2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 14,725miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 46 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 49 city / 43 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (50% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and engine (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 14,725 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 319 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 59 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 31 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system11 50%
- Engine3 14%
- Other or unknown3 14%
- Fuel system2 9.1%
- Body and structure2 9.1%
- Air bags1 4.5%
- Exterior lighting1 4.5%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.5%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Within 1 year I bought brand new hybrid malibu car from chevy dealer, I had experienced dead 12v battery. Dealer replaced the battery which I paid even though I thought it should be within warranty. Last night I experienced 3rd dead battery again after I parked the car for 7 hrs office work. The 2nd time dead battery occured was last june 2019 only, dealer also replaced the battry. Its a 3rd time that I experience dead battery (stationary/parked) for brand new car 2017 hybrid malibu within 2 years. Obviously its not the battery issue but its design of electrical system. …”
NHTSA complaint #11291559, filed 2019-12, 9 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “In order to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle must be in park. I have experienced several incidences where, despite being in park (shifter is moved all the way forward and the “P” is red on the dash display), the vehicle will not turn off and states to shift to park to turn off. Sometimes I can just return the car to drive and then put it in to park again, but I have had several incidences where I was unable to turn off my vehicle after 10 or more tries to get it in to “park”.”
NHTSA complaint #11480658, filed 2022-08Engine: “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?. I was on the highway and redused speeds to 20 MPH and almost caused a major accident. I continually need to pull over and turn off car top reset itself. Please let me know why this has not been recalled with so many complaints.”
NHTSA complaint #11221316, filed 2019-06, 76,000 milesOther or unknown: “Sometimes when I park, even though vehicle is clearly in park, I receive a message on the dash that I need to shift to park . This is a known problem with many GM vehicles and if you leave the car like this, it will drain your battery. I have to repeatedly shift out of park and back in to get the message to go away. I don't know what I will do when this stops working. The date of when did this happen? Is the most recent, but it has happened several times.”
NHTSA complaint #11360250, filed 2020-09, 106,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 57,733 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu Hybrid FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 49 | 43 | 46 | $1,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 319 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11024324Sep 4, 2025Electrical system, Fuel system. This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 11 | 45,174 | 0 | — | 46 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 22 | 14,725 | 0 | — | 46 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 24 | 28,609 | 1 | — | 46 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 25 | 59,000 | 0 | — | 29 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 7 | 70,580 | 0 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (50% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.
Has the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (Malibu Hybrid, 1.8L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 46 mpg combined, 49 city and 43 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 14,725 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 57,733 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.