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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 5, 2020
IN AUGUST OF 2019 MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AT NIGHT WHERE IT WAS THERE FOR A WEEK THIS VISIT WAS FOR THE GEAR SHIFT TO BE REPLACED. OCTOBER 2019 MY CAR START STOP FEATURE MADE MY CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR MORNING TRAFFIC THIS TRIP WAS SAID TO BE THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND THE BATTERY. IN JANUARY 2020 I STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CAR JUST STOPPING THIS TIME IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL MODULE I ALSO HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND A ALL WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND I PICKED UP MY CAR AND 10 DAYS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO BACK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP 2 DAYS THEY SAY WE FIXED IT. 48 HOURS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON. I WAS TOLD THAT WE JUST CLEARED THE ENGINE LIGHT IN HOPE'S THAT WOULD JUST FIX THE PROBLEM SO NOW 2 AND HALF WEEKS LATER THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR. THEY HAVE NO CLUE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING.
Engine, Mar 4, 2020
ON TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020, I WAS TRAVELING ON THEY HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR REDUCED SPEED. AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 PM DURING RUSH HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO ALERT PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING AND A VEHICLE BEHIND ME HAD TO QUICKLY GO AROUND ME. I COULD NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. ONCE I GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 27, 2020
REDUCED ENGINE POWER FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS MAKING A U TURN AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN MY DASH DISPLAYED ' REDUCED ENGINE POWER' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT . I PULLED OVER TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON A FEW MINS LATER LATER LIGHTS WENT AWAY AND CAR DROVE FINE . ( NOVEMBER 2019 ) SECOND TIME WAS MID FEBRUARY 2020 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN SAME THING HAPPENED . DASH LIGHTS CAME ON REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME BACK ON AND CAR SLOWED DOWN TO LESS THE 20 MPH WITHIN SECONDS . ONCE AGAIN I HAD TO PULL OVER TURNED MY CAR ON/OFF ABOUT 3 TIMES IN 20 MINS FOR LIGHT TO GO AWAY AND CAR DRIVE NORMAL AGAIN . THIRD TIME TODAY 2/27/20 AT MAYBE 10 MPH MY DASH LIT UP ONCE AGAIN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT GO AWAY THIS TIME . BUT CAR DROVE FINE AFTERWORDS LUCKILY IT HASN'T HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR . ALL THIS IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 20 MILES JUNE 1ST 2017 AND CURRENTLY HAS 38K MILES . THIS DEFINITELY HAS TO BE FIXED BEFORE IT CAUSES SERIOUS ACCIDENTS !
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2020
THE CAR KEEPS SAYING SHIFT TO PARK, HAD TO PUT IN REVERSE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT DOESN'T SAY THIS. TOOK IT TO DEALER JEFF SMITT. THEY DID DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID IT WAS SHIFT HARNESS. COST 237.94 TWO DAYS LATER CAR CONTINUES TO SAY SHIFT TO PARK. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, THEY NOW SAY WHOLE HARNESS NEEDS REPLACED. $312. I HAVE NOT PAID IT. DOING RESEARCH LOOKED ON INTERNET AND SEE SEVERAL OTHERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE WITH THE MALIBU. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I WORKED FOR GENERAL MOTORS FOR 14 YEARS. THIS IS A PROBLEM GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE THEM BUSINESS. IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ASAP
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.
