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2017 Chevrolet Malibu: Recalls and Reported Problems

Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.

By VIN Lookup Research DeskPublished 2026-08-27Reviewed 2026-08-27United States
NHTSA dataModel-year data describes the production run, not the car in front of you.

Two identical Malibus can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.

Direct answer

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, alongside 721 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about engine. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu at a glance

4NHTSA safety recallsCampaigns covering this model year
721Owner complaintsFiled with NHTSA, unverified
17Complaints mentioning a crashOwner-reported, not adjudicated
4Complaints mentioning a fireOwner-reported, not adjudicated

What owners report most

These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.

Most-reported systems, 2017 Chevrolet Malibu (NHTSA complaints)
Vehicle systemComplaints
Engine255
Electrical System171
Power Train143
Vehicle Speed Control136
Service Brakes72
Fuel/propulsion System58

Recall campaigns for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.

NHTSA recall campaigns recorded for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
CampaignComponentIssue
18V400000AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATIONGeneral 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.
18V358000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPGeneral 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.
16V870000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWGeneral 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.
21V649000SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERSGeneral 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.

How to check one specific Malibu

  1. Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
  2. Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
  3. Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
  4. Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
  5. Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.

What this data cannot tell you

  • Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
  • Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
  • How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
  • Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Evidence

Primary sources behind this page

Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.

  1. Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  2. NHTSA Recalls APINational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  3. NHTSA Complaints DatabaseNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  4. Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Quick answers

2017 Chevrolet Malibu questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu as of 2026-08-27. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.

What are the most common 2017 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, power train issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.

Can I check recalls on a specific 2017 Chevrolet Malibu VIN?

Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.