CarRecallDB

2017 Chevrolet Malibu recalls and problems

4 recalls and 704 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu.

4
recalls
704
owner complaints
16
complaints mentioning a crash
4
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

Seat belts: rear/other, retractor · Seat belts: critical fasteners

NHTSA campaign 21V649000 · reported August 20, 2021 · General Motors, LLC · 402 vehicles potentially affected

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

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

NHTSA campaign 18V400000 · reported June 14, 2018 · General Motors LLC · 66 vehicles potentially affected

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

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 18V358000 · reported May 31, 2018 · General Motors LLC · 895 vehicles potentially affected

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

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 16V870000 · reported December 2, 2016 · General Motors LLC · 113 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 23, 2026 · Service brakes

I have two separate incidents regarding the vacuum pump on my 2017 Chevy Malibu. About two years ago, I was driving on the freeway, my brakes locked up, Car was dying, turns out my vacuum pump had exploded internally, causing metal pieces to go into my engine, it was in my oil as well. I had to replace the vacuum…

Oct 7, 2026 · Service brakes

I was driving on the tollway at 75 mph when I saw stopped traffic ahead of me, and when I tried to apply the brakes, they went from soft to hard and completely stopped working; I had to swerve across lanes into the grass to avoid a massive accident and to save my life, as well as the lives of my passengers and the…

Sep 9, 2026 · Power train

Turbo cooler and turbocharger failure, diagnosis and replacement on February 4 and February 17, 2026 by a certified GM dealership. Replacement of these parts was not included in service bulletin N222372590 (issued 12/22/22), which covered 100% replacement for the exact parts for the exact engine for a number of other…

Aug 29, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

The vehicle is experiencing an apparent fuel-system malfunction. The vehicle has a very strong raw gasoline odor, significant difficulty starting, and appears to be consuming fuel at an abnormally high rate. After filling the fuel tank completely, I drove approximately 20 miles at most and the fuel gauge decreased by…

Aug 26, 2026 · Steering

I have a 2017 Chevy Malibu that in 2022 had a shift malfunction causing it to become stuck in reverse and roll backwards. It ended up having to be towed and was repaired in May 2022. On August 25 and 26, 2026 the car is now experiencing another SHIFT TO PARK malfunction whereby the vehicle DOES NOT detect that the…

Malibu model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2014 6351198
2015 3270189
2016 9841232
2017 4704164
2018 6700234
2019 119381
2020 1199100

Across all years, the 2009 Malibu has the most complaints (1,509). All Chevrolet Malibu years →

Questions

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, the most recent reported on August 20, 2021 (Seat belts: rear/other, retractor, Seat belts: critical fasteners). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners have filed 704 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (253 complaints), followed by electrical system (161).
How many 2017 Chevrolet Malibu complaints mention a crash or fire?
16 of 704 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 14 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 23, 2026.