2017 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2017 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2017 Chevrolet Malibu | 2017 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 698 | 108 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 7 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,329 | 674 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 16 | 8 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–46 | 23–27 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 49,165 mi | 35,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 252 | 7 |
| Electrical System | 160 | 17 |
| Power Train | 138 | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 135 | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 66 | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 56 | 6 |
| Steering | 46 | 16 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 53 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 112 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 70 | 0 |
| Stalling | 41 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 10 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 8 | 0 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 6 | 0 |
| Water leaks | 6 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 6 | 0 |
2017 Chevrolet Malibu
2017 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.