10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,959 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #42

May 242019

Malibu

  • 15,000 miles
Intermittent issue while driving at highway speeds (70mph) car will pop up service stabilitrak error message on front display, the traction control light will illuminate, while cel begins flashing. At this time, car will lose power and speed will begin to fall. Continuing to depress accelerator in an attempt to maintain speed will cause car to shudder. Entire incident lasts only 1-2 minutes, before drivability returns. In-the-moment onstar diagnostics show no issues. Purchased car brand new; only been serviced at the original dealership, only use shell V-power gasoline. 1st incident- dealer said wet roads/rain to blame; did not run diagnostics, did not attempt to service 2nd incident- dealer noted cylinder 3 misfire, swapped coil pack and spark plugs on cylinders 1 and 3, changed oil. 3rd incident- on my way home from dealership following above service, dealer noted cylinder 3 misfire, opened a case with GM, and performed decarbon service to engine, said carbon build-up to blame. 4th incident- dealer noted general engine misfire code, along with several communications errors codes; replaced ECM and reprogrammed car. Dealership told me using non-top tier gas is to blame. Car has total of 27K miles on it- issue began to occur around 15K miles. I have dashcam video and all service records.

- Denver, NC, USA

problem #41

Jun 012018

Malibu

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly decelerate to 10 mph or less. Also, the vehicle failed to brake and almost caused several crashes. Vandevere Chevrolet (1490 vernon odom blvd, akron, oh 44320) replaced the accelerator pedal twice in six months and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact filed a complaint with the better business bureau. The manufacturer gave the contact a case number after learning that she contacted the better business bureau. The failure mileage was 25,000.

- Garfield Heights, OH, USA

problem #40

May 252019

Malibu

  • 35,000 miles
I purchased a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu about a year ago. I had a check engine light come on at about 25K miles while driving on the highway. The warning on my dash said "engine power reduced". I was on a 90 mile trip and continued on, as I had nothing I could do then and there. I arrived and turned the car off, fully expecting issues the next day when I left, the check engine light was off. I assumed it was just a computer glitch or issue, until now at about 35K miles, on the same trip, the check engine light came on with the same "engine power reduced" warning came on. I have read many complaints online with this same exact issue, and it never seems to be resolved. Both times I had been on the highway for about 15-20 miles and completed the trips.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #39

Nov 092018

Malibu

  • 19,796 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. During cold weather, the charge air cooler became frozen. The vehicle was taken to pucklich Chevrolet (3701 state St, bismark, nd 58503) on several occasions where they replaced the charge air cooler, and heated and drained the replacement air cooler twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 19,796.

- Bismark, ND, USA

problem #38

Apr 012019

Malibu

  • 15 miles
I bought a 2017 Chevy Malibu in June or July of 17. Not even a year later on 11-10-17, my check engine light came on and I had an oxygen sensor shorting. They fixed that. Then on 2-2-18 I was driving 40mph and lucky I wasn't on the freeway because my car instantly slowed down and would not allow be to go over 15 mph. They said it was something wrong with the accelerator pedal. However, onstar sent me message stating my engine and transmission needs to be checked. So they ended up replacing the pedal and "fixing" the problem. I got my car back on 2-5-18. In the same month on 2- 9-1818, I went to go pickup my dad who is an experience semi-truck driver and he was 2 hours away. On the way there my car kept fishtailing and I thought maybe I am just over exaggerating and maybe it just me. But, when I got to my dads destination I asked him to drive back and he did. He asked me what wrong with your car? it feels like one side of the car is pulling faster than the other. He then said we need to take this to get serviced immediately because this is an accident waiting to happen. However, this was the weekend so I had to wait until Monday. 2-12-18 I brought it in to be serviced however my car was back to acting normal. On 2- 22-18. My car kept calling onstar emergency and kept explaining to them it was my car. They told me to pull over, turn my car off and they would try to send to signal to my car. The lady said she did could not get any signal from my car and I should take it to be serviced immediately. The onstar voice kept running I could not turn it off or down. Once again this was a weekend. I had to wait until Monday. They fixed that problem. Now again on the April 1, 2019 I took it to be serviced again due to my car not allowing me to go over 20mph. My car is unsafe I was on the freeway when it slowed down lucky I was in the first line and was about to get off safely.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #37