Electrical system, Feb 20, 2020
HYBRID BATTERY CORROSION DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT LETTING WATER INTRUDE INTO TRUNK. I WAS OUT OF COUNTRY FOR MOST OF 2019 AND WHEN I RETURNED I WENT THROUGH MAIL AND DISCOVERED A LETTER FROM GM STATING THAT WATER CAN GET INTO TRUNK AND CABIN FROM A CHMSL. I CHECKED MY TRUNK AND IT WAS FULL OF WATER AND METAL ITEMS ARE AND WERE OXIDIZED AS WELL AS THE HYBRID BATTERY IN THE TRUNK. THIS CORROSION WILL NOT STOP ONCE ESTABLISHED ESPECIALLY WITH CHARGED ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. AND PREMATURELY SHORTENING THE LIFE OF THE HYBRID BATTERY DUE TO POOR QUALITY AND DEFECTIVE NUTS USED TO SECURE THE CHMSL.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 19, 2020
THE RADIO PANEL SCREEN WENT OUT JUST BLANK BUT THE RADIO STILL WORKS JUST YESTERDAY MY GIRLFRIEND GOT IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START SO WE TRIED TO JUMP IT IT WENT DEAD. SO I HAD TO TOW IT HOME WHERE IT SITS
Engine, Feb 17, 2020
MY CHEVY MALIBU CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 20K MILES ON IT IN ADDITION TO THAT IT IS UP TO DATE ON OIL CHANGES ETC. ABOUT 20 MINS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE MESSAGES ME SAYING "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLES POWER WAS REDUCED. THANKFULLY I WASNT DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR ANYTHING BUT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND ALARMING TO ME. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FOR MY PARTICULAR MODEL AND FIND THAT VERY IRRESPONSIBLE OF GM TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS ISSUE AND FIX IT. I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. THANK YOU
Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2020
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 47MPH ON A MAJOR STREET IN DENVER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SAME TIME, THE DISPLAY READ "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION. MY SPEED DROPPED TO ABOUT 20MPH VERY QUICKLY (5 TO 8 SECONDS). LUCKILY THERE WAS RELATIVELY LIGHT TRAFFIC. I PULLED INTO AN AUTOZONE THAT WAS AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION AND THEY READ THE ERROR CODE P2138. COME TO FIND OUT THIS SHOWS AN ERROR WITH THE THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION CENSOR. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AND MY CAR RAN LIKE NORMAL. I'M STILL VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS SENSOR HOWEVER. WHEN I LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE TONIGHT, I CAME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM YET CHEVY HAS DECIDED NOT TO RECALL THIS PART. DOING MORE RESEARCH LEAD ME TO THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHICH HAS BEEN BY ROTHSCHILD V. GENERAL MOTORS LLC, CASE NO. 1:19-CV-05240, IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. FROM WHAT I READ, AND KNOWING THAT I DRIVE 35,000 MILES PER YEAR FOR WORK, I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A HUGE IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHEN I'M DOING 75+MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I URGE THE NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION CAREFULLY AND STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU HAVE CHEVY DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET THIS PART FIXED AND REPLACED TO KEEP US DRIVERS SAFE!!
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 15, 2020
WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE DOWN THE ON-RAMP ONTO A HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER AND COULD NOT EXCEED 40MPH. I ALMOST GOT SIDESWIPED WHILE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC BUT COULDN'T GAIN SPEED. BEFORE ABRUPTLY PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER THE ANTI-SKID AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH A DASH WARNING THAT STATED :"ENGINE POWER REDUCED". I TOOK IT TO A VENDOR WHO SEARCHED THE CODE MY CAR PRODUCED AND IT WAS "P2138", WHICH IS "THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/ SWITCH D/ E VOLTAGE CORRELATION". I SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE TO FIND A TON OF SIMILAR IF NOT THE EXACT SAME ISSUES WITH OTHER CHEVY MALIBUS.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE! I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 14, 2020
I WAS DRIVING 35MPH ON CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 10MPH. A POP UP SAYING CAR ENGINE POWER REDUCED CAME UP ON THE DASH BORED ALONG WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 11, 2020
MY CHEVY MALIBU HAS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY MORE OFTEN DURNING TRAFFIC TIME IT ALWAYS STOPS WHEN IT ENTERS AUTO STOP THEN IT CUTS ALL THE WAY OFF AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT I CALLED IN ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR . ALSO IT MAKES IT REALLY TOUGH TO PUSH MY BREAKS WHEN I START THE CAR UP IT DOES MAKE THE SOUND LIKE IT WANTS TO START THEN IT DIES OUT
Engine, Feb 10, 2020
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A WARNING WILL RANDOMLY APPEAR SAYING 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND WILL REDUCE SPEED TO ABOUT 20MPH AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE ANY FASTER.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 7, 2020
WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY TO DROP OFF KID AT SCHOOL, THE CAR SOMETIMES SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN AND A MESSAGE COMES ON STATING ENGINE POWER REDUCED. AT 6:30 AM IN THE MORNING WHEN IT'S STILL DARK, THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A CAR CRASH SOONER OR LATER. BUT DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL.
