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.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 3, 2019
CAR INDICATING TO PLACE IN PARK AFTER PLACING THE SHIFTER INTO PARK AND SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR THIS HAPPENS WEEKLY AT LEAST I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF NO POWER DASH FLASHED A FEW TIMES I PUT IT IN PARK, THEN I PUSHED THE BUTTON TO START IT DIDNT START. IM STUCK AT STOPLIGHT ON BUSY STREET DURING MORNING TRAFFIC. SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED
Service brakes, Oct 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE SAVOIE CHEVROLET (1900 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (877) 819-1038) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 9-555-18878406. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Electrical system, Oct 1, 2019
VEHICLE DOES NOT REGISTER THAT IT HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO PARK. WHEN YOU STOP AND SHIFT IT TO PARK AND THEN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, IT WILL COME UP WITH A WARNING TO "SHIFT TO PARK". IF YOU IGNORE THE WARNING, AND TRY TO OPEN THE DOORS, IT STARTS TO HONK AT YOU. IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND SHIFTING OUT OF PARK AND BACK INTO PARK BEFORE IT REGISTERS THAT IT IS IN PARK.
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2019
THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO PARK. I WILL PLACE THE CAR INTO PARK, TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR, AND THE MONITOR WILL DISPLAY "SHIFT CAR INTO PARK". THIS HINDERS ME FROM TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND I'LL SPEND TIME HAVING TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO DIFFERENT GEARS TO GET IT TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S IN PARK.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2019
THE CAR ON A IRREGULAR BUT BASIS BUT AT INCONVENIENT TIMES WILL NOT START WITH PUSH BUTTON START. ERROR MESSAGE IS "NO REMOTE DETECTED" THE INTERNET TELLS ME THE A TSB 197955 WAS ISSUED BUT I CAN GET ACCESS TO THE TSB..
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 24, 2019
A 'SHIFT TO PARK' DISPLAYS WHEN I AM ALREADY ON PARK WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR. SO I AM UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR PROPERLY DUE TO THIS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSTICS AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT IT'S A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE SHIFT CONTROL.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Sep 23, 2019
I HAVE NOTICED A FUNKY SMELL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2017. THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY SO I NEVER LOOKED INTO IT. AFTER A BAD RAIN STORM, THE INTERIOR SMELLED AGAIN. I WENT INTO THE TRUNK A DAY LATER AND THE TIRE WELL COVER WAS WET. I FOUND WATER UNDER THE COVER AND SAW THAT IT RAN IN FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW AREA. I ALSO FOUND WATER TRAILS DOWN THE REAR WINDOW SIDE PLASTIC CASING INSIDE THE CAR. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS FROM 2016 THRU 2019 VEHICLES ABOUT THE 3RD BREAK LIGHT LEAKING DUE TO LOOSE SCREWS. SOUNDS TO THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM. A SIMPLE FIX OF TIGHTENING THE SCREWS OR USING LOCK TYPE SCREWS. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR FOR SOMETHING GM IS NOT DOING
Suspension, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 23, 2019
THE VOLT SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PARK (IF IT IS IN PARK??) TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 23, 2019
HAVING ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION (HARD SHIFTING, NOT GOING INTO GEAR, NOT GOING INTO PARK). THIS STARTED WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF OWNING THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING ALSO GOES OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CAR GETS SIGNIFICANTLY HARDER TO STEER, OR TURN. HAPPENS WHEN LANE DEPARTURE IS TURNED OFF AS WELL. ALSO THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE AS CONSTANTLY FAILING. ALMOST LIKE THE CAMERA JUST STOPS WORKING, AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN, OR IT SAYS ITS STILL ENGAGED AND CANT SEE THE CARS IN FRONT SLOWING DOWN. SOMETIMES THE HEADS UP DISPLAY ALERT DOESN'T EVEN GO OFF WHEN IT SHOULD. NOT SURE IF THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, OR EACH INDIVIDUAL SYSTEM HAS PROBLEMS. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE THE CAR, AND HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 25 DAYS NOW. ALWAYS THE SAME OUTCOME... "WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT". THEY EVEN HAD A SPECIALIST COME IN AND REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION TO TRY TO "FIX THE PROBLEM". IT HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM YET. TRANSMISSION ISSUES USUALLY HAPPEN STATIONARY, GOING FROM DRIVE TO PARK, SOMETIMES YOU WILL GET A LOUD AND VERY HARD SHIFT INTO GEAR, SOMETIMES IT SAYS ITS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AND TAP ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. IT ACTS AS IF ITS STILL IN PARK. IT WOULD ALSO SAY "SHIFT TO PARK" AFTER YOU ALREADY HAVE AND WONT LET YOU TURN OFF THE CAR, UNTIL IT REGISTERS YOU IN "PARK". AS FOR THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE, IT HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION. ITS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I CANT EVEN USE IT ANYMORE. IT MAY WORK FOR 3 MILES, THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. STEERING ISSUE HAPPENS WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. SOMETIMES WHILE PARKED, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER SPEED WISE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 20, 2019
MY BRAKE BOOSTERS WENT OUT AND I PAID 700 NOW SOMETHING ODD IS HAPPENING TO MY BRAKES WITH THE AIR OR PRESSURE. SHOULD THIS WHOLE CAR BE RECALLED? MY ELECTRICS BLINKED OUT THE DAY I GOT THE CAR AND THE SALESMAN SAID ' IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE A BATTERY FOR290 ON A CAR I HAVE LESS THAN 2 YEARS?? IT WAS MENTIONED THE AUTO START AFFECTS MY BATTERY!! I NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT AND COVERING MY BATTERY. LET'S TAKE AUTO START OFF TOTALLY IT'S A NUISANCE NOT A SOLUTION AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAS TAKEN IN 4 GMC/CHEVROLET THIS WEEK AND 2 WERE MALIBU'S. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERS RIGHT NOW!
Engine, Sep 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO ART MOEHN CHEVROLET HONDA (2200 SEYMOUR RD, JACKSON, MI 49201, 517-787-7700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE CAMSHAFT THAT BURST AND SPREAD METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED THE CONTACT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 18, 2019
STEERING ASSISTANT! WHEN ECONOMIC STOP HAPPENS I'M ALERTED AND CAR TURNS OFF AND ELECTRIC WIPES OUT N COMES BACK ON!! MY CAR STOPPED THIS TIME. EVERY OTHER ONE OF YOUR CARS HAVE THIS RECALLS. I AM IN MY CAR NOW STRANDED!
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, IT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART INDEPENDENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO BLINK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT CALLED MORITZ CHEVROLET (9101 CAMP BOWIE, DR. WEST STE. # 1, FORT WORTH, TX 76116, (817) 696-2000) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,211.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2019
ON PUSH TO START IGNITION, OCASSIONALLY WHEN STOPPING AND PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN PRESSING STOP ON IGNITION BUTTON, A WARNING MESSAGE POPS UP TO SHIF TO PARK. AFTER PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE AND PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON ON TO START THE VEHICLE, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON TO STOP VEHICLE ( WITHOUT TOUCHING SHIFT), THE MESSAGE DOES NOT RETURN. THIS OCCURRENCE SEEMS PURELY RANDOM AND OCCASIONAL.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 10, 2019
I SERVICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON MOST OF THE TIME. I HAVE GONE TO REPAIR SHOP AROUND 15X TIMES IN A ALMOST 2 YEARS PERIOD. I HAVE TROUBLE DOING MY LAST INSPECTION DID NOT WANNA PAST, THEY TOLD ME TO RUN THE CAR IN HIGH WAY FOR 20 MILES NON STOP,DNT UNDERSTAND WHY I NEEDED TO DO THIS. ALSO AT MORE TIMES THEN I CAN REMEMBER THE CAR DIDNT WANT TO START IT WOULD AFTER 10-15 MIN AFTER I TRY TO START IT UP, I FEEL MOTOR JUMPS ALOT, AND TRANSMISSION NOT RUNNING NORMAL AS IT SHOULD, I HAVE DONE 2 CASES WITH THE HEADQUATERS IN CHICAGO BUT BOTH TIMES THEY CLOSE THE CAES AND NOTHING WAS SOLVED,AND UNTIL THIS DAY I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR
Steering, Sep 3, 2019
STEERING ASSIST REDUCED ALERT. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON SEVERAL GYM AND CHEVROLET CARS. INCLUDING 2016 MALIBU. I HAVE A 2017 MALIBU. IT WAS IN MOTION
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 2, 2019
AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, THE P ON THE SHIFTER LIGHTS UP THAT IT IS IN PARK, THE SCREEN READS THAT IS IS IN PARK, AND THE CAR IS PARKED AND NOT MOVING. AFTER PRESSING THE ENGINE BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF, A WARNING POPS UP ON THE SCREEN SAYING 'SHIFT TO PARK!' EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK. IT TAKES MANY TRIES AND A LOT OF TIME TO FINALLY GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF.