Jul 072017

Malibu

  • 68,973 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated without warning. On most occasions, the speed would remain consistent. Other times, the speed would decrease during the failure. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to chuck hutton Chevrolet (2471 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115, (901) 318-3703) where it was diagnosed that a new accelerator fuse pedal needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired eleven times over three years for the same failure, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 68,973.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #36

Apr 122019

Malibu

  • 25,865 miles
I was driving on an expressway when the check engine light came on and the following message: "reduced engine power." The engine power was cut to approximately 30 mph which was extremely dangerous on an expressway and I did not know what was happening. I was barely able to exit the highway without incident and took the vehicle to a Chevy dealership. I was told to cut the engine and open/close the driver's side door before restarting the vehicle. This allowed the vehicle to regain engine power but the check engine light remained on. According to this dealership and the dealership that ultimately fixed the car, this is a common problem with the Chevy Malibu that needs to be recalled. A brief internet search confirms this is an ongoing problem with the Malibu that GM has yet to appropriately fix. Although my vehicle was fixed, it is a temporary solution at best. Furthermore, other drivers have reported scary incidents when they were driving on an expressway and suddenly lost engine power. This is unacceptable and could lead to serious injury. My vehicle has 25,865 miles and I do not wish to keep paying to fix this problem once my vehicle is out of warranty.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #35

Apr 132019

Malibu

  • 41,000 miles
Engine power is reduced, I was on the interstate traveling 65 mph and the engine power is reduced error appeared on my dash and the car lost engine power and almost got into a crash.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #34

Apr 102019

Malibu

  • 37,938 miles
2017 Malibu lost power while on the freeway on 4/10/2019! dropped from 65 down to 45 while in the 3rd lane. This has to do with some electrical connection around the drive pedal! there are many complaints of ppl losing power while on the freeway. Just google it! this is a known issue that is going to get someone killed! as a former qe in the auto industry, this would have already resulted in recall efforts because of the safety risk! so NHTSA, I hope you take this complaint very seriously and not wait for someone to die or get seriously hurt! such as the takata airbag, Firestone tires which almost killed a family member!

- Saint Louis Park, MN, USA

problem #33

Sep 012018

Malibu

  • 75,656 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and stalled. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated and "engine power reduced" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken twice to burkins Chevrolet (273 E macclenny ave, macclenny, fl 32063, (866) 551-5325) where it was diagnosed that the throttle cable needed to be blown out and the system needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 75,656.

- Glen Saint Mary, FL, USA

problem #32

Jan 012018

Malibu

  • miles
When the car comes to a stop I can hear rushing water in the dashboard. I have had this checked by the dealer shop. They found nothing. The problem is still there.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #31

Dec 252018

Malibu

  • 66,009 miles
This vehicle has started up and stop on it's on while driving sitting at a red light also the pedal is getting air through it and the reduce engine light continues to come

- Grapevine, TX, USA

problem #30

Mar 262019

Malibu

  • 49,330 miles
While driving vehicle on highway at a speed of 80 mph, this message appeared which said engine power reduced speed. I had to find my way to the right side of the highway, while other vehicles are traveling at a 75+ mph, and my vehicle speed has reduced down to 30 mph in a matter of seconds. I pulled over to the emergency lane on the expressway and shut down my vehicle. After 15 min, I started my vehicle and the check engine light was on, but I was able to drive at a normal speed again. This is a hazardous issue and need attention immediately.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #29

Mar 202019

Malibu

  • miles
I purchased the 2017 Malibu in 2017 and currently have about 24000 miles on it. In the past three months (since December 2018) my check engine light has turned on and been serviced for the code P2097: Post catalyst fuel trim system high limit. I was told after the first visit to the dealership that it was a software problem that needed updating. However, it should not be turning on every few hundred miles. The light turns on after highway travel. My specific Malibu also needed the hydraulic valve lash adjusters replaced due to the exhaust valves not sealing, this was supposedly corrected in December as well.

