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, Jul 24, 2014
2011 CHEVY MALIBU LT2 WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, 28000 MILES, 3-1/2 YEARS OLD, IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, OUT OF THE BLUE SHOWS THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR
Air bags, Jun 30, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER RUMBLE STRIPS AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM, INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER BLADE AND RIGHT KNEE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A WRIST INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.
Air bags, Service brakes, Jun 20, 2014, crash
BRAKES FAIL EMERGENCY STOP WITH ABOUT 150 FEET FROM ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG WAS DELAYED IN DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Air bags, Jun 11, 2014
MY LIGHT KEEP COMING ON SAYING SERVICE AIRBAG. *TR
Air bags, May 21, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE TWO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 20, 2014
LIGHT ON DASH CONSOLE RANDOMLY COMES ON ALERTING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND ALSO REMINDING ME THAT I NEED TO PUT ON MY SEAT BELT WHEN MY SEAT BELT IS ALREADY FASTENED PROPERLY. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN PRESENT FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE BUT I HAVE CAUGHT HELL FROM THE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE THEM CORRECTED AND AM VERY DISSATISFIED AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVY PRODUCT AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Apr 17, 2014
I HAD JUST GOT THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO AND I HAVE HAD A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CARS AIR BAG SENSORS. I HAD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS AFTER ONLY HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS SO THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM THE 1ST TIME THEY HAD TO ME THAT THIS WAS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 10000 MILES LATER THE LIGHT WAS ON AND OFF AGAIN AND DID NOT WANT TO FIX THIS AGAIN.
Air bags, Mar 27, 2014
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE NEXT MORNING IT DID NOT COME ON. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, SAME ISSUE, SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IT CONTINUED TO COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. WE CALLED THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WOULD COST 400 FOR THE NEW PART AND ANOTHER 200 TO "FLASH" THE COMPUTER. THEY ALSO SAID OUR AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK AS LONG AS THIS LIGHT WAS ON. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND STAYED OFF. THEN ON 3/26/14, THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND CONTINUES TO COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND SINCE THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK, IT JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIX. *TR
Air bags, Mar 20, 2014
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE, AND WHEN WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THIS SOMETIMES HAPPENS WITH THE MALIBUS. THEY ADVISED US THAT THE "AIRBAG CONTROL SYSTEM" HAD DIED AND THOUGH THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE THAT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT WORK. THE SERVICE TO REPLACE THE "BRAIN" WOULD COST $1000 PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER THROWING A SMALL FIT THEY "GOT WITH THE CHEVY CUSTOMER TEAM" AND WERE ABLE TO DO IT FOR JUST COST OF PARTS ($400 +/-). WE PAID FOR THE SERVICE, AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. WE WERE ADVISED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE THE PARTS CARRIED A 1 YEAR WARRANTY, YIPPEE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER A HARD BRAKING EVENT, THAT THE CONTROL BOX SHORTS OUT. I THINK THAT IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED. IT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM IF IT WAS SOMETHING INCONSEQUENTIAL, BUT THIS IS A VITAL SAFETY COMPONENT. WE HAD TO GET IT FIXED, I'M NOT LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE HER CAR WITHOUT AIRBAGS. *TR
Power train, Air bags, Jan 20, 2014
I WAS AT A STOP TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC AT 7PM. WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO GO MY CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. IT WOULD ONLY REV. I THREW IT IN PARK THEN TO DRIVE...NOTHING. TRIED MANUAL. NOTHING. REVERSE WAS ALL THAT WORKED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF INTERSECTION. HAD WRECKER TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. FRIDAY NIGHT THEY TELL ME CAR IS READY THAT THE CHIP IN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. GO SATURDAY TO GET IT AND WHEN I TURNED CAR ON IT READ "SERVICE AIR BAG". THEY TRIED TO CLEAR CODE BUT FAILED. SAID THAT THERE WAS A TRUE PROBLEM AND WOULD LOOK AT IT MONDAY THE 20TH. JUST GOT A CALL SAYING THE AIR BAG CHIP SHORTED OUT AND GENERALLY ALL IN ALL IS A 700.00 FIX. THEY ALLEGEDLY SPOKE TO GM WHO SAID JUST CHARGE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. DUE TO SOME ISSUES I HAD WITH DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY CHARGE ME 50.00 AND THEY WOULD COVER THE REST. I DO NOT HAVE MY CAR BACK YET AS THEY ARE WORKING ON IT STILL. GLAD I STILL HAD POWERTRAIN WARRANTY SO RIGHT NOW THE ONLY OUT OF POCKET COST WITH THIS WHOLE ORDEAL WILL BE THE 50.00. HOWEVER I FEEL I NOR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY SINCE I WAS TOLD THIS IS A "KNOWN &COMMON" ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 11, 2014
