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.
Steering, Engine, Dec 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH MESSAGE TO DRIVE WITH CARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 22, 2020
MY POWER STEERING ASSIST POPS UP AND DISAPPEARS. CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME AT A STOP SIGN(TWICE) AND WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP
Vehicle speed control, Dec 15, 2020
STARTED LAST NOVEMBER 2019 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND SUDDENLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A ENGINE POWER REDUCE COMES ON AND MY CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. TOOK TO CHEVY AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT TEST THE DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. FAST FORWARD TO THIS SEPTEMBER 2020 AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN AND HAS BEEN ON AND OFF SINCE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS AT ANY POINT IM DRIVING WHETHER IT'S ON THE FREEWAY OR SMALL ROAD. I'M HAVING TO PULL OVER AND TURN MY CAR OFF! I HAVE TEENAGE DAUGHTERS AND 2 SMALL BOYS THAT I HAVE IN MY CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND IT'S VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS! SO TODAY DECEMBER 15, 2020 I TOOK IT BACK TO CHEVY AND GETTING IT CHECKED. I WAS TOLD IT COULD TAKE UP TO 5 DAYS AND I'M REALLY HOPING THIS IS A FACTORY RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING AND DRIVING AT FAST SPEED ON THE FREEWAY!
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 15, 2020
I WAS ON THE EWAY AND I WAS GOING 80MPH IN THE LEFT LANE, AND MY CAR JERKED TO DECELERATE TO 20MPH. THE MESSAGE SAID, 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED'.
Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2020
WHEN I SHIFT MY CAR TO PARK AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION, I RECEIVE A MESSAGE STATING "SHIFT TO PARK". IT KEEPS MY CAR IN THE ACCESSORY START POSITION THEREBY RUNNING THE BATTERY DOWN IF I CANNOT GET IT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK AND THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT, ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL GM DEALER ABOUT THIS BUT THERE IS NO RECALL.
Power train, Engine, Dec 11, 2020
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING IN THE INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN MY VEHICLE DROPPED ITS SPEED TO 20 MPH ADVISING OF ' REDUCED ENGINE POWER ', THE SPEED DID NOT DECREASE WHICH CAUSED A HAULT & JERK. WHICH COULD HAVE TURNED FATAL IF THERE WAS A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. OCTOBER 30TH, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BATTERY AND A SENSOR HAD BEEN REPLACED. EXACTLY TWO WEEKS LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AROUND 25-30MPH, APPROACHED A STOP AGAIN AND CAR POWERED OFF.. IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD, I DO NOT DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF FEAR THAT THE CAR MAY SHUT OFF. I'VE BEEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS & HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED OUT BY CERTIFIED TRANSMISSIONS SHOPS AND CAN'T SOURCE THE PROBLEM
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2020
"STEERING ASSISTANCE REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE" WARNING APPEARS ON DASH RIGHT BEFORE I'M GOING TO ACCELERATE AFTER BEING STOPPED.
Seat belts, Dec 8, 2020
SEATBELT LOCKING UP. WILL NOT RELEASE. WILL 'CORRECT' ITSELF. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME BUT THAT DOESN'T HELP OF THE SEATBELT IS NON FUNCTIONAL. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD BE $400 TO FIX AND THE PART IS BACK ORDERED. LEADS ME TO BELIEVE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR THAT I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I USUALLY NOTICE THE PROBLEM WHEN PUTTING THE SEATBELT ON BEFORE MOVING ON THE ROAD.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 7, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD A MESSAGE DISPLAYED SAYING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR OVER 20 MILES PER HOUR. THIS THANKFULLY OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD SO I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK MY CAR. THROUGH RESEARCH THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH A FAULTY ACCELERATOR SENSOR THAT CAUSES THIS. IT IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE GETTING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2017. THIS IS SCARY BECAUSE IT WAS INSTANT AND I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 3, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD AT 47 MILES AN HOUR. OUT OF NO WHERE, THE CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 15 MILES AN HOUR. ON THE DASH BOARD A NOTICE FLASH STATING "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" I WAS BARELY ABLE TO NAVIGATE OUT OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT BEING HIT. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL HOURS LATER WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY HOME, I HAD TO CONSTANTLY KEEP PULLING OVER.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2020
WHEN DRIVING AT AUTO STOP, WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE, CAR ACTS LIKE IT SHUT OFF AND SAYS STEERING ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE. I NOTICED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE GOES DOWN TO 11.0 V. ALSO THE RADIO SCREEN FLICKERS BLACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN MULTIPLE DAYS.
