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
724 reports, newest first.
Engine, Apr 24, 2021
VEHICLE RANDOMLY PRESENTS AN ENGINE FAILURE MAKING IMPOSSIBLE ANY ACCELERATION. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. IT DISPLAYS A MESSAGE 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. THIS FORCES THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO PULL OVER REGARDLESS OF TRAFFIC OR UNSAFE CONDITIONS. THE CAR HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS IN ORDER TO RESET THE TRACTION LIGHT ONLY TO OFF, TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING.
Steering, Apr 23, 2021
MY VECHILE SHUT OFF. AND IT WAS SAYING STERRING ASSIST REDUCED. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME.
Engine, Apr 20, 2021
AUGUST 31, 2019 - PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU AT THE DEALERSHIP APRIL 4TH, 2021 - MY CAR HAD A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE WITH THE INDICATOR LAMP ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO BE INSPECTED (ATTACHED BELOW), A TECHNICIAN FOUND DTC P0300 SET ALONG WITH A MISFIRE LOW COMPRESSION IN ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS. HE CONCLUDED THE CONDITION WAS CAUSED BY A DAMAGED PISTON. MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME A BULLETIN FROM GM DESCRIBING THIS EXACT ISSUE AND THEN RECOMMEND ME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR AND OR THE MANUFACTURER. APRIL 5TH, 2021 - THE GM REPS THAT I TALKED TO CONCLUDED THAT MY WARRANTY ENDED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURE. THEY CLAIMED TO NOT FIND THE BULLETINS THAT I ATTACHED TO THIS FORM.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 14, 2021
AS I WAS TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP LIGHT ACCELERATING ON THE INTERSTATE ON RAMP FROM 20 TO 40 MPH (APPROXIMATELY) THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON, THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN AND LOST POWER, AND "TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT" CAME ON EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT ENGAGED. MY SPEED CONTROL DISENGAGED AND WOULD NOT WORK ON CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I PULLED IN MY GARAGE (APPROXIMATELY 8 MI) SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED ALL WARNING LIGHTS CLEARED AND EVERYTHING RESET. THIS CONDITION HAPPENED TO ME TWICW IN THE SAME DAY. THE SUDEEN LOSS OF POWER IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 9, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE ACCUSATIONS MY ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WITHIN MINUTES AND NOT RETURN TILL I TURN THE CAR BACK ON OR WHILE DRIVING LATER ON IN THE DAY OR DAYS AFTER SEEING THE LIGHT COME SO I WAS UNABLE TO BRING IT IN TO GET CHECKED OUT PROPERLY. A MONTH PASSED WHEN THE ISSUE APPEARED AND WHEN I DECIDED TO GO INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO POSSIBLY TRADE IN MY CAR THE LIGHT WAS NOT APPEARING FOR DAYS BEFOREHAND AND THINGS WERE NORMAL TILL A A COUPLE DAYS AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP MY CAR READ ON THE DASH 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER ' I WASN'T ABLE TO ACCELERATE QUICK ENOUGH IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON MILITARY TRAIL AND BELVEDERE I HAD TO PULL THROUGH A WALMART PARKING LOT TO AVOID ON COMING TRAFFIC AND BRING THE CAR TO MY HOME CLOSE BY VERY SLOW AND SLUGGISH DUE TO NOT GETTING ANY ACCELERATION FROM ME PRESSING ON THE PEDAL. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP SYSTEM AT A COST HOWEVER IT HAS A CURRENT RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL.
Power train, Apr 3, 2021
CAR GOES INTO AN ENGINE POWER REDUCED MODE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 1, 2021
THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED." IT BEGAN DEACCELERATING FROM 75 MPH TO 20 MPH. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OVER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND I CUT THE CAR OFF. I TRUNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE MESSAGE WENT AWAY. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASHBOARD WITH A MESSAGE, "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED." THE CAR WAS GOING 80 MPH WHEN THE MESSAGE CAME ON THIS TIME. I REACHED OUT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE.
Engine, Mar 30, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE RPMS BEGAN TO LOWER AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 20 MPH. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING WITHOUT FURTHER ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE DIAGNOSED AT FAIRGROUND AUTO PLAZA (100 FAIRGROUNDS RD, ROLLA, MO 65401, (573)364-1002) WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 27, 2021
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY SON IN JANUARY 2017. 3/27/2021, HE WAS DRIVING IT AND LOST POWER ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 25 MILES AN HOUR. HE HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE THEN RESTART IT. IT HAPPENED 4 ADDITIONAL TIMES WITHIN 30 MINUTES.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 23, 2021
CAR KEEPS GOING INTO REDUCE POWER MODE 2 TO 3 TIMES A DAY HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY CONSTANTLY VERY DANGEROUS WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVY AGIAN
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 20, 2021
CAR WENT INTO LOW POWER MODE AND WOULDN'T DRIVE OVER THE SPEED OF 15-20 MILES AN HOUR.
Service brakes, Mar 19, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE 2016 - 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU DUE TO REDUCED POWER FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S POWER WAS REDUCED TO 20 - 25 MPH. THE "KEY NOT DETECTED" LIGHT ILLUMINATED, HOWEVER THE KEY WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WERE APPLIED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REAR-ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT INFORMED PARKS CHEVROLET RICHMOND ( 4502 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23230) OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
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
Engine, Mar 14, 2021
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON STARTING AT 30,000 MILES HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO MORE FREQUENTLY AS I HIT 65,000IN TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC HE STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR I COMMUTE EVERYDAY TO WORK AND EVERY DAY IMY CAR SAYS CHECK ENGINE REDUCE SPEED WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND DROPS TO 20MPH I WORK IN BORDENTOWN 295 TO RT1 AND MY CAR REDUCED ENGINE SPEED IN A 55MPH ZONE TO 20
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.
Engine, Mar 11, 2021
I PARK MY CAR BUT I GET A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS IN PARK
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
Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 1, 2021
MY CAR KEEPS REDUCING ENGINE SPEED CHEVY FIXED IT ONCE NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. I ALMOST DIED ON THE FREEWAY
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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 24, 2021
AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, TRYING TO ACCELERATE, A REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON AND MY CAR WILL SLOW DOWN TO 20 MPH. I HAVE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF TO GET IT TO ACCELERATE. IT IS DOING THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS NOW.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 22, 2021
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCED POWER MESSAGE DIAPLAYED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 19, 2021
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER CAR, BUT WHILE I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE WITH ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED LOOSING IT'S SPEED. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND NOW MY REMOTE START(FOB) WILL NOT START. IT ATTEMPS TO START BUT THE ENGINE WILLNOT TURN OVER.