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 26 of 28

Nov 22, 2018Engine

BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW 12-5-17 AND ON 12-6-17 ENGINE LIGHT WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY CAME ON I WAS ADVICE BY SERVICE MEMBER AT DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM AND IT WOULD FIX ITSELF. ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY AND THEN 10-11-18 IN WHILE IN MOTION ON STREET ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DECELERATED IN SPEED GIVING MESSAGE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. WAS GOING TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP THAT FOLLOWING MONDAY BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY AGAIN BEFORE THAT TIME. TODAY 11-22-18 ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON,WHILE IN MOTION ON STREET SPEED REDUCED, SAME MESSAGE SAYING ENGINE POWERED REDUCED. THOSE TIMES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SPEED WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MILES PER HOUR

NHTSA ODI 11153252

Nov 19, 2018Engine

TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY DECELERATED AND THE ENGINE, TRACTION, AND REDUCED POWER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CABLE DAHMER OF KANSAS CITY (555 W 103 ST, KANSAS CITY, MO 64114, (816) 285-4589) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500.

NHTSA ODI 11152578

Nov 11, 2018Electrical system

WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE SHIFTER DOES NOT FULLY ENGAGE RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO PARK THE CAR OR TURN IT OFF. THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYS "SHIFT INTO PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER IS ACTUALLY IN PARK. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE DRIVER TRIES TO PARK THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11150786

Nov 7, 2018Body & structure1 injury

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND I WAS EXITING MY VEHICLE. I PIVOTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I ACCIDENTALLY DID NOT HAVE MY LEG FULLY CLEAR OF THE DOOR. THE WING TIP EDGE ACTED LIKE A SHOVEL AND TOOK OUT A PIECE OF SKIN ON MY LEG AS I CLOSED THE DOOR REQUIRING STITCHES. I WAS USING A NORMAL AMOUNT OF FORCE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND WAS SHOCKED AT THE DAMAGE THE DOOR TIP DID TO MY LEG. IT WENT THROUGH THE SKIN LAYER DOWN TO THE MUSCLE. I BELIEVE THE WING TIP DESIGN OF FORWARD CAR DOORS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD AND RISK FOR INJURY. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING THE EDGE MORE ROUNDED LIKE THE REAR DOORS. THE FILES I AM INCLUDING ARE FROM THE DAY OF INJURY (11/11/17) AND AFTER STITCHES (11/13/17).

NHTSA ODI 11149817

Oct 30, 2018Speed control

DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHICH IS 70 MPH I GOT THE ERROR OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND ALSO P2135 IT WENT OFF FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY ON MY COMMUTE TO WORK.MY CHEVROLET MALIBU IS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR OLD. THIS CAR HAS HAD SO MANY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE FIXED

NHTSA ODI 11144148

Oct 27, 2018SuspensionAirbagsEngine

MY 2017 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN DOING POWER ENGINE REDUCED FOR AWHILE IT'S BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TO MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE CAR REDUCES SPEED WHILE DRIVING SHOUTING MY CAR DOWN TO GO NO FASTER THEN 20 MPH. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHEVY IS GIVING ME A RUN AROUND ABOUT WHEN OBVIOUS THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME LIKE THIS. I HAVE WARRANTY ON MY CAR AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT FIXED MY CAR PROPERLY LEAVING ME EVERYDAY AT RISK DRIVING THIS UNSAFE CAR THAT CAN CAUSE A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT DOSE IT WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHICH HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ALREADY. I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK FOR ALL THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THIS CAR WHICH IS CRAZY SINCE IT'S A NEW CAR. I NEED TO KNOW IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE IN THIS CAR SINCE THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS MY AIRBAGS THEN IT WAS THE SUSPENSION WHICH I WAS TOLD AGAIN THE SUSPENSION ARE BAD MEANING THEY PROBABLY NEVER FIXED THEM ALONG WITH THIS ENGINE PROBLEM I'M HAVING.

NHTSA ODI 11143411

Oct 24, 2018SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE SWERVES AND FISHTAILS FROM TIME TO TIME. DEALER IS STAING STABILITRAK NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, THE CAR HAS GOOD TIRES, HASN'T BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT AND IS TOO NEW TO BE HAVING THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11142350

Oct 21, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY CAR STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AT AUTOZONE AND THE CODE P2097 CAME UP.