Electrical system, Aug 30, 2019
WHEN PARKING AND TURNING CAR OFF IT SHOW A MESSAGE " SHIFT TO PARK" AND CAR IS PARKED, DUE TO THIS THE MUSIC KEEPS PLAYING UNLESS WE MANUALLY TURN OFF AND WHEN WE STEP OUT OF THE CAR IT WILL BEEP AS IF CAR ISN'T OFF.
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2019
I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN MY ENGINE OFF AND THERE'S AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING, "PUT IN PARK." I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON, AND PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND PARK NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF.
Power train, Aug 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT MUST BE PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR WAS ALREADY IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT HAD TO BE JIGGLED OR CHANGED INTO ANOTHER GEAR VARIOUS TIMES BEFORE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THAT THE SHIFT WAS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOONS CLARKSVILLE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (12421 AUTO DR, CLARKSVILLE, MD 21029, 410-988-9522) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-541350439. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,680. *TR GM STATED THE MALFUNCTION WOULD NOT BE COVERED EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND POWER TRAIN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY.*JB
Power train, Aug 22, 2019
I PLACED MY CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE'S DASH STATED 'SHIFT TO PARK.' ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL SHUT DOWN AND THE VEHICLE SENT NOTIFICATION THAT THE KEYS WERE LEFT IN THE CAR WHEN THEY WERE NOT. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM IN MY MAKE/MODEL OF CAR. THIS IS A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU.
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2019
1. ONCE THE CAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT POWER DOWN DUE TO AN ERROR MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK." 2. MPG IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT 30 MILES PER GALLON HOWEVER I AM ONLY GETTING ABOUT 20MPG.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 9, 2019
INDICATOR LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMES AND SAYS, PLEASE SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK. I WILL HAVE BEEN PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY ALREADY IN PARK MODE, I WILL HAVE TO KEEP STARTING AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RECOGNIZE IT IS ALREADY SHIFTED GEARS INTO THE PARK POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 6 TIMES SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS
Power train, Aug 7, 2019
SHIFT TO PARK LIGHT WOULD DISPLAY ON THE CONTROL PANEL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CUT OFF COMPLETELY.. THIS ISSUE BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY AND FINALLY BECAME CONSTANT. DIAGNOSTICS FOUND INTERNAL FAULT IN THE SHIFT CONTROL. SHIFT CONTROL WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED AT A COST OF $394.77 BY WOODALL CHEVROLET IN DANVILLE, VIRGINIA
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 24, 2019
CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING-THE CAR GOES DEAD DE-ENERGIZED COMPLETELY. ALL CONTROLS WOULD NOT WORK JUST LOCKED UP ON ME. I HAD TO HAVE THE UNIT TOWED TWICE, WE SWITCHED THE BATTERY IN THE KEY FOB AND THE CAR ENDED UP STARTING, HOWEVER 2 WEEKS LATER IT DIED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT AGAIN!! 3 TIMES THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION GOING STRAIGHT AND COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WITH THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING!! THIS HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF MAL-FUNCTION OR RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE.