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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 3, 2015
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. *MW THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL/ THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE ACCELERATION AND THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED, WAS THE DIRECT RESULT OF RECALL 14V252000. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED, WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. *JB
Exterior lighting, Oct 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 10, 2014
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BODY CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION SYSTEM RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT INFORM HIM OF ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. EACH TIME, HE WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON ONCE OCCASION, IN MARCH 2014, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED THE VEHICLE TO THE BANK. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TWICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 24, 2014
AT RANDOM WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE RADIO WILL SWITCH TO AUX. YOU CAN TOUCH THE DASH ON THE SIDE OR AROUND THE RADIO AND IT WILL GO BACK TO RADIO. IT WILL ALSO SWITCH SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, OR TURN ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS. YOU HAVE TO BUMP THE SIDE OF THE DASH OR THE AREA AROUND THE RADIO FOR IT TO SWITCH BACK ALSO THERE IS A NOISE WHERE THE STEERING IS THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS KNOCKING AROUND UNDER THE CAR, AND MY DASH LIGHTS SOMETIMES WILL WAIT UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL BLOCKS BEFORE THEY COME ON. THE RATTLING OR KNOCKING NOISE THAT IS HEARD IN THE FRONT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REALLY BOTHERS ME THAT SOMETHING IS READY TO FALL OFF OR BREAK. IN OCTOBER OF 2012 I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR I WOULDN'T THINK THEY SHOULD GO OUT THAT QUICK. *TR