NHTSA ODI 11141668

Oct 15, 2018Speed controlEngine

WAS DRIVING WITH CAR IN DRIVE AND CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH TRACTION SIGNAL STATING 'REDUCED SPEEDS'. HAD TO PULL OVER AND CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST 20 MPH. CUT CAR ON AND OFF 3 TIMES BEFORE THE REDUCED SPEED SIGNAL WENT OFF. WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11140314

Oct 9, 2018Brakes

WHEN I PRESS ON THE BREAK PEDAL IT MAKES A SPONGY SOUND AND FEELS UNSAFE

NHTSA ODI 11139270

Sep 27, 2018Electrical systemEngine

TAKATA RECALL: JUST PURCHASED A USED 2017 MALIBU PREMIER IN JULY 2018 WITH 26,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS HESITATING TO START EVERY MORNING. EACH INITIAL START THERE AFTER THE CAR STARTS RIGHT UP AFTER I'VE PUT 3000 MILES ON THE CAR THE ENGINE JUMPS WHILE HOLDING BREAK.

NHTSA ODI 11131942

Sep 24, 2018SteeringSpeed controlEngine

GEAR SHIFTER GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. CAR SHIFTED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH I SHIFTED GEARS INTO PARK ONCE I GOT TO A SAFE PLACE COMPUTER SCREEN READ NEUTRAL. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF FROM ACCESSORY MODE AND SAID "SHIFT TO PARK" BUT IT WOULD NOT. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO SHIFT IT JUMPED HARD AND YOU COULD SEE THE ENGINE JUMP AS IF IT WASN'T MOUNTED PROPERLY. WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE BUT HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER CALLED TODAY TO SAY IT WAS GEAR SHIFTER. WENT BAD BUT THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED TOO AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE BATTERY. THE SHIFTER PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS . I ONLY HAD 11989 MILES ON IT AND IT IS 1 YEAR OLD.

NHTSA ODI 11130920

Sep 17, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I PURCHASED 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN 03/ 2017 WITH APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES AT THE OURISMAN ROCKMONT CHEVROLET, LOCATED IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND. AT ABOUT 20,000 (12/23/2018) MILES I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AS I HAD A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT & THEN TRIED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN EXCEPT THE CAR STALLED ONCE THE EMISSIONS PORTION OF THE CAR TRIED TO KICK IN, IT CUT OFF AND DID NOT RESTART IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY INTERSECTION. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 0 MINS UNTIL THEN FINALLY THE ACR RESTARTED AGAIN. THIS OCCURENCE CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PEIODICALLY, I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THIS REACTION, BUT I LET THE DEALERSHIP KNOW IF EVERY INSTANCE AND BROUGHTTHE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED AT 20,000 MILES, 24,000 , 26, 000 MILES & 27,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE "GUY" THAT GMC WAS NOTIFIED AND THAT I SHOULDN'T CONTINUE TO BRING THE CAR THERE. THAT WAS APRIL 2018. UNFORTUNATELY, THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS LEAVING THE GARAGE AT WORK. CAR CUT OFF ANOTHER CAR ALMOST SLAMMED IN THE BACK OF MY CAR DUE THE ABRUPTNESS OF THE CAR GOING OUT. THE SSUE HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND DURING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT AUGUST 2018 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS ISSUE IN ADDITION TO A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IN AUGUST 2018 THAT I AM OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 50,000 MILES CURRENTLY. THAT IS NEITHER HERE OR THERE. AS THE ORIGINAL ISSUE WAS NEVER ADDRESSED WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I AM NOT WILLING TO LOSE MY LIFE TRYING TO HAVE THIS CAR REPAIRED IN A TIMELY FASHION. INSTEAD I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN RENTAL CAR FEES AS I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING IN A CAR WITH AN ISSUE SO SEVERE THAT GMC WAS NOTIFIED AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE WITH MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11129895

Sep 15, 2018

TAKATA INFLATORS

NHTSA ODI 11129700

Sep 14, 2018Wheels

PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW WITH TWO MILES IN 2016. IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH OF PURCHASE, I REPLACE A TIRE BECAUSE IT POPPED. ONE YEAR LATER I REPLACED A SECOND TIRE BECAUSE IT DEVELOPED A LUMP THAT WAS 2017. THIS YEAR TWO MORE TIRES WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF LUMPS IN THE TIRE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE EVER. ACTUALLY, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11129588

Sep 14, 2018Body & structureVisibility & wipers

I WENT INSIDE A CAR WASH AND WHEN MY CAR WAS BEEN WASH THE WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE FROM THE BACK ROOF NEXT TO THE BACK WINDOW I TOLD THE DEALER BUT THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC WHEN IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CAR ISSUE. MY WATER PUMP IS NOT WORKING CAN NOT USE IT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY ON THE ROAD CAN NOT CLEAN IT USING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS

NHTSA ODI 11129610

Sep 5, 2018Fire

US GOVERNMENT OWNED 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLE FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN, BUT WAITING ON A FIRE REPORT FOR POSSIBLE CAUSE.

NHTSA ODI 11124487

Aug 30, 2018Body & structure

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING INTO CABIN THROUGH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CAUSED BY A FAULTY GASKET.

NHTSA ODI 11123380

Aug 16, 2018Visibility & wipers

MY REASON FOR WRITING IS MY CAR WAS STRUCK IN THE WINDSHIELD BY A ROCK REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, I NOTICED UNDER CONDITIONS OF BRIGHT LIGHT SUCH AS A SUNNY DAY, I COULD NOT SEE CLEARLY THROUGH IT BECAUSE OF SIGNIFICANT REFLECTIONS OFF OF THE DASHBOARD. SEE PHOTO NUMBER 1. I DID BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE GLASS COMPANY THAT SUPPLIED THE WINDSHIELD. THEY BOTH AGREED THE REFLECTIONS SEEMED UNUSUAL, BUT STATED THE AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT MET THE APPROPRIATE GLASS STANDARDS. SEE PHOTO 2 FOR THE GLASS MANUFACTURER. THEY SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WITH AN OEM REPLACEMENT, WHICH I PLAN TO DO FOR SAFETY REASONS. MY REASON FOR WRITING IS TO ASK IF YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT STANDARD FOR OPTICAL TRANSMISSION IS REQUIRED OF NON-OEM REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELDS. IF I CAN SHOW THAT THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL GLASS STANDARDS PERHAPS THEY MIGHT HELP WITH THE ADDED COST OF REPLACEMENT. I DO HAVE A GOOD TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING OF OPTICAL TRANSMISSION AND REFLECTANCE, AS I AM A RETIRED OPTOMETRIST. I MIGHT ADD THAT PART OF THE HIGH REFLECTANCE OF THE WINDSHIELD IS IN PART DUE TO THE ASH-GRAY INTERIOR COLOR, A DESIGN FLAW. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD IS MUCH MORE REFLECTIVE THAN THE ORIGINAL, BASED ON MY BEST RECOLLECTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11120520

Aug 6, 2018Electrical systemBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND, UPON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE "KEY COULD NOT BE DETECTED" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PHIL SMITH CHEVROLET, 1640 SR 7, LAUDERHILL, FL, 954-271-1474), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA ODI 11118115

Jul 26, 2018Electrical system

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND FIXED IT IS THE BATTERY MODULATER SENSOR (IF I SPELLED IT RIGHT) THE SAME CODE COMES UP. DEALERSHIP STATES ITS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR SYSTEM ISSUE AND A FIX IS BEING WORKED ON ITS BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS ALL THEY CAN DO IS RESET THE SENSOR BUT IT KEEPS COMING ON.

NHTSA ODI 11113712

Jul 23, 2018

'TAKATA RECALL' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE NEXT DAY THE SPEED OF VEHICLE DECREASED AND SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI 11113185

Jul 18, 2018Wheels

WITHIN 7 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS OF REAR TIRES

NHTSA ODI 11112171

Jul 13, 2018Steering

BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW, NOW HAS 14,000 MILES. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE COASTING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK RAPIDLY BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN. IT IS A RAPID RIGHT LEFT RIGHT LEFT ONLY MOVING THE WHEEL ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE CENTER EACH WAY. IT HAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FELT LIKE THE STEERING WENT REALLY LOOSE, ALMOST A NEUTRAL FEEL WITHOUT RESISTANCE AND VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IN NEITHER SITUATION WILL IT DO IT TO THE POINT ANY SERVICE TECHNICIAN WILL EVER BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. THE STEERING HAS WENT "LOOSE" ON ABOUT 12 TO 14 OCCASIONS. THE RAPID BACK AND FORTH JERKING HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE RAPID JERKING HAS HAPPENED BOTH TIMES ON DIFFERENT ROAD SURFACES AT SPEEDS BELOW 45 MPH WHILE COATING, FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND FOOT NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI 11111097

Jul 12, 2018Steering

WHEN I TO A STOP LIKE COME OFF THE EXIT CAR CUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOT ON BE FOR SECOND. I HAVE TOOK IT TO THE DEAL THREE TIME AND THEIR EVERYTHING IS OKAY THEIR THE PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY SAME THING HAPPEN AND IT WILL COMES UP ON THE DASHBOARD THAT I`M LOSING POWER.

NHTSA ODI 11111016

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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 →