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Exterior lightingPart report

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
21about this part
Share
3%of 705 total for the year
Median mileage
51,888miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the 705 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,888 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The third brake light cracked in three places and now water is in the car and trunk. I saw special coverage for the car just for this issue but the dealership states it isnt covered for my VIN.. Also, there is a popping noise under the car when I take off, turn curves, get out of the car etc. Seems to be bushings wearing out and is a well known problem. Again, my car is not covered.”

NHTSA complaint #11374924, filed 2020-11, 76,918 miles

“The nuts used to fasten 3rd brake light are not locking nuts therefor loosen causing the 3rd break light to filter to loosen and break. This also causes flooding in the trunk of the vehicle. I had 2 inches of water in the spare tire compartment along with a soaked trunk which caused a terrible smell. You will see in the pictures I have tried to repair the broken plastic on the break light with an epoxy mix. Replacement would be better. I think breakage is caused because the nuts loosen.”

NHTSA complaint #11342734, filed 2020-08, 45,000 miles

“I bought the 2017 Malibu premeir with 5 miles on it in sept 2017 and have had problems from the start. 2018 while riding on interstate my car just stopped went straight to dealer they said nothing was wrong after keeping car for 2 days. Went to leave dealer ship and car stopped in parking lot ,sensors went out on front of car. Fixed 2019.next my car kept getting water in tire well and I went to dealer and they told me it was not a recall. So I kept bailing out water and parking in garages. …”

NHTSA complaint #11353384, filed 2020-09, 2,500 miles

“On 03/10/21, I was driving north on a busy highway. I approached the stop light and reduced speed. I came to a full stop and the car shut off completely. The check engine light came on briefly, then lost all electrical power. I had no hazard lights, no radio, no dashboard, nothing. After being stranded for 5 min like that at a very dangerous left lane stop, the car finally restarted. Called onstar immediately to scan the car for codes - they found none. The issue of the car intermittently shutting down like that has happened multiple times since october of 2020. …”

NHTSA complaint #11404262, filed 2021-03, 51,888 miles

“Going to work on a city street car completely shut off. It blacked out. No hazards no lights and this was at 3:30 in the morning. And it's happening more and more. It happened to my husband on a busy street. All we can do is wait and try to start it until luckily it did. But before this started, the car kept on shutting off on me when I come to a stop. It's happened at least 6 times in the last 3 weeks. And today it stated on the dashboard that it was reducing its speed. What's next?! It's dangerous because I have my kids with me and I'm afraid someone might rear end me one day. …”

NHTSA complaint #11402508, filed 2021-03, 66,700 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202311%
202222%
202011%
201942%
201891%
2017213%
2016192%
201541%
201451%
2013283%
201220222%
201113013%
201019414%
200917211%
200810611%
2007293%
2006636%
200515316%
2004847%
2003285%
200214325%
200110815%
200024126%
1999587%
1998798%
1997409%

Other parts of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

Engine
253 complaints
Electrical system
161 complaints
Other or unknown
148 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
139 complaints
Vehicle speed control
135 complaints
Brakes
73 complaints
Fuel system
60 complaints
Electronic stability control
53 complaints
Steering
47 complaints
Body and structure
19 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Suspension
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology