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: power train
112 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND THE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, AND REDUCED POWER SPEED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Power train, Feb 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECREASED TO 10 MPH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Power train, Jan 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATED AND SHAKE CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT EXCEED 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO JERK. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOST POWER INDICATOR, THE ABS, AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 13, 2015
DURING THE DEEP WINTER WE HAD IN DETROIT STARTING LAST JAN - THE CAR REDUCES SPEED AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED/SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRACTION MESSAGE COMES- THIS HAPPEN ENDLESS TIMES AND STOPPED IN FEB 2014 THEN BEGAN THIS PAST WEEK JAN 8TH, 2015 AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. THE CAR WILL START SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND DROPS SPEED AND POWER ENG REDUCED MESSAGE COMES - EVEN TRAVELING AT 70 MILES WITH 2 CHILDREN INN THE ICY, SNOWY ROADS OF MI . I HAVE BEEN LUCKY NOTHING HAPPENED YET BUT LOOKING AT THE CHEVY FORUMS AND OTHERS, THIS IS A CHEVROLET/GM DEFECT THAT NEEDS A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE THAT THERE IS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE BUT WE ALL CAN DO IS INCUR THE COST TO DIAGNOSE HOW EXACTLY TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES ON THE ROADS. *TR
Power train, Jan 12, 2015
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN JUNE 2012. BY DECEMBER 2012 AS I PRESSED THE GAS TO GET UP A HILL ON A DARK BUSY WITH MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND PLENTY OF TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCKS THE CAR LOST ACCELERATION AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FORWARD. MY BOYFRIEND HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR IN REVERSE FOR SEVERAL MILES TO GET US TO SAFETY. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND TOOK IT TO THE CHEVYDEALER IN UNION CITY GA WHERE THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN CAUTIOUS AND AFRAID TO REALLY PRESS ON THE GAS WHEN ACCELERATING. ABOUT A YEAR LATER STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WATER DRIPPING ON MY FOOT WHEN IT RAINED, WATER STANDING IN THE FLOOR BOARDS AND A LEAKY ROOF OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. NOW ABOUT A WEEK AGO STARTED HAVING REDUCED ENGINE POWER PROBLEMS. SO AFRAID FOR MY KIDS WHO ARE 15 14 AND 1. GONNA TAKE IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE. GONNA HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO PAY OUT OF POCKET SINCE I NOW HAVE 110000 MILES ON IT AND NO WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 29, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON AT 50 MPH AND VEHICLE REDUCED TO A UNSAFE SPEED WITH THE ERROR MESSAGES "SERVICE TRACTION" "ESC OFF" AND "ENG PWR REDUCED". THE UNSAFE DROP IN SPEED ALMOST CAUSED A CAR TO HIT ME IN THE BACK. THIS IS A VERY SCARY PROBLEM AND IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THIS OCCURRED SOMETHING VERY BAD COULD HAVE HAPPEN. A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE OR THE THROTTLE BODY NEED TO BE MADE PUBLIC BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURE DUE TO THIS FLAW! *TR
Power train, Nov 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,700.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 7, 2014
I WENT TO GET AIR IN TIRE. GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND STARTED IT UP. IT STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A THING ABOUT LOSS OF POWER. I WAS ONLY 5 MINUTES FROM HOME SO I WENT BACK HOME. IT WOULDN'T GET OVER 25 MILES AN HOUR. I CALLED EDWARD CHEVROLET IN BIRMINGHAM,AL. THEY TOLD ME TO GET CAR TO THEM BUT NOT DRIVE IT. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I DON'T EVEN HAVE 100,000 ON IT. I READ ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOT ON RECALL. WHY? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE OR CHILDREN? I DIDN'T READ OF ANY DEATHS JUST ALMOST. I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE TO GET SOMETHING DONE. I WAS LUCKY AND NOT FAR FROM HOME. IT COULD HAVE STOPPED ON ME IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. I'VE NEVER GOT ANY RECALL NOTICES. I TOLD THE LADY AT EDWARDS CHEV. THE SAME THING. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Power train, Aug 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Power train, Jul 25, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT IN THE 45-55MPH RANGE, ( I'M GUESSING 5TH GEAR AS I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY GEARS IT HAS ) THEN AGAIN THE SAME ISSUE AT 25 MPH. REPEATED MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGH THE DRIVE HOME. *TR
Power train, Jun 20, 2014
BOUGHT USED IN NOVEMBER 2013 WITH 23,000 MILES. CAR'S RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS, LOSES POWER AT VARYING SPEEDS FROM 30 MPH AND UP. VEHICLE BROUGHT IN, DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT, THAT IS TO SAY IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT THIS HAS LEFT ME IN A DANGEROUS SPOT WHILE CHANGING LANES OR PULLING OUT ONTO A STREET FROM A STOPPED POSITION; I CAN FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL AND IT SLUGGISHLY ACCELERATES. THE RPM OFTEN RACES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AFTER HAVING TO SLOW DOWN FOR TRAFFIC ISSUES. THIS CAR DOES NOT GET CLOSE TO THE QUOTED FUEL MILEAGE THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO FOR AN LT; MY SOLE REASON FOR PURCHASING THIS CAR. *TR
Power train, Apr 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE REDUCE POWER MODE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AS THE ACCELERATION DECREASED TO 20 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THIS FAILURE RECURRED EVERY 22 MILES TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Power train, Apr 5, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE 270 AT AROUND 50 TO 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED UPON BREAKING WITH A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN I WENT TO REACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AS THOUGH IT WAS STUCK IN A HIGHER GEAR AND WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT TO ACCELERATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED FREQUENTLY SO NOW WHEN I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY, I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO MAKE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION UNNECESSARY BUT THE CAR STILL CLUNKS OUT OF GEAR UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Mar 5, 2014
I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THEN A NOISE STARTED AS WELL. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A BROKEN AXLE SHAFT THAT THEY ORDERED AND THEN REPLACED. THE NOISE WENT AWAY BUT THE VIBRATION HAS PERSISTED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 5+ TIMES TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY TELL ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT EACH TIME. I NEED TIRES ROTATED (DID THAT), NEED NEW TIRES (BOUGHT THEM), NEED TIRES BALANCED (DID THAT), NEED TIRES BALANCED ON THE RIMS (DID THAT), AND NOW THAT THE TIRES MUST BE COLD. I EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AFTER BEING DRIVEN OVER 30 MINUTES AND THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE WARMED UP BY THEN. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET IN REGARDS TO THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND ALL THEY WANT TO DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IS TO HAVE ME RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. EACH TIME I DO THIS, I AM LEFT WITH NO VEHICLE AND FENDING FOR RIDES. I AM CURRENTLY COMMUTING NEARLY 100 MILES PER DAY FOR WORK UNTIL I AM ABLE TO RELOCATE AND CANNOT BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE. CHEVY REFUSES TO PAY FOR A RENTAL FOR AN ERROR THAT IS CLEARLY RELATED TO THEIR PRODUCT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO AT THIS POINT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND ANYONE ELSE OF SIGNIFICANCE. *TR
Power train, Mar 3, 2014
I'M DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING AND ESC ARE LOST! THE CAR'S MONITORS ALERT ME BUT I HAVE TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE! I FINALLY GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORM ME I HAVE TO PAY $1400 TO FIX THE PROBLEM! IT'S NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE TO ME. MY CAR ISN'T 3 YEARS OLD YET! I LATER LEARNED MANY OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2014
CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND STARTED SPUTTERING. ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO QUIT AND DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER. WOULD NOT GET OVER 15MPH. PUT ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILLED. DECELERATED AT A VERY FAST RATE. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $675. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 100K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. CHEVROLET CONVENIENTLY STOPPED COVERING THE THROTTLE BODY STARTING IN 2011. FROM LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2011 CHEVY MALIBU THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE OR POORLY DESIGNED PART. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 13, 2014
SITTING AT INTERSECTION, FOOT ON BRAKE, WAITING FOR LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, FELT SUDDEN POWER SURGE, THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND, LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD READ: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE ENGINE ICOM APPEARED. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HAD TO CROSS 5 LANES OF STATE HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE, LIGHT TURNED RED, PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AS BEST I COULD ACCOUNT 5 FT SNOW PILES ALONGSIDE ROAD. MINUS 6 DEGREES OUT. SHUT CAR OFF FOR APPROX. 5 MIN. STARTED CAR AND COULD DRIVE IT TO FIRST PARKING LOT ABOUT 3/4 MILE. HAD CAR TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME HE'S HAD ALOT OF THESE FAILURES AND IT'S DUE TO EXTENSIVE COLD WEATHER. I FEEL CHEVROLET SHOULD ORDER A RECALL AND TAKE CARE OF THESE VEHICLE PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. CAR JUST ENDED WARRANTY PERIOD THIS WEEK, OTHER OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR COST IF THEIR CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Feb 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND DECELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,541.
Power train, Engine, Jan 27, 2014
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 42,000 MILES ON SNOW-COVERED ROADS. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP, INCLUDING "SERVICE ESC", "ENGINE POWER REDUCE" AND THE CAR BEGAN IN JOLT. THIS CAUSED HER TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE AND JUST MISSED GETTING BROADSIDED BY A SEMI TRUCK. WE LET THE CAR SIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IN A PARKING LOT. WE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT WASN'T A COVERED PART UNDER GM'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WE PROCEEDED TO TALK TO GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. BOTH INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SPOKE WITH US TOLD US THAT IT IS A COVERED PART. THE ISSUE WAS ESCALATED TO A TIER 2 REP WHO SPOKE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN THAT IN THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH GM, THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. WE ARE SO FRUSTRATED. WE ARE 2 MONTHS FROM TURNING OUR VEHICLE IN AND WERE CONSIDERING ANOTHER GM LEASE, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE WE WILL BE GOING WITH ANOTHER MANUFACTURER, SINCE GM HAS OPTED TO TAKE THIS POSITION. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIR WITH US, BUT TO ME, THIS ISSUE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE DRIVER. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART. IT SHOULD EITHER BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF RESOLVE. THIS CAR NOW SITS IN OUR GARAGE AND ACTS THIS WAY WHEN WE START IT. *TR
Power train, Air bags, Jan 20, 2014
I WAS AT A STOP TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC AT 7PM. WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO GO MY CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. IT WOULD ONLY REV. I THREW IT IN PARK THEN TO DRIVE...NOTHING. TRIED MANUAL. NOTHING. REVERSE WAS ALL THAT WORKED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF INTERSECTION. HAD WRECKER TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. FRIDAY NIGHT THEY TELL ME CAR IS READY THAT THE CHIP IN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. GO SATURDAY TO GET IT AND WHEN I TURNED CAR ON IT READ "SERVICE AIR BAG". THEY TRIED TO CLEAR CODE BUT FAILED. SAID THAT THERE WAS A TRUE PROBLEM AND WOULD LOOK AT IT MONDAY THE 20TH. JUST GOT A CALL SAYING THE AIR BAG CHIP SHORTED OUT AND GENERALLY ALL IN ALL IS A 700.00 FIX. THEY ALLEGEDLY SPOKE TO GM WHO SAID JUST CHARGE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. DUE TO SOME ISSUES I HAD WITH DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY CHARGE ME 50.00 AND THEY WOULD COVER THE REST. I DO NOT HAVE MY CAR BACK YET AS THEY ARE WORKING ON IT STILL. GLAD I STILL HAD POWERTRAIN WARRANTY SO RIGHT NOW THE ONLY OUT OF POCKET COST WITH THIS WHOLE ORDEAL WILL BE THE 50.00. HOWEVER I FEEL I NOR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY SINCE I WAS TOLD THIS IS A "KNOWN &COMMON" ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 7, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR THAN STARTED TO JERK LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF OXYGEN, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT IN GEAR.. TOOK TO HAVE CHECK AND COME TO FIND OUT ITS THE (TCM) TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WHICH ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR AND EXTRA TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM SANTANDER CONSUMER AND BRONX SUZUKI/VICTORY IN BRONX, NY. I HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF IN A CAR PAYMENT THAT'S MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. *TR
Power train, Sep 2, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS MALIBU IN MARCH 2011, NEW. I CURRENTLY HAVE LESS THAN 26K MILES ON THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHILE ACCELERATING (USUALLY) BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MPH THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE ITS ABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE TACHOMETER WILL GO TO 4000 PLUS WITH NO ACCELERATION. ITS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP (EXACT MILEAGE NOTED ABOVE MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE) AND THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO KEYES CHEVROLET, WHERE PURCHASED. THEY SAID THEY NOTICED THE DEFECT AND APPARENTLY DID AN OVERHAUL (?) ON THE TRANSMISSION AND KEPT THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS. MY GUESS IS THEY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH DOING AN INITIAL REPAIR AS THEY WOULD BE REIMBURSED BY GM ($1500?). NEW OR SIMILAR REPAIRS OR ISSUES MAY BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR REIMBURSEMENT, AS GM WILL SAY THEY FIXED IT ALREADY AND PAID ONCE!!!!! I TRY AND MAINTAIN A LOG IN THE CAR OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. PROBABLY HAVE AT LEAST 25 TIMES NOTED AND LOGGED IN 2013. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE WERE PROBABLY NUMEROUS TIMES THAT WERE NOT LOGGED BECAUSE OF TIMING OR LOCATION OR JUST TIRED OF LOGGING ISSUES ON A NEW CAR. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN FOR MAKING ENGINE NOISES WHEN STARTING UP, AT LEAST TWICE. ONE TIME I DID NOT DO A REPAIR ORDER AS THEY DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE AND LOOKED / LISTENED TO THE CAR. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND THE SHIFTING ISSUE HAPPENS MORE REGULARLY. I TRY TO MAINTAIN A RECORD OF THE DATE, TIME AND MILEAGE. WILL SEE IF THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE NOISES AND SHIFTING ISSUES, WHEN I BRING IT IN SOON, AGAIN. THE CAR HAS RECENTLY STARTED CHUGGING ALONG WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE, A NEW ISSUE. *JS
Power train, Jul 29, 2013
CAR SLIPS 1ST TO 2ND (RPM BUZZES UP) THIS OCCURS WHEN CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR 30 MILES OR MORE AND WHEN IT IS ABOVE 85 DEGREES. IT ALSO HESITATES 2ND TO 3RD WHEN COLD. I WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR TWICE WHEN THE CAR SLIPPED BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS IT DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING ON THE COMPUTER. NOTE THAT SINCE THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR ON 7/26/13 THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. NOTE THAT THE DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE IN THE MORNING WHEN IT WAS STILL COOL OUTSIDE AND DID NOT DRIVE IT BUT A FEW MILES. I WAS CHARGED FOR CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION $84.53. CAR WAS FIRST TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ON 11/23/12 AS THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND, 3RD GEARS (44,000 MILES ON CAR). COMPUTER SHOWED NO ISSUES, CAR WAS ONE QUART LOW IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHARGE WAS $49.69. FIRST I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE AS THE DEALERSHIP 11/23/12 DID MORE AND CHARGED LESS. SECOND THE CAR CONTINUES TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS "EVERYDAY" I DRIVE IT (IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN IT IS WARM). I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO ALMOST BEING HIT. PLUS I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR