2017 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Report
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (711) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 21 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu with 62 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Malibu Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Malibu years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Malibu | 669 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Chevrolet Malibu | 848 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Malibu | 182 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Malibu | 264 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Malibu | 180 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Malibu | 62 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
77 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
69 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
66 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
45 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyVehicle Speed Control,Engine
33 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyVehicle Speed Control
33 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Reliability Score
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belt Fasteners General Motors is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles due to potential issues with seat belt fasteners. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Sensor General Motors LLC is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles due to potential issues with airbag sensors during servicing. |
Medium | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Fuel Pump General Motors LLC is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles due to potential issues with the fuel pump. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Reduced Engine Power Owners have reported experiencing reduced engine power, which can cause the car to lose acceleration and may pose a safety hazard. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu:
Issues with the 'Shift to Park' feature have been reported, causing the car to not fully turn off when in park.
Multiple owners have reported needing to replace their brake boosters, which can be expensive.
Reduced engine power has been reported, causing the car to lose acceleration and potentially leading to unsafe driving conditions.
Issues with airbag deployment have been reported, which can be critical in a collision.
Recall Details for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu by NHTSA:
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Malibu vehicles manufactured on November 10, 2016. The right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold may have insufficient welds.
Consequence: Insufficient welds could cause the inflator to separate and propel air bag debris into the cabin during a crash. Also, the inflator could fail to inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16146.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
When car is in park. Shift to park is on dashboard. Car won't fully turn off. It's been doing it for years. Was worked on at dealership. It's still doing it.
In the last 6 months I’ve had to put 3 Brake Boosters on my 2017 Chevy Malibu and it’s NOT cheap…. I don’t know what else to do.
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.
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.
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 ...
I have had experience with the "SHIFT TO PARK" error and I have had the "reduced engine power" error message resulting in an UNEEDED $2200 dollar repair only for it to break down 2 months later, same message this time with fuel spraying under the hood. I NEARLY BLEW MYSELF UP TRYING TO START MY CAR! How is it that I cant find this DANGEROUS defect on the recall list when I easily found the RECURRE...
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 compon...
Lose power while driving
Was driving on highway and starting to exit and my engine light came on and it alerted reduced engine power. I had to slam on my brakes but they were very hard to press and almost non existent and steering was also difficult. Managed to get car to side of road but due to very hard to non existent brakes I did graze a truck and damaged my rear drivers side fender. I am very lucky I didn’t get injur...
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.
Fuel is leaking and it is messing up my emissions. I had the emissions fixed for my safety inspection. But soon after 2 days later fuel keeps leaking and the smell of gas is so strong in my car. This is a safety hazard of not only becoming inflammable but also the smell is toxic to my health and my grandchildren. I have asthma and all of the following i have experienced headaches, dizziness, and r...
Engine light is on, message pops up stating "engine power is reduced" and pedal acceleration is limited. I received a message from Onstar stating there is a recall on some GMC vehicles regarding this issue, however my vin is not part of the recall, but it should be, as all the elements stated in the recall are the exact issues in my vehicle.
Last year I started getting the dreaded shift to park issue. Takes usually about 30 seconds to realize its in park, even though the dashboard days its in park. WHY is there no recall? I see hundreds of thousands of complaints for this. Plus im constantly getting the P1101 code. I know this is a common issue with this car for the dirty throttle body or MAF sensor. Why isnt this under recall? I dont...
When I accelerate and try to stop brakes goes down to the floor. I’ve had my rotors. Brakes changed and it’s impossible to stop at times. Purchase vehicle. 2018 and the check engine light came on shortly after I purchased it. It’s been on. I’ve got diagnostics. It’s unknown why! Tire sensors has been changed, including with new tires and none of them work and the airbag light is illuminated. I am...
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
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 towe...
I tried to shift the car from drive to park but a message appeared saying I needed to put the car in park. The lights and radio were still on and I could not get the message to disappear even after several attempts to start/restart the car and moving through the gear shift. I will be taking the car to a dealership asap. There wasn’t any prior error or problem before this message started appearing....
The car smells strongly of gas. And has a problem accelerating. Check engine light came on and I got a code p1101 which is a code for the MAF SENSOR. This is not the first time that this has happened. It happened less than a year ago maybe 9-10 months ago. I don’t drive the car in fear of it catching a fire. The car has stalled before in the middle of a turn. I had to turn the car off and turn it ...
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.
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 chil...
Showing 20 of 711 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Has the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
The 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 711 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 17 involved crashes. 16 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU involve unknown or other (77 complaints), power train (69 complaints), engine (66 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, vehicle speed control,engine, vehicle speed control.
How many crash reports does the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
There are 17 crash reports associated with the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU out of 711 total complaints (2.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
There are 4 fire reports for the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU out of 711 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
16 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU is proceed with caution. It has 711 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (77 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (69 complaints), 3. ENGINE (66 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (45 complaints), 5. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE (33 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 77 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Be cautious of the 'Shift to Park' recall and the potential for reduced engine power and brake failures. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 711 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 711 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 21 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Seat Belt Fasteners and Airbag Sensor.
What are the known issues with the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Known issues with the 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU include: Seat Belt Fasteners, Airbag Sensor, Fuel Pump, Reduced Engine Power. These are based on patterns found across 711 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Common issues include 'Shift to Park' recall, reduced engine power, and brake failures.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes, there are recalls for seat belt fasteners, airbag sensors, and fuel pump issues.
What should I do if I experience reduced engine power?
Have the vehicle checked by a professional mechanic to diagnose and address the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the 'Shift to Park' recall and the potential for reduced engine power and brake failures. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The data includes 711 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 17 reported crashes, 4 fire incidents, 16 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14