Every 2017 Chevrolet Malibu recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Seat Belts · NHTSA 21V649000
Aug 20, 2021Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners
- 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.
- Risk
- An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V649000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V400000
Jun 14, 2018Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
- 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V400000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V358000
May 31, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
- 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.
- Risk
- A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V358000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V870000
Feb 12, 2016Air Bags:Side/Window
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V870000 →
2017 Chevrolet Malibu complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 725 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, reporting 17 crashes, 4 fires, 16 injuries. Chevrolet has issued at least 1,331 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine256
- Electrical System172
- Unknown Or Other150
- Power Train145
- Vehicle Speed Control136
- Service Brakes68
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (584)
- Electrical System (375)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (240)
- Engine (177)
- Power Train (157)
- Unknown Or Other (136)
Read Chevrolet Malibu owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 725 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“Was driving on highway and starting to exit and my engine light came on and it alerted reduced engine power. I had to slam on my brakes but they were very hard to press and almost non existent and steering was also difficult.”
2017 CHEVROLET MALIBUDec 14, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11704980
Injury reported
“THE CAR WAS PARKED AND I WAS EXITING MY VEHICLE. I PIVOTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I ACCIDENTALLY DID NOT HAVE MY LEG FULLY CLEAR OF THE DOOR. THE WING TIP EDGE ACTED LIKE A SHOVEL AND TOOK OUT A PIECE OF SKIN ON MY LEG AS I CLOSED THE DOOR REQUIRING STITCHES.”
2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRIDNov 7, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11149817
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while backing out of the driveway, the engine revved up and accelerated independently.”
2017 CHEVROLET MALIBUOct 24, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11695429
Injury reportedCrash
“6/13/2017 I WAS INVOLVED IN A 2 VEHICLE COLLISION ON A HIGHWAY. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED OUT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, ATTEMPTING TO CROSS MY LANE OF TRAFFIC. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOWED.”
2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRIDJun 20, 2017
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11000133
“The car completely lost power while being driven on a freeway in Sacramento, California. The car was towed to a Chevrolet dealer in Davis, California and they determined that the car lost power due to a faulty Auxiliary Battery Negative Cable Assembly (Part # 84085823).”
2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRIDMay 9, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11660023
Check your Malibu by VIN
Not every 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Chevrolet dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →