2017 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems
261 of the 724 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 421 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 261 reports a crash · 2 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 3 · 2018: 16 · 2019: 51 · 2020: 43 · 2021: 42 · 2022: 43 · 2023: 18 · 2024: 21 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 7
Half of the 147 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 33,000 and 76,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
724 complaints in all about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, 7 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Malibu engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Car accelerates on its own while I’m driving. In addition , without warning the car engines suddenly reduced speed. This has accrued while I’m on the freeway without any warnings
I purchased a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu as I AM a salesman and on the road all day. My reduce engine light continues to come on. The car is not even 2 years old. I was advised it can be the throttle position sensor or throttle body. I have seen many complaints on line fopr the same car. Why is a brand new car having this issue?.
My Malibu, purchased new in 2017, has 28170 miles on it. While driving on the highway I suddenly received a message saying that "engine power is reduced". Instantly my car stopped accelerating no matter how hard I pressed the gas, and rapidly decelerated. Again, on the highway.
When driving the engine lose power and the traction light and check engine light comes on. The car tell you that the engine is losing power. This keeps happening. I also have been into the dealership several times due to the check engine light keeps coming on
I purchased my vehicle in september 2017 and at the beginning of june 2018, the check engine light would turn on and i'd get a message reading "engine power reduced". The turbo would be shut off. I took it back and forth to the dealership about 5 times before they finally replaced the turbo valve.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications421 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P2138 P0300 P1101 P050D B3055 B3060 B3935 P2097
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Source: the same files- electrical problems 172 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 145 complaints
- fuel system problems 62 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 261 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (36% of everything owners filed about it), and 421 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 4 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 58,410 miles; half of them between 33,000 and 76,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.