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)

20 of 687 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

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

Jul 6, 2023AirbagsCrash

I was traveling at 55 mph and hit a deer with my car's front end. The impact affected about 60% of my front end. I couldn't escape from my vehicle through either front doors, I had to use the rear passenger doors. Upon impact, the front dash Indicated "airbag" buy not 1 airbag deployed. Even the car dealership indicated that they noticed the airbag light, but assured me it was okay.

NHTSA ODI 11530617

Nov 8, 2022SteeringLane DepartureCrash3 injuries

Issue 1 Changing lanes at a red light and car steering wheel locked up causing the car to go one lane too many to the right and get struck by another vehicle Issue 2 car shuts off at every stop and hesitates to take off causing unsafe conditions

NHTSA ODI 11492833

Oct 17, 2022AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 -35 mph and making a turn, a 2009 Hyundai Elantra sideswiped the vehicle and crashed into the driver's rear quarter panel. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the neck and indicated it was whiplash and a cervical sprain. Medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11489639

Sep 14, 2022AirbagsCrash2 injuries

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH a second vehicle t-boned into the passenger side of the vehicle causing substantial damage to the passenger side body of the vehicle. During the crash, no air bags were deployed including the passenger side curtain airbags. The front seat passenger sustained neck back and hip injuries and the driver sustained neck and back injuries both requiring medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was drivable. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11484400

Jul 7, 2021BrakesAirbagsCrash2 injuries

The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at undisclosed speeds, without warning as the brake pedal was depressed the vehicle accelerated forward independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal again the vehicle failed to stop causing, the vehicle to crash into the other vehicle in front. No airbag deployed. No police report was filed. The contact and the passenger sustained severe whiplash, 1 week later the contact and his wife sought medical attention and checked in a hospital. The insurance company was contacted and towed the vehicle to the collision shop where it was deemed a total loss. The contact mentioned that the other vehicle was totaled as well. The dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11423834

Mar 19, 2021BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE 2016 - 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU DUE TO REDUCED POWER FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S POWER WAS REDUCED TO 20 - 25 MPH. THE "KEY NOT DETECTED" LIGHT ILLUMINATED, HOWEVER THE KEY WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WERE APPLIED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REAR-ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT INFORMED PARKS CHEVROLET RICHMOND ( 4502 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23230) OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11403873

Jul 15, 2020SteeringCrash

TL* CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL AND SPUN AROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO REPORTED INJURIES OR POLICE REPORT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AUTO CENTER CARS (727 N. ROYAL AVE. FRONT ROYAL, VA 22630 (540) 622-2667) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11339563

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

Nov 11, 2019Crash

GEAR SHIFT NOT STAYING IN PLACE. MONITOR COMES ON DASHBOARD WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND SAYS 'SHIFT TO PARK'. CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK, BUT STILL ROLLED DOWN THE HILL OF A DRIVEWAY, AND GOT DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI 11279349

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

Mar 20, 2019Fire

THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY HOUSE FOR 2 HOURS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT SAID IT STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SIDE OF HOOD. IT BURNED TO A SHELL

NHTSA ODI 11190208

Feb 21, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

NOVEMBER 2018, I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE A VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ILLEGAL U-TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF CLIFTON ROAD, AS I WAS COMING DOWN CLIFTON ROAD IN THE TURNING LANE AND T-BONED MY VEHICLE CAUSING FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY SHUT DOWN AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED THE FOLLOWING WEEK. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND AFTER READING THE REPORT FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY STATING THAT THERE IS AN AIRBAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, WHICH WAS ALLEGEDLY KNOWN AT THE TIME I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND NO ONE TOLD ME AND AGAIN BY THE TIME I HAD MY LAST OIL CHANGE AND AGAIN NO ONE EVER TOLD ME. NO, I TOTALLY LOST A VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE OVER AIRBAGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.

NHTSA ODI 11181525

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

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

Mar 23, 2018Electrical systemEngineFire

MY 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS ON THE STREET. IT STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND MELTED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL DEFECT FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11080993

Mar 20, 2018AirbagsSpeed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD SUDDENLY INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE DRIVER HAD TO DEPRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2018, WHILE IN A BANK PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER (DAVIS CHEVROLET IN HOUSTON, TX) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800. *TT VIDEO ATTACHED *BF

NHTSA ODI 11080330

Feb 16, 2018AirbagsCrash

VEHICLE MOVING SLOWLY AND ALMOST STATIONARY WHEN STRUCK IN DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR AREA BY FULL SIZE PICKUP TRUCK WITH EXTENSIVE AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND LIKELY A TOTAL LOSS BUT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI 11073220

Jul 28, 2017Body & structureWheelsEngineFire

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 15 MINUTES -HORN STARTED WENT OUT SAW SMOKE CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME BACK AT FRONT DOOR FLAMES FROM FRONT END. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT FIRE -CAR TOTALED. WORRIED ABOUT SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION ESPECIALLY IF CAR PARKED IN GARAGE OR CLOSER TO HOUSE OR IF PEOPLE INSIDE

NHTSA ODI 11011224

Jun 20, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

6/13/2017 I WAS INVOLVED IN A 2 VEHICLE COLLISION ON A HIGHWAY. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED OUT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, ATTEMPTING TO CROSS MY LANE OF TRAFFIC. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOWED. STAFF AT THE TOW SERVICE DISCOVERED THE REAR DOOR AIRBAGS HAD NEVER BEEN PLUGGED IN AT THE FACTORY. THIS IS A LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL AT MANUFACTURERS LEVEL.

NHTSA ODI 11000133

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 →