter. Losing control of the cars speed is a serious safety concern for myself, anyone in the car with me and those driving behind me. I understand this is a well known issue with the models between 2016-2018 but GM has failed to recall these vehicles. Why? Why is nothing being done about this? 3 times in 2 years is ridiculous and there are thousands of cars that have reported this exact issue. Please help.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 3, 2022
The accelerator pedal position sensor failed causing reduced engine power mode. This happened on the highway with the speed limit of 55 which reduced my speed to 20 mph while around other vehicles. This put the safety of myself and my two children at risk because cars behind me didn’t expect a sudden change of speed along with myself. Having no warning is insanely scary. This problem is apparently not a recall on my car but yet I’ve found the gm recall online for Chevy Malibus years 2016-2018. This hasn’t caused an incident yet but I have seen MAJOR complaints and how this is a reoccurring problem which isn’t surprising to me because I had a 2012 Chevy Equinox before this with the SAME issue. Having this happen twice is ridiculous in my opinion. This happened two weeks after I bought the used car from a dealership it only had 59,000 something miles but I am disappointed as to how this is costing me already. This makes me never want Chevy or GM again.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 28, 2022
I have taking my car to Chevy 8/2021 twice and now 9/28/22 for what I believe to be throttle body control and accelerator pedal issue. The engine reduce light and check engine lite continues to come on causing my car to lose speed while driving. Chevy keeps telling me its a oil pressure issue now their saying it may be a oil gasket. At this point I feel like there is a lot of complaints of the same issue. I'm hoping someone can look into this further as it's costly and seems to be a chevy issue nation wide. I see there has even been a lawsuit : Jun 9, 2022 — A class action lawsuit against General Motors alleges the company hid a defect in its Chevy Malibu that can cause a sudden loss of power. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/auto-news/chevy-malibu-class-action-alleges-power-defect-cover-up/ I feel like this is very dangerous and I don't want to get hurt or hurt anyone in the process.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 5, 2022
Upon leaving work and gaining speed to 40mph I received a dash notification specifying engine power reduced and my mileage went down abruptly to 20mph. My check engine light came on and the power steering light appeared on my dash with the engine power reduced notification. I was not able to accelerate past 20 mphs.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 29, 2022
Small trip to Georgia granddaughter’s birthday. Vehicle just went in limp mode. Lost power brakes. My brothers code reader showed P0 014, P0 017, P1101, P0016. I’m pulling up and showing on NHTSH for open recalls and one complaint. I’m trying to make a complaint. The car we turn off. Wouldn’t crank back. Sometime when you wiggle the wire by the throttle it would crank. No power breaking. No engine pole to go up hills. No speed. On Google and YouTube I have found recalls of powertrain automatic transmission six recalls on the website. CHEVY MALIBU vacuum pump recalls. I’m having a vacuum leak you can hear it when the car does turn off the engine fan runs for ever. I’m showing problems with CHEVY MALIBU vacuum Val cover gasket recalls. Problems with CHEVY MALIBU brake vacuum pump recalls. Problems with CHEVY MALIBU 2013 through 2022 booster vacuum pump recall the defect. Problem showing GM 1.5 L POO14 Dash P0017 exhaust camshaft timing. Somethings gone major wrong and I’m showing recalls and I am looking for GM to fix this car I have a A lot of money in it and still owe a lot of money on it.!
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 13, 2022
My car has been in and out of the dealership since I purchased it back in 2017. The vehicle shuts off while I am driving it. The first time this happened I was on the highway with my 5 year old son. I completely lost power and had no control being my steering wheel locked. Since then I have repeatedly had the same issue. Each time calling the dealership and each time they find either nothing wrong with it. Or say they fixed the issue which I was charged for. For the same issue that was fixed to happen again. This happened yet again today as I was making a left hand turn onto a 4 lane highway. It happens atleast once a day. I lost all power to my car. Steering wheel locked and car refused to start. There is something going on with this car and many others. The dealership I purchased it from agreed and offered to get me into a new Malibu being it’s a safety issue but I want nothing to do with another Chevy after my research. Too many issues with this car. THIS car has already been fixed for the recall involved AND this is still happening. And the car also won’t go into park. It says shift to park which drains the battery because the car never really shuts off. Before the recall I payed for repairs out of pocket for what the dealership “thought” it was which it was not. Clearly because the same thing keeps happening. Nothing different. It’s all the same. This car is a lemon. God forbid my car stops in the middle of a highway and won’t start. I won’t say the rest but if there are any injuries or the worst I have documented everything through my dealership. My family and I will sue.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 11, 2022
Shifting delays that cause loss of power for the past 2 years. I would have reported sooner but did not know how until now.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jul 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle jerked and decelerated from 65 MPH to approximately 20 MPH; the vehicle then independently accelerated to 40 MPH. While at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. The engine power reduced message was displayed. Additionally, water had entered the trunk of the vehicle and the contact was concerned about mold. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2022
