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)

163 of 687 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 4 of 7

Mar 22, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2018 WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON MORE THAN 7 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL INJECTOR WORKED ON, SOMETIMES IT WON'T SHIFT COMPLETELY INTO PARK, I HAD IT DECREASE IN SPEED FROM 70 ON THE HIGHWAY TO NO MORE THAN 20 MPH WITH OVER $400 IN REPAIRS JUST THAT TIME. I DO NOT DRIVE FAST OR DEPRIVE MY CAR OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I HAVE NEVER HAD ISSUES LIKE THIS WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11404256

Mar 22, 2021Electrical systemLightsEngine

ON 03/10/21, I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I APPROACHED THE STOP LIGHT AND REDUCED SPEED. I CAME TO A FULL STOP AND THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY, THEN LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. I HAD NO HAZARD LIGHTS, NO RADIO, NO DASHBOARD, NOTHING. AFTER BEING STRANDED FOR 5 MIN LIKE THAT AT A VERY DANGEROUS LEFT LANE STOP, THE CAR FINALLY RESTARTED. CALLED ONSTAR IMMEDIATELY TO SCAN THE CAR FOR CODES - THEY FOUND NONE. THE ISSUE OF THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY SHUTTING DOWN LIKE THAT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE OCTOBER OF 2020. TAKEN THE CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I CURRENTLY HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AM BEING TOLD THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG DESPITE FOUR DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN MY CAR WITNESSING IT HAPPEN TO ME MORE THAN ONCE AND MY PROVIDING A LOG OF EVERY TIME IT'S HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11404262

Mar 16, 2021Electrical system

PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK THE IGNITION WILL NOT SHUT OFF WITH THE MESSAGE NOT IN PARK. 10 MONTHS AGO HAD DEALER FIX. NEW HARNESS FROM TRANS TO SHIFTER. NOW PROBLEM BACK AGAIN IGNITION STAYS ON EVEN WHEN SHIFTER IS IN PARK SAFETY ISSUE IF CAR WILL NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF

NHTSA ODI 11403334

Mar 16, 2021Electrical system

THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T LET ACCELERATE AND I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER

NHTSA ODI 11403416

Mar 11, 2021Electrical system

WHEN I SHIFT TO PARK AND ATTEMPT TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF A WARNING COMES UP TELLING ME TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND I THEN HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON MOVE THE SHIFTER DOWN TO DRIVE AND SLOWLY MOVE THROUGH EACH GEAR UNTIL THE PARKING SENSOR WILL RECOGNIZE THE SHIFTER IS IN PARK THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENS TO OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE TO ALLIED TO WITH THE SAME MODEL

NHTSA ODI 11400337

Mar 11, 2021Electrical systemLightsEngine

GOING TO WORK ON A CITY STREET CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. IT BLACKED OUT. NO HAZARDS NO LIGHTS AND THIS WAS AT 3:30 IN THE MORNING. AND IT'S HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. IT HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND ON A BUSY STREET. ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT AND TRY TO START IT UNTIL LUCKILY IT DID. BUT BEFORE THIS STARTED, THE CAR KEPT ON SHUTTING OFF ON ME WHEN I COME TO A STOP. IT'S HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS. AND TODAY IT STATED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT IT WAS REDUCING ITS SPEED. WHAT'S NEXT?! IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE MY KIDS WITH ME AND I'M AFRAID SOMEONE MIGHT REAR END ME ONE DAY. OR IF IT COMPLETELY BLACKS OUT ON ME ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HAVE NO ONE TO HELP ME AND I GET STRANDED. I WISH THEY WOULD DO A RECALL. I'VE SEEN ONLINE HOW IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

NHTSA ODI 11402508

Feb 26, 2021Electrical systemEngine

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN. THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE MORE THAN 20 MPH. LUCKILY I WAS NEAR THE SHOULDER, BUT IF I WASN'T I COULD'VE EASILY GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER VEHICLES AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD GET SOMEONE KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 11398035

Jan 23, 2021Electrical systemAirbagsFuel system

VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL RECALLS

NHTSA ODI 11389614

Jan 15, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF MORE THAN 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING REQUIRING A TOW AND WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE STILL TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11388396

Dec 22, 2020Electrical systemEngineFuel system

MY POWER STEERING ASSIST POPS UP AND DISAPPEARS. CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME AT A STOP SIGN(TWICE) AND WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP

NHTSA ODI 11384597

Dec 15, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I WAS ON THE EWAY AND I WAS GOING 80MPH IN THE LEFT LANE, AND MY CAR JERKED TO DECELERATE TO 20MPH. THE MESSAGE SAID, 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED'.

NHTSA ODI 11383512

Dec 9, 2020SteeringElectrical system

"STEERING ASSISTANCE REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE" WARNING APPEARS ON DASH RIGHT BEFORE I'M GOING TO ACCELERATE AFTER BEING STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI 11382759

Nov 29, 2020SteeringElectrical system

WHEN DRIVING AT AUTO STOP, WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE, CAR ACTS LIKE IT SHUT OFF AND SAYS STEERING ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE. I NOTICED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE GOES DOWN TO 11.0 V. ALSO THE RADIO SCREEN FLICKERS BLACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN MULTIPLE DAYS.

NHTSA ODI 11376980

Nov 6, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

MY CARS CUT OFF AND THEN DISPLAY POWER STEERING REDUCES DRIVE WITH CAUTION THIS IS SCARY BECAUSE MY SON IS WITH ME IN THE CAR IT'S JUST CUT OFF EVERY TIME I STOP OR I'M DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11373527

Oct 7, 2020Electrical system

SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE (2017 MALIBU). THE FIRST TIME AT 30,000+ MILES, AND NOW AGAIN AT 74,000+ MILES. FORTUNATELY, THE 1ST WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. THIS TIME WILL BE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES (FOR THE SAME ISSUE), AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE AN "UNNECESSARY" DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FEE. CONDUCTING RESEARCH REVEALS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS MANUFACTURER AND/OR VEHICLE. CAN WE PLEASE GET A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI 11363140

Oct 4, 2020Electrical system

MY SUNROOF IS STUCK OPEN AND MY SEATS POWER GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 11362654

Sep 8, 2020Electrical system

VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM BEHAVIOR IN SERVICE BULLETIN 19-NA-206. INTERMITTENT SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. ALOT OF OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2019/MC-10166630-9999.PDF

NHTSA ODI 11353622

Sep 6, 2020Electrical systemLights

I BOUGHT THE 2017 MALIBU PREMEIR WITH 5 MILES ON IT IN SEPT 2017 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE START. 2018 WHILE RIDING ON INTERSTATE MY CAR JUST STOPPED WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALER THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AFTER KEEPING CAR FOR 2 DAYS. WENT TO LEAVE DEALER SHIP AND CAR STOPPED IN PARKING LOT ,SENSORS WENT OUT ON FRONT OF CAR. FIXED 2019.NEXT MY CAR KEPT GETTING WATER IN TIRE WELL AND I WENT TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT A RECALL. SO I KEPT BAILING OUT WATER AND PARKING IN GARAGES. THREE MONTHS LATER RECALL .I WAS WITHOUT CAR FOR 4 WEEKS AS CARPET ,HEADLINER AND COMPLETE TRUNK CARPET AND MOLDING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF MOLD,2020.MY CAR TELLS ME TO SHIFT TO PARK WHEN CAR IS IN PARK AND I HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND ON ND MOVE FROM D TO P TO GET IT TO WORK. TELLS ME WHEN 'I'M DRIVING NO KEY FOUND IN VEHICLE OR PUT KEY FOB IN POCKET.,YESTERDAY SEPT 5.2020 WENT TO GET INSPECTION STICKER AND ATTENDENT TOLD ME YOU HAVE NO BACKUP LIGHTS. NEVER NOTICED IT. SO WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND BOUGHT LIGHT AND WENT TO MECHANIC SHOP TO HAVE PUT IN. WHILE SITTING IN CAR WENT TO OPEN SUNROOF, IT WASN'T WORKING AND IT HAD BEEN MONTHS SINCE I REMEMBER OPENING IT, SO 'I'M READING OWNERS MANUAL AND WENT TO TURN ON MAP LIGHTS. NO LIGHTS. SO MECHANIC COMES AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR BULBS. LET ME CHECK FUSES, USUALLY WHEN BOTH LIGHT GO OUT AT SAME TIME ITS A FUSE PROBLEM TOLD HIM ABOUT SUN ROOF AND MAP LIGHT, HE CHECKED EVERY FUSE INSIDE AND OUT. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY FUSES OR THE LIGHTS. THEY JUST WONT COME ON. NEITHER WILL SUNROOF OPEN. MY CAR HAS 56000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE 25000 MILES. I THOUGHT I WOULD KEEP THIS CAR FOR AT LEAST TEN YEARS AS IT COST A PRETTY PENNY FOR THE CAR

NHTSA ODI 11353384

Aug 19, 2020Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURNOFF. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE STAYED ON UNTIL EITHER THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED OR THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MIKE SAVOIE CHEVROLET (1900 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (248) 566-6523) AND DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11350243

Jul 26, 2020Electrical system

THE 2017 MALIBU GIVES A MESSAGE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN "PARK," WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE DISPLAY SCREEN STAYS LIT UP TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. YOU CANNOT LOCK THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS WENT ON FOR 15 ABOUT MINUTES. AFTER MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER BACK & FORTH, THE ERROR MESSAGE FINALLY GOES OFF. ITS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE, IF YOU CANT LOCK & SECURE THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11341545

Jul 15, 2020Electrical system

WHEN I GET TO A STOP LIGHT THE AUTO STOP ACTIVATES. WHEN THE CAR GOES TO TURN BACK ON IT TRIPS UP AND DIES COMPLETELY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE CAR WON'T TURN BACK ON. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES UNTIL THE CAR WILL TURN ON AGAIN. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT FOR LONGER THAN 30 SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI 11339500

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

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 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

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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 →