- Billerica, MA, USA

problem #28

Feb 112019

Malibu

  • 58,000 miles
Vehicle went into 'engine power decreased' unable to accelerate with the check engine light on as well as throttle sensor on. Took to dealer who checked all of the diagnostic codes and said it was fully operational. Again drove for about 1 month and same thing happened. Took it back in and Chevrolet dealer said it was the accelerator pedal sensor. We replaced the sensor being a $200 part last week and again the check engine light came on. When this happened we were on the highway in a snow storm and had our baby in the vehicle. It locked up and cars couldn't slow down appropriately. We left the highway for safety reasons and kept vehicle on as it was below 0 degrees outside!

- Hartland, WI, USA

problem #27

Mar 142019

Malibu

  • 64,000 miles
I purchased the car with 11miles on it and I am still having these issues with loss of power steering resulting in almost near death crashes. The car stalls while in motion. This has happened both in traffic and on the highways. Ive had to pull over on the highway. The emissions in the car is always a problem and the engine constantly sounds like it falling out as you switch gears. I have reached out to GM to complain, however they have not been helpful nor are they experts in fixing transmission/ emissions issues. At this point I no longer have faith in this 2017 Malibu and I feel like GM is taking absolutely no responsibility in the errors of the mechanics of this car. So far, I was told after 1 year of trying to fix the issue and hundreds of dollars spent on rental cars because this issue is not deemed a warranty issue, they gave me $1500 to purchase another GM vehicle, never addressing the issue of the safety concerns I have with the car. That is not fix I am willing to settle for. What about the monthly obligation I have in terms of paying off this car? none of the technicians were able to explain to me why this is and I have spent countless dollars in an effort to have this car looked at. The reason for my recent complaint is because again the car is experiencing stalling and low power steering. The original fix from Chevrolet was to change something in the battery "found code coboo B1325 low voltage codes. Found shorted cell in battery casuing low voltage at startup replaced battery and road tested 6 miles. No code returned " however they have changes that cell everytime I take it in for service. This does not fix the issue, instead causes me more money because this is not a warranty issue and I am always having to leave my car for weeks. I am looking for a remedy that is safe for both me and my children. I have repair orders if needed

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #26

Mar 132019

Malibu

  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated in the middle of traffic and almost crashed into another vehicle. The check engine and traction control warning indicators illuminated and "engine power reduced" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to reedman toll Chevrolet (1700 Lincoln hwy #101, langhorne, pa 19047) where it was currently being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #25

Mar 092019

Malibu

  • 33,550 miles
I started having issues with my 2017 Chevy Malibu a little over a month ago. I was driving in the city and the engine light came on and a warning for engine power reduced came on. Car would not go over 30 miles and hour. It didn't happen again until 2 days ago its happed for both days on day it came on as I was entering the freeway. Had to pull over and turn my car on and off untill I could drive it again normally but the engine light would turn on and off. I'm very disappointed this is happening to my new car. The reason I got a new car was to have something reliable. I cant even trust to drive this car what if it happens and I have my baby in the car... I'm so disappointed.

- Maryvsille, WA, USA

problem #24

Feb 282019

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated and powered down without warning in traffic. The check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autonation (500 Washington boulevard, laurel, md 20707, (866) 525-2985), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #23

Mar 042019

Malibu

  • miles
At least twice a day, while driving, I'll randomly get a message on my message board stating 'engine power reduced' and then my car will slow down. I'm unable to speed up, my engine light comes on and I have to find a safe spot to pull over, shut the car off and wait about 10-15 minutes before I can restart it. Once I restart it I can drive but my engine light remains on. I've taken it back to the dealership I got it from but they are telling me nothing is wrong and that it's just a sensor.

- Detroit, MI, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »