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 3 of 28

Aug 16, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to move into gear. The contact had to depress the brake pedal and restart the vehicle. The message that the vehicle was not in park was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to turn off. The local dealer was contacted, and informed the contact that there were no associated recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11609014

Aug 14, 2024Engine

Engine power reduced

NHTSA ODI 11608586

Aug 8, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon arriving to her destination and shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact stated that the "Please Shift to Park" message was displayed. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the gear shifter wiring harness and battery current sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11607313

Aug 7, 2024BrakesEngine

On Thursday, [XXX] my [XXX] son was driving my chevy malibu coming down the hill to get home when the brakes went out. He could not stop the vehicle and had to pass our neighborhood and let the vehicle slow itself down. He was able to get stopped and turned around and made it home. Saturday, [XXX] we decided maybe it needed new brakes and took it for new brakes. New brakes and rotors all the way around did NOT fix the problem. The brake was like hitting a brick and would not stop the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and they found that the vacuum system for the brakes went out. He also noticed that cam shaft was cracked. Upon research through the internet I found that this problem is common and a class action suit has been filed against GM for the same problem. I am unsure why this is not a recall as its a safety issue and my son could have been injured or injured someone else. This has been an EXTREMELY expensive repair for us! When they went to replace the cam shaft there were several parts of the cam shaft just blown all over the engine. We still have not found all of the missing parts. This has caused most of the seals to have to be replaced as well. I do not have a repair receipt yet as the vehicle is still in the shop INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11606954

Jul 28, 2024BrakesEngine

Vacuum Pump exploded, my breaks went out on the freeway. Metal pieces from the pump went into engine. Broke the camshaft. Now having to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars to repair. I am missing out on work u til this can be fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11604929

Jun 28, 2024Electrical system

Vehicle shut down completely while at intersection with no warning including no dash board warnings, recently had vehicle repaired at dealership computer was replaced, injectors cleaned, fuel system flushed. This car is unpredictable at times and not safe if turning off with no warning, if I did get a warning it's after the vehicle shut down then started back up with "Stabil break" code and reduced steering. I have kept up with the maintence on this vehicle since purchase had no wrecks and it's money gone down the drain. I'm not understanding why there hasn't been a recall on this cars electrical component's there seems to be some time of communication issue between the computer & parts causing the car to completely shut down.

NHTSA ODI 11597498

Jun 27, 2024

Shift to Park Error. Then the battery goes dead.

NHTSA ODI 11597294

Jun 17, 2024LightsBody & structure

On March 18, 2024, I noticed that water began to enter the car when it was in the carwash. I opened a claim with the insurance company and an investigation was carried out that lasted approximately 3 months. On June 11, the body shop received my car to diagnose and provide a quote to the insurance company for the necessary repairs due to this water damage. The workshop considered it to be a problem in the upper rear brake light and mentioned that this is a Chevrolet recall on these cars. The insurance company called me and told me that I had to go directly to the dealer to have the necessary repairs made to my car that were caused by this water problem. However, I cannot find information about this recall online.

NHTSA ODI 11594698

Jun 17, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. In addition, the message that there was no power was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a blown spark plug. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,200.

NHTSA ODI 11594901

Jun 8, 2024

When the car stops the auto stop turns on, but when the car is ready to move the auto stop will turn the car off or lose power. Another issue is that when the car is in park an error message says shift into park. This will not allow you to turn the car off. The car is in the park.

NHTSA ODI 11593257

Jun 7, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while stationary at a stop light and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, and the vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection. The vehicle was previously repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure usually occurred during summer, on very hot days. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11593032

May 31, 2024Electrical system

Shift to park replaced 2 times problem still happening. Car says not in park when in park.

NHTSA ODI 11591813

May 30, 2024Electrical system

The infotainment system cycles and will change the radio, activate the gps anything that can be controlled through the infotainment system, it also changes the instrument cluster at times; the lane detection, distance alarm all the features, even the language and MPH to KPH. This can cause a sudden shock and safety issue as you are now unaware of the vehicle speed and even cause eratic driving as this can be a shock and take you by suprise.