Power train, Nov 27, 2020
CAR HAS SHIFT TO PARK WARNING WHEN PARK IS ENGAGED, CAR WONT SHUT OFF ,HAVE RESTART CAR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 26, 2020
I OWN A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU LT. I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD STATING, 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED'. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND I HAD TO FRANTICALLY FIND A WAY TO PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO JUST ABOUT 20 MPH. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS EXACT THING HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO ALSO OWN A CHEVY MALIBU 2016-2018. GM NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER MAKING THIS A RECALL.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2020
VEHICLE WOULD INDICATE/NOTIFY TO SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE INDEED IN WAS IN PARK NOT ALLOWING YOU TO COMPLETE TURN CAR OFF. CAR WOULD REMAIN IN ANCILLARY MODE.
Service brakes, Engine, Nov 23, 2020
THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP IS BAD THEY USED TO CHEAP CHINESE KNOCKOFF PART THAT BREAKS AND GET SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE POSSIBLY CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE BUT FOR THE MOST PART IN YOUR BRAKES CAN FAIL LEAVING THE CAR WITHOUT ANY BREAKING SUPPORT FROM THE BOOSTER VACUUM I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE ADVISOR IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR WORK AT GENERAL MOTORS EXPENSE THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMPS ARE FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE AND POSSIBILITY OF INJURY 5 MINUTES AFTER I DID EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME I RECALLED THE DEALING TO CONFIRM MY APPOINTMENT THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER THE PHONE AND PUT ME ON HOLD THEN WHEN THEY ANSWER THE PHONE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SERVANTS ADVISOR I TALKED TO NO LONGER WORKS THERE BEST CHEVROLET KENNER LOUISIANA 70062 WITHOUT THE VACUUM PUMP THE BRAKES ARE VERY HARD THE PRESS THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS I'M TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED BUT GENERAL MOTORS IS REFUSING THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THE BEST THING THAT I CAN DO IS TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING AND WHENEVER GENERAL MOTORS FEELS LIKE DOING A RECALL I MAYBE CAN GET REIMBURSED
Vehicle speed control, Nov 20, 2020
IT REDUCES POWER TO THE EGINE
Power train, Nov 18, 2020
MY 2017 MALIBU HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS A WARNING KEPT POPPING UP EVERY TIME I CAME TO A STOP THE CAR ENGINE WOULD TURN OFF FOR A SECOND AND THEN TURNED BACK ON WITH A WARNING THAT STATED SERVICE STABILITY TRACK, DRIVER ASSISTED STEERING NOT ENGAGED. TODAY I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED LEAVING ME STRANDED THERE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES UNTIL I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND MOVING. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN MANUAL MODE TO GET IT TO DRIVE. I AM AWAITING THE ESTIMATE FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD COST TO FIX THIS. I HAVE READ SCORES OF OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING ON THESE CARS. TO THE POINT WHERE SOME PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND IT STOPS. THIS IS A SERIOUS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GENERAL MOTORS.
Suspension, Exterior lighting, Structure, Nov 16, 2020
THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CRACKED IN THREE PLACES AND NOW WATER IS IN THE CAR AND TRUNK. I SAW SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR THE CAR JUST FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THE DEALERSHIP STATES IT ISNT COVERED FOR MY VIN.. ALSO, THERE IS A POPPING NOISE UNDER THE CAR WHEN I TAKE OFF, TURN CURVES, GET OUT OF THE CAR ETC. SEEMS TO BE BUSHINGS WEARING OUT AND IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. AGAIN, MY CAR IS NOT COVERED.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 6, 2020
MY CARS CUT OFF AND THEN DISPLAY POWER STEERING REDUCES DRIVE WITH CAUTION THIS IS SCARY BECAUSE MY SON IS WITH ME IN THE CAR IT'S JUST CUT OFF EVERY TIME I STOP OR I'M DRIVING
Power train, Nov 2, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE (WITH MY FAMILY) AT 70MPH AND LOOSE POWER. DISPLAY SHOWS "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" JUST ABOUT GOT REAR ENDED BY A SEMI DUE TO POWER LOSS. HAD TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER WHILE DODGING TRAFFIC FROM BEHIND ME. VERY DANGEROUS. NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AND COVERED BY GM.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND CAR STATES REDUCED POWER MODE. I COULD ONLY GO 20 MPH AND TRY TO CROSS 4 LANES OF A HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. I ALMOST KILLED SEVERAL PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF. I HAVE READ THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AND I WANT IT FIXED.
Power train, Oct 26, 2020
AFTER PUTTING MY 2017 CHEVY MALIBU INTO PARK, I RECEIVED A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE ON THE DASH. THE CAR WOULD NOT FULLY TURN OFF. IT STAYED IN AUXILLARY POWER MODE. DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK, EMERGENCY LIGHTS STAY ON AND HAD A BEEPING SOUND. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVING ITSELF IRREGARDLESS OF HOW MANY TIMES I TURNED IT OFF AND ON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,400. (YES, THE MILEAGE IS 8,400. THIS IS NOT A TYPO.) THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARTIN CHEVROLET, LOCATED AT: 23505 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD, TORRANCE CALIFORNIA, 90505. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE SEEN IT MULTIPLE TIMES. (IT IS A TRANMISSION CONTROL ASSEMBLY FAILURE). I ASKED IF IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND HE CONCURRED. HE SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL AT HIS TIME BUT THEY ARE EXPECTING ONE. I SPENT $550 TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT DONE. GENERAL MOTORS NEEDS TO DECLARE A RECALL AND REFUND MY MONEY. A TWO YEAR OLD CAR WITH 8,400 MILES SHOULD NOT BE INCURRING MAJOR EXPENSES FOR FAULTY COMPONENTS.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 20, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN MY CAR DISPLAYED A WARNING ON THE DASH THAT THE POWER IS REDUCED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE SPEED REDUCED TO 20 AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. I RESTARTED IT AFTER A MINUTE AND THE TRACTION LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE CAR THEN DROVE AT NORMAL SPEED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THIS IS TERRIFYING AS I DIDN'T HAVE A SHOULDER TO PULL OFF AND HAD TO PULL IN SOMEONES DRIVEWAY. LUCKILY NOBODY PLOWED INTO ME. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR ANYWHERE
Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2020
SHIFT TO PARK ERROR MESSAGE. CANT TURN OFF CAR. SHIFTER IS IN PARK BUT SHIFT TO PARK ERROR MESSAGE. NOT SURE IF CAR IS FULLY IN PARK. GOT REPAIRED TWICE BUT CAR DEALERSHIP SAID TEMPORARY FIX, THIS WILL KEEP HAPPENING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2020
I JUST SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IT HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT SO I'M SUBMITTING AGAIN. I HAVE TOLD PEOPLE AT CHEVY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TWICE, WHEN I WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGES/MAINTENANCE. I HAVE ONLY GONE TO CHEVY FOR ANY TYPE OF MAINTENANCE BECAUSE I WANT MY CAR TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY PEOPLE THAT SHOULD KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. THAT'S WHY I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, TAKEN THE BEST CARE OF IT, ONLY TAKEN IT TO CHEVY EVEN THOUGH IT'S OBVIOUSLY MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT STILL NO ONE HAS HELPED ME WITH THIS PROBLEM OR EXPLAINED WHY IT'S HAPPENING. IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE I'VE REPORTED THE PROBLEM, AND NOW I'M WORRIED I MAY HAVE TOO MANY MILES FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS RECOGNIZE IT'S IN PARK. THIS MEANS THAT MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF, AND I CAN'T LEAVE MY CAR UNTIL IT RECOGNIZES IT'S IN PARK. I'VE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPEN IF I TRY TO TURN OFF MY CAR ENGINE "TOO SOON". I HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT A MINUTE BEFORE I CAN TURN OFF MY ENGINE, OR I RISK MY CAR NOT RECOGNIZING IT'S IN PARK. IF THIS HAPPENS, SOMETIMES I ONLY HAVE TO PRESS ON MY BREAK. OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON, DRIVE, AND WAIT BEFORE TRYING TO TURN MY ENGINE OFF AGAIN. THIS CAN TAKE MULTIPLE TRIES, MULTIPLE MINUTES WORTH OF JUST TRYING TO PARK MY CAR AND TURN IT OFF. I DO COMMUTE ABOUT 70 MILES ROUND TRIP FOR WORK EACH DAY (MONDAY-FRIDAY), SO I USE MY CAR QUITE A BIT, BUT LIKE I MENTIONED I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND TAKE THE BEST CARE OF IT. I DO NOT CUT ANY CORNERS BECAUSE I DO DRIVE IT A LOT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, HAD A TICKET, I DRIVE VERY SAFELY. THERE IS NO REASON, MY CAR SHOULD HAVE ANY PROBLEMS SIMPLY PARKING AFTER HAVING IT FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS.