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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2018
TAKATA INFLATORS
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 14, 2018
I WENT INSIDE A CAR WASH AND WHEN MY CAR WAS BEEN WASH THE WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE FROM THE BACK ROOF NEXT TO THE BACK WINDOW I TOLD THE DEALER BUT THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC WHEN IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CAR ISSUE. MY WATER PUMP IS NOT WORKING CAN NOT USE IT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY ON THE ROAD CAN NOT CLEAN IT USING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Wheels, Sep 14, 2018
PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW WITH TWO MILES IN 2016. IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH OF PURCHASE, I REPLACE A TIRE BECAUSE IT POPPED. ONE YEAR LATER I REPLACED A SECOND TIRE BECAUSE IT DEVELOPED A LUMP THAT WAS 2017. THIS YEAR TWO MORE TIRES WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF LUMPS IN THE TIRE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE EVER. ACTUALLY, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2018, fire
US GOVERNMENT OWNED 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLE FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN, BUT WAITING ON A FIRE REPORT FOR POSSIBLE CAUSE.
Structure, Aug 30, 2018
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING INTO CABIN THROUGH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CAUSED BY A FAULTY GASKET.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 16, 2018
MY REASON FOR WRITING IS MY CAR WAS STRUCK IN THE WINDSHIELD BY A ROCK REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, I NOTICED UNDER CONDITIONS OF BRIGHT LIGHT SUCH AS A SUNNY DAY, I COULD NOT SEE CLEARLY THROUGH IT BECAUSE OF SIGNIFICANT REFLECTIONS OFF OF THE DASHBOARD. SEE PHOTO NUMBER 1. I DID BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE GLASS COMPANY THAT SUPPLIED THE WINDSHIELD. THEY BOTH AGREED THE REFLECTIONS SEEMED UNUSUAL, BUT STATED THE AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT MET THE APPROPRIATE GLASS STANDARDS. SEE PHOTO 2 FOR THE GLASS MANUFACTURER. THEY SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WITH AN OEM REPLACEMENT, WHICH I PLAN TO DO FOR SAFETY REASONS. MY REASON FOR WRITING IS TO ASK IF YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT STANDARD FOR OPTICAL TRANSMISSION IS REQUIRED OF NON-OEM REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELDS. IF I CAN SHOW THAT THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL GLASS STANDARDS PERHAPS THEY MIGHT HELP WITH THE ADDED COST OF REPLACEMENT. I DO HAVE A GOOD TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING OF OPTICAL TRANSMISSION AND REFLECTANCE, AS I AM A RETIRED OPTOMETRIST. I MIGHT ADD THAT PART OF THE HIGH REFLECTANCE OF THE WINDSHIELD IS IN PART DUE TO THE ASH-GRAY INTERIOR COLOR, A DESIGN FLAW. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD IS MUCH MORE REFLECTIVE THAN THE ORIGINAL, BASED ON MY BEST RECOLLECTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND, UPON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE "KEY COULD NOT BE DETECTED" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PHIL SMITH CHEVROLET, 1640 SR 7, LAUDERHILL, FL, 954-271-1474), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2018
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND FIXED IT IS THE BATTERY MODULATER SENSOR (IF I SPELLED IT RIGHT) THE SAME CODE COMES UP. DEALERSHIP STATES ITS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR SYSTEM ISSUE AND A FIX IS BEING WORKED ON ITS BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS ALL THEY CAN DO IS RESET THE SENSOR BUT IT KEEPS COMING ON.
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2018
'TAKATA RECALL' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE NEXT DAY THE SPEED OF VEHICLE DECREASED AND SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY
Wheels, Jul 18, 2018
WITHIN 7 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS OF REAR TIRES
Steering, Jul 13, 2018
BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW, NOW HAS 14,000 MILES. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE COASTING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK RAPIDLY BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN. IT IS A RAPID RIGHT LEFT RIGHT LEFT ONLY MOVING THE WHEEL ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE CENTER EACH WAY. IT HAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FELT LIKE THE STEERING WENT REALLY LOOSE, ALMOST A NEUTRAL FEEL WITHOUT RESISTANCE AND VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IN NEITHER SITUATION WILL IT DO IT TO THE POINT ANY SERVICE TECHNICIAN WILL EVER BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. THE STEERING HAS WENT "LOOSE" ON ABOUT 12 TO 14 OCCASIONS. THE RAPID BACK AND FORTH JERKING HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE RAPID JERKING HAS HAPPENED BOTH TIMES ON DIFFERENT ROAD SURFACES AT SPEEDS BELOW 45 MPH WHILE COATING, FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND FOOT NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Steering, Jul 12, 2018
WHEN I TO A STOP LIKE COME OFF THE EXIT CAR CUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOT ON BE FOR SECOND. I HAVE TOOK IT TO THE DEAL THREE TIME AND THEIR EVERYTHING IS OKAY THEIR THE PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY SAME THING HAPPEN AND IT WILL COMES UP ON THE DASHBOARD THAT I`M LOSING POWER.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, May 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DOMINO MOTOR (3137 255TH ST, SAC CITY, IA 50583) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2018
GAS TANK ONLY FILLS TO 7/8 OF A TANK. I HAVE HAD IT AT CHEVY FIVE TIMES AND NOW IT READS FULL BUT WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR TEN MILES IT READS LESS THE 3/4 OF A TANK.
