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: electronic stability control (esc)
174 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 15, 2016
THE VIOLENTLY SHAKES ALMOST AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO DIE. IT DOESN'T GO OVER 23-30 MPH. THE CAR ACCELERATES WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKES. A MESSAGE DISPLAYS SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCING, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC. THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE STREET AND HIGHWAY. I'M SCARED OF HITTING SOMEONE WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE! MY CAR IS AT 103K MILES ON IT. I'M OUT OF A CAR THAT I'M PAYING A NOTE ON. ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR FOR A WHILE YEAR YET. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS WELL. THE CODE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS C0242. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! MANY CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING OR HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE!
Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 14, 2016
I WAS STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND MY DASH READ SERVICE AIRBAG. I STARTED TO DRIVE OFF AND THE DASH STARTED FLASHING SERVICE AIRBAG. WHEN IN MOTION AND AS I START IGNITION. ALSO MY SEATBELT SOMETIMES LOCK OR NOT LOCK AND IS VERY LOOSE AS I ADJUST SEAT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 8, 2016
AFTER READING THE MANY MANY COMMENTS HERE, I CAN SAY I'M LUCKY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THINGS WENT HAYWIRE. I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK TODAY AND MY VEHICLE WAS FINE. I HAD TO RUN A FEW ERRANDS BUT WHEN RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED THIS: VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. FAST CLICKING SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OVER. DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED BY THEMSELVES DURING THIS TIME. SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ESC OFF APPEARED. VEHICLE HAS YET TO START AND NOW HAVE NO POWER WHATSOEVER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. VERY ODD THAT THIS IS NOT A CURRENT RECALL. HELP?'
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND THE ESC LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 4, 2016
BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2013. IN JUNE 2014 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT STARTED SAYING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL . CAR STALLED AND STOPPED. IT DID THIS 3 TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. CHANGED TIRES . IN JULY 2015 ON THE HIGHWAY IT DID THE SAME THING. GOT THE FULL BODY THROTTLE CHANGED. IN NOVEMBER 2015 HAD TAKEN TO ANOTHER SHOP. LANGS TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. THEY CHANGED THE FULL BODY THROTTLE AGAIN. NOW JANUARY 4, 2016. THE CAR IS STALLING TRY PUSH GAS WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND DOESN'T ACCELERATE. THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT IS ON NOW.. I ALSO HAVE 3 KIDS AND A GRANDBABY THAT RIDES IN THIS CAR. I'M JUST SO IRRITATED. THEN TO SEE HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD REFUND EVERYONE THEIR MONEY BACK ON THESE CARS. EVIDENTLY THEY WERE NOT MADE RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Dec 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE HOOD ONTO THE BRAKE LEVER AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 23, 2015
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH "HICCUPS" (TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER) WHILE DRIVING FOLLOWED BY FLASHING WARNING LIGHT OF TRACTION CONTROL THEN FOLLOWED WITH "SERVICE ESC... SERVICE ECM... ESC OFF". SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND STAYED ON. BY THE TIME WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GM SERVICE THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR GET A CODE BUT RECOMMENDED A NEW ECM. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND RETURNED BACK TO GM SERVICE WITH SAME RESULT AND RECOMMENDATION. MY WIFE COMMUTES 1.5 HOURS PER DAY AND ALSO DRIVES OUR 3 CHILDREN TO SCHOOL EACH DAY. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE CONTINUE WITH THESE ISSUES, THE VEHICLE FINALLY STALLED COMPLETELY, ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY START AND RUN AGAIN. SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE AND WOULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR SO I DROVE THE VEHICLE ONE WEEK EACH DAY TO WORK TO WITNESS THE PROBLEMS MYSELF. EVERY SINGLE DAY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD FLASH THE SAME ERROR CODES ON EACH TRIP TO AND FROM WORK FINALLY, ON THE WAY TO THE GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. A NEW ECM WAS INSTALLED (WITH A COST OF $650+) AND WITHIN TWO DAYS OF DRIVING, THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. GM SERVICE SENT A TOW TRUCK AND I AWAIT THEIR NEXT ATTEMPT AT FIXING THIS VEHICLE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 23, 2015
ON 12/23/15 APPROX 8:40 AM, I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON KELLY DRIVE APPROX 40 MPH. I WAS HEADING INTO A SOFT CURVE, WHEN THE ESC CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY, JERKING AND SWERVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, GOING INTO THE LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND THEN JERKING BACK INTO THE LANE I WAS ORIGINALLY IN. THE CAR JERKED AND SWERVED BACK AND FORTH, APPROX 4 TIME. THIS LASTED ROUGHLY ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THE ESC LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HAD DECREASED ENGINE POWER AFTER THAT. I CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHOOK, SHUDDERED AND THEN SETTLED DOWN. I CONTINUED ON FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES TO WORK AND PARKED THE CAR. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I COULD'VE HIT ANOTHER CAR, CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE WALL, OR ANOTHER CAR COULD'VE CRASHED INTO ME
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT WAITED APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 03/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $500. UPDATED 03/30/16.*JB
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 14, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN A LARGE CURVE. 8 HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BUT LUCKILY WAS NOT INJURED. GM RECENTLY SENT OUT AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" ON TH POWER STEERING MODULE ONLY. THIS WAS REPLACED. IN MAY OF 2014 GM SENT OUT RECALL 13036 THAT INCLUDED MY CAR. THIS RECALL IS NOT PULLING UP ON MY VIN. THE LETTER STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR A FIX. I HAVE LIGHTS AND BELLS THAT MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. THEY FOUND AT YHE DEALER THAT AT LEAST ONCE I HAVE HAD A BRAKE ERROR. IN THE RECALL LETTER IT STATES THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY FUNCTION WHEN I AM NOT BRAKING OR THEY MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN I AM. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY OWN CAR! PLEASE PUSH FOR A RESOLUTION TO THIS RECALL.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Oct 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SUDDENLY, THE DIMINISHING ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED.*JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 3, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON I 94 WESTBOUND, A MESSAGE APPEARED SERVICE ESC. NEXT MESSAGE WAS ESC OFF. WITHOUT INDICATOR WARNING, CAR WAS OFF. I EXITED BASED ON THE JERKING MOTION THE CAR WAS MAKING. I THOUGHT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. I MADE IT TO 8 MILE/VERNIER EXIT. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP FOR THE RED LIGHT, I REALIZED THE ENGINE HAD QUIT AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. I WAS TERRIFIED AS I BLOCKED THE RIGHT LANE. CARS TRAVELING BEHIND ME HAD TO BREAK SUDDENLY OR SWERVE TO GO AROUND ME. IT WAS A DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING SITUATION. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. IT'S SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WILL NOT START. I WAS COMING FROM THERAPY DUE TO SURGERY RECOVERY. I INTENDED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 29, 2015
ESC MESSAGE STARTS AND TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY. VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING UNDER REDUCED POWER ON HIGHWAY TRYING TO EXIT. SEEMS TO BE IN THE ELECTRONICS.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 26, 2015
CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE ESC. RECALL #14V252000 COVERED THIS PROBLEM BUT GM SAYS MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL MALIBU MANUFACTURED DURING THE RECALL TIME FRAME.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 4, 2015
DRIVING CAR ABOUT 30MPH. NOTICED DECREASE SPEED, CHECK GEAR SHIFT TO MAKE SURE IN D. LOOKED AT DASHBOARD, ALL LIGHTS WERE ON. SCROLLING, POWER STEERING, SERVICE ENGINE, THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. MADE TWO TURNS WITHOUT POWER STEERING. EVENT THREE-FOUR MINUTES. PARKED AND TURNED CAR OFF. DROVE CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 19, 2015
TOOK MY CAR IN TO DEALER BECAUSE IT STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY GOING 20 MPH, NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION IS WHAT I WAS TOLD, HAD THE TRANSMISSION PUT IN AND NOW THE ESC, AND OTHER LIGHTS ARE ON!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Engine, Jun 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE SERVICE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 10, 2015
6/6/2015 CAR WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT. UPON TRYING TO START THE CAR ERRORS FOR ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER SHOWED UP. CAR WAS SPUTTERING AND RUNNING ROUGH. TURNED CAR OFF. WAITED A LITTLE WHILE AND STARTED CAR AGAIN AND NO ERROR MESSAGES. BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ERROR CODE THAT CAME UP WAS P2101. 6/10/2015 SAME THING HAPPENED. LET THE CAR SIT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND TRIED TO START AGAIN. SMELLED HEAVILY OF GAS WHEN IT STARTED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 10, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I SUDDENLY FELT A LIGHT JERKING SENSATION. THE SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS IMMEDIATELY CAME ON. THE VEHICLE JERKED TO A STOP. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE GONE. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP. THE CERTIFIED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING. THE CAR DID WELL FOR A LITTLE OVER A WEEK. NOW THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND CODES FOR A FUEL INJECTION FAILURE BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE CODES SO NO REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THAT. THE SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS. IF I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO WORK I WOULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD AS I AM A LONG DISTANCE COMMUTER. I HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE AND RECALLS COMPLETED SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. DANGEROUS!! I'M HOPEFUL THAT OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL FORCE GM TO ISSUE A RECALL TO REMEDY THE ISSUE BEFORE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 22, 2015
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT-HAND TURN AND THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY CEASED, FORCING ME TO STEER MANUALLY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN, I HAD TO STOP QUICKLY AND RESUME MY DIRECTION OF TRAVEL PRIOR TO TURNING. IF THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF WHERE I INTENDED TO TURN, MOST LIKELY I WOULD HAVE COLLIDED WITH THAT VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO MANUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE AFTER LOSING THE POWER STEERING. ALSO, AS A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE, THE VEHICLE ESC BECAME INOPERABLE. I WAS ABLE TO CAREFULLY DRIVE THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS ADVISED I NEED A NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR AND OTHER PARTS TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $1200. I ADVISED CHEVROLET OF THIS SITUATION AND CURRENTLY AWAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. I REGARD THIS PRODUCT FAILURE AS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAS 39,085 MILES AND HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED SINCE PURCHASE. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 16, 2015
SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (ECS AND TRACTION CONTROL) AND THE DISPLAY READ, "LOSS OF POWER". I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 15MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE MY SPEED. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH IN A PARKING LOT, AND WAITING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I STARTED THE CAR AND IT RAN FINE. HOWEVER, ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED 6 TIMES WHILE TRYING TO GET IT TO BERGSTROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM ONLY MADE IT WORSE, AND THE SECOND TIME A NEW THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. THIS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. ON MY SON'S CHEVY TRUCK THE SAME PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL, BUT ON MY MALIBU I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. ON THE INTERNET I WAS ABLE TO FIND SIX PAGES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAD. THEY TOO WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM COULD HAVE, AND MAYBE HAS, CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS AND I ASSUME INJURIES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND I SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REIMBURSED FOR MY REPAIR EXPENSE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Apr 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 14, 2015
WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU A SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION MESSAGE CAME ON THEN IT SAYS ESC OFF TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME & AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF & STARTED AGAIN, PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR AGAIN UNTIL A COUPLE MONTHS LATER. THEN THE MESSAGE THEN WAS COMING ON ALMOST EVERYTIME I DROVE THE VEHICLE, & WHEN THE MESSAGE WAS ON THE CAR WOULD SPIT & SPUTTER.TROK IT INTO THE LOCAL SHOP THEY REPLACED THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR. THIS HELPED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, PROBLEM THEN OCCURRED AGAIN, TOOK BACK INTO SHOP THEY REPLACED THE CAMPHASORS, THIS HELPED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. THEN VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE: RPMS WOULD DROP TO ZERO, CAR WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING WOULD NEED TO SHUT CAR OFF & START AGAIN, SPITTING & SPUTTERING OF THE ENGINE & LOOSING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE IN THEY TESTED IT AND IT RAN CODES P0300,P0204,P0203,P0202 & P0201 THEY CONTACTED GM WHO RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ECM. REPLACED ECM. A WEEK LATER SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRACTION MESSAGE IS NOW APPEARING OFF AND ON AGAIN. CAR WILL SPIT & SPUTTER WHEN MESSAGE IS ON. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR & NO ONE CAN TELL ME HOW TO FIX IT??? I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP EVERY WEEK WITH THE MECHANICS GUESSING AS TO WHAT WILL FIX THIS. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS OUT THERE & GM CAN NOT TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I AM NOW BACK TO SQUARE ONE. I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 100,000 MILES ON IT AND I CAN NOT TRUST IT TO TAKE IT ANYWHERE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE A VEHICLE SPIT & SPUTTER RANDOMLY & LOOSE ALL POWER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD! VERY UNIMPRESSED WITH GM & MY GM VEHICLE, WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 9, 2015
2011 MALIBU 2LT 3600 VVT. I HAVE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGES APPEARING. THE LAST TIME, TODAY, ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED DUE TO THE ENGINE FLUCTUATING BETWEEN ABOUT 200 AND 1500 RPM. AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER TO HAVE RECALL #14V252000 ADDRESSED. THIS SEEMED TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT ALL HAPPENED AGAIN TELLING ME THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING ELSE WRONG. THROUGH ON-LINE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH ALMOST AS MANY SUPPOSED CAUSES. THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON MY CAR AND I CAN'T AFFORD A MECHANIC TO GUESS. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 17, 2015
WHILE IDLING, MY 2011 MALIBU'S ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVERY DAY AND AT EVERY RED LIGHT/STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE ALSO DRIVES ON ITS OWN AT 72 MPH AFTER I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER REQUIRES ME TO PAY A SERVICE FEE TO CHECK FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE WE'LL FAMILIAR WITH. I DID REC'VE A CALL FROM CHEVY CORP WHO STATED THEY WILL PAY FOR THE FIRST HOUR TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM, BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COST AFTER THE FIRST HOUR/COFFEE BREAK. AFTER READING ABOUT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT - SHAME ON CHEVY!! *TR