This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct conditions of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely cold weather conditions, CAC Icing, MIL Illuminated with DTCs set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Malibu body problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 33,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Malibu | 16 |
| 2014 Malibu | 7 |
| 2015 Malibu | 12 |
| 2016 Malibu | 28 |
| 2017 Malibu (this page) | 15 |
| 2018 Malibu | 3 |
1fire
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin provides a procedure on how to remove the paint stain that may present itself under the shipping film.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Water intrusion is the dominant complaint. Multiple owners describe water leaking through the center high-mount stop lamp and rear third brake light into the headliner, then pooling in the spare tire well and trunk after heavy rain or car wash. Accumulation reaches 10 inches in some cases. Water soaks the rear seats, headliner, and interior floor, triggering mold and rust on metal components and spare tire parts. Fogging windows and persistent aged-water smell follow.
A service bulletin exists for the brake light leak, and Chevrolet apparently has a special coverage program, but dealerships are reportedly denying claims or forcing owners to pay diagnostics on repeat failures. One owner paid twice for the same repair at the same dealership.
Secondary issues include a sharp, shovel-like edge on the driver-side door that lacerated an owner's leg through skin and into muscle with normal closing force—rear doors use safer rounded edges. One owner also reports spontaneous fire while the vehicle sat parked and off in the driveway. Door locks failed to function at 2,700 miles on another example, paired with engine start issues.
Same Chevrolet Malibu body reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Water intrusion through center high-mount stop lamp and rear third brake light
Water leaks through the center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL) and/or rear third brake light into the headliner and interior. Multiple owners report this occurs after heavy rain or car wash use. One complaint (#3) references a service bulletin for this specific issue; another (#4) mentions a special coverage adjustment that dealers are allegedly not honoring. Condensation buildup results from pooled water, creating potential electrical hazards.
When: After heavy rains or car wash; failures reported as early as 2,700 miles (#5) and at 92,000 miles (#8)
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling in headliner near rear third brake light; Water leaking into trunk/spare tire well; Condensation buildup inside vehicle; Mold growth in trunk and interior; Interior water damage and staining; Aged water smell throughout vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Service bulletin reportedly exists for CHMSL water leak; dealership repairs documented but owner (#4) reports repeated failure on same vehicle. One dealer charged for diagnostic despite known issue (#9).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin and special coverage adjustment program referenced by owners; however, dealerships reportedly failing to apply coverage properly or denying warranty claims (#3, #4, #8)
Water intrusion through rear window/body seals
Water leaks through seals at the top of the rear window and/or body panel junctures, particularly near the rear third brake light area. Water accumulates in the spare tire well and trunk. Owners report rusting of body panels and compromise of structural integrity. One owner (#7) reports up to 10 inches of water in spare tire well.
When: After heavy rain; reported at various mileages up to 92,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking from top of rear window; Water pooling in spare tire well (up to 10 inches reported); Water soaking rear headliner; Body rust at top of rear body wall; Weakened structural integrity; Water seepage to interior floor and rear seats
Repairs/costs cited: Pressure testing used to confirm water entry points (#1); repair costs not cited by owners
Mold growth from chronic water accumulation
Persistent water intrusion leads to mold colonization in the trunk, spare tire compartment, and interior. Owner (#1) reports mold growing on all spare tire components and throughout truck interior following Hurricane Laura exposure, though initial water infiltration occurred during normal rain and was only discovered during severe weather.
When: Develops over time with repeated water intrusion; discovered after hurricane/heavy rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Mold growth on spare tire and components; Mold growth inside vehicle interior; Musty/aged water smell; Fogging of windows after rain; Rust on spare tire and metal components
Repairs/costs cited: Mold remediation not addressed in narratives; insurance does not cover this type of defect-related damage
Sharp door edge hazard on driver-side door
Driver-side door wing tip has a sharp, shovel-like edge that acts as a cutting tool when the door closes. Owner (#2) reports the sharp edge caught skin on the leg and required stitches, cutting through skin to muscle layer with normal closing force. Owner notes rear doors have more rounded edges and requests similar design for front doors.
When: At time of incident (11/11/17)
Symptoms owners cite: Sharp wing tip edge on driver-side door; Laceration to leg requiring stitches; Wound penetrated through skin layer into muscle
Door lock electrical malfunction
Doors fail to lock or unlock when attempting to enter or exit the vehicle. Reported at very low mileage (2,700 miles). Accompanied by engine start failures and illuminated check engine light.
When: 2,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Doors would not lock or unlock; Engine would not start on several occasions; Check engine indicator illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced remote door lock module; cause of engine failure not determined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified per NHTSA complaint
Spontaneous fire/combustion
Vehicle parked and off in driveway for 15 minutes when horn activated, smoke appeared at front end, and fire broke out. Fire department responded and extinguished flames; vehicle totaled. Owner expresses concern about spontaneous combustion risk, especially if vehicle parked in garage or near house.
When: While vehicle parked and off
Symptoms owners cite: Horn activated unexpectedly; Smoke at front end; Fire broke out; Complete vehicle loss
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; no repair attempted
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 5,000 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 33,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,000; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.