Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
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 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. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle shut off and the warning messages "Power Engine Low", "Steering Reduced; Be Careful" were displayed. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle, the warning messages were no longer illuminated and she was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 45-55 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently to 25-30 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the convertor actuator voltage performance for the power train system had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument panel displayed the message "Reduce Engine Power" with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle immediately decelerated independently. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 35 - 40 MPH before decelerating again. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and waited for approximately 15 minutes before continuing to drive; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS, Power Train, and Throttle Sensor all had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired by the mechanic. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after pulling the vehicle into the driveway and attempting to shift the vehicle into Park; however, the engine revved up as if trying to accelerate forward. There was an error message on the instrument to shift the vehicle to Park however, the vehicle failed to remain in Park. After several attempts, the vehicle was shifted into Park and remained in Park. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the gear shifter wiring harness and switch were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,210.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the automatic START/STOP feature intermittently failed to operate as needed and the vehicle would shut off while at a complete stop. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. During the most recent failure, the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. A fellow motorist assisted her in jump-starting the vehicle and the contact was able to resume normal driving. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where it remained in their possession while awaiting a diagnostic test. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the gear shifter was shifted to park(P); however, the shift to park message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that it would be several days before the diagnostic results could be provided. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to move into gear. The contact had to depress the brake pedal and restart the vehicle. The message that the vehicle was not in park was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to turn off. The local dealer was contacted, and informed the contact that there were no associated recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
The contact's mother owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P) however, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed, preventing the vehicle from turning off. The contact shifted the gear shifter back and forth and then shifted into park(P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted to park, but failed to turn off. The shift to park message was displayed. The contact wiggled the gear shifter, and the vehicle eventually turned off. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and shifting to the park, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed, and the vehicle could not immediately be turned off. After shifting the transmission selector several times, the message disappeared, and the contact was able to turn off the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 15,000.
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 139 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, 20% of the model year's 703 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
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.