2017 Chevrolet Malibu recalls and problems

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has 4 recalls and 705 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Photo: 2017 Chevrolet Malibu by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2017 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 26 Malibu model years — 14th most.

4recalls
705complaints
16crashes
4fires
14injuries
48,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

4 recalls

Seat Belts

Aug 20, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V649000 · 402 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Air Bags

Jun 14, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V400000 · 66 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel System

May 31, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V358000 · 895 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Dec 2, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V870000 · 113 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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 & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2017: 11 complaints20172018: 49 complaints20182019: 143 complaints20191432020: 139 complaints20202021: 91 complaints20212022: 96 complaints20222023: 53 complaints20232024: 46 complaints20242025: 56 complaints20252026: 21 complaints202621

2017 vs. other Chevrolet Malibu years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2017. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, the latest from Aug 20, 2021 (seat belts). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (258), electrical system (161), unknown or other (148). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.