HELLO I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ( CHEVY MALIBU 2011) DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE AIRBAG CAME ON. I WAS NOT SPEEDING I WAS GOING 30 MPH. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS AN ERROR CODE B0014. I NOTICED IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH GM MOTORS IN GENERAL. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC ALONG WITH REPAIRS. THE CAR DID NOT HAVE A CRASH NOR AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Air bags, Jan 9, 2014
RECENTLY MY 2011 MALIBU WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT HAS STARTED TO SHOW THE SERVICE AIR BAG ON THE DISPLAY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICER AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WITH ME RECENTLY LOOSING MY JOB OUT OF POCKET IS NOT AN OPTION. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG ISSUE IS VERY COMMON AMONG THE 2010-2011 MODELS. I LOCATED THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR DOESN'T QUALIFY WITH THE VIN FOR THE SERVICE BULLETIN. I DID INFORM THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT I CONTACTED A CHEVY DEALER A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN THE ISSUE STARTED OCCURRING TO MAKE SURE THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE AN AIR BAG RANDOMLY BLOWING UP IN FACE WHILE DRIVING SINCE THE ISSUE OCCURS RANDOMLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 0-70 MPH. THE TECH ADVISED ME THAT WOULD NOT OCCUR AS WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED. ADVISED GM THIS DURING OUR PHONE CONVERSATION THAT THIS WOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR THERE VEHICLES AS THEY HAVE CORRECTED ON VIN SPECIFIC 2010-2011 IN THERE WORDS THAT I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD WANNA MAKE SURE THE PROBLEM ISN'T BIGGER. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A RESOLUTION. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Dec 5, 2013, crash
I WAS GOING ONTO A EXIT AN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE CAR SPUN AND I ENDED UP SIDEWAYS. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. I SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS, A FACIAL HEMATOMA AND MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Wheels, Engine, Jul 1, 2013, crash
ON 6/22/13 AT APPROX 1:40PM I WAS HEADING BACK TO WORK FROM MY LUNCH BREAK AND I WAS GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON MY GREEN LIGHT AT APPROX 30MPH WHEN A BIG CHEVY TRUCK BLEW THROUGH THE RED LIGHT GOING APPROX 40 MPH. I ENDED UP T BONING THE CAB OF HIS TRUCK. CAUSING ME TO DO A 360. TORE OFF THE BUMPER COMPLETELY. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND ONSTAR DID NOT CALL ME. TWO IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES OF MY CAR FAILED ME! I THANK GOD I AM ALIVE WITH NO SERIOUS INJURIES! EVERYONE WHO SAW MY CAR INCLUDING THE BODY SHOP ARE IN COMPLETE SHOCK OF MY AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING! I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE CAUSE! *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 16, 2013
CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, THEN RESET ITSELF, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON INTERMITTENT MODE SHUT OFF AND ON AGAIN. REPORTED TO CHEVY DEALER, SAID IF LIGHT WASN'T ON THEY COULDN'T CHECK IT, IF THE WIPERS ARE WORKING PROPERLY THEY COULDN'T CHECK IT. DID THIS ON MY LAST OIL CHANGE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 22, 2013
I STARTED MY VEHICLE ON JANUARY 11, 2013 AND THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INFORMATION CENTER IN MY DASH. I TOOK THE CAR TO HORNE AUTO IN SHOW LOW, AZ, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, ON JANUARY 18, 2013 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $730 TO FIX. I WENT HOME AND GOT THE INFORMATION FROM MY LOCAL MECHANIC TO CONTACT GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BULLETIN SENT OUT THAT I HAD UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 2012, TO GET SAID PROBLEM FIXED. IN RESEARCHING THIS BULLETIN ON SAFERCAR.GOV, THIS BULLETIN WAS SENT OUT NOVEMBER 1, 2012. SINCE I NEVER RECEIVED THE BULLETIN AND DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL JANUARY 11, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FIX OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I PUT IN A COMPLAINT TO GM AND WAS THEN TOLD I COULD GET IT FIXED FOR HALF THE COST SINCE GM WAS GOING TO COVER THE OTHER HALF. I PUT IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO GM TO HAVE THEM FIX THE PROBLEM, SEEING THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY KIDS THAT I DRIVE AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE, I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING FOR A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS NOT MY FAULT AND THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT. I DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS ISSUE EITHER. I AM STILL WAITING FOR GM TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Apr 27, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND NECK, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN AND A SPECIAL ENGINEER SENT ON BEHALF OF THE MANUFACTURER. BOTH THE TECHNICIAN AND THE ENGINEER STATED THAT THE CRASH DID NOT MEET THE THRESHOLD IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,700.
Air bags, Oct 12, 2011, crash
AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A VEHICLE CRASH AT 55 MPH WHEN HIT BY LARGE PICKUP TRUCK HAULING EMPTY HORSE TRAILER WHEN DRIVER FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL. IMPACT CAUSED 2011 MALIBU TO SPIN AT HIGH VELOCITY AND ROLL OVER. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. INJURY OF FRONT PASSENGER OCCURRED. THE SDM MODULE READING SHOWED "NO EVENT" OCCURRING AND THAT IS JUST PLAIN UNBELIEVABLE. A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED WITH GM AND DENIED. *KB