2011 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 978 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 40 involved a crash and 17 involved a fire. 41 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 16, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.
Campaign 19V019000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsMay 8, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.
Campaign 15V269000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
93 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, May 30, 2019, crash
I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A VERY BAD CAR CRASH AND I AM INJURED FROM THE AIR BAG . IT HIT ME VERY HARD IN THE HEAD CAUSING ME TO LOOK CONSCIOUSNESS .
Air bags, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, May 27, 2019
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED ITSELF. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS LIT MOST OF THE TIME. IT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAG AND TRACTION SYSTEM. TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. DOESNT RESET EVEN WHEN UNHOOKING THE BATTERY AND REHOOKING IT UP. CAR MAKES RATTLING NOISE FROM FRONT END. PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT.
Air bags, May 27, 2019
MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTH. THERE ARE RECALLS ON 2011 MALIBU'S FOR AIRBAG BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, HOWEVER THE SENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Apr 30, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO BE IN DANGER AT ALL TIMES. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE AIRBAG.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 27, 2019
1) SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY WHEN STARTING VEHICLE OR WHILE IN AUTO IS IN MOTION. 2) INTERNAL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD DIMS WHILE DRIVING PERIODICALLY WHILE AUTO IS IN MOTION.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 18, 2019
SERVICE ESC MESSAGE - ESC OFF MESSAGE - AND POWER STEERING MESSAGES COME ON AND I CANNOT TURN MY CAR. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON DAILY COMMUTE AND CAUSES ME TO BE PUT IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ESPECIALLY ON THE EXPRESSWAYS. THERE IS NOT ALWAYS A PLACE TO PULL OVER. THESE INDICATORS HAPPENS WHETHER DRIVING OR SITTING STILL. SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE STAYS ON.
Air bags, Feb 11, 2019
THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. IT STAYS ON FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN GOES AWAY. IT WAS ON FOR FOUR DAYS THIS LAST TIME, WENT AWAY FOR ONE DAY AND CAME BACK ON TODAY. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DECIDED TO LOOK TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR AND THERE ISN'T. SEEMS LIKE THERE SHOULD BE IF THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 2, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE BCAR WAS WARMING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT COMES AND GOES AS IT PLEASES SOMETIMES WHILE IN MOTION, SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TURN OR STEER. IT ALSO MAKES MY CAR FEEL AS IF THE WHEELS ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF THE FRONT END. MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON AND WON'T GO OFF. GUESSING IT DOESN'T WORK. PULLED SOME CODES BUT NOTHING FOR POWER STEERING, ATTACHED ARE A FEW IMAGES OF A FEW CODES THAT WERE PULLED. NOT ALL CODES.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2018
SERVICE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. PLAN ON TAKING TO DEALER THIS WEEK TO HAVE IT CHECKED.
Air bags, Nov 3, 2018
THE AIRBAG COMES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. IT'S VERY SCARY. IT COMES ON SOMETIME WHEN I START THE CAR AND SOMETIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I STOP FAST OR MOVE OR TURN. IT'S RANDOM.
Air bags, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 3, 2018
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN BEFORE REGARDING THE ISSUE WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT BEFORE. JUST RECENTLY THE SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) LIGHT HAD COME ON. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS REGARDING IF THERE ANY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NOT ACTIVE RECALLS, BUT I SHOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT SERVICED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG NOT WORKING PROPERLY (NOT ON). I HAVE ALSO HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH MY TMP(TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING) SYSTEM AS WELL WITH REGARD TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE THAT KEEPS SHOWING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. WHEN I PUT AIR IN THAT TIRE AIR PRESSURE IS REGISTERING IN THE OTHER TIRES AS WELL. THESE ARE ALL SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THIS COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.
Air bags, Oct 17, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW YARD AND THEN TAKEN TO DAVIS CHEVROLET (2277 S LOOP W, HOUSTON, TX 77054, (832) 554-9250). THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, WINDOW, SIDE VIEW MIRROR, AND FRONT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT*JB
Air bags, May 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (JOHN THORNTON CHEVROLET IN LITHIA SPRINGS, GEORGIA) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Air bags, Apr 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WHISLER CHEVROLET CADILLAC (2200 FOOTHILL BLVD, ROCK SPRINGS, WY 82901, 307-212-8247) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 21, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: MY VEHICLE SENSOR ARE READING INCORRECTLY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF, RANDOM LIGHT COME ON AND OFF, MY SENSORS IS NOT READING MY ENGINE AND ENGINE LOCATION OR TIRES. SYSTEM IS ALSO READING THERE ARE NO AIR BAGS OR SAYS PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT IN PLACE WHEN IT IS. FREQUENTLY MY WIRING GLITCHES AND I CAN NOT CONTROL THE MIRRORS OR WINDOWS, ECT. MY COOLANT AND OIL CONSTANTLY DRAINS OUT BUT NO HOLE IS NOTICEABLE. MY CAR EXHAUSTS AND WON'T MOVE LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO AS WELL.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 22, 2017, crash
AIRBAGS AND SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, STEERING LOCKED UP AND WHEEL SEPARATED FORM AXEL
Air bags, May 18, 2017, crash
MY WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OTHER VEHICAL RAN A RED LIGHT AND COLIDED WITH HER IN THE DRIVER FRONT AND HEAD ON TYPE. THE VEHICALS SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE DRIVER OR PASSANGER AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.THIS IS IN A POLICE REPORT AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR.THE TWO CARS COLIDED AT A INTERSECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF LACROSSE WIS AND THE OTHER VEHICAL WENT OVER MY CARS HOOD AND OVER TURNED. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS EXTRACTED FROM HIS VEHICAL WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE.
Air bags, Feb 3, 2017
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STAYING ON.
Air bags, Dec 22, 2016, crash
THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANOTHER PERSON ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WILL NOT GO OFF. CLAIMS ADJUSTER DENIED THE REPAIR STATING THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2011 MALIBU'S AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WITHOUT CERTAINTY THAT IT WASN'T ON BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THIS LIGHT IS ANNOYING AND A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT I AM DRIVING A FAULTY VEHICLE OF WHICH I COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I AM INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CRASH BECAUSE MY AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Nov 15, 2016
WHEN I ENTERED MY CAR IN TURNED THE SWITCH TO START THE CAR AN THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF.
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 9, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, LEG, AND ARMS, WHICH CONTINUOUSLY REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,900.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2016, crash
AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY NORMALLY. HAD AN ACCIDENT AND DRIVER BAG DEPLOYED LITTLE. PASSENGER NEVER DEPLOYED. CAR WAS ON HIGHWAY. INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER CAR THEIR'S FULLY DEPLOYED.
Steering, Air bags, Wheels, Aug 15, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURED BONES ON HER FACE AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING AXLE AND TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FELL OUT ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 27, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.