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: exterior lighting
130 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Oct 6, 2019
THE HEADLIGHT KEEP BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED IT THREE TIMES IN TWO MONTHS. PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2019
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS NUMBERS TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. THE LAST TIME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I FOUND BOTH ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WERE BURNED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD TO REPLACE THE CONNECTORS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND THAT IT CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. CHEVROLET SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THESE FAULTY CONNECTORS.
Exterior lighting, Sep 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. EACH TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HEADLIGHT BOLTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 7, 2019
ESC LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON HEADLIGHTS BURNOUT AFTER MAYBE A FEW MONTHS OF BEING CHANGED FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.
Exterior lighting, Sep 5, 2019
I HAVE CHANGED MY HEADLIGHTS LIGHT 5 TIMES WITHIN THE 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WAS RECENTLY OUT GOT THEM REPLACED A WEEK AGO AND SURE ENOUGH THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE AND IF THIS IS AN KNOWN ISSUE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2019
THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT HAS HAD CONSISTENT ISSUE GOING OUT. THE LIGHT HAS APPEARED TO 'BURN OUT' THREE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. JUST REPAIRED THE HEADLIGHT 5 MONTHS AGO AND NOTICED THAT THE BULB ACTUALLY WAS NOT BURNED OUT IT APPEARED TO NOT BE FULLY CONNECTED IN THE BASE. THE ISSUE KEEPS HAPPENING AND IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. HEADLIGHT REPAIRS REQUIRE COMPLETELY REMOVING FRONT BUMPER. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2019
THIS IS NOW THE TENTH TIME ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. TONIGHT DRIVING THEY BOTH BURNED OUT. THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE AND IT COST CLOSE TO $200 TO FIX EACH TIME. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED
Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2019
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU AND I HAVE REPLACED MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM BULB TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS
Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. IT WAS REPLACED AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS IT WENT OUT AGAIN. REPLACED IT FOR THE SECOND TIME, BUT LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL. WHEN INSTALLED THE BULB WAS NOT TOUCHED AND GREASE/LUBRICATE WAS PUT INSIDE THE PLUG IN.
Exterior lighting, Jul 23, 2019
I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS LAST NOVEMBER OR SO AND DECIDED TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHT BULBS, BLINKERS, ETC ALL CHANGED SINCE THE BUMPER HAS TO COME OFF. I ALREADY HAD THE PASSENGER BULB OUT. TWO MONTHS AFTER THIS REPAIR WAS DONE THE SAME HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS WAS REPLACED AND LASTED FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS AND JUST WENT OUT AGAIN 07-21-19 FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 8 MONTHS. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MANY MALIBU OWNERS OVER MANY MODEL YEARS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 23, 2019
EVERY YEAR HAD TO GET MY CONNECTOR REPLACED BECAUSE MY LIGHT BULB KEEPS GOING OUT. HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS.
Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT VERY OFTEN (THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH) BECAUSE THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR MELTS.
Exterior lighting, Jul 13, 2019
NOTHING HAPPENED SPECIFICALLY. MY LOW BEAMS (MAINLY PASSENGER SIDE) KEEPS GOING OUT. IT DOESN'T BURN OUT, IT JUST SIMPLY QUITS WORKING. EVERY NOW AND THEN I'LL HIT A BUMP AND IT WILL COME BACK ON, BUT THAT'S RARE. IT CAN BE SITTING OR IN DRIVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Exterior lighting, Jul 12, 2019
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU HAVE GONE OUT ABOUT SIX TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND WIRING HARNESSES WHICH INVOLVES THE REMOVAL OF THE COMPLETE FRONT FASCIA OF THE VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AT COLLEGE AND HAS BEEN PULLED OVER NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Jun 23, 2019
THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HIT A BUMP AND IT COMES BACK ON SOMETIMES. REPLACED BULB AND HARNESS MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS YOU HAVE TO TAKE APART ALMOST THE WHOLE FRONT END JUST TO REPLACE A BULB.
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2019
MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS, I CHANGE THEM AND BEFORE I KNOW IT THEY ARE OUT AGAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE IS THE WORST, LIKE IT HAS A SHORT OR SOMETHING NOT SURE, BUT I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 5 YRS AND CAN'T COUNT HOW MANY HEADLIGHT BULBS I HAVE PUT IN THE CAR. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S NOT A EASY JOB, THE WHOLE FRONT END HAS TO COME OFF JUST TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT BULB, RIDICULOUS! ALSO I CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE IT INTO A SHOP EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS TO GET THE HEADLIGHT CHANGED. THIS NEEDS TO BE CHECKED INTO!!
Exterior lighting, Jun 20, 2019
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. WITH IT COSTING MORE THAN $250 TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE FRONT BUMPER, THIS IS ANNOYING. I JUST PAID $330 TO HAVE ALL OF MY FRONT LIGHTS REPLACED. SIX WEEKS LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT IS OUT.
Exterior lighting, May 27, 2019
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. TAKE BULBS OUT AND REINSTALL AND THEY WORK FINE FOR AWHILE. BULB HOLDER ALSO IS MELTING. HAVE HEARD OF MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF SAME PROBLEM.IN MOTION
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 26, 2019
MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS HAD 5 INCIDENCES OVER THE LAST YEAR OF LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT. NEVER BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING AND EXPENSIVE EACH TIME I BRING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS. PARTICULARLY WHEN ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT AT NIGHT TIME DRIVING ON DARK ROADS. ADDITIONALLY A HEADLIGHT OUT IS SUFFICIENT REASON FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ISSUE A SUMMONS. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS MAY 20TH 2019 VIA PHONE REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK 6 DAYS LATER. RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DID INFORM GM THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY OVER 300 LISTINGS ON GOOGLE FOR PERSONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM SHOWS NO INTEREST IN THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR, IN A REPETITIVE PROBLEM, AND AN ILLEGAL SITUATION THAT CAN RESULT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUING A SUMMONS. APPARENTLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE CONNECTORS AT THE BULBS NOT MAKING CONTACT. THE REPLACED CONNECTORS EXHIBIT OVERHEATING WHICH MAY INDICATE OVERLOAD OF POWER, OR CONNECTORS NOT MAKING CONTACT. THIS PROBLEM TOOK PLACE WITH ORIGINAL GM CONNECTORS INTERMITTENTLY - NEVER ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT ONCE. HERE IS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT TO NHTSA ID NUMBER 11204441 4/12/2017 COMPLAINANT STATES 5 REPAIRS AND STILL A PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT ON DRIVER SIDE. ADDITIONALLY THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB REGARDING 2010 & 2011 MALIBU'S. BECAUSE THE FENDERS AND UNDER THE HOOD PLASTIC PANELS MUST BE PULLED TO GET AT THE HEADLIGHTS....THIS IS QUITE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IS REPETITIVE AND FREQUENT AS WELL.
Exterior lighting, May 23, 2019
MY LOW-BEAMS KEEP SHORTING OUT. SOMETIMES 1 IS OUT. SOMETIMES BOTH ARE OUT. SOMETIMES BOTH ARE ON. THERE IS NOTHING COMMON AS TO WHEN WHICH WILL BE THE CASE. A WEEK AGO, BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT! DAYS LATER, 1 WAS WORKING. THIS MORNING, BOTH WORKED. I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE A LOCATION, ONLY 1 CAME ON AGAIN. MY OTHER LIGHTS ARE UNAFFECTED.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 3, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECALLS THAT CHEVROLET NOT PICKING UP. ALL THE RECALLS ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR. WHEN IT RAIN THE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, MY LIGHTS BULBS CONSTANTLY GO OUT, MY CIGARETTE LIGHT STARKED FIRE. WHEN TURNING A CURVE MY CAR HALTS OR STALL AND JERK. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON WITH THE CAR THAT I CAN EXPLAIN. WHEN IT RAIN MY CAR PULLS OR GOES OFF ROAD I HAVE TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DO THE BRAKING SYSTEM ETC.
Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2019
I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT MORE THAN 5 TIMES, THE PIGTAIL HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE WIRING HAS BEEN REWIRED. HEADLIGHT IS OUT AGAIN BUT THE BULB IS NOT BURNED OUT, IT'S ALMOST AS IF IT'S A SHIRT IN THE ENTIRE HARNESS.
Exterior lighting, Apr 23, 2019
PASSENGER HEAD LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I'VE HAD IT FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVEN BEEN PULLED OVER. EVERY TIME I GET IT FIXED, IT GOES OUT ABOUT 4-5 DAYS LATER. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE
Exterior lighting, Apr 13, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT I HAVE HAD IT CHANGED OVER 10 TIMES AND EACH TIME THE LIGHT BULB IS NOT BLOWN BUT WON'T COME ON
Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2019
MY LOW BEAMS KEEP GOING OUT ON BOTH SIDES. ALL OTHER LIGHTS SEEM FINE WITH NO APPARENT ISSUES. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE BULBS, THEN FOUND OUT THEY WERE STILL GOOD ALL ALONG. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE CONNECTOR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CONNECTOR WAS BURNED MOSTLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I CHANGED OUT BOTH DUE TO THE FACT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE/PARTIAL REMOVE THE BUMPER IN ORDER TO WORK ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL WORK FOR A WHILE THEN STOP AGAIN USUALLY ONLY ONE SIDE AT A TIME. I WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND WHO ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE ON A 2012 THAT IT MAY BE THE AUTO LIGHT STAYING ON AND THE CIRCUIT MAY BE OVERHEATING. NOT SURE IF THIS IS ACCURATE BUT IT SOUNDS LOGICAL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 4 YEARS NOW WITH THIS MONTH BEING THE MOST RECENT AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS SINCE REPLACING WIRES AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY KNOW RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.