For over a year now my car has a weird hesitation when I press the gas and fully have the pedal down it just crawls no more than 8mph then all of sudden it will jump into speed and take off. The shop has had my vehicle for over 3 months and couldnt figure it out just told me to put premium gas in and that still hasnt solved the problem. This car has been NOTHING but problems. Havent even had it three years and its been in the shop for almost 6 months in total
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 6, 2022
Complete loss of engine power while going 65mph on highway. Warning light of low power first followed by check engine light then power reduced to 5mph. I turn the car off then restarted after 15 minutes, the morning light was off but the check engine light remained on. I then went to AutoZone to have a diagnostic test done which resulted In error code P2138. P2138 is for throttle/pedal position. My vehicle should still be under warranty however due to short staffing I am unable to make an appointment to have it looked at for at least six weeks
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 4, 2022
Transmission and engine alert
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 23, 2022
I was driving at 60 mph the check engine light came on the engine power reduced message appeared on the screen my speed dropped to 20 mph and loss acceleration I abs to pull over to the side of the road
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2022
The car will be driving fine and all of a sudden I engine power reduced pop up in the car. It's slows down significantly and not safe for a highway if this happens you will wreck or something worse. It is happening often now and I don't know why. Engine power reduced the the t/c light comes one and thr check engine light.i pull over and turn the car off. The check engine light stays on then the car drives like it had a crazy episode and not ready to drive. It's scary and unsafe and it needs to be looked into
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the “Engine Power Reduced” warning light illuminated and the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The contact was able to pull over safely. The contact called the local dealer and was provided an estimate for the diagnostic fee; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 7, 2022
The vehicle constantly reduces speed when there are no issues with weather or any other issues on the road. This issues can potentially be fatal. I have had it checked and the diagnostic machine says it’s sensor issue that was reported for recall but my car was not part of the said recall. The car completely shuts off and will turn on by itself after 10 minutes. Uncertain what to do
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 3, 2022
While merging into traffic my 2017 Malibu's power reduced (reduced power indicator appeared) which resulted in my inability to control the speed/acceleration. I've had two additional incidents. Very unsafe deficiency.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact was able to pull over safely. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the “Reduced Power” message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer but, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 112,693.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 24, 2022
On January 2022, Wednesday the 19th. My husband, myself and our two daughters 12 & 4 are on the Northbound freeway 99 in the far-right lane and the car pops up with the warning “Engine Power Reduce” and then proceeded to decline in speed from 70 MPH to 15 Mph almost instantly almost causing an accident. WE all were so shaken up! Had we been in front of a big rig we would have been crush from the backseat as fast as the speed declined. WE just bought this vehicle 5 months ago no more than 10K miles on it. The dealership says its not there problem to contact GM. Nobody will help this is a death trap vehicle. There are already multiple class action lawsuits about this issue and the vehicle. We are simply being told to buy a newer vehicle rather then someone taking ownership of this issue. This is a deadly issue and why there is not a recall is outrageous, There are cars out there that are capable of causing a deadly crash and killing thousands of people and everyone is turning there head when the consumers are reaching out for help.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 4, 2022
Low Engine Power message appears , my driving speed dismished I was on the highway driving and the light appeared, I also needed some fuel, but I did eventually stop added gas engine light disappeared but it eventually reappeared again and has remained with full tank of gas
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 28, 2021
Driving on highway at about 65 mph on family trip to Delaware. . Car suddenly gave reduced acceleration error and speed started declining while in traffic. No warning.checked chevron app on phone and it did not see anything wrong. There was NO check engine or anything. Got to a dealer and they said it was probably a sensor for gas pedal. 5 days later driving home to Georgia from trip on highway around same rate of speed. No warning . The check engine light and reduced engine power warning message came on. This time the Chevrolet app notified me of trouble and said I needed the car seen within a day. .Got to a dealer and now they say they think it may be the cam shaft based on the code but they cannot replicate issue. I took a photo of the alert from the second incident . Car has about 46,000 miles and is well maintained . Our safety was at risk both times but especially the first time as we were in traffic and speed declined .
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 31, 2021
Car accelerates on its own while I’m driving. In addition , without warning the car engines suddenly reduced speed. This has accrued while I’m on the freeway without any warnings.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 18, 2021
Throttle Position Sensor is falfuctioning. Class action law suit against this already. Chevy Malibu Class Action Lawsuit is Hutchinson v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 8:19-cv-01551, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Vehicle decelerates at highway speeds down to 20 mph and engine power reduce comes across the screen. Has almost caused me to be in three accidents. Need to recall all malibus and have this part replaced before someone is killed.
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?!