What 720 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Limited

I was driving back home and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I started driving, but my car was jerking a little too much. I pulled over and turned my car off. When I cut my car back on my brake became very hard to the point I had to push down extra hard to stop my car. I started back driving home once I realized my car needs to be turned completely off and sit. While I'm driving I see a message on my dashboard saying "Engine power reduced." Luckily I made it home safely with no wrecks, but when I had to brake my car was still moving jerking while in place. Also when I made it home and turned my car off I heard a fan like noise that eventually stopped.

NHTSA ODI 11748133

the trottle body position sensor just started acting up. took it to mechanic. they stated they can try to fix it but it may only work for a month then go back out. may end up paying over 6k and the car isn't worth it

NHTSA ODI 11746422

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. Due to the issue, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the contact was forced to pull over and turn off the vehicle. The contact waited approximately 30-40 minutes before restarting the vehicle and resuming normal driving. The vehicle was previously taken to a dealer; however, no codes were found. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure could be caused by the floormat being under the accelerator pedal. The contact had the floormat removed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure, and another appointment was scheduled to service the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11731087

The Reduce Power to Engine keeps happening. It shuts my car down and lights up the traction control light, check engine light and its a serious hazard because I travel highway to and from work and its very dangerous when you loose power to your vehicle at high rates of speed. Also my emissions is bad due to a supposed fixed recall for the catalytic converter.

NHTSA ODI 11716053

I was driving my car on the highway and the car begin to feel like it was about to shut off. Shortly after, the car check engine light turned on with a warning sign on dashboard stating “engine reduce.” the check engine is still on and my mechanic states my turbo needs to be replaced. I have an appointment for second consult with chevy dealer to verify.

NHTSA ODI 11715400

The GM Shift to Park recall has been an issue that has affected various General Motors (GM) vehicles. The primarily impacting Chevrolet models like the Malibu, Traverse, Volt, and the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer. It’s essential to be aware of the problem, its implications on vehicle’s safety, and the steps required to address it. In simple terms, the Shift to Park defect prevents drivers from shutting off and locking their vehicles, even after putting the car in park. This situation poses a potential safety concern, as drivers might mistakenly assume their cars are securely parked and powered off while walking away. The issue has been prevalent enough for the company to issue a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) on June 7, 2021. The TSB specifically targets the 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, while also mentioning the Malibu, Traverse, Volt, and other 2016-2019 Chevrolet models. The bulletin provides guidance on diagnosing and addressing the “Shift to Park” problems, although it does not present a definitive solution to the underlying issue. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO FIX IT

NHTSA ODI 11713855

While driving at highway speeds, my vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of engine power and reduced acceleration. The traction control light and engine light illuminated, and a “Reduced Engine Power” message appeared. The vehicle would not respond to the accelerator, creating a serious safety hazard. This occurred shortly after authorized dealer service involving the PCV system and related components. The vehicle did not have this issue prior to dealer service. I returned the vehicle to the dealer, and they stated they could not replicate the issue. The sudden loss of power could have resulted in a serious accident. I believe this may be related to improper dealer service, disturbed electrical connectors, or throttle body/engine management components. I am reporting this as a safety concern. I also would like to mention this safety issue has occurred now multiple times with my car on multiple separate occasions with the last prior occurrence being 12/20/2025.

NHTSA ODI 11706844

Reduced engine power. Car will not accelerate over 35 mph. Almost rear ended. Will be the second time in dealer for same problem. Also, Shift to Park. Also second time at dealer for same problems. You cannot get out of car until you keep moving the shifting handle.

