2017 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
45/100
#12 most-complained of 21 Malibu years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has 702 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 45 out of 100 — #12 highest of 21 Malibu model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is engine (314 complaints, 45% of the total). Complaints report 16 crashes, 4 fires, and 14 injuries.
- Complaints
- 702
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 16 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24.5 city / 34.5 hwy
Top 2017 Chevy Malibu problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine314 (45%)
- Electrical System174 (25%)
- Other148 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain139 (20%)
- Brakes120 (17%)
- Fuel System60 (9%)
- Steering47 (7%)
- Structure & Body24 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (2%)
- Airbags14 (2%)
2017 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V649000Aug 20, 2021Seat Belts402 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor
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: 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.
- NHTSA 18V400000Jun 14, 2018Airbags66 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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: 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.
- NHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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: 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.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu ranks #12 of 21 among Malibu model years (Complaint Index 45/100, verdict: Good). It has 702 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (314 complaints), electrical system (174 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (139 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 48,000 miles.
- Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, most recently reported 2021, covering seat belts, airbags, and fuel system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
- EPA rates the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu at 28 MPG combined (24.5 city / 34.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.