2017 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Fuel systemFire risk

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

  Details 18V358000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Seat belts

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

  Details 21V649000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Airbags

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

  Details 18V400000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Airbags

  Insufficient welds could cause the inflator to separate and propel air bag debris into the cabin during a crash.

  Details 16V870000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Engine: Certain 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Malibu, 2017-2018 model year Buick LaCrosse, and 2018 model year Buick Regal vehicles may have a condition which affects the electrical connection to one of the vehicle?s accelerator pedal position sensors.
• Doors and locks: During service, certain vehicles equipped with OnStar (RPO UE1), may have received an incorrect and partially programmed/configured replacement OnStar module.
• Warranty extension: Certain vehicles there may be a water leak through the center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL).

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

724 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Other Chevrolet Malibu years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024