Home · 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Limited · Complaints

What 720 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Limited

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 (720)Crash / fire / injury (22)Engine (255)Electrical system (171)Transmission & drivetrain (143)Speed control (136)Brakes (70)Fuel system (61)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (54)Steering (46)Lights (22)Body & structure (21)

Newest first · 720 complaints · page 6 of 29

Sep 18, 2023Engine

My dash warning lights came on and the engine shut off. The battery voltage seems fine, and the car will start but only run for a short time. I cannot drive it for fear of stopping on a highway or main road.

NHTSA ODI 11545097

Sep 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

In 2019 I took my vehicle under warranty to the purchasing dealership to fix a "shift to park" reading after the vehicle is parked. It precludes turning off the car. Repeatedly restarting the car and shifting to park and/or jiggling the controller in park usually stopped the reading. The dealer replaced the control shifter, which fixed the problem for many years. This August, the problem started recurring and I have been attempting to make an appointment in the last week, but none of the local dealers say they can repair this for some time. Most cannot even diagnose the problem for a week or two.

NHTSA ODI 11544252

Sep 12, 2023Brakes

1, break vacuum pump. I have the defective unit available 2. My safety, my passengers and all other drivers were put at high risk 3. Defective vacuum pump verified my independent mechanic 4. Inspected by mechanic. Have not had anyone else inspect. 5. No warning of complete break failure

NHTSA ODI 11544206

Sep 11, 2023Electrical system

The car continues to say "shift to park" when the car is already in park and its becoming a severe problem. Something is wrong with the shift stick

NHTSA ODI 11543913

Aug 31, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

I get a notification for shift to park and I can’t put car in park. I’ve paid for the repair once at about $500 and it’s doing it again.it’s clearly an issue because many people have put complaints in and the dealerships are seeing it frequently. Is this a recall or will gm reimburse me since clearly it’s a major issue for this make and model.

NHTSA ODI 11541909

Jul 28, 2023Electrical system

Intermittent Shift to Park Message Displayed While Vehicle in Park. Frequently when I shift the car into park and turn off the engine, a "Shift to Park" display appears on the driver dashboard. The "Shift to Park" display doesn't clear unless turning the car back on and turning it off again.

NHTSA ODI 11535070

Jul 24, 2023Lights

I noticed some staining in my vehicle head liner and a nasty musky smell about an hour after I washed my vehicle. I do know there is a recall on the third brake high stop lamp for same model different Vin associated. My vehicle has the same problem and this can cause malfunctioning to the rear of the vehicle due to the water leaking into the car and on the wiring ov the vehicle. Seats get wet, headliner is stained and gets wet, rear deck gets soaked as well. 3 of my bolt fasteners have broken and I have a temporary fix on it.

NHTSA ODI 11534082

Jul 16, 2023Speed controlBackup camera & sensors

When l park my car it keeps saying it’s not parked

NHTSA ODI 11532536

Jul 16, 2023Seat beltsSeats

shift to park

NHTSA ODI 11532546

Jul 11, 2023Fuel system

Issues with fuel pump

NHTSA ODI 11531512

Jul 11, 2023Fuel system

Issues with fuel pump. Other 2017 Chevrolet Malibu's already have this recall

NHTSA ODI 11531513

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

Jun 26, 2023Brakes

1) brake system failed , yes it’s available for inspection 2) the brakes became very hard not being able to push down to use brakes , had to go to the right into ditch to avoid many vehicles that were ahead of me , this was very scary for my family and I , I’ve had nightmares since . 3) brake booster has been confirmed by the dealership as the problem 4)inspected at the hm dealership 5) There was no warning lights before incident happen

NHTSA ODI 11528989

Jun 24, 2023BrakesEngine

Engine reduced while on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11528633

Jun 22, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Fail to ingage into park Car can roll away if not staying park mode. Yes dealer Inspected and repaired by dealer Dashboard stater shifter not engaged, first appeared 10/27/2022

NHTSA ODI 11528306

Jun 21, 2023Lights

I notice water leaking inside the trunk and roof, after carefully checking the outside car i have found a cracked 3rd brake light( rear), no accident , no impact nothing happened.

NHTSA ODI 11528179

Jun 20, 2023Electrical systemBrakesEngine

Shift to park warning continues to come on daily when I go to put my car in park. I have to fidget with the shifter to get the computer to recognize that my car is in park and the car will then shut off. Recently I was stopped at a red light, tried to accelerate at the green light and my car completely shut off, while I was still in drive. I could not accelerate and had to place my car in park. Then my stabilitrak sensor came on, along with a notice that my battery saver was on. I had to call a police offer to help me off the road. The car was then able to turn on and I drove it home but this is not safe.

NHTSA ODI 11527915

Jun 12, 2023Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

The day I bought the vehicle in 2019 the engine light came on, I took the car back to the dealership and was told they couldn’t do anything. I took it to them and the shop here in town and I was told by both shops on multiple occasions they could not fix any of the issues. They treated me like I’m just a paycheck for them. My car for 3+ years now shuts completely off when I slow down or stop, including on highways. “Engine speed reduced” message comes up every time I drive. Now I am being told my brakes are going to go out and nobody can help me. I have to step on my gas after I start the car or it just sputters.

NHTSA ODI 11526493

Jun 12, 2023Lights

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon cleaning her rear windshield, she noticed that the third rear brake light plastic housing had cracked on both sides. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the third brake light needed to be replaced to avoid future water intrusion that might enter through the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526584

Jun 12, 2023Electrical system

Driver door will not unlock from outside of car when car is sitting out in the heat and sun. Yes car Is available for inspection If I need to get in car while out somewhere I can’t in a hurry. I went to dealership in November 2022 when it happened 3 times it was hot outside. No warning message or symptoms before failure. Hot weather when sitting in sun lock will not work. Now that it is very hot lock is not working again June12, 2023 happened 2 times today

NHTSA ODI 11526644

Jun 12, 2023Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

I was driving my car at a normal rate of speed when all of a sudden it slowed down to a crawl and almost caused an accident, reduced engine power and engine came one after getting the codes they were 2122 and 2097

NHTSA ODI 11526672

Jun 7, 2023Speed controlEngine

My car has reduce engine speed. I’m driving on the highway and out of nowhere the car shots down and a symbol appears on my dashboard that says Reduce Engine Speed. Literally the car slows down to a minimal speed until I can’t drive anymore. I have to stop and turn off the car for 5 minutes until I can turn it on and drive to my destination in a reduce speed.

NHTSA ODI 11525760

Jun 7, 2023Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

Reduce Power Engine appears on the dash board. The car starts slowing down, I can’t speed up, I Have to park on the side of the heavy traffic in the Highway. I have to wait around 5 minutes and then drive. I still have the engine symbol on. This happens regularly like 2 to 3 times a week.

NHTSA ODI 11525764

Jun 7, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the reduced speed warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The vehicle decelerated and the brake pedal became stiff while depressed, while the RMP’s fluctuated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vacuum pump was replaced; however, the contact stated that the RPM’s was still fluctuating. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving, if the accelerator pedal was not depressed, the vehicle would shut off. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH while driving. The contact stated that a DTC code for the camshaft was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11525893

Jun 5, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact was able to get to the side of the road but ended up in a ditch which stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the brakes had failed and that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, due to the manufacturing of the braking system, the damages was extensive, and the vehicle was undrivable. The contact stated that additional parts were needed to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

NHTSA ODI 11525439

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Working with the data? Download all 720 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 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 Limited verdict →