Engine, May 23, 2018
ON OR ABOUT MAY 17 AND ON MAY 22 2018, THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN. THE GREEN "ENGINE ON" LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. I HAD TO PUSH THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THEN PUSH IT AGAIN TO RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER THE MAY 22 INCIDENT, THE CAR MEDIA SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AFTER THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. THE SCREEN DISPLAYS WERE NORMAL, BUT THERE WAS NO SOUND FROM ANY SOURCE INCLUDING THE TURN SIGNALS AND 4 WAY FLASHERS.
Structure, Seats, Other or unspecified, May 21, 2018
WE HAD A DOWN POUR 05/20/2018 IN KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA. MY VEHICLE HAD STAND STILL WATER IN MY TRUNK, THE WATER SEEPED THROUGH TO THE INTERIOR DAMAGING THE REAR SEATS, WATER COVERED THE FLOOR, THERE ARE STAINS ON THE ROOF AND THE SMELL OF AGED WATER IS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE TRUNK WAS CLOSED AND THE WINDOWS WERE UP AS NORMAL AS MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THE NIGHT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, May 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK, THE WINDOWS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE, AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (HEFNER MOTORS IN BATESVILLE, MS) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Structure, May 3, 2018
BACK WINDOW IS LEAKING WATER INTO THE INTERIOR AND INSIDE THE HEADLINER. NOTICED AFTER HEAVY RAINS AS WELL AS WHEN USING THE CAR WASH.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2018
LOUD VIBRATIONS NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WHEN DRIVING ON RUFF ROADS
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 5, 2018
MY 2017 MALIBU HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, IT HAPPENED WHILE ON VACATION. WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON A DARK CURVY ROAD, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS A MESSAGE INDICATING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. I PULLED OVER AN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT DID NOT GAIN FULL ENGINE POWER BACK. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION. THE NEXT MORNING (KIDS IN TOW) THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, AND THE VEHICLE STILL SEEMED SLUGGISH. WHILE DRIVING HOME ( OR TO A DEALERSHIP IF POSSIBLE) THE CAR AGAIN LOST POWER AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AS TO NOT OBSTRUCT TRAFFIC. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THEY CLAIM THE MATTER WAS RESOLVED I AM NOT CONFIDENT,
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Mar 30, 2018
THE CAR SOMETIMES HAS A HUGE DELAY AFTER YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON ON DASH TO ACTUALLY START, AND BEING A HYBRID THE CAR SHAKES BAD WHEN ENGINE STARTS, IT'S SOUNDA LIKE CRAP TO BE HONEST. I'VE GOT 12K MILES ON IT AND IT'S BEEN SERVICED AT CHEVY ONLY, AND THE [XXX] THING HAS A RATTLE IN THE DASH THEY 'CAN'T FIGURE OUT' AND THEY DON'T HEAR ANY ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE. AND THEY SAY IT'S NORMAL TO LAG THAT BAD WHEN STARTING, AS IT HAS TO 'POWER UP'. BUT WHEN CAR WAS NEW IT DIDN'T DO THAT PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 23, 2018, fire
MY 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS ON THE STREET. IT STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND MELTED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL DEFECT FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR.
Engine, Mar 22, 2018
CAR HAS ALWAYS RAN A LITTLE ROUGH, WE WERE TOLD BY CHEVY THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. ON OUR WAY HOME FROM FAMILY VACATION IN THE MOUNTAINS, THE CAR LOST POWER, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THANKFULLY WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO AN AUTOZONE AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS MISFIRING IN CYLINDER 1. WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVY, WE WERE TOLD THEY COULDN'T SEE THE PROBLEM AND THE MECHANIC WHO TAKES THE ENGINE APART TO CHECK WAS BUST THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. SO THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK BEFORE WERE TOLD THERE IS A CRACKED PISTON AND THEY WILL BE REPLACING THE PISTONS AND GASKETS. IF I DIDN'T WORK IN THE CAR RENTAL BUSINESS, I WOULD THINK MY CAR WAS GREAT AND READY TO LIVE FOREVER, BUT I DO. SO I KNOW, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL MALIBU'S AND CRUZ'S WITH THE SAME ENGINE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND AFTER 10K MILES THE PISTONS CRACK AGAIN. WE GET THE CAR BACK AND IT IS RUNNING MORE ROUGH THAN IT USED TO, NOW WERE WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT AGAIN. I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO MY CARS ENGINE CUTTING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN BECAUSE CHEVY CANNOT FIND A FIX FOR THEIR BUM ENGINE. WITH ONLY 12K MILES LEFT OF THE WARRANTY. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Engine, Mar 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RUSH CHEVROLET (1395 W. HIGHWAY 290, ELGIN, TX). THE DEALER REPLACED THE REMOTE DOOR LOCK, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,700.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2018
CAR DO NOT ACCELERATE