AI Damage2017 Chevrolet Malibu: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu filed 725 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 875 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 725
- involving a crash
- 17
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 875
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 35% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 19% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Electronic stability control 7% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 256 complaints (35% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 92.
- Electrical system: 172 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 198.
- Powertrain: 144 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 85.
- Vehicle speed control: 136 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Service brakes: 72 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 1.8 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 9-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 725 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 256 | 3 | 92 |
| Electrical system | 172 | 0 | 198 |
| Powertrain | 144 | 0 | 85 |
| Vehicle speed control | 136 | 1 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 72 | 3 | 26 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 59 | 0 | 5 |
| Electronic stability control | 54 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 47 | 4 | 16 |
| Exterior lighting | 22 | 0 | 9 |
| Structure | 21 | 0 | 34 |
| Air bags | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| Suspension | 10 | 0 | 16 |
| Visibility | 8 | 0 | 16 |
| Wheels | 7 | 0 | 42 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Was driving on highway and starting to exit and my engine light came on and it alerted reduced engine power. I had to slam on my brakes but they were very hard to press and almost non existent and steering was also difficult.
The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the back windshield was shattered, the rear bumper fell off, and smoke was emitting from under the hood. A police report was not filed. The contact was taken to the hospital by a family member later that day.
The air bags did not deploy. The driver and child occupant sustained minor bruises and were provided medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. There was no reported fire. After adding fuel, the contact noticed fuel leaking.
Even the car dealership indicated that they noticed the airbag light, but assured me it was okay.
Issue 1 Changing lanes at a red light and car steering wheel locked up causing the car to go one lane too many to the right and get struck by another vehicle Issue 2 car shuts off at every stop and hesitates to take off causing unsafe conditions
The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the neck and indicated it was whiplash and a cervical sprain. Medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted.
The contact stated that there was a class action lawsuit for the 2016 - 2018 chevrolet malibu due to reduced power failure. The contact's husband was driving at 40 mph, when the vehicle's power was reduced to 20 - 25 mph. The "key not detected" light illuminated, however the key was inside the vehicle.
The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at 70 mph, the steering wheel locked up and failed to turn. The vehicle crashed into the guard rail and spun around. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no reported injuries or police report filed. The air bags did not deploy.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 67 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Malibu has 222 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 725, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic…
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump…
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
NHTSA lists 875 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 725. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (28%), loss of power / limp mode (10%), infotainment or screen glitches (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA lists 875 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.