NHTSA ODI 11704878

Engine Power Reduced, My car then loses the ability to pickup speed I’ve even had my break tighten up on my in the middle of trying to stop my vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11697859

The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while backing out of the driveway, the engine revved up and accelerated independently. The contact's vehicle accelerated independently in reverse(R) and clipped the tow hitch of a vehicle parked on the street, and that was where the vehicle came to a stop. No air bags deployed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was inspected. However, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while parking in reverse into the contact's assigned parking space, the engine revved up and accelerated independently. The vehicle accelerated in reverse(R) and hit a tree, where it came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the back windshield was shattered, the rear bumper fell off, and smoke was emitting from under the hood.  A police report was not filed. The contact was taken to the hospital by a family member later that day. The contact sustained minor injuries; a contact had a CT scan due to hitting the steering wheel. The contact sustained minor cuts from the flying glass from the back windshield. The contact stated that the day after the accident, her daughter turned on the vehicle, and the air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was left at the residence pending an inspection from a mobile independent mechanic. The contact stated that prior to the accident, the gear shift failed to function as intended. When the contact moved the shift lever to park(P) and the contact turned off the engine, the light on park(P) would stay on. The contact then turned on the engine and turned it off the engine, and the light on the gearshift turned off. The insurance company was not contacted. However, the contact did not have coverage for the accident. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11695429

The transmission stalls to get up and go after it has been driven for a short while causing it to slow down traffic and causing a slight risk trying to pull over to the side to allow drivers behind pass by. Once the driver stops at more than 5 stops is when the vehicle begins to hesitate to work properly.

NHTSA ODI 11687127

I was driving my car on the highway doing 65 mph when all of a sudden my car started rapidly jerking losing the power to accelerate and entering “limp mode“ there was multiple cars behind me when my car lost the power to accelerate. I was in the far left lane and couldn’t even go higher than 7 miles an hour and had to cross across three lanes at 7 mph on a 65mph highway to pull over. I had my children in the car and almost caused a huge accident dude to this issue. The issue in hand is the vacuum pump. It completely shattered in my engine, causing severe engine damage. And it caused my brake pedal to become hard as a rock. I couldn’t break without using my emergency break. I had no brake power at all. My car had to be towed.

NHTSA ODI 11685667

Okay so my car had 2 recalls but the they were not repaired the same problem reoccurred . Which was the car engine not turning on and electrical problems etc. I don’t really know how to explain it but yes it’s having the same problems .

NHTSA ODI 11684084

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the message to depress the brake pedal and shift to park(P) was displayed. The vehicle was restarted but stalled again. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while driving at speeds below 40 MPH. The vehicle was returned to the same mechanic, and it was determined that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the PCV valve and the valve cover were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and advised that the oxygen sensor was not OEM and replaced the Oxygen sensor with an OEM part. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and reprogramed the hybrid engine control module. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The contact had not taken the vehicle back to the dealer or to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11673917

Vacuum pump failure caused engine damage.

NHTSA ODI 11661631

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11659953

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Low engine power" message was displayed. The contact was able to arrive at the destination where the vehicle stalled and was unable to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.

NHTSA ODI 11649298

I was driving in my neighborhood I tried to park at my house and my car wouldn’t stop I had to step down on my break hard for it to finally stop my vacuum pump broke into pieces and made my timing chain break

NHTSA ODI 11647738

Reduced engine power that causes vehicle to lose power at dangerously low speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11646593

Fuel leaking from engine

NHTSA ODI 11641448

We have had multiple codes with loss of power.

NHTSA ODI 11639493

When driving down a major highway going 70MPH, my 2017 Chevy Malibu speeds decreased, the brakes locked up, and the vehicle would not accelerate. Eventually the car came to a complete stop and an “engine power reduced” notification came up on the dash. I was able to pull off to the side of the road but I was traveling at a high rate of speed on a busy road, I almost got hit multiple times by people behind me who also had to swerve out of the way to keep from getting hit. After turning the car off and on again it seemed to run fine for a few months until the issue happened again going down a busy highway (65mph) again putting myself, my kids and others on the road behind me at risk. Now the car won’t move more than 5 feet before shutting off with “ engine power reduced “ still displaying on the screen.

NHTSA ODI 11634066

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to exceed 20 MPH. The engine power reduced message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the accelerator pedal position sensor and the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the engine also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627348

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to turn off as needed. The contact stated that the message "Please Shift to Park" was displayed and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective gear shifter wiring harness, and a battery current sensor failure. 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 unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11621104

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal lost connection while driving 65 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the accelerator pedal sensor was not connecting with the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

NHTSA ODI 11615666