The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,476 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,173 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 20, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS21V6490002021-08-20402 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS18V4000002018-06-1466 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
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…
Consequence
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…
AIR BAGS16V8700002016-12-02113 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
252
3crashes2fires3injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
159
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
147
2crashes2fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
132
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
129
SERVICE BRAKES
66
3crashes2injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
56
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
53
1crashes
STEERING
46
4crashes3injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
20
Total complaints1,173
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I was driving back home and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I started driving, but my car was jerking a little too much. I pulled over and turned my car off. When I cut my car back on my brake became very hard to the point I had to push down extra hard to stop my car. I started…”
“I was driving back home and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I started driving, but my car was jerking a little too much. I pulled over and turned my car off. When I cut my car back on my brake became very hard to the point I had to push down extra hard to stop my car. I started…”
“I have a 2017 chevy malibu 2.0 t. The incident involved the braking system. I was driving and as traffic came to a stop, I pressed the brake to stop and my brakes gave out. I immediately lifted my foot and press extremely hard on my brake pedal and was able to stop though the stopping distance was…”
“When the vehicle is shifted into park and the ignition button is pressed, the vehicle fails to shut down. The dashboard displays a "shift to park" warning message, indicating the vehicle does not recognize that the gear selector is physically in the park position.to shut the engine off, the driver…”
“When the vehicle is shifted into park and the ignition button is pressed, the vehicle fails to shut down. The dashboard displays a "shift to park" warning message, indicating the vehicle does not recognize that the gear selector is physically in the park position.to shut the engine off, the driver…”
“When the vehicle is shifted into park and the ignition button is pressed, the vehicle fails to shut down. The dashboard displays a "shift to park" warning message, indicating the vehicle does not recognize that the gear selector is physically in the park position.to shut the engine off, the driver…”
“The trottle body position sensor just started acting up. Took it to mechanic. They stated they can try to fix it but it may only work for a month then go back out. May end up paying over 6k and the car isn't worth it”
“The trottle body position sensor just started acting up. Took it to mechanic. They stated they can try to fix it but it may only work for a month then go back out. May end up paying over 6k and the car isn't worth it”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu as of
July 20, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.