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: steering
214 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Power train, Feb 11, 2022
I was driving up a hill and my Service ESC power steering came up and I suddenly couldn’t turn my steering wheel so it had locked up… I slowed down and drove closes to the side of the road as I could safe as possible … after research online I notice this has happen to several others at this mileage and that there was a recall on esc system
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 9, 2022
MAP sensor was physically broken and replaced during a particularly cold snap (below -10 degrees F), but the check engine light and "Service ESC," "Service Traction," and "ESC off" messages continued to appear in the following weeks. Acceleration repeatedly dropped off for a split second, and would continue to dip and return until I let off the accelerator and tried again. This acceleration problem always coincided with the three ESC/Traction messages listed above, and happened multiple times every time I drove it. During a second trip to the mechanic, some "frayed wiring" was replaced and the throttle relearned, but the symptoms continued as before, prior to the MAP sensor replacement and the wiring repair. The symptoms progressed to delayed, pulsing acceleration, not just dropping out. The following week, the power steering went out while driving, preceded by a gentle automated jerking on the steering wheel upon startup. The mechanic confirmed that it was electrical, nothing wrong with the physical components.
Steering, Feb 5, 2022
My power steering randomly goes out and the warning lights come on. It’s hard to diagnose, as it doesn’t show up as an error and happens randomly. The wheel locks up and with no distinguishable pattern. Once I turn off the engine and start it up again, the issue seemingly disappears and I can drive as normal. Issue started around 120k, and I’m currently at 127k. Between then and now, it’s locked up about 5-6 times. Thankfully, it hasn’t happened while around others in traffic so far. But it’s definitely concerning since it’s my daily driver. Got a diagnostic done, but nothing shows up/no error codes.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 22, 2022
Power steering went completely out as I'm driving down the road! It's only got around 65k miles maybe 66k,not that many miles at all for this to have happened. And they were aware of the issue as well. Now I'm out my car,I am in-between jobs at the moment,no money,and no transportation for my wife and I!! No way to go to job interviews,her very important medical appointments,and everything else!! I do not have the money to take to the shop,I don't have the knowledge either to do such a major task like that,not do I even have the space to work on it myself or anyone else for that matter.its winter time,And this car is my home,Soo now what are we supposed to do? It's unsafe to drive,and will probably just make it worse,more wear and tear on other parts by driving it the way it is now
Steering, Jan 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Steering, Jan 11, 2022
The power steering in the car has went out and its incredibly hard to steer the car.
Steering, Nov 4, 2021
Power steering would go in and out while driveing makeing i hard to turn wheel. 137,000 miles had to have steering column replaced $1900 just for the dealer to replace this part.
Steering, Oct 28, 2021
The steering wheel just shaking and doesn’t move is hard to move. The light in the board say steering wheel problem.
Steering, Sep 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed with the StabiliTrak warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact called a dealer and was given an estimate for the repair which he declined. As the failure persisted, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle due to the loss of power steering assist. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not under recall and that the warranty for the power steering assist had expired. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000
Steering, May 30, 2021
This incident occurred in my 2011 Chevy Malibu with less than 44,000 miles on it. The ESC Service Power Steering light comes on, along with the traction light on the dash and the vehicle loses power steering. Initially (the first week or two) the problem corrected itself when the vehicle was shut off and started again. It got increasingly worse over the course of 2 weeks- then the power steering was gone. The car was very difficult to steer and almost couldn't turn. There were times when the steering wheel would suddenly jerk by itself and almost 'lock up.' Very dangerous. I learned this is "very common" in this vehicle. The service person I spoke with on the phone knew exactly what I was talking about. Research I've done shows this has been an ongoing problem with this vehicle since 2004, yet there is only a limited recall. Of course mine is not covered (with only 44K miles on it). Repairs cost me $747.54 (after $100 discount was given to me by the service people.) That is half the amount I make in a month. I found it kind of them to take on a problem that GM should be addressing.
Steering, Apr 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT AND THE SERVICE ESC MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT NORTHCUTT CHEVROLET-BUICK (3201 W. OWEN K GARRIOTT RD, ENID, OK 73703) AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Apr 15, 2021
POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT AND IT TAKES EXTRA PHYSICAL EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Feb 21, 2021
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON CITY STREET, A CHIME SOUNDED AND POWER STEERING, SERVICE ESC MESSAGE CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALTHOUGH VERY HARD, I WAS ABLE TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON/OFF FOR ABOUT 20 MIN, THE MESSAGE FINALLY WENT AWAY AND THE STEERING WORKED AGAIN. TODAY WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE SAME MESSAGE APPEARED.
Steering, Jan 18, 2021
A CLUNKING WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING, WHICH ENDED UP BEING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.
Steering, Dec 25, 2020
THE POWER STEERING LIGHT JUST CAME ON MY CAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
Steering, Dec 19, 2020
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE EVS SERVICE LIGHT, THEN TRACTION LIGHT & BACK TO NO POWER STEERING LIGHT. WAS ABLE TO MAKE HARD TURNS TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT. TURNED THE CAR OFF & ON - ALL LIGHTS WENT BACK TO NORMAL. CALLED THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS "MY CALL" IF I WANTED TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. DANGEROUS AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED & SURPRISED THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEBODY ELSE AT THAT SPEED.
Steering, Dec 11, 2020
MY CARS STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO MAKE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL THEN IT STARTED TO MOVE SLIGHTLY.VERY SLIGHTLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AFTER A LITTLE BIT MORE OF DRIVING THE SAME DAY. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND ONLY LOCKED ONCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED
Steering, Dec 9, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE, MY VEHICLE STARTED TO CHIME AND DISPLAY A MESSAGE ABOUT THE POWER STEERING BEING OFF AND ESC SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE STATIONARY AT A STOP LIGHT. I STRUGGLED TO MOVE MY CAR OVER AND OFF THE ROAD, STILL WITHOUT POWER STEERING. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, MY POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, GENERAL MOTORS HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE PREVIOUS YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN JUNE OF 2014 WITH RECALL #14117. I HAVE VERY GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN LATER MODEL YEARS AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO ADDRESS IT. THE LAST RECALL HAD TO DO WITH THE TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND/OR THE POWER STEERING MOTOR CONTROLLER UNIT, PER THE RECALL.
Steering, Nov 20, 2