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, Aug 16, 2018
GOOD MORNING THE COMPLAINTS ARE GOING FOR OVER 3 YEARS, AND CHEVY IS IGNORING US ALL . I ALSO COMPLAIN DIRECT TO THEM AND THEY PLAY DUMB REF CHEVY MALIBU 2011 WHY ISNT CHEVY HAVING A RE CALL ON THE HEAD LIGHTS ISSUE OF THE MALIBU?? IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. OVER 80% OF MALIBU OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING AND REGISTERING COMPLAINTS ON THE CONSTANT BURNING OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHT SOCKET OF A MALIBU I REPLACED MINE 4 TIMES OVER 8 MONTHS, THE COST IS OUTRAGEOUS AND THE TIME OUT OF OUR WORK AND LIVES IS EVEN MORE AGGRAVATE. CHEVY IS AWARE OF IT AND IS CHOOSING TO DO NOTHING AND LET US PICK UP THE COST OF A "DEFECTIVE" ITEM IN THE CAR. I APPRECIATE IF CHEVY COULD REFUND IT AND FIX IT AT NO COST RIGHT NOW, AS I ALREADY GOT PULLED OVER BY COPS DUE TO IT STOP WORKING 1 MONTH AFTER I HAD REPLACED. THANK YOU PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE PROPER SITE OF DOT TO COMPLAIN SO THEY DO HERE IN THIS SITES.. PLEASE CONSIDER THEIR COMPLAINTS AND MAKE CHEVY DO A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHTS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2009/LIGHTS/HEADLIGHT_WIRING_SHORTED_OUT.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/FORUMS/6-PROBLEMS-SERVICE-ISSUES-TROUBLESHOOTING-GENERATION-7/25313-HEADLIGHT-BURNS-OUT-CONTINUOUSLY.HTML
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2018
PLEASE CONSIDER THE COMPLAINTS OF SAME ISSUE ON THE LINK BELLOW. THE MALIBU HAS AN MANUFACTURE DEFECT OF HEAD LIGHT, THY CONSTANT BURN AND GO OFF, SOMETIMES IT BURNS THE BULB AND SOMETIMES THE SOCKET. I REPLACED THE BULBS AND SOCKET OVER 6 TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. THERE IS OVER THOUSANDS COMPLAINTS OF EXACTLY SAME ISSUE ONLINE ON CAR COMPLAINT SITES AS PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE WHERE TO REPORT AND CHEVY IGNORE US AS THEY ARE AWARE OF THE THOUSANDS COMPLAINS. THE HEADLIGHT GOING OFF IS A HAZARDS AND I ALREADY GOT PULLED OVER 4 MONTHS AFTER REPLACED THE HEAD LIGHT WHEN IT WENT OFF WITHOUT I REALIZE IT. IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH A BAD DEFECT . TO REPLACE IT ONE NEEDS TO TAKE THE CAR APART AND ENTIRE BUMBER OFF IT IS OUTRAGEOUS EXPENSE TO REPLACE A $8 DOLLAR BULB, PLEASE CONSIDER THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS 2 WEB SITES AS TO MAKE CHEVY RECALL IT AND FIX ON MALIBUS OF 2009 TO 2013. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2009/LIGHTS/HEADLIGHT_WIRING_SHORTED_OUT.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/FORUMS/6-PROBLEMS-SERVICE-ISSUES-TROUBLESHOOTING-GENERATION-7/25313-HEADLIGHT-BURNS-OUT-CONTINUOUSLY.HTML
Exterior lighting, Aug 15, 2018
DRIVER & PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT OR NOT FUNCTIONING. I'VE REPLACED THE BULBS 4 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. I'VE READ ON MALIBU BLOGS THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING SAME LIGHTING ISSUE ON THEIR MALIBU
Exterior lighting, Aug 14, 2018
IT STARTED WITH MY LOW BEAM GOING OUT. I REPLACED IT. THEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN REPLACED IT THEN BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT REPLACED BOTH LOW BEAM NOW MY RUNNING LIGHTS ARE OUT. I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I ONLY HAVE HIGH BEAMS AT THIS TIME. APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED FUSES, CONTROL ARMS,,RELAYS ETC ON TOP OF THREE SETS OF BULBS.
Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, AND I HAVE REPLACED THE PIG TAIL. THE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT 2 TIMES SINCE I CHANGED THE PIG TAIL. THIS IS EFFECTING MY TRAVEL AT NIGHT NOT BEING ABLE TO DEPEND ON MY HEADLIGHTS.
Exterior lighting, Jul 9, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR CONTINUE TO BURN OUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. THE COST TO REPLACE IS $200. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THEY BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME
Exterior lighting, Jun 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Exterior lighting, Jun 24, 2018
2011 CHEVY MALIBU HEADLIGHT ISSUE. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVING SOME SORT OF POWER ISSUES. REPLACED BULBS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE REALIZING THE BULBS AREN'T BURNT OUT. LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR TO ACCESS.
Exterior lighting, May 24, 2018
I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE 5 TIMES. I ALWAYS REPLACE BOTH WHEN I TAKE THE CAR APART. I HAVE PURCHASED BULBS FROM THE DEALER, ASK PARTS STORES TO ORDER LONG LIFE BULBS. THIS LAST REPLACEMENT HAS LASTED 4 WEEKS. ALL CONNECTIONS, WIRES ARE GOOD, REPLACED RELAYS, CONNECTIONS LOOK GOOD. OWNED A SHOP OVER 20 YEARS. PLEASE, NEED HELP. STUPID DESIGN REQUIRES A COUPLE OF HOURS WORK TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP!!
Exterior lighting, Apr 28, 2018
THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT EVERY COUPLE MONTHS. I'VE CHANGED IT 4 TIMES. I CHANGE THE DRIVER SIDE TOO BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH WORK EVEN THOUGH IT WORKS FINE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEMS, IT HAS TO BE A MALFUNCTION OF SOME KIND.
Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2018
MY MALIBU HEALIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS GOING OUT A LOT I JUST CHANGED IT 2 TIMES LAST MONTH AND HAD THE SOCKET REPLACED THAT CONNECTS TO THE LIGHT BULB.ITS ONLY BEEN 3 WEEKS AND THE LIGHT IS CUTTING ON AND OFF! I CAN'T GET AROUND AT NIGHT AND MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO TRAVEL AT NIGHT.ITS COSTING ME MONEY TO KEEP TTAKIG THIS CAR TO FIRESTONE AND SUCKS BECAUSE I LOVE THE CAR .
Exterior lighting, Mar 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO VIEW THE ROADWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,715.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 8, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM BULB KEEPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD THIS BULB REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED BECAUSE THE BULB KEPT GOING OUT. AFTER HAVING THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED THE BULB WENT OUT AGAIN.
Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2018
RIGHT SIDE HEADLAMP WENT OUT NEEDING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IN ORDER TO REPAIR, THE FRONT BUMPER HAD TO BE REMOVED ONLY AT A DEALER COSTING 1.5 HOURS AND $145.00 OF COST TO REPLACE A SIMPLE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP. MANY PEOPLE CANNOT WAIT THE 2 DAYS WAIT AND THE EXORBITANT COST FOR THIS OBVIOUSLY SIMPLE PROCEDURE THAT THREATENS DRIVING SAFETY WITH ONLY ONE WORKING HEADLIGHT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2018
IN LAST 12 TO 14 MONTHS TO INCLUDE TODAY, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS GONE OUT. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND NOW LOOKING AT A THIRD TIME. I WANT TO SAY THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS THE LAST TIME IT WENT OUT, SOMETIMES IT WOULD COME BACK ON IF I HIT A BUMP. I WILL BE GETTING IT SERVICED AGAIN AS NOT HAVING A HEADLIGHT WORKING IS A DANGER. THE REASON I AM CONTACTING NHTSA IS I HAVE TALK TO AND READ OF MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE CHEVROLET (1200 LOUCKS RD, YORK, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE LIGHT WIRING WAS FAULTY AND CORROSION WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN OCTOBER 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 29, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HARNESS TO THE LOW BEAMS WAS BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE HARNESS BURNED, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HARNESS WAS REPLACED ONE TIME ALSO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (JIM GLOVER CHEVROLET IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA) THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2017
THE DASHBOARD SEAT BELT LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. THE RADIO AT TIMES GOES SILENT. THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF AND HAVING TO REPLACE. THE ECM OR ECU HAS WENT OUT. AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ONE. ON THIS WHILE THE CAR IS ON, DRIVING AND STATIONARY.
Exterior lighting, Mar 2, 2017
THE HEADLIGHT BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF REPLACEMENT. THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED HIGH BEAM LAMPS ONLY THE LOW BEAM LAMPS ARE BLOWING OUT AFTER REPLACEMENT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 24, 2017
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT ON THIS VEHICLES , HAVE REPLACED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY JUST KEEP GOING OUT. MY AUNT HAS THE SAME MAKE , MODEL CAR AS I DO AND SHE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS.
Exterior lighting, Sep 23, 2016
THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT CONTINUE TO BLOW, I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB 5 TIMES AND ALSO REPLACE A BURNT-OUT WIRE BUT THE BULB HAS BLOWN AGAIN AND IT'S GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL...I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE AND NOW ITS DOING THE SAME THING ALSO MY HEAD LIGHT ON THE PASSAGE SIDE KEEP GOING OUT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 27, 2016
MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS ALL YEAR. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE WHO IN RETURN WAS SUPPOSE TO CALL CANNON MOTORS IN OXFORD,MS TO HAVE THE FRONT HEAD LIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS ON RECALL. MY FATHER HAS REPLACED IT 3 TIMES AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT SO THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO CANNON TODAY AND NOW ITS A DIFFERENT STORY. THEY WAS TALKING ABOUT CHARGING 75.00 THEN THEY CHANGED IT TO 500.00 TO FIX A HEADLIGHT. I KNOW THE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM GOING ON WITH MY CAR.
Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER 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 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.