2017 Chevrolet Malibu Fuel System Problems

60 owners have reported fuel & propulsion system problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu to NHTSA — 9% of all 703 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 51,000 miles. That ranks #6 of 28 Malibu model years for fuel system complaints (a typical year has 34). One related recall has been issued.

60complaints
51ktypical miles
1related recalls
1crashes
0fires
2injuries

Which parts fail

  • Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1135%
  • 25k–50k
    413%
  • 50k–75k
    929%
  • 75k–100k
    619%
  • 100k–150k
    13%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving northbound at 70 MPH, an unknown BMW crashed into the passenger rear quarter panel of the vehicle. The impact spun the vehicle around and hit a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy. The driver and child occupant sustained minor bruises and were provided medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. There was no reported fire. After adding fuel, the contact noticed fuel leaking. The passenger's front and rear seat belts failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel line, seatbelt latch, and buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V649000 (Seat Belts) , NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V358000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). …

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · 105,000 miles · Jan 2021 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal sensor failed with the check engine vehicle entered reduced power mode, the vehicle independently slowed down as the contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and took the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer informed him warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. As the that the accelerator pedal sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the parts to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact then had an independent mechanic replace the accelerator pedal and the sensor. The contact also stated that while merging onto a highway at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. …

32,000 miles · Feb 2019

In February 2023, we took the Malibu into the dealership for reduced engine power dashboard notification. Light went off when in shop, got the car back and light on once again. When at a red light that turned green, accelerated but car would not go over 20 MPH. Almost rear ended. Dealership replaced the vacuum pump gasket and seal. Fast forward one year later. Once again, reduced engine power notification came on again. Once again at red light, when light turned green, car wouldn't accelerate and was very close to being rear ended and difficult to make it through the intersection. Currently at dealer (1/18/24) with dealer having no idea what is wrong with car (today is 1/24/24). The dealer today stated it will be another 1-2 weeks. That will make it three weeks for a diagnoisis. With reduced engine power, it is very dangerous to drive a vehicle like this. …

Jan 2024

Driving on highway at about 65 mph on family trip to Delaware. . Car suddenly gave reduced acceleration error and speed started declining while in traffic. No warning.checked chevron app on phone and it did not see anything wrong. There was NO check engine or anything. Got to a dealer and they said it was probably a sensor for gas pedal. 5 days later driving home to Georgia from trip on highway around same rate of speed. No warning . The check engine light and reduced engine power warning message came on. This time the Chevrolet app notified me of trouble and said I needed the car seen within a day. .Got to a dealer and now they say they think it may be the cam shaft based on the code but they cannot replicate issue. I took a photo of the alert from the second incident . Car has about 46,000 miles and is well maintained . …

Dec 2021

bought this kind of new and while still under warranty reduced power engine light came on & engine is reduced to 20 mph have to pull over shut it off wait a few minutes and start it back up and then it will be all right for a while we called dealer made an appointment but by the time the appointment came around the light had gone out they said the light needs to be on in order for them to diagnose the problem the light goes off after about 50 miles after this happens so we could never get it into them within that 50 mile time frame we gave up after a while now it's happening more often and I hear that maybe a class action suit coming they don't seem to be able to solve the problem. we still own this 2017 Chevy Malibu and it is still doing it today.

Mar 2018

I have a 2017 Chevy Malibu, I have 10 months with me since I bought last year ,it and it was 25000 mille now is 30000 m my real problem is on several times driving in freeway or hiway my car drop the speed from 55 to 40 to 20 and appear a light says POWER ENGINE REDUCED , after that my car LOOSE POWER - CHECK ENGINE IS ON I got nervous for what happens and is really confused I just buy my first car from dealer and now this !!!! This is not fear help please I read a lot of comments regarding with this problem in this cars models and everyone from 2016 to 2018 has the same problem POWER ENGINE REDUCED. and dealers just charge and charge and don't resolve the problem thank you blessings all

Jan 2022

Last year I started getting the dreaded shift to park issue. Takes usually about 30 seconds to realize its in park, even though the dashboard days its in park. WHY is there no recall? I see hundreds of thousands of complaints for this. Plus im constantly getting the P1101 code. I know this is a common issue with this car for the dirty throttle body or MAF sensor. Why isnt this under recall? I dont have the money to pay for repairs that the dealership should be recalling. The shift to park issue is so common. This is getting ridiculous. Plus the code. Please fix this ASAP.

Nov 2025

High pressure fuel pump blew out while driving on the highway going to Minnesota from Illinois. Fuel was spraying onto the engine and leaking onto the ground. I immediately pulled over and stopped the car, turned off the engine and raised the hood. The car was taken to a Chevy dealership today and I was informed that the high pressure fuel pump literally "blew out." This could have resulted in an engine fire and fortunately that didn't happen. Online research reveals that Chevy had a recall on some 2016-2018 model Malibu's for this very reason.

Mar 2024

Fuel is leaking and it is messing up my emissions. I had the emissions fixed for my safety inspection. But soon after 2 days later fuel keeps leaking and the smell of gas is so strong in my car. This is a safety hazard of not only becoming inflammable but also the smell is toxic to my health and my grandchildren. I have asthma and all of the following i have experienced headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems, and long-term like asthma exacerbation that is flaring up my asthma and i am afraid it will cause potential cancer.

Aug 2025

The warning light comes on and off and is showing (P0498/P0449) which is the evaporative emission system vent control electrical circuit signal has low voltage for a predetermined period of time. Its calling to replace the evaporative emissions canister vent solenoid and I have seen 3 vehicles the same as mine needed the same thing fixed. When the vehicle is in park you can feel it jerk and also while pressing gas when you pull off it stalls. When cranking you can smell fumes .

Mar 2024

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 18V-358 · May 31, 2018 · 895 vehicles

General 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018.

Fuel System complaints in other Malibu years

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’251534387940294229709687543439375634261955601011818101082
Fuel System complaints per model year, Chevrolet Malibu.

Frequently asked questions

How common are fuel system problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?

NHTSA has 60 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of the model year's 703 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-358 (fuel pump, May 31, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.