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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,616 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2017 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #17

Mar 182024

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On March 18, 2024, I noticed that water began to enter the car when it was in the carwash. I opened a claim with the insurance company and an investigation was carried out that lasted approximately 3 months. On June 11, the body shop received my car to diagnose and provide a quote to the insurance company for the necessary repairs due to this water damage. The workshop considered it to be a problem in the upper rear brake light and mentioned that this is a Chevrolet recall on these cars. The insurance company called me and told me that I had to go directly to the dealer to have the necessary repairs made to my car that were caused by this water problem. However, I cannot find information about this recall online.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #16

Dec 142023

Malibu

  • miles
Water was leaking through the center high mount stop lamp and pooling into the spare tire well. Water was also soaking through the rear headliner. Condensation was building up inside the vehicle due to the pooled water and water soaked headliner. Condensation buildup inside the vehicle with numerous electrical components is not safe. The vehicle has been taken to the Galleria Chevrolet dealership in Dallas, Texas for repairs. Galleria Chevrolet failed to repair the issue even after giving them notice of the service bulletin [XXX] Center High Mount Stop Lamp Water Leak. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #15

Nov 162020

Malibu

  • 76,918 miles
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.

- Leicester, NC, USA

problem #14

Aug 272020

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I always notice a smell and foggy windows after rainy days on my stationary vehicle but though little of it we just got hit by hurricane laura with no damage to vehicle but light scratching as I was going to take my family out of town while power restoration efforts started I opened my truck (as I rarely use it)to find my spare tire compartment completely covered in water and mold growing in the interior I called my insurance about it but it is not coverd un insurance and was told to look for recalls as this vehicle has many issues with this problem a pressure test revealed water is coming in from no all components of spare tire are rusted or have mold growing on them and all truck interior is full of mold growty

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

problem #13

Jul 102020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
I've noticed that when it rains the rain comes inside the car and the trunk.

- Newark, NJ, USA

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problem #12

Nov 202019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
I opened my trunk under the spare tire and there was water filled in the trunk. I did my research and I found plenty of Malibu's with the same problem.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #11

Aug 012019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The top of the rear window near the third break light starting leaking. I reviewed online Chevrolet forums with common complaints and read the defect could be related to recent recalls with the vehicle. Also, the leak is cause damage to my vehicles interior panels.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 062019

Malibu

  • 54,000 miles
I have noticed a funky smell on several occasions since I bought the car in August 2017. The smell would go away so I never looked into it. After a bad rain storm, the interior smelled again. I went into the trunk a day later and the tire well cover was wet. I found water under the cover and saw that it ran in from under the driver side rear window area. I also found water trails down the rear window side plastic casing inside the car. I researched and found many many complaints from 2016 thru 2019 vehicles about the 3rd break light leaking due to loose screws. Sounds to this is a huge issue that needs to be addressed by GM. A simple fix of tightening the screws or using lock type screws. Why do I have to pay for diagnostics and repair for something GM is not doing

- Midland, NC, USA

problem #9

Nov 012017

Malibu

  • 145,300 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact noticed water entering the vehicle and the interior of the vehicle was wet. The vehicle was taken to autonation Chevrolet northpoint (2175 mansell rd, alpharetta, ga 30009, (678) 601-2485) where it was diagnosed that water was entering the vehicle from the rear tail lights and the dome light inside the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the moisture caused the windows to fog. The vehicle was taken back to autonation Chevrolet northpoint, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. In addition, the gear shifter failed to engage in park and the contact had to force the shifter into park. In addition, there was an abnormal noise coming from the gear shifter. While the vehicle was at the dealer, the technician replaced the instrument cluster with a 2018 part that was not compatible with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 145,300.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #8

May 262019

Malibu

  • miles
My vehicle leaks water at the top of the back windshield. The water runs down the metal body into the spare tire well in the trunk. When I discovered it, there was 10 inches of water in the spare tire well. The body wall is rusting at the top, weakening the body wall and jeopardizing the integrity and safety of the vehicle. There are widespread complaints on the internet about this problem.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #7

Nov 112017

Malibu

  • 15,450 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car was parked and I was exiting my vehicle. I pivoted to close the driver side door. I accidentally did not have my leg fully clear of the door. The wing tip edge acted like a shovel and took out a piece of skin on my leg as I closed the door requiring stitches. I was using a normal amount of force to close the door and was shocked at the damage the door tip did to my leg. It went through the skin layer down to the muscle. I believe the wing tip design of forward car doors are a safety hazard and risk for injury. Please consider making the edge more rounded like the rear doors. The files I am including are from the day of injury (11/11/17) and after stitches (11/13/17).

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 202018

Malibu

  • 33,000 miles
I went inside a car wash and when my car was been wash the water was getting inside from the back roof next to the back window I told the dealer but they want me to pay for a diagnostic when it has something to do with the car issue. My water pump is not working can not use it in case of an emergency on the road can not clean it using my windshield wipers

- Wasco, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 282018

Malibu

  • 9,300 miles
Vehicle was leaking into cabin through the third brake light caused by a faulty gasket.

- Berkeley Springs, WV, USA

problem #4

May 202018

Malibu

  • 4,000 miles
We had a down pour 05/20/2018 in kissimmee, Florida. My vehicle had stand still water in my trunk, the water seeped through to the interior damaging the rear seats, water covered the floor, there are stains on the roof and the smell of aged water is throughout the entire vehicle. My vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the trunk was closed and the windows were up as normal as my vehicle was parked for the night.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #3

Apr 142018

Malibu

  • 51,796 miles
Back window is leaking water into the interior and inside the headliner. Noticed after heavy rains as well as when using the car wash.

- Blanchard, OK, USA

problem #2

Feb 012018

Malibu

  • 2,700 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the doors would not lock or unlock when attempting to enter or exit the vehicle. Also, on several occasions, the engine would not start and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rush Chevrolet (1395 w. highway 290, elgin, tx). The dealer replaced the remote door lock, but the cause of the engine failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 2,700.

- Del Valle, TX, USA

problem #1

Jul 082017

Malibu

  • 5,000 miles
The car was parked and off in our driveway for 15 minutes -horn started went out saw smoke called 911 and by the time back at front door flames from front end. Fire department came and put out fire -car totaled. Worried about spontaneous combustion especially if car parked in garage or closer to house or if people inside

- Paramus, NJ, USA

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