45 complaints reported

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
45
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

May 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while at a red light, the Auto STOP feature engaged and failed to disengage while the brake pedal was no longer depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2025
May 2025

The shift to park sensor will become stuck and not register that the car is in park causing the battery to drain.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2025
Feb 2025

About 6 months after I bought this car back in 2017 it has been showing shift to park message when it is already in park. When I contacted the dealership about this issue they told me there is nothing they can do about it. I just got a new battery in my car less than a year ago but now it's dead because the car computer system wouldn't shut off. I don't think it's right being sold a car with known issues then being told there did nothing that can be done about it, please help!!!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2025
Dec 2024

We own a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu plagued with the "Shift to Park" issue. I have read numerous articles regarding this issue and they reference a recall on this problem. However, I have been unsuccessful locating this document. Was a recall actually ever created for this issue; and, if so, where could I find it?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2024
Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon arriving to her destination and shifting into park(P), the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact stated that the "Please Shift to Park" message was displayed. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the gear shifter wiring harness and battery current sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2024
May 2024

Shift to park replaced 2 times problem still happening. Car says not in park when in park.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2018
May 2024

The infotainment system cycles and will change the radio, activate the gps anything that can be controlled through the infotainment system, it also changes the instrument cluster at times; the lane detection, distance alarm all the features, even the language and MPH to KPH. This can cause a sudden shock and safety issue as you are now unaware of the vehicle speed and even cause eratic driving as this can be a shock and take you by suprise.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2024
Nov 2023

The car continues to say "shift to park" when the car is already in park and its becoming a severe problem. Something is wrong with the shift stick

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2023
Sep 2023

Upon turning off car, throws shift to park error driver message. Have to restart the car, then shift to various conditions - R, D, L several times then P then turnoff car again. Repeat unto message no longer appears. Sometimes I cannot restart the car because it’s not sending the ke fob. I read online several complaints. Took car to dealership - they confirm that this problem exists in both older and several new Chevy model. My costs will be around $1k by replacing the gear shifter which I find scary. What if this car had jumped out of gear. What is the life of the replacement shifter? Why isn’t GM doing anything when this condition exist in brand new vehicles?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2023
May 2023

the secondary battery that sits in the trunk, above the back driver side tire had a short. the cable bunt out and my car reduced speed and it had me pull over. I did not know this is what had happened until i drove it again and i could no longer start it. the shift knob is locked and cant put it on drive or neutral. initializing wait to shift, theft deterrent system, transport mode on, stabilitrak, among other things popped up. Had that short sparked up into an actual fire, yes, my life could have been at risk as the car could have caught on fire. Due to it being a long weekend (memorial day weekend) I couldn't take it to a Chevy dealer. I am on an out of town trip for my kids soccer tournament. i currently have it sitting a tow yard waiting to take it to my house, and then towed to Chevy dealer in Hemet, CA, where I live.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2023
Jan 2023

After coming to a complete stop and moving the shifter into Park, a message on screen in my car displays SHIFT TO PARK, while the icon in the bottom right of the screen clearly displays the car is already in park. This has been happening consistently over the last few days. I have learned that if I get a bit more aggressive (jam the shifter into Park) it tends to work although I'm not sure how long that will last without causing additional issues. If I can't get my car into Park, it may roll and cause injury/damage/death. I have not yet taken it in for inspection as it just began this week.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2023
May 2022

shift to park warning stays on and will not shut off when shifter is in park dealer replaced shifter assembly $800.00 when car electrical will not shut off that is a safety issue

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2022
Apr 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after his wife parked the vehicle, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed while the gear selector was shifted into park(P). The vehicle would not turn off until after several attempts; however, the failure recurred with the doors locking the contact's wife and 3 children inside of the vehicle. The contact's wife was able to turn off the vehicle while the brake pedal was depressed and the Start/Stop button was pressed and unlocked the doors with the key fob. The dealer was made aware of the failure and sent a tow truck to retrieve the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,733.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2022
Mar 2022

Car dash displays "shift to park message" when car is in park. Unable to shut vehicle off

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2022
Dec 2021

My vehicle has been flashing the Shift to park warning for about 2 years now. It never happens when I take it in but I have made dealership aware. I am report it now because it starting to happen everyday and is taking longer to go away. They say they can’t fix it if they can’t see it when it happens

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Nov 2021

WHEN I SHIFT TO PARK AND ATTEMPT TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF A WARNING COMES UP TELLING ME TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND I THEN HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON MOVE THE SHIFTER DOWN TO DRIVE AND SLOWLY MOVE THROUGH EACH GEAR UNTIL THE PARKING SENSOR WILL RECOGNIZE THE SHIFTER IS IN PARK THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENS TO OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE TO ALLIED TO WITH THE SAME MODEL

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2020
Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. Additionally, after the auto start, the fuel-saving feature was activated, the vehicle was hesitant to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2021
Aug 2021

Get "SHIFT TO PARK" after putting car in park to shut it off. I am unable to turn the car off - so do I leave it running in my garage? This is a known error that they charge to fix. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10186071-9999.pdf Attached is my bill to have this known error fixed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2021
Jun 2021

At engine shutdown and shifting transmission to PARK, I got "Shift to Park" message on DIC. If vehicle left in this state, the battery will eventually run down and leave driver stranded. Seems to be a common failure mode of the PARK indicator switch.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2021
Mar 2021

PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK THE IGNITION WILL NOT SHUT OFF WITH THE MESSAGE NOT IN PARK. 10 MONTHS AGO HAD DEALER FIX. NEW HARNESS FROM TRANS TO SHIFTER. NOW PROBLEM BACK AGAIN IGNITION STAYS ON EVEN WHEN SHIFTER IS IN PARK SAFETY ISSUE IF CAR WILL NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2021
Mar 2021

THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T LET ACCELERATE AND I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2021
Aug 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURNOFF. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE STAYED ON UNTIL EITHER THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED OR THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MIKE SAVOIE CHEVROLET (1900 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (248) 566-6523) AND DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.*DT*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020
Aug 2020

VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM BEHAVIOR IN SERVICE BULLETIN 19-NA-206. INTERMITTENT SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. ALOT OF OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2019/MC-10166630-9999.PDF

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2020
Aug 2020

WHEN PUTTING GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK A MESSAGE STATES THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. HAVE TO PLAY WITH SHIFT LEVER TO GET IT TO RESPOND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE LOTS OF POSTS ON FORUMS OF THIS PROBLEM THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS 2 -3 TIMES A WEEK. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2020
Jul 2020

THE 2017 MALIBU GIVES A MESSAGE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN "PARK," WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE DISPLAY SCREEN STAYS LIT UP TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. YOU CANNOT LOCK THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS WENT ON FOR 15 ABOUT MINUTES. AFTER MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER BACK & FORTH, THE ERROR MESSAGE FINALLY GOES OFF. ITS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE, IF YOU CANT LOCK & SECURE THE CAR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020

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Quick Summary

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has 45 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.