YearToAvoid

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#3 most-complained of 7 Malibu Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 3rd worst among 7 model years with data, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 22 complaints, half of them electrical, with no recalls filed for this year.

Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
46
49 city / 43 hwy

Top 2017 Chevy Malibu Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System11 (50%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain5 (23%)
  3. Engine3 (14%)
  4. Other3 (14%)
  5. Fuel System2 (9%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (9%)
  7. Airbags1 (5%)
  8. Brakes1 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Turn signals fail to shut off after completing a turn, requiring the driver to manually cancel them.
  • The 12-volt battery has died repeatedly within the first year or two of ownership, sometimes twice within months.
  • Water intrusion through the brake light lets moisture reach the trunk and hybrid battery, causing corrosion.
  • The remote key stops being detected by the car for a period of time, disabling door locks and other keyless functions.
  • The engine takes a long delay to start after pressing the start button and shakes noticeably once it does start.
  • The reduce engine light comes on and the car loses power on the highway, pointing to a throttle position sensor or throttle body issue.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2017Aug 2018Feb 2019Jan 2020Aug 2021Apr 2022Sep 2023
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2017 to May 2025; peak Mar 2018 (3).

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
49 MPG
Highway
43 MPG
Combined
46 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,400
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Malibu Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002008200920102016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict02029
2016Avoid10024146
2017Caution6722046
2018Caution5011046
2019No verdict172046

All Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid reliable?
It ranks 3rd worst out of 7 Malibu Hybrid model years with data, with a Complaint Index of 67 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
Electrical System issues make up half of all complaints (11 of 22), including turn signal, key detection, and 12-volt battery failures, with a median failure mileage of 14,000 miles.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid have any recalls?
No, NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2017 model year.
How does the 2017 Malibu Hybrid compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 67 is worse than the 2018 (50, Caution) and 2008 (33, Good) but better than the 2016 (100, Avoid) and 2009 (83, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 46 mpg combined (49 city / 43 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,400.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.