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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 31, 2019
3RD TIME PASSANGER HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT IN THE LAST YEAR. ALONG WITH THE PREVIOUS ISSUES I REPORTED
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 26, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. BRAKE APPLY SENSOR FLUCTUATES ON AND OFF ALSO TURNING SIGNAL IS NOT WORKING ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT EVEN THOUGH THE BUGS BEEN CHANGED AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE IT SHOWS A TURNING SIGNAL, NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN DRIVING OR AT A COMPLETE STOP. EVEN THOUGH FUSES AND NEW BULBS REPLACED, ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WITH RADIO AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER, ALSO REPLACE BULBS AND HEADLIGHTS AND THEY CONTINUE TO SHORTEN OUT AND BLOW
Exterior lighting, Feb 13, 2019
DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB 5 TIMES AND KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. SOME DAYS IT WORKS SOME DAYS IT DOESN'T. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER FOR THIS A FEW TIMES AND I HAVE TO SHOW OFFICER THE RECEIPTS I HAVE TO PROVE I HAVE TRIED TO FIX MY LIGHT. PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS AS I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE.THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHT AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE CORRECTLY WHILE IM DRIVING AND IS DISTRACTING TO OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL.
Exterior lighting, Feb 13, 2019
MY PASSANGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT IS CONTINUALLY GOING OUT. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED OVER 5 TIMES THIS YEAR. ONLY HAVING ISSUES WITH PASSANGER SIDE.
Exterior lighting, Feb 4, 2019
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BOTH GO ON WHEN USING REMOTE TO UNLOCK DOOR, BUT AS SOON AS I PUT THE KEY IN IGNITION AND TURN IT TO START THE CAR, THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER TWICE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND THEY REPLACED THE BULB, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE PROBLEM. YESTERDAY IT WENT OUT YET AGAIN.MANY PEOPLE HAVE POSTED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. INITIATE A RECALL. IT'S OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Jan 21, 2019
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND THE CONNECTOR ONCE. THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. ALL THIS WITHIN ABOUT 9 MONTHS. NOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE GOES ON AND OFF AND THE DRIVERS SIDE IS OFF. THIS HAS BECOME A NUISANCE. THE FRONT OF THE CAR HAS TO BE REMOVED OR PULLED OUT TO GET TO THE LIGHTS. IT'S TIME CONSUMING AND COSTLY. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO FIX THESE ISSUES AGAIN. IT'S A TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN INCLINATE WEATHER AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT? PLEASE ADVISE THAT CHEVY ANNOUNCE A RECALL. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 8, 2019
WELL FIRST I SEEN THAT MY DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT WAS OUT THEN LATER IT WENT ON THEN AGAIN IT WENT OUT AGAIN SO I REPAIRED IT THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN THEN I FIX IT AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN ITS A ON GOING THING AS I SEE ONLINE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME.I HOPE THEY CAN GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS TO FIX ,IT NOT RIGHT FOR ME TO KEEP BUYING HEADLIGHTS ,AS CLEARLY AS WE CAN SEE EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME THING GOING ON WITH THERE HEADLIGHT. THANK YOU.
Exterior lighting, Dec 31, 2018
MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE GOTTEN IT CHANGED 4 TIMES AND THE LAST 2 MONTHS. NO ONE KNOWS THE PROBLEM AND THE BULBS ARE NO T BURNING OUT IT JUST STOPS WORKING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME YEAR BODY AND MAKE THAT HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS ME.
Exterior lighting, Dec 25, 2018
FRONT PASSENGER HEADILIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AT ANY TIME. IT'S NOT THE BULB, BUT THE CONNECTOR.
Exterior lighting, Dec 20, 2018
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) KEEPS GOING OUT. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET TO AND EXPENSIVE TO GET SOMEONE ELSE TO FIX IT. IT COMES BACK ON SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THEN GOES OUT AGAIN A DAY OR SO LATER. THE LAST ONE I REPLACED WAS I WON'T PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT FINDING OUT FIRST IF THE MINOR MAINTENANCE CAN BE DONE ON MY OWN.
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2018
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU , A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS GOING OUT AFTER REPLACING THEM SEVERAL TIMES. JUST REPLACED THEM AGAIN ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO ( BOTH HEAD LIGHTS ) AND THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMPER AND BOTH FENDERS OFF JUST TO GET TO THE HEAD LIGHTS. CHECKED ON-LINE AND IT APPEARS THAT NUMEROUS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT LONG DISTANCE AND YOU HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE AFTER REPLACING THEM ALREADY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN USUAL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE BLINKING ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND EMITTED A BURNING ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 27, 2018
MY BREAK LIGHTS LIGHT UP WHEN I AM NOT PUSHING ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND TRACTION CONTROL TURNS OFF WHEN I AM IN MOTION. ONLY HAPPENS SOMETIMES.
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEPS GOING OUT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE COUNTLESS OWNER/OPERATORS AND PASSENGERS INVOLVED.
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2018
I HAVE REPLACED MY DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT 5X THIS YEAR SOMETIMES I CAN BUMP THE HEADLIGHT EVERY NOW AND THEN AND IT WILL TURN ON BUT 90% OF THE TIME IT STAYS OFF
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2018
I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM BULB 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS, DRIVERS SIDE TWICE AND MY DRIVERS SIDE JUST BURNT OUT AFTER TWO MONTHS. AFTER RESEARCHING NUMEROUS FORMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FROM 2008-2012 MALIBUS
Exterior lighting, Oct 22, 2018
HEADLIGHT BULB BURNED OUT - AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REPLACE WITHOUT SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND TOOLS. THIS IS A SEVERELY SAFETY ISSUE SINCE MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A CAR DEALER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN A HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. REPLACING THE LAMP REQUIRES REMOVING PARTS OF THE FENDER AND THE ENTIRE BUMPER, AND REQUIRES SOCKET WRENCHES AND MECHANICAL ABILITY BEYOND WHAT THE AVERAGE VEHICLE OWNER WILL HAVE. DRIVING WITH ONE HEADLIGHT BECAUSE GM COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WITHOUT TOOLS IS DANGEROUS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 22, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT HAS BURNT OUT 4 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. I REPLACED IT WITH REGULAR LIGHTS THE FIRST 3 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME USED LED LIGHTS AND STILL BURNT OUT IN 8 MONTHS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2018
MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. KEEP GOING OUT AFTER BEING FIXED THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL IT KEEPS RECURRING OVER AND OVER ON MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LS. HEADLIGHT BULBS OR IT'S THE SOCKET KEEPS BURNING OUT.
Exterior lighting, Oct 8, 2018
DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT AFTER FREQUENT REPLACEMENT. PIGTAIL CONNECTIONS ARE ALL TIGHT AND PROPERLY ATTACHED.
Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2018
MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I JUST HAD THE BULB CHANGED, AND IT WENT OUT IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. 90% OF ALL CHEVY MALIBU'S USE ON THE ROAD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO GET A RECALL ABOUT THIS. IT'S VERY IRRITATING AND EXPENSIVE!
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 26, 2018
MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED BULBS ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AND THEN LIGHT WENT BACK OUT AT DIFFERENT TIMES ON BOTH SIDES. I THEN NOTICED THAT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN, AND THIS TIME WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE IT, IT CAME ON WHEN I TOUCHED THE PIGTAIL SO I FIGURED THERE WAS A SHORT SOMEWHERE. WHEN I TOOK THE LIGHTBULB OUT, I NOTICED THE PIGTAIL WAS FRIED, SO I CHANGED THE PIGTAIL AND BULB THIS TIME. A FEW WEEKS GO BY AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS TO THE OTHER SIDE. I CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB AND PIGTAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND I'VE NOT MENTIONED HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO CHANGE THE BULB. THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY PRETTY MUCH HAS TO COME OFF. THIS IS NOT EASY TO DO AND IS A PRETTY BAD DESIGN FLAW. SINCE I'VE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE PIGTAIL IS SHAKEN, I HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE BUMPER JUST TO GET TO THE LIGHT. SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS. FINALLY, I MUST ALSO ADD, I HAVE SEEN MORE THAN 10 CHEVY MALIBU'S, NOT SURE OF THE YEAR, BUT IS THE SAME MODEL AS MINE, WITH A HEADLIGHT MISSING. IT MAKES ME WONDER, ARE THESE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE? DO THESE PEOPLE MAYBE JUST HAVE A HEADLIGHT BLOWN BUT KNOWS THE HEADACHE IT IS TO REMOVE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY JUST TO CHANGE HEADLIGHT? HAVE THESE PEOPLE GOTTEN TIRED OF CHANGING THE HEADLIGHT BECAUSE IT KEEPS BLOWING OUT? PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.
Exterior lighting, Sep 26, 2018
PASSENAGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. TWICE WITHIN 3 WEEKS. TWICE THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED FROM OVERHEATING. HAVE ALSO REPLACED DRIVER SIDE TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 3 YEARS. OVERALL HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE 5 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN STATIONARY WITH ALL FINDINGS.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 16, 2018
FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET A WARNING COMES ACROSS THAT SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THEN THE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON. THE CAR THEN DROPS TO 5 MPH AND STOPS. I TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THERE IS NOTHING. I WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND TRY AGAIN AND IT STARTS UP AND I'M ABLE TO DRIVE IT.
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2018
LOWBEAM CONSTANTLY GOES OUT. AFTER RESTARTING THE COMPUTER THE FUSE HAS FIRE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN GOES OUT AGAIN.