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 23 of 28

Jun 24, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)

2017 CHEVY MALIBU HAS "SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING LIGHT COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED EVEN WHEN HAS BEEN PUT IN PARK SEVERAL TIMES. THIS LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHEN STATIONARY AND TRYING TO PARK THE CAR. IF I LEAVE IT LIKE THAT AND TAKE THE KEYS WITH ME, IT HONKS REPEATEDLY.

NHTSA ODI 11222061

Jun 21, 2019EngineFuel system

I PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU IN APRIL 2017 WITH 11 MILES. IN LESS THAN A MONTH, THE CAR STARTED HAVING ISSUES. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION WITH THE INITIAL PROBLEM BEING THE O2 SENSOR THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND IT WAS NOTED GM WOULD MONITOR THE CONCERN AND HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE. THE PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: DASHBOARD GOES BLANK WHILE DRIVING, CODES: P0036, P0037, P0138, P0141, P2097 X3; P2122, P2127, P2138, ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPLACED X3 WITHIN A TWO MONTH TIME FRAME WITH THROTTLE HARNESS BEING REPLACED ON THE THIRD TIME, REDUCED ENGINE POWER TO 20 MPH WHILE DRIVING, SCANNING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE WHILE VEHICLE IS BOTH IN THE ON/OFF POSITION; STILL HAVE NO EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM. THE SOUND WILL SOMETIMES OCCUR BEFORE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE ISSUES WERE NOT ADDRESSED AND WERE NO LONGER GM'S CONCERN AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I FILED A BBB CLAIM TO HELP RESOLVE THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BBB AWARDED THE DECISION THAT GM IS TO REPAIR ANY ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND EMISSIONS WITH FOUR ATTEMPTS TO DO SO.

NHTSA ODI 11221744

Jun 19, 2019EngineFuel system

I PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU AS I AM A SALESMAN AND ON THE ROAD ALL DAY. MY REDUCE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD. I WAS ADVISED IT CAN BE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR OR THROTTLE BODY. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE FOPR THE SAME CAR. WHY IS A BRAND NEW CAR HAVING THIS ISSUE?. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND REDUSED SPEEDS TO 20 MPH AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I CONTINUALLY NEED TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF CAR TOP RESET ITSELF. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI 11221316

Jun 18, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineCrash

THE VERY FIRST ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC REPORT BY 'ONSTAR" EMAILED TO ME ON 04/07/2017, WAS LESS THAN 30 DAYS AFTER THE FINAL SALE OF MY VEHICLE. I CALLED THE SERVICE TEAM FOR THE FIRST TIME ON APRIL 7, 2019 @4:13PM. (SEE PHONE RECORDS) I AM UNSURE OF THE MILEAGE HOWEVER; I DO CONFIRM IT WAS WITHIN THE 30 DAYS OF ME PURCHASING THE CAR AND I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE REP BY THE NAME OF GUY. AT THE TIME OF SALE, THE CAR HAD 15 MILES TOTAL. THE DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE RECEIVED ON APRIL 7, 2017 WAS "AN ISSUE WITH THE EMISSIONS/ ENGINE POWER REDUCED/ENGINE STALLED". THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ON I HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL TO THAT EFFECT EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER, AND TO DATE. EACH TIME CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. I HAVE ALSO ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, WITHIN WARRANTY AND WHILE OUT OF WARRANTY, BY TWO DEALERSHIPS. 1. ROCKMONT OURISMAN CHEVROLET &2. SPORTS CHEVROLET. BOTH SERVICE TEAMS NEVER RESOLVING THE ISSUE. THE LAST FEW TIMES THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE AT THE SENIOR ADVISOR'S RECOMMENDATION WAS ON 10/17/2018 FOR 1 DAY, 11/09/2018-11/13/2018 FOR 4 DAYS AND FINALLY 12/10/2018-01/17/2019, OVER 1 MONTH AT THE SPORTS CHEVROLET. DURING THIS TIME, UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, I SPENT QUITE A BIT OF OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES ON A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR THE DAYS MY CAR WAS IN FOR REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THIS ISSUE WAS OBVIOUSLY RELATING THE SAME UNRESOLVED COMPLAINT FROM APRIL 7, 2017 AND THAT A CHEVROLET SENIOR ADVISOR RECOMMENDED I GO THERE. I FOUND THE SENIOR ADVISORS TO BE UNHELPFUL AND LIMITED IN REMEDYING SIMPLE COMMON SENSE CUSTOMER CONCERNS. I HAVE LOTS OF DOCUMENTATION

NHTSA ODI 11220976

Jun 17, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

I HAVE A RECURRING EMISSION ISSUE DIAGNOSTIC TEST CODE P2097 GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADMITTING TO NOT KNOWING WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW THE EMISSION ISSUE IS ONGOING RECURRING AND MY VEHICLE IS UP FOR STATE INSPECTION FOR WHICH IT WILL NOT PASS, THIS ISSUE BEGAN AT MILE 3007 I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE CAME WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING FOR WHICH IT WAS EQUIPPED THAT ISSUE BEGIN AT MILE 598. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE SYSTEMS ISSUES. I HAVE LOST MY JOB OVER THIS CAR THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED WITH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR IT. I WANT GENERAL MOTORS TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE WITH NO USAGE BEING CHARGED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THAT IS CAUSED MY PERSONAL LIFE AND MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE SEVERE DISTRESS. I LITERALLY HAVE LOST EVERYTHING AFTER HAVING LOST MY JOB OVER THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACED WHICH PRIOR TO THAT MY CAR WAS GOING INTO LIMP MODE / SAFE MODE CONSTANTLY. THIS IS AN ISSUE GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF AND HAS CONTINUED TO SELL THIS MODEL VEHICLE WITH ITS KNOWN DEFECTS WHICH IN MY OPINION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS GIVEN THE RESULTING CHARACTERISTICS THE CAR DISPLAYS ONCE GOING INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER / LIMP MODE THIS WOULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY EARLY MORNING LATE NIGHT HOURS I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY, UNHOOK MY BATTERY TERMINALS AND RESET THE COMPUTER MANUALLY. IT WOULD HAPPEN ON SIDE STREETS, ON MAIN ROADS, SITTING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ETC. AT ONE POINT MY CAR BEGAN DISPLAYING CHARACTERISTICS OF LOSING POWER STEERING, ENGAGING THE AUTO STOP/START FUNCTION AND NOT RE-ENGAGING THE VEHICLE UPON ACCELERATION FOR WHICH IT WAS INTENDED. I LOST POWER STEERING IN A TURN ONE TIME AND ALMOST CRASHED IN BROOKLINE MASSACHUSETTS A HEAVILY TRAVELLED PEDESTRIAN AREA

NHTSA ODI 11220662

Jun 10, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPAIRED TWICE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. BIGGERS CHEVROLET (1385 E CHICAGO ST, ELGIN, IL 60120, (847) 742-9000) MADE THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER [XXX]. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A SENIOR ADVISER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WOULD CALL BACK WITHIN TWO DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,522.*BF *TR *TR *AS CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES AND TRANSMISSION. THE ACCELERATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AS WELL. DOOR PANELS CAME OFF, CARPET CAME UP, TRIM BY REAR SHAFT CAME UP. THE CAR WAS SURRENDERED TO JERRY BIGGERS. HISTORY LISTING REFERENCE #XXXXXXXXX '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).'*JB

NHTSA ODI 11218929

Jun 10, 2019

CARPET CUT TOO SHORT COMING ALL APART IN FRONT FLOOR BOARD AND NEAR DOORS

NHTSA ODI 11219086

Jun 8, 2019Engine

WHILE DRIVING IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY POPS UP A MESSAGE SAYING POWER ENGINE REDUCED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD GET YOU INTO AN ACCIDENT. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED THIS NEW VEHICLE IT HAPPENED THEN AGAIN NOT EVEN ONE YEAR AFTER THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT

NHTSA ODI 11218616

Jun 7, 2019

BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2017 WITH 22K MILES ON IT, AND NOW A YEAR AND A HALF LATER WITH 60K MILES ON IT THERE ARE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE TO GET IT EITHER COMPLETELY REBUILT OR REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT EVERY SHOP I TOOK IT TO TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE 'ALL CARS SKIP LIKE THIS'. THE CAR SKIPS VERY BADLY (MORE SO IN THE LAST MONTH OF MAY 2019), RPMS STAY AT 3500 IF I AM GOING ABOVE 50 MPH, SHIFTS VERY HARD OR NOT AT ALL UNTIL I PRESS MY BRAKES. ALL OF THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IN PARK, IT OCCASIONALLY IDLES AROUND 1-2 RPMS AND MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11218436

Jun 6, 2019Transmission & drivetrainLightsBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS WET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTHPOINT (2175 MANSELL RD, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009, (678) 601-2485) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND THE DOME LIGHT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE MOISTURE CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO FOG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTHPOINT, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE IN PARK AND THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCE THE SHIFTER INTO PARK. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WITH A 2018 PART THAT WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,300.

NHTSA ODI 11218314

Jun 2, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel system

INTERMITTENT ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70MPH) CAR WILL POP UP SERVICE STABILITRAK ERROR MESSAGE ON FRONT DISPLAY, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, WHILE CEL BEGINS FLASHING. AT THIS TIME, CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND SPEED WILL BEGIN TO FALL. CONTINUING TO DEPRESS ACCELERATOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN SPEED WILL CAUSE CAR TO SHUDDER. ENTIRE INCIDENT LASTS ONLY 1-2 MINUTES, BEFORE DRIVABILITY RETURNS. IN-THE-MOMENT ONSTAR DIAGNOSTICS SHOW NO ISSUES. PURCHASED CAR BRAND NEW; ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP, ONLY USE SHELL V-POWER GASOLINE. 1ST INCIDENT- DEALER SAID WET ROADS/RAIN TO BLAME; DID NOT RUN DIAGNOSTICS, DID NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE 2ND INCIDENT- DEALER NOTED CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE, SWAPPED COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUGS ON CYLINDERS 1 AND 3, CHANGED OIL. 3RD INCIDENT- ON MY WAY HOME FROM DEALERSHIP FOLLOWING ABOVE SERVICE, DEALER NOTED CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE, OPENED A CASE WITH GM, AND PERFORMED DECARBON SERVICE TO ENGINE, SAID CARBON BUILD-UP TO BLAME. 4TH INCIDENT- DEALER NOTED GENERAL ENGINE MISFIRE CODE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS ERRORS CODES; REPLACED ECM AND REPROGRAMMED CAR. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME USING NON-TOP TIER GAS IS TO BLAME. CAR HAS TOTAL OF 27K MILES ON IT- ISSUE BEGAN TO OCCUR AROUND 15K MILES. I HAVE DASHCAM VIDEO AND ALL SERVICE RECORDS.

NHTSA ODI 11217361

May 31, 2019Speed controlBrakesEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE TO 10 MPH OR LESS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL CRASHES. VANDEVERE CHEVROLET (1490 VERNON ODOM BLVD, AKRON, OH 44320) REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TWICE IN SIX MONTHS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER AFTER LEARNING THAT SHE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11217084

May 29, 2019Body & structure

MY VEHICLE LEAKS WATER AT THE TOP OF THE BACK WINDSHIELD. THE WATER RUNS DOWN THE METAL BODY INTO THE SPARE TIRE WELL IN THE TRUNK. WHEN I DISCOVERED IT, THERE WAS 10 INCHES OF WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. THE BODY WALL IS RUSTING AT THE TOP, WEAKENING THE BODY WALL AND JEOPARDIZING THE INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE WIDESPREAD COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11210625

May 26, 2019

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH AND SUDDENLY I LOST POWER AND MESSAGE SHOWED UP ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. I ALMOST CRASHED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THERE IS A HUGE FORUM ABOUT IT. HOW COME CHEVROLET DIDN'T ISSUE A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI 11210004

May 25, 2019Engine

I PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AT ABOUT 25K MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WARNING ON MY DASH SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". I WAS ON A 90 MILE TRIP AND CONTINUED ON, AS I HAD NOTHING I COULD DO THEN AND THERE. I ARRIVED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, FULLY EXPECTING ISSUES THE NEXT DAY WHEN I LEFT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST A COMPUTER GLITCH OR ISSUE, UNTIL NOW AT ABOUT 35K MILES, ON THE SAME TRIP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE SAME "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING CAME ON. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO BE RESOLVED. BOTH TIMES I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 15-20 MILES AND COMPLETED THE TRIPS.

NHTSA ODI 11209985

May 23, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR WILL ADVISE TO "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT OFF. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY ISSUES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS

NHTSA ODI 11209577

May 15, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

SHIFT TO PARK WARNING APPEARS ON DASHBOARD AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLACED IN PARK AND POWER BUTTON IS PUSHED. THE SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM SHUTTING OFF. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 37,324 MILES THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED. I PUSHED SHIFTER FORWARD AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE ISSUE HAPPENED ONCE MORE ON THE SAME DAY THEN STOPPED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE IT DID IT AGAIN AND TOOK MORE THAN JUST PUSHING ON SHIFTER TO ALLOW VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVY DEALER WHICH WAS OUT OF THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY TO BE TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY HAVE SEEN BEFORE. I PAID FOR THE WORK TO BE COMPLETED BUT ALSO CONDUCTED RESEARCH AND FOUND ON A CHEVY FORUM THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. IF THAT IS THE CASE THE SAFETY FEATURE OF NOT ALLOWING YOU TO SHUT OFF YOUR VEHICLE IF NOT IN PARK IS DRASTICALLY COMPROMISED WHEN THESE CONTROLS BECOME FAULTY. SINCE CHEVY IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THEIR SHIFTER CONTROL SWITCHES THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO REPLACE THEM WITH A SHIFTER THAT IS NOT KNOWN TO HAVE ISSUES AS THIS COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE $700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF A SERVICE BULLETIN PULLED FROM THIS WEBSITE AND SNIPPET OF SERVICE REQUEST AND CONFIRMATION OF ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11207935

Apr 24, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. DURING COLD WEATHER, THE CHARGE AIR COOLER BECAME FROZEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUCKLICH CHEVROLET (3701 STATE ST, BISMARK, ND 58503) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CHARGE AIR COOLER, AND HEATED AND DRAINED THE REPLACEMENT AIR COOLER TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,796.

NHTSA ODI 11203435

Apr 19, 2019Speed controlEngine

I BOUGHT A 2017 CHEVY MALIBU IN JUNE OR JULY OF 17. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER ON 11-10-17, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD AN OXYGEN SENSOR SHORTING. THEY FIXED THAT. THEN ON 2-2-18 I WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND LUCKY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE MY CAR INSTANTLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ALLOW BE TO GO OVER 15 MPH. THEY SAID IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HOWEVER, ONSTAR SENT ME MESSAGE STATING MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. SO THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE PEDAL AND "FIXING" THE PROBLEM. I GOT MY CAR BACK ON 2-5-18. IN THE SAME MONTH ON 2- 9-1818, I WENT TO GO PICKUP MY DAD WHO IS AN EXPERIENCE SEMI-TRUCK DRIVER AND HE WAS 2 HOURS AWAY. ON THE WAY THERE MY CAR KEPT FISHTAILING AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I AM JUST OVER EXAGGERATING AND MAYBE IT JUST ME. BUT, WHEN I GOT TO MY DADS DESTINATION I ASKED HIM TO DRIVE BACK AND HE DID. HE ASKED ME WHAT WRONG WITH YOUR CAR? IT FEELS LIKE ONE SIDE OF THE CAR IS PULLING FASTER THAN THE OTHER. HE THEN SAID WE NEED TO TAKE THIS TO GET SERVICED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. HOWEVER, THIS WAS THE WEEKEND SO I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY. 2-12-18 I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE SERVICED HOWEVER MY CAR WAS BACK TO ACTING NORMAL. ON 2- 22-18 . MY CAR KEPT CALLING ONSTAR EMERGENCY AND KEPT EXPLAINING TO THEM IT WAS MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME TO PULL OVER, TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEY WOULD TRY TO SEND TO SIGNAL TO MY CAR. THE LADY SAID SHE DID COULD NOT GET ANY SIGNAL FROM MY CAR AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO BE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. THE ONSTAR VOICE KEPT RUNNING I COULD NOT TURN IT OFF OR DOWN. ONCE AGAIN THIS WAS A WEEKEND. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY. THEY FIXED THAT PROBLEM. NOW AGAIN ON THE APRIL 1, 2019 I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AGAIN DUE TO MY CAR NOT ALLOWING ME TO GO OVER 20MPH. MY CAR IS UNSAFE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT SLOWED DOWN LUCKY I WAS IN THE FIRST LINE AND WAS ABOUT TO GET OFF SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI 11202556

Apr 16, 2019Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." THE ENGINE POWER WAS CUT TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHICH WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON AN EXPRESSWAY AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD TO CUT THE ENGINE AND OPEN/CLOSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO REGAIN ENGINE POWER BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. ACCORDING TO THIS DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT ULTIMATELY FIXED THE CAR, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH CONFIRMS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU THAT GM HAS YET TO APPROPRIATELY FIX. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS FIXED, IT IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION AT BEST. FURTHERMORE, OTHER DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED SCARY INCIDENTS WHEN THEY WERE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY AND SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY. MY VEHICLE HAS 25,865 MILES AND I DO NOT WISH TO KEEP PAYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11196641

Apr 16, 2019Speed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. ON MOST OCCASIONS, THE SPEED WOULD REMAIN CONSISTENT. OTHER TIMES, THE SPEED WOULD DECREASE DURING THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHUCK HUTTON CHEVROLET (2471 MT MORIAH RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38115, (901) 318-3703) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW ACCELERATOR FUSE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ELEVEN TIMES OVER THREE YEARS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,973.

NHTSA ODI 11196735

Apr 13, 2019Engine

ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING 65 MPH AND THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED ERROR APPEARED ON MY DASH AND THE CAR LOST ENGINE POWER AND ALMOST GOT INTO A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI 11196019

Apr 11, 2019Electrical systemEngine

2017 MALIBU LOST POWER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ON 4/10/2019! DROPPED FROM 65 DOWN TO 45 WHILE IN THE 3RD LANE. THIS HAS TO DO WITH SOME ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AROUND THE DRIVE PEDAL! THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF PPL LOSING POWER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. JUST GOOGLE IT! THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED! AS A FORMER QE IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY, THIS WOULD HAVE ALREADY RESULTED IN RECALL EFFORTS BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY RISK! SO NHTSA, I HOPE YOU TAKE THIS COMPLAINT VERY SERIOUSLY AND NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DIE OR GET SERIOUSLY HURT! SUCH AS THE TAKATA AIRBAG, FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH ALMOST KILLED A FAMILY MEMBER!

NHTSA ODI 11195541

Apr 7, 2019Wheels

THREE OF THE WHEELS ARE WORN OUT DOWN THE MIDDLE ONLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. I WAS TOLD THE ALIGNMENT WASN'T THE CAUSE AND THE CHEVROLET MECHANICS FAILED TO GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11194510

Apr 3, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO BURKINS CHEVROLET (273 E MACCLENNY AVE, MACCLENNY, FL 32063, (866) 551-5325) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE NEEDED TO BE BLOWN OUT AND THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,656.

NHTSA ODI 11193643

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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 →