Home · 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 687 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (687)Crash / fire / injury (20)Engine (242)Electrical system (163)Transmission & drivetrain (137)Speed control (131)Brakes (62)Fuel system (55)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (54)Steering (45)Body & structure (21)Lights (21)

Newest first · 687 complaints · page 17 of 28

Jul 14, 2020Body & structure

I'VE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT RAINS THE RAIN COMES INSIDE THE CAR AND THE TRUNK .

NHTSA ODI 11339268

Jul 13, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

THE CHEVY MALIBU HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTER. WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IT WILL SAY ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION PANEL TO SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN IT HAPPENS. GM NEEDS TO FIX IT. BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL TO SENSOR IS TOLD TO PUT IT IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI 11339220

Jul 10, 2020Brakes

COMING HOME FROM FLORIDA TO ATHENS ALABAMA WE STOPPED AT A REST STOP AND I NOTICED MY BRAKES WAS REALLY HARD TO PUSH AND MADE A AWFUL NOISE. WE LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND THOUGHT THE PADS WAS BAD. I MANAGED TO GET IT HOME LUCKILY ON MAJOR TRAFFIC JAMS ON INTERSTATE 65. MY HUSBAND PUT A CODE READER AND IT SAID BRAKE BOOSTER SENSOR BUT MY HUSBAND PULLED THE LINE FROM THE VACUUM PUMP AND THE VACUUM PUMP WASN'T PULLING.THANK GOD WE MADE IT HOME. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THIS WEBSITE A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE. CAR IS NOW PARKED IN GARAGE WHAT TIL CHEVY DEALERSHIP OPENS ON MONDAY!!!

NHTSA ODI 11338710

Jul 9, 2020Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel system

EVERYTIME I STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR BRAKE THE VEHICLE(WHEN COMING TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC)THE CAR COMPLETELY CUTS OFF.THE ALERT STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED, DRIVE WITH CARE CONSTANTLY COMES ON WHENEVER THERE IS AN AUTO STOP AND THE CAR RESTARTS. THE RADIO AND AIR WOULD ALSO TURN OFF WHEN AUTO STOP IS ACTIVATED. THIS TURN OFF ALSO CAUSES THE RADIO SCREEN TO GO BLACK FOR A SHORT TIME UNTIL IT RESTARTS. WHICH IS A BIG PROBLEM AND DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE NORMAL AUTO STOP WOULD BE SOMEWHAT SILENT, BUT WHEN IT TURNS BACK ON NOW IT HISSES AND TURNS BACK ON. I ALSO HEAR SOMETHING AS IF WATER IS PASSING THROUGH PIPES AFTER AND/OR DURING AUTO STOP SOMETIMES. LASTLY, LAST NIGHT(7/8/20)I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON MY CAR AND BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR TURNED ON BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT DID NOT ALLOW ME TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS OR ACCELERATE. I NOTICED THE LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATE,D,R,L,ETC. WAS NOT ILLUMINATING AT THAT TIME WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF BUT IT STATED SHIFT TO PARK. NOTE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. AFTER I LET IT SIT IN PARK FOR A WHILE I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR AND IT RESTARTED. THE CAR SHIFTED IN TO GEARS AND ACCELERATED. NOTE: THE CAR ALLOWED ME TO MOVE THE SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEARS BUT IT WAS NOT CATCHING. THE STOPPING ISSUE WIT THE STEERING REDUCED ALERT STARTED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO(AROUND JUNE 25,2020). HEARING THE WATER SOUND BEGAN AROUND THE THE BEGINNING OF MARCH 2020. LASTLY THE SHIFTING ISSUE BEGAN LAST NIGHT,7/8/20. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I DO THE SPEED LIMIT 60-70 MPH. ON THE CITY STREETS I DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT RANGING 25MPH-40 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11338341

Jul 9, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

DIC INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYS "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE BEGINNING AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP STATES THIS IS NOT COVERED BY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TWO TSBS ISSUED BUT NO RECALL. RESEARCH SHOWS OWNERS PAYING $200 TO $700 FOR REPAIRS WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. I REPLACED "PARK" SWITCH WITH PN: 653-D2HW-BL221H AT 31,000 MILES. $12 INCLUDING SHIPPING. WHY WOULD THEY RECALL WHEN IT'S A "CASH COW" FOR CHEVROLET.

NHTSA ODI 11338458

Jul 9, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SHORTLINE BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, (303) 751-3400. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

NHTSA ODI 11338474

Jul 2, 2020Electrical systemEngine

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, THE CAR FLASHED 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND STOPPED WORKING. I DID NOT LOSE ELECTRICAL POWER, BUT THE GAS PEDAL AND GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO WORK. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED PUSHED ME INTO THE MIDDLE LANE WHILE I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, MY CAR RESTARTED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I DROVE A FEW MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE A DEFINITE FIX, INSTEAD THEY SAID THERE'S SOME CORROSION AROUND THE BATTERY. ACCORDING TO THIS SITE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2017 MALIBU'S. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11337131

Jul 1, 2020EngineCrash2 injuries

ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR THE PASS YEAR.THIS IS A 2017 AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THIS SOON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE PERSON LET ME KNOW THE BATTERY IS FINE. THE CODE THAT CAME UP ON THE COMPUTER I BELIEVE IS P011, SOMETHING WITH THE AIR FILTER. I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO PAY THIS TIME BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD MY ENGINE LIGHT SHOULD NOT BE ON THIS SOON. MY CAR IS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331971

Jun 29, 2020Engine

CRUISING TO WORK ON I-93 IN CONCORD, NH TRAVELING AROUND 65 MPH. I WENT OUT INTO THE PASSING LANE AND THE CAR TOTALLY LOST POWER. THE "REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT" CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO 25-30 MPH. THANKFULLY THERE WASN'T A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. I WOULD HAVE BEEN "KILLED". DROPPED VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY FOUND P2127 STORED IN SYSTEM, RESET ECM ROAD TESTED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE ANY FAULTS. MILEAGE 75,698. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AND TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THE FOURTH TIME, SAME ISSUE. I WILL REPORT EACH INCIDENT SEPARATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331492

Jun 29, 2020Speed controlEngine

CRUISING TO WORK ON I-93 IN CONCORD, NH TRAVELING AROUND 70 MPH AND IT JUST LOST POWER AGAIN!!! THE "REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT" CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO 25-30 MPH. THANKFULLY THERE WASN'T A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. I WOULD HAVE BEEN "KILLED". DROPPED VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY FOUND P2127 FOR ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR FAILURE, REPLACED GAS PEDAL, CLEARED CODES, ROAD TESTES. MILEAGE 76,473. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AND TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THE FOURTH TIME, SAME ISSUE. I WILL REPORT EACH INCIDENT SEPARATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331495

Jun 29, 2020Speed controlEngine

DROVE 30 MILES SINCE THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE. STARTED MY VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT" CAME ON. SO FRUSTRATING AND A WASTE OF TIME!! I IMMEDIATELY DROVE BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. A BUNCH OF CODES CAME UP. THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED THE ECM. ROAD TESTED FOR 45 MILES BEFORE RETURNING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331505

Jun 29, 2020Speed controlEngine

ENTERED ON-RAMP TO HEAD SOUTH ON I-93 AND HALF-WAY UP THE RAMP IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE "REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT" CAME ON AND THE SPEED DROPPED IMMEDIATELY. I COULDN'T TURN AROUND AND GO HOME, SO I CONTINUED DOWN THE INTERSTATE GOING IN AND OUT OF THE BREAKDOWN LANE TO AVOID UPCOMING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO DEALERSHIP AND DROPPED OFF VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME SINCE MARCH 15, 2020, SO I PROBABLY PUT APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES ON THE VEHICLE SINCE THE ECM WAS REPLACED. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON THAT THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. HOWEVER, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AND TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE!!! I'M THINKING PEOPLE HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE - IT IS SO UNSAFE!!!! I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11331509

Jun 26, 2020

EVERY TIME I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE CAR OFTEN TIMES TELLS ME TO SHIFT THE CAR TO PARK WHEN IT'S ALREADY IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331019

Jun 22, 2020SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR STALLS WHILE OPERATING, CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND FAILS TO RESTART WITHOUT WARNING. "SERVICE STABILITY" 'BATTERY SAVE MODE' 'SHIFT TO PARK' ALL BLINK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. CAR WILL ALSO SHUT DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION IE STOP SIGNS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, STOP & GO TRAFFIC...ETC. THE CAR HAVING NO POWER THAT I CAN'T EVEN PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. THIS HAPPENS FOR THE LAST TIME ON 6/11/2020 CARS BRAKES BECAME TOUGH TO PUSH COULD BARELY STOP THE CAR, ONCE STOPPED THE CAR LOST ALL POWER SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED ONCE AGAIN. ALL THE SAME WARNING LIGHTS. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BROKE DOWN AND NOT STARTING AT ALL. ALSO I HAVE 2' OF WATER IN WHEEL WELL CAR LEAKS WATER INTO SPARE TIRE WELL. CAR IS MOLDING DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS CAR MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS COULD CAUSE SOME HORRIBLE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION/ DEFECTIVE PART THAT WAS INSTALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY MANY PEOPLE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. PEOPLE ARE SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY FOR REPAIRS AND RENTAL CARS. IM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN, THIS CAR IS SUPPOSE TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE. IT'S BY FAR FROM THAT. THE MONEY I'M SPENDING ON A RENTAL CAR SO THAT I CAN GO BACK AND FORTH TO WORK IS NOT CHEAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330160

Jun 8, 2020Electrical system

WHEN PUTTING GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK A MESSAGE STATES THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. HAVE TO PLAY WITH SHIFT LEVER TO GET IT TO RESPOND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE LOTS OF POSTS ON FORUMS OF THIS PROBLEM THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS 2 -3 TIMES A WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327739

Jun 4, 2020Body & structure

I OPENED MY TRUNK UNDER THE SPARE TIRE AND THERE WAS WATER FILLED IN THE TRUNK. I DID MY RESEARCH AND I FOUND PLENTY OF MALIBU'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327264

Jun 3, 2020Electrical systemEngine

RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, WHEN I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE CAR SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES, THREE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK. I CAN START TO AGAIN, ALSO LOOSE ALL VOLUME TO TURN SIGNALS AND RADIO. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327094

May 29, 2020Body & structure

THE TOP OF THE REAR WINDOW NEAR THE THIRD BREAK LIGHT STARTING LEAKING. I REVIEWED ONLINE CHEVROLET FORUMS WITH COMMON COMPLAINTS AND READ THE DEFECT COULD BE RELATED TO RECENT RECALLS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE LEAK IS CAUSE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES INTERIOR PANELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326541

May 25, 2020

MY 2017 CHEVY MALIBU HAD THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED COME ON..IT WAS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR..I GOT IT FIXED PAID ALMOST 400$..NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS LATER IT'S DOING IT AGAIN

NHTSA ODI 11325893

May 19, 2020Engine

I AM A 70 YEAR OLD TEACHER THAT PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY IMPALA ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, AND LAST YEAR I BEGAN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE CAR MALFUNCTIONING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET OF TURNERSVILLE, THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT, BUT THEN THIS PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN A MONTH, AND EACH TIME I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM THEY "DIAGNOSED" SOMETHING DIFFERENT. LATER, COME TO FIND OUT, THIS CAR WAS RECALLED FOR "PRE IGNITION ISSUES", SO THEY ISSUED ME A REFUND FOR THE COST OF THOSE "REPAIRS". LAST WEEK, THE SAME EXACT ISSUED RECURRED, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO CHEVY, FOR THEM TO SAY IT WAS MY BATTERY. $400 LATER, I GOT THE CAR BACK, AND WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS, THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED SO I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM NOW TO SAY THAT MY PISTON HEAD IN ENGINE WAS CRACKED, SO NOW THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD BE AROUND $8000. I SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AND THE BEST HE COULD DO WAS TO TELL ME HE WOULD "TRY" TO WORK UP SOME NUMBERS TO GET ME INTO ANOTHER CAR. I PLAN TO RETIRE NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS WHY I PURCHASED SOMETHING REASONABLY PRICED AND PRESUMABLY "RELIABLE", SO I WILL SOON BE ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD THAT TYPE OF FIX, NOR ANOTHER CAR WITH THE BALANCE OF THIS FAULTY CAR TACKED ON TO THE BALANCE. WITH RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THE PRE IGNITION ISSUE RESULTS IN THE CRACKING OF THE PISTON HEAD, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PRE IGNITION ISSUE WAS NEVER CORRECTED PROPERLY. ESPECIALLY SINCE BASED ON 17019 SPI NHTSA, THE FIX DIFFERED FROM WHAT THIS DEALERSHIP DID AND UNDER THIS PLAN THE FIX WAS BEING SERVICED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. SINCE THIS ISSUE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, I'VE BEEN ON HIGHWAYS, SIDE STREETS, AND STATIONARY AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS WHICH HAVE ALL POSED SAFETY RISKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325191

May 17, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO PARK YOU GET A MESSAGE IT IS STILL IN DRIVE AND WON'T SHUT DOWN TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED SHIFTER ASSY.AT COST OF 499.37. CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THERE RESPONSE IS THAT THE WARRANTY IS OVER .ONLINE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE!

NHTSA ODI 11324888

May 14, 2020Speed control

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY INTERSTATE TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY AND CUT OFF TWICE IN TRAFFIC. ONCE IT CRANK FULLY IT ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED JUST BARELY MISSING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I WENT TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A WIDE KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO RECALL IN PLACE. I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE THAT DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324553

May 10, 2020Engine

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON'REDUCED ENGINE SPEED' AND THE CAR SLOWED WAY DOWN TO 30MPH IN SECONDS, I WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324036

May 8, 2020

VEHICLE STUCK IN REVERSE SHIFT LOCK HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED BY THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. REPLACED SHIFTER DUE TO STUCK LOCK. PULLED UP TO CAR WASH PUT CAR IN REVERSE SHIFTER LOCKED AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE OUT OF REVERSE. TOLL TRUCK CAME AND DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY MOVE CABLE UNDER THE HOOD SO I COULD PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323900

May 6, 2020Electrical system

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF A MESSAGE ON THE DRIVER CONTROL SCREEN STATES TO SHIFT TO PARK AND WILL LEAVE THE CAR BATTERY ON AND WILL BEEP THE DOORS ARE OPEN. HAPPENS 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME. TYPICALLY TO GET THE MESSAGE TO GO AWAY I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND SHIFT OUT OF PARK, SHIFT BACK INTO PARK AND TURN OFF AGAIN SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323553

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Working with the data? Download all 687 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Eco verdict →