Power train, Feb 3, 2020
WHEN YOU SHIFT TO PARK A LIGHT COMES ON THAT SAYS IT ISN'T IN PARK . SO THE LIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF . YOU HAVE TO REPEATEDLY SHIF FROM DRIVE TO PARK UNTIL IT TURNS OFF . THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE . IT COST ME 286.00 TO FIX IT I WAS 1000 MILES OVER MY WARRANTY.
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.
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2020
SIDE SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 27, 2020
AT LESS THAN 32K MILES I"VE HAD ISSUE WITH THE SHIFT TO PARK INDICATOR, THE RADIO RANDOM ON AND OFF REGARDLESS IF CAR IS RUNNING OR PARKED AND OFF AND NOW MULTIPLE INDICATORS FOR AN EMISSION ISSUE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER OR STOP. I HAVE TAKEN CARE FOR SERVICE ON REGULAR BASIS AND HAVE HAD SERVICE REPAIRS DONE TWICE TO SUPPOSEDLY FIX COMPUTER BOARD. UNFORTUNATELY, SERVICE EITHER SAYS THEY HAVE REST IT OR CAN'T FIND ISSUES I DESCRIBE. I WILL PARK THE CAR AND LET GM HAVE IT BEFORE I GET KILLED IN TRAFFIC!!!!
Power train, Jan 23, 2020
WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION THE DASH LIGHTS UP "SHIFT TO PARK" HAD TO WORK AND WORK WITH IT TO GET THE CAR INTO PARK TO WHERE IT COULD BE EXITED FROM. TOOK TO DEALER AND WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD TO PAY $200 DEDUCTIBLE FOR A FIX THAT I HAVE HEARD MANY ARE HAVING WITH THE 2016 AND 2017 YEAR MODEL GM PRODUCTS.
Engine, Jan 23, 2020
I BOUGHT MY 2017 MALIBU IN JULY OF 2019 FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. SINCE I'VE BOUGHT IT MY CAR HAS RAPIDLY SLOWED DOWN WITH NOW WARNING AND MY DASHBOARD READING ENGINE POWER REDUCED. IT'S HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR ONE BEING I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI ON MY WAY TO WORK IN MORNING TRAFFIC. I LOOKED UP THIS ISSUE TO SEE WHAT COULD BE CAUSING IT AND TURNS OUT OTHER 2016-2018 MALIBU'S HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND IT'S THE THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION BEING FARTHER APART THAN ALLOWED. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME $200 TO FIX THE ISSUE AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 MONTHS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 22, 2020
I WAS TRAVELING IN MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT LEAST 65 TO 75 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE BEATS TWO OR THREE TIMES AND ACROSS THE SCREEN CAME THE WORDS 'REDUCE ENGINE SPEED'. AT THAT MOMENT I WAS TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND I HAD TO SAFELY GET OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC SAFELY TURN OFF AND WAIT AT LEAST 10 MINUTES TO START IT BACK UP. WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE BACK UP AGAIN I STILL RECEIVED THE SAME MESSAGE. I THEN WAITED EVEN LONGER AND EVERYTHING WAS OK BUT EVENTUALLY THE SAME ISSUE CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET CODED AND THE CODES THAT WERE GIVEN TO ME WERE 2122, 2123, 2101. IT'S UNSAFE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN ESPECIALLY I HAVE A CHILD THIS IS NO SAFE FOR ME.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 22, 2020
THE CAR WILL NOT START SOMETIMES. YESTERDAY THE LIGHTS AND RADIO CAME ON RANDOMLY WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE WITH THE FOB IN THE HOUSE. RANDOMLY SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE LAST TIME IT WAS HALF WAY THROUGH AN BUSY INTERSECTION. HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD.