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, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 4, 2025
When driving down a major highway going 70MPH, my 2017 Chevy Malibu speeds decreased, the brakes locked up, and the vehicle would not accelerate. Eventually the car came to a complete stop and an “engine power reduced” notification came up on the dash. I was able to pull off to the side of the road but I was traveling at a high rate of speed on a busy road, I almost got hit multiple times by people behind me who also had to swerve out of the way to keep from getting hit. After turning the car off and on again it seemed to run fine for a few months until the issue happened again going down a busy highway (65mph) again putting myself, my kids and others on the road behind me at risk. Now the car won’t move more than 5 feet before shutting off with “ engine power reduced “ still displaying on the screen.
Electrical system, Dec 31, 2024
We own a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu plagued with the "Shift to Park" issue. I have read numerous articles regarding this issue and they reference a recall on this problem. However, I have been unsuccessful locating this document. Was a recall actually ever created for this issue; and, if so, where could I find it?
Engine, Nov 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to exceed 20 MPH. The engine power reduced message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the accelerator pedal position sensor and the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the engine also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Power train, Nov 22, 2024
Approximately 2-3 times a month the car's transmission intermittently fails to engage from a stop. Wont go forward or in reverse. Need to restart the car to fix the issue. Dont feel safe driving the car in traffic where a failure to accelerate could cause an accident. The issue started at under 17000, and the now has only 18846 miles. Chevy Malibu 2017 Premier. Dealer not sure what this issue is but wants to replace the transmission which I dont have the budget to cover. GM only offered to cover 15% of the repair and does not seem concerned about the safety issue.
Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2024
The third break light above the rear windshield doesn't have proper rubber seals which cause water to leak into the housing and the break light to short out, and also water to leak throughout the upper interior and into the truck causing rust and mold.
Electrical system, Power train, Engine, Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to turn off as needed. The contact stated that the message "Please Shift to Park" was displayed and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective gear shifter wiring harness, and a battery current sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Oct 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and shifting to the park, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed, and the vehicle could not immediately be turned off. After shifting the transmission selector several times, the message disappeared, and the contact was able to turn off the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 15,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 27, 2024
I am writing to report a persistent issue with my Chevy Malibu, specifically related to the Stabilitrak system. The Stabilitrak light intermittently flickers on and off while driving, which raises significant safety concerns. This malfunction has been ongoing, and despite efforts to diagnose the problem, my local auto mechanic has been unable to pinpoint the exact cause. Services Performed: Initial diagnostic checks were conducted to identify any fault codes related to the Stabilitrak system. The mechanic found no definitive issues but noted that the warning light's behavior indicated a potential underlying problem. Each visit has led to additional uncertainty, with suggestions from the mechanic to proceed through the GM flow chart for further diagnosis. However, this approach may lead to extensive labor costs with no guaranteed resolution. Financial Burden: The recommendation to follow the GM flow chart for diagnosis is concerning, as it may result in significant and unnecessary expenses without a clear outcome. As a consumer, I believe that a properly functioning diagnostic system should provide clarity on such issues without incurring exorbitant costs. The erratic behavior of the Stabilitrak system poses a serious safety risk while driving. This system is critical for maintaining vehicle stability, particularly in adverse conditions, and its failure could lead to loss of control of the vehicle. I have been made aware of other drivers experiencing similar issues with their Chevy Malibu vehicles. It raises the question of whether there is a known defect in the Stabilitrak system that warrants a recall. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter further, as it seems that GM has not taken the necessary steps to address these concerns
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Sep 23, 2024
Rear high mount brake light is loose allowing water to leak I. And around the electrical connections, rear speakers in vehicle have moisture around them, potentially causingin a short and fire hazard
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal lost connection while driving 65 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the accelerator pedal sensor was not connecting with the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2024
A "Shift to Park" message occasionally appears on the dash of my 2017 Chevy Malibu. I currently have 56570 miles on this vehicle. This is the second time that this issue has occurred in this vehicle. The first time it occurred I had 21849 miles on the car. On Dec. 20, 2019, a local Chevy dealership replaced the shifter (8460140 transmission electronic control replacement) at no charge since the car was still under warranty. My warranty is now expired but the same problem has occurred after putting less than 35000 miles on the car. Since this problem started, my back driver's side door will not always lock. This problem may be related to the Shift to Park issue. I have my invoice from the dealership where I first had this problem fixed and am hoping they will fix it again at no cost to me. When I searched this issue online, it appears to be a problem with many 2016-2019 Chevy Malibus. There should be a recall issued by GM for this problem. This is a safety issue because the problem will cause the battery to continuously die and the vehicle to remain running although the shifter has been placed in the Park position.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Engine, Aug 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument panel displayed the message “Reduce Engine Power” with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle immediately decelerated independently. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 35 - 40 MPH before decelerating again. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and waited for approximately 15 minutes before continuing to drive; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS, Power Train, and Throttle Sensor all had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired by the mechanic. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Power train, Aug 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to move into gear. The contact had to depress the brake pedal and restart the vehicle. The message that the vehicle was not in park was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to turn off. The local dealer was contacted, and informed the contact that there were no associated recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
Engine, Aug 14, 2024
Engine power reduced
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon arriving to her destination and shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact stated that the "Please Shift to Park" message was displayed. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the gear shifter wiring harness and battery current sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Service brakes, Engine, Aug 7, 2024
On Thursday, [XXX] my [XXX] son was driving my chevy malibu coming down the hill to get home when the brakes went out. He could not stop the vehicle and had to pass our neighborhood and let the vehicle slow itself down. He was able to get stopped and turned around and made it home. Saturday, [XXX] we decided maybe it needed new brakes and took it for new brakes. New brakes and rotors all the way around did NOT fix the problem. The brake was like hitting a brick and would not stop the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and they found that the vacuum system for the brakes went out. He also noticed that cam shaft was cracked. Upon research through the internet I found that this problem is common and a class action suit has been filed against GM for the same problem. I am unsure why this is not a recall as its a safety issue and my son could have been injured or injured someone else. This has been an EXTREMELY expensive repair for us! When they went to replace the cam shaft there were several parts of the cam shaft just blown all over the engine. We still have not found all of the missing parts. This has caused most of the seals to have to be replaced as well. I do not have a repair receipt yet as the vehicle is still in the shop INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 28, 2024
Vacuum Pump exploded, my breaks went out on the freeway. Metal pieces from the pump went into engine. Broke the camshaft. Now having to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars to repair. I am missing out on work u til this can be fixed.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2024
Vehicle shut down completely while at intersection with no warning including no dash board warnings, recently had vehicle repaired at dealership computer was replaced, injectors cleaned, fuel system flushed. This car is unpredictable at times and not safe if turning off with no warning, if I did get a warning it's after the vehicle shut down then started back up with "Stabil break" code and reduced steering. I have kept up with the maintence on this vehicle since purchase had no wrecks and it's money gone down the drain. I'm not understanding why there hasn't been a recall on this cars electrical component's there seems to be some time of communication issue between the computer & parts causing the car to completely shut down.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2024
Shift to Park Error. Then the battery goes dead.
Engine, Jun 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. In addition, the message that there was no power was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a blown spark plug. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,200.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2024
On March 18, 2024, I noticed that water began to enter the car when it was in the carwash. I opened a claim with the insurance company and an investigation was carried out that lasted approximately 3 months. On June 11, the body shop received my car to diagnose and provide a quote to the insurance company for the necessary repairs due to this water damage. The workshop considered it to be a problem in the upper rear brake light and mentioned that this is a Chevrolet recall on these cars. The insurance company called me and told me that I had to go directly to the dealer to have the necessary repairs made to my car that were caused by this water problem. However, I cannot find information about this recall online.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2024
When the car stops the auto stop turns on, but when the car is ready to move the auto stop will turn the car off or lose power. Another issue is that when the car is in park an error message says shift into park. This will not allow you to turn the car off. The car is in the park.
Engine, Jun 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while stationary at a stop light and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, and the vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection. The vehicle was previously repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure usually occurred during summer, on very hot days. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Electrical system, May 31, 2024
Shift to park replaced 2 times problem still happening. Car says not in park when in park.
Electrical system, May 30, 2024
The infotainment system cycles and will change the radio, activate the gps anything that can be controlled through the infotainment system, it also changes the instrument cluster at times; the lane detection, distance alarm all the features, even the language and MPH to KPH. This can cause a sudden shock and safety issue as you are now unaware of the vehicle speed and even cause eratic driving as this can be a shock and take you by suprise.