2017 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu.

20162018
Complaints
1,158
per 10K Sold
62.3
US Sales
185,857
Crashes
25
Fires
7
Injuries
23
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1250 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:55,207 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:2
#2157 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:47,169 mi
Fires:1
#3132 complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Avg mileage:56,414 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu.

Engine Problems
250
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
55,207
Electrical Faults
157
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
47,169
Unintended Acceleration
132
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
56,414
Transmission / Drivetrain
126
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,109
Brakes
64
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
67,189
Fuel System
56
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
44,034
Electronic Stability Control
53
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
49,396
Steering Defects
46
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
64,888
Headlight/Taillight Failures
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
47,632
Body Structure
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
45,910
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
56,697
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,550
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
18,000
Wipers & Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,776
Seat Belt Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,179
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,690
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
24,333
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Propulsion System:Hybrid Management:Power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu):Software
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,476 vehicles.

21V649000Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
~402 affected

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.

18V400000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
~66 affected

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.

18V358000Fuel Pump
~895 affected

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.

16V870000Air Bags:side/window
~113 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Malibu Years

2017 Chevrolet Malibu — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,158 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 250 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (250 complaints, avg 55,207 mi); Electrical Faults (157 complaints, avg 47,169 mi); Unintended Acceleration (132 complaints, avg 56,414 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 52,849 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu include 25 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 23 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,476 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Malibu reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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