NHTSA ODI 11591482

May 28, 2024

Shift to park light com s on after I am parked and the the car is parked. My son got out of the car thinking it as off. It since has happened to me at least 8 times the last week

NHTSA ODI 11591034

May 25, 2024Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

When powering off car, shift to park message is displayed even though the car is in park. The vehicle will not power all the way down, and the battery will drain.

NHTSA ODI 11590760

May 6, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

Vehicle says to shift to park when it is in park. This doesn't allow you to turn off the car.

NHTSA ODI 11587297

May 6, 2024Engine

P0301 Error - Cylinder 1 Misfire. First the Check Engine light and Service Stabilitrack light turn on. Then seconds later, the car began to violently shake and sometimes the gas will not go resulting in the car being stuck in the middle of the road for about 60 seconds before moving again in stop-and-go traffic. These warning lights turn off and on. The dealer says this is the result of a plastic piece breaking due to general wear-and-tear and the only solutions are to replace the pistons or replace the whole engine. Multiple smaller repair shops say this is a known issue and it doesn't have any open recalls. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11587299

Apr 26, 2024Speed controlEngine

I was in the freeway and out of nowhere an alert message popped up on the dashboard saying Engine power reduced. This made my car go from 65mph to 30 mph is the freeway luckily I was able to exit and go to the nearest gas station and was able to keep myself safe as others on the road but it could've easily gone very badly. The car won't go over 30 mph. The car is available for inspection upon request, I seen a PDF in the nhtsa website of a special coverage adjustment for loss of continuity within acceleration pedal position circuit. I will attach it to this message.

NHTSA ODI 11585454

Apr 12, 2024Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

Unknown. Original owner.24,000 miles. When car turned off, shift to park message occurs. Required 10 on off cycles to turn car off. Dangerous since could be draining battery.

NHTSA ODI 11582591

Apr 10, 2024Fuel systemAirbagsSeat beltsCrash2 injuries

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving northbound at 70 MPH, an unknown BMW crashed into the passenger rear quarter panel of the vehicle. The impact spun the vehicle around and hit a guardrail. 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. The passenger's front and rear seat belts failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel line, seatbelt latch, and buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V649000 (Seat Belts) , NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V358000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11582061

Mar 29, 2024

ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE DRIVING ON I83 ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS DRIVING AT 65MPH AND IT WAS REDUCED TO 25MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. SINCE THERE IS NO SAFE WAY TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, ( I HAVE TO CROSS THE SUSQUHANNAH RIVER WHICH IS ONLY DONE BY HIGHWAY) I AM HAVING IT TOWED AND DROPPED OFF AT MY LOCAL MECHANIC. I ALREADY HAD THE GAS PEDAL SENSOR REPLACED IN 2019 AT FAULKNER CHEVORLET IN LANCASTER, PA. I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE CAR SINCE EARLY 2018, WHEN I PARK THE CAR, IT SAYS SHIFT TO PARK, EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE ELECTRONICS IN THE CAR DO NOT SHUT OFF. WHEN I TOLD FAULKNER ABOUTH THIS THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE IT WASN'T HAPPENING WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11580160

Mar 18, 2024Fuel system

High pressure fuel pump blew out while driving on the highway going to Minnesota from Illinois. Fuel was spraying onto the engine and leaking onto the ground. I immediately pulled over and stopped the car, turned off the engine and raised the hood. The car was taken to a Chevy dealership today and I was informed that the high pressure fuel pump literally "blew out." This could have resulted in an engine fire and fortunately that didn't happen. Online research reveals that Chevy had a recall on some 2016-2018 model Malibu's for this very reason.

NHTSA ODI 11578028

Mar 10, 2024Engine

While driving my vehicle the engine light turned on with a message stating ‘engine power reduced’. I am unable to drive over 20 miles per hour.

NHTSA ODI 11576467

Mar 7, 2024Fuel system

The warning light comes on and off and is showing (P0498/P0449) which is the evaporative emission system vent control electrical circuit signal has low voltage for a predetermined period of time. Its calling to replace the evaporative emissions canister vent solenoid and I have seen 3 vehicles the same as mine needed the same thing fixed. When the vehicle is in park you can feel it jerk and also while pressing gas when you pull off it stalls. When cranking you can smell fumes .

NHTSA ODI 11576113

Feb 26, 2024Engine

I keep getting a message that goes on and off saying engine power reduced, which slows the pick up and the car down while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11574018

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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 →