2017 Chevrolet Malibu: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2017 Chevrolet Malibu? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 712 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2017 Chevrolet Malibu trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.2% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.2% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has 712 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Malibu
- Model year
- 2017
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 712
- Crash-related complaints
- 17
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 30
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 27 / 36
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Electrical Faults, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Inspection Focus
- Request service records for engine and electrical system repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and drivetrain.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or brake issues.
Before You Close the Deal
- Request service records for engine and electrical system repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and drivetrain.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or brake issues.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu are concentrated in engine problems, electrical faults, and transmission/drivetrain issues. A recurring theme appears to be unintended acceleration, which may be related to the engine or electronic systems. Crash-related complaints are relatively low compared to total complaints.
- Engine problems account for the highest number of complaints among all components.
- Electrical faults and transmission/drivetrain issues are also frequently reported.
- Unintended acceleration complaints are notable, with 136 reports.
- Engine Problems
- Electrical Faults
- Transmission / Drivetrain
All 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 258 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 169 | — | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 147 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 140 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 136 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 69 | 3 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 58 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 54 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 46 | 4 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 21 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 15 | 9 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 t…
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. Als…
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 repl…
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 …
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 TRY…
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 s…
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 har…
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 …
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 el…
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…
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!…
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…
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 wil…
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 i…
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 …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 712 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?▾
#1: Engine Problems (258 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (169 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (147 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, NHTSA complaints include 17 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 712 total complaints. 16 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?▾
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Malibu reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.