CarBrief

NHTSA has 725 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Malibu, and engine reports are the largest group[1][2]. Four recalls are listed, and each one has a free dealer remedy[3][4][5][6].

725owner complaints[1]
4recalls[7]
26–46MPG combined (EPA)[8]
5★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 725 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 17 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 16 an injury, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

The biggest groups by component:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[2] 261 56,114
Electrical system[10] 172 48,000
Unknown or other[11] 150 36,268
Power train[12] 144 48,750
Speed control[13] 136 58,000
Brakes[14] 72 59,777
Fuel/propulsion system[15] 59 52,000
Electronic stability control[16] 54 54,500

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. It is a sample, so it shows what owners describe, not how common a problem is.

A complaint is not a confirmed defect. Still, a stall in traffic is a safety matter, so ask the seller whether the car has ever stalled or shown a power warning[2].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year, newest first. Each one lists a free dealer remedy.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three versions of the 2017 Malibu. All are front-wheel drive.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
1.5L turbo, regular fuel[17] 27 / 36 / 30 $2,250
2.0L turbo, premium fuel[18] 22 / 33 / 26 $3,150
Malibu Hybrid, 1.8L, regular fuel[8] 49 / 43 / 46 $1,450

The EPA works out annual cost with its current fuel price assumptions, not the prices when the car was new. The 2.0L needs premium fuel and has the highest yearly cost of the three[18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive Malibu 5 stars overall[9], 5 stars for frontal crashes[9], 5 stars for side crashes[9] and 4 stars for rollover[9]. The rollover risk is listed as 10.2%[9]. A second NHTSA entry lists the same ratings[19].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list gives these horsepower ratings for the 2017 Malibu:

The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada.

L, LS, LT sedan Premier and Hybrid sedan
Length[23][24] 194 in 194 in
Width[23][24] 73 in 73 in
Height[23][24] 57 in 57 in
Wheelbase[23][24] 111 in 111 in
Curb weight[23][24] 3,086 lb 3,386 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

1997: 446 complaints, 4 recalls19971998: 981 complaints, 3 recalls1999: 793 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 933 complaints, 3 recalls20002001: 734 complaints, 2 recalls2002: 583 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 585 complaints, 2 recalls20032004: 1,697 complaints, 7 recalls2005: 1,393 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 1,387 complaints, 6 recalls20062007: 1,036 complaints, 3 recalls2008: 1,017 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 1,534 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 1,365 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 978 complaints, 3 recalls2012: 907 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 924 complaints, 11 recalls2014: 363 complaints, 6 recalls2015: 270 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 865 complaints, 10 recalls2017: 725 complaints, 4 recalls72520172018: 711 complaints, 6 recalls20182019: 195 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 199 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 90 complaints, 2 recalls20212022: 99 complaints, 1 recalls2023: 71 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 43 complaints, 2 recalls20242025: 11 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Malibu model year. The 2017 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19974464
19989813
19997931
20009333
20017342
20025832
20035852
20041,6977
20051,3934
20061,3876
20071,0363
20081,0174
20091,5345
20101,3653
20119783
20129072
201392411
20143636
20152703
201686510
20177254
20187116
20191951
20201991
2021902
2022991
2023712
2024432
2025111

The 2017 Malibu has 725 complaints and 4 recalls on file[7]. The neighboring years look like this:

From 2014 on, only 2016 has more complaints than 2017[7]. Earlier years are higher in several cases, for example 2004 with 1,697 complaints[7]. Years from 2019 on have far fewer complaints, and the counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2017 Malibu?

The 2017 Malibu earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[9]. The fuel economy range is wide, from 26 to 46 combined MPG depending on the version[18][8]. The complaint file is sizable at 725 reports, with stalling and reduced power reports showing up in the complaint samples we read[1][2][13]. All four recalls list a free dealer remedy, so ask the seller whether the repairs were done[3][4][5][6]. Ask for service records on any stalling or reduced power message, and have the car test driven and inspected before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Engine is the largest complaint group with 261 of 725 complaints, followed by electrical system with 172[1][2][10]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling and reduced power messages[2][13].
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
NHTSA lists four: rear seat belt retractors, the passenger presence system, the high pressure fuel pump and the rear side air bag[3][4][5][6]. Each lists a free dealer remedy.
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
The EPA rates the 1.5L turbo at 30 combined MPG, the 2.0L turbo at 26 and the Malibu Hybrid at 46[17][18][8].
How safe is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[9].
Is 2017 a good year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
It has 725 complaints, fewer than 2016 with 865 and more than 2018 with 711[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 725 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu (17 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 261 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,114). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 21V649, filed August 20, 2021: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Retractor. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 18V400, filed June 14, 2018: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 18V358, filed May 31, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 16V870, filed December 2, 2016: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Malibu model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Malibu Hybrid, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 49 city / 43 highway / 46 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 172 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 150 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,268). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 144 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 136 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 72 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,777). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 59 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 54 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for Malibu, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Malibu, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Chevrolet Malibu with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 160 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Chevrolet Malibu with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 122 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Chevrolet Malibu with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 250 to 260 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU L/LS/LT 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,086 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU PREMIER/HYBRID 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,386 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.