Back to search

2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU

2.0L I4 Turbo•FWD•AUTOMATIC•gas•turbo
Be the first sponsor for this vehicle

For $99, we generate the full set of step-by-step repair procedures for this exact vehicle. Free for everyone, forever, with your name on every one.

Sponsor — $99
Dead battery / stuck in Park? Emergency neutral procedure for this Malibu →
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$28,743 maintenance + known platform issues
~$5,749/yr · 480¢/mile equivalent · $6,825 maintenance + $6,068 expected platform issues
Compare this engine
vs
1.5L I4 Turbo
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2017 Malibu represents the ninth-gen platform with turbocharged engines that promise efficiency but deliver persistent powertrain headaches. The 1.5T is notorious for piston ring failures and oil consumption, while the 8-speed automatic transmission develops cooling and mount issues that plague both engine variants.

1.5L Turbo Piston Ring Failure & Excessive Oil Consumption

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Burning through 1+ quart of oil every 1,000-2,000 miles, Low oil pressure warning lights, Carbon buildup on intake valves causing rough idle and misfires
Fix: Requires complete short block replacement or full engine rebuild with updated piston rings. GM issued TSB 19-NA-206 but many owners still experience failures outside warranty. Expect 18-24 labor hours for short block swap, includes timing chain, fluids, and programming.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

8-Speed Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle near passenger side, Delayed or harsh shifting when cold, Transmission overheat warnings on DIC, Pink or red fluid drips
Fix: Quick-connect fittings on auxiliary cooler lines fail due to vibration and corrosion. Replacement involves coolant drain, removing AC condenser for access, new lines and fittings. 3-4 labor hours. Sometimes requires full cooler assembly if internal leak exists.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Transmission Mount Failure

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Severe clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration felt through shifter and center console at idle, Engine rocking excessively visible from engine bay, Acceleration shudder between 1st and 2nd gear
Fix: The hydraulic transmission mount collapses internally, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Replacement requires supporting transmission, removing through-bolts, installing revised mount. 2-3 labor hours. Check engine mounts simultaneously as they wear sympathetically.
Estimated cost: $400-700

Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall 20V-666)

Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: No-start condition or engine stalling while driving, Sputtering or hesitation under load, Check engine light with P0087 (fuel rail pressure too low), Whining or buzzing from rear seat area
Fix: Affected vehicles had improperly manufactured fuel pump modules. Even post-recall, we see aftermarket and some dealer-supplied pumps fail prematurely. Requires fuel tank drop, pump module replacement, system pressure test. 2.5-3.5 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Thermostat Housing and Water Outlet Leaks (1.5T)

Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant seepage visible below intake manifold, Sweet smell from engine bay, Low coolant warning with no external puddles, Engine temperature fluctuations
Fix: Plastic thermostat housing and integrated water outlet crack from thermal cycling. Replacement requires intake manifold removal for proper access. 4-5 labor hours. Always replace thermostat simultaneously and pressure-test system after repair.
Estimated cost: $700-1,100

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Assist Loss

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden heavy steering with 'Service Power Steering' message, Intermittent power steering that returns after key cycle, Grinding or whining noise from steering column, No assist at low speeds, partial assist at highway speeds
Fix: Column-mounted electric motor and control module fail from heat and electrical issues. Diagnosis requires bidirectional scan tool to test motor function. Replacement involves steering column partial disassembly, calibration with Tech 2 or MDI. 3-4 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Owner tips
  • Check oil level every fuel fill-up on 1.5T engines — catch consumption early before piston damage occurs
  • Use full synthetic 0W-20 or 5W-30 oil (Dexos1 Gen 2) and consider 5,000-mile intervals instead of 7,500
  • Inspect transmission fluid color and level every 30,000 miles; dark brown fluid indicates cooler or line issues
  • Keep up with coolant exchanges every 50,000 miles — helps prevent thermostat housing failures
  • Request pre-purchase inspection specifically checking for oil consumption test and transmission mount condition
Hard pass on the 1.5T without comprehensive records proving no oil consumption issues; the 2.0T is marginally better but still shares transmission woes — budget $2,000-3,000 for likely repairs within first 50,000 miles of ownership.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
526 jobs across 17 categories
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.
Stuck on a repair? Take it to The Diag Desk — ask a master tech about this exact car → real human answer within 24h, never AI
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 20 requests/day, no card required.
Get an API key →
Run a shop?
Manage repairs, estimates, and customers with ShopBase — $249/mo, all features included. Built by the same team.
Try ShopBase →