CarRecallWatchThe 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 705 complaints with NHTSA, including 16 crashes, 4 fires, 14 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (253 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Loose Rear Seat Belt Retractor May Fail in a Crash
Some rear seat belt retractors may be installed with loose or missing fasteners, so the retractor may not work properly during a crash.
Passenger Airbag May Deploy Incorrectly in a Crash
Some 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibus may have had a Passenger Presence System installed during servicing that was not calibrated to the vehicle's seat type.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Detach, Risking Fuel Leak and Fire
The high-pressure fuel pump in these vehicles may detach from its mounting flange.
Rear side air bag may fail or spray debris in crash
A weld on the right-hand rear side air bag inflator may be insufficient.
Most common 2017 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Problem areas named in the 705 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 253 |
| Electrical System | 161 |
| Unknown Or Other | 148 |
| Power Train | 140 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 135 |
| Service Brakes | 69 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 57 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 53 |
| Steering | 47 |
| Exterior Lighting | 21 |
What owners report
Noticed a sidewall bulge in my tire upon parking. 245 40 R 19
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 pump, and because it broke, it threw off the timing on my camshaft. I had a mechanic look at it and he had to tap the camshaft back into timing. Today, October 2026, I was on my way home from work, and my brakes were locking up and grinding. I had to use a lot of pressure for the brakes to even work. The break is very hard. Again, another vacuum pump failure. Iâm hoping this
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 people who would have been involved. The vacuum pump had completely blown up, causing the brakes to fail, and it also destroyed my camshaft, so I lost engine power as well. I looked it up online and it is a very common issue that GM needs to address because of how severely dangerous it is.
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 GM vehicles manufactured from 2016-2022. The total repair cost for these two part replacements was $4,951.11 for a car that was purchase just two months prior for $17,000. A great disappointment! Code for issue in both cases was P0299. The failed parts resulted in significant engine power loss, which made it unsafe to drive as acceleration away from intersections and on entering
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 approximately one-quarter of a tank. The engine oil also has a strong gasoline odor, indicating that fuel may be entering the engine oil. The exact failed component has not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The strong raw gasoline odor and apparent rapid loss of fuel create a concern for a fuel leak and potential fire hazard. The vehicle
2017 Chevrolet Malibu safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 5 | 5 | 4 (10.2% rollover risk) |
2017 Chevrolet Malibu questions
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu: Loose Rear Seat Belt Retractor May Fail in a Crash; Passenger Airbag May Deploy Incorrectly in a Crash; High-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Detach, Risking Fuel Leak and Fire; Rear side air bag may fail or spray debris in crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Based on 705 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (253), Electrical System (161), Unknown Or Other (148).
How safe is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.