Is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
705 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 257, 4.5× a quiet Malibu year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 35k–76k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 257 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Malibu owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 59,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 257 (36%) | 35k–76k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 161 (23%) | 30k–63k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 139 (20%) | 32k–70k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 135 (19%) | 38k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 60 (9%) | 19k–68k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 53 (8%) | 35k–65k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 73 (10%) | 41k–70k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 47 (7%) | 40k–82k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lighting | 21 (3%) | 28k–72k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 19 (3%) | 28k–62k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 14 (2%) | 20k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 59,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 705 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 21 say the car was towed.
31 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was driving on the street when my engine power is reduced notification came up on my dash board. My engine light also came on.
Cruising to work on I-93 in concord, nh traveling around 65 mph. I went out into the passing lane and the car totally lost power.
Was driving with car in drive and car check engine light came on with traction signal stating 'reduced speeds'.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 59,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu: 4
The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners. An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold may have insufficient welds. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 486
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Correct conditions of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely cold weather conditions, CAC Icing, MIL Illuminated with DTCs set
Correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set
Neighbouring years
2016 Malibu: 840 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2018 Malibu: 700 complaints, consider selling.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year
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Questions
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
705 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 257, 4.5× a quiet Malibu year. At 59,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 35k–76k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 257 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (257), electrical system (161), transmission and drivetrain (139), speed control (135), fuel system (60). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 35k–76k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 21V-649), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-400), Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-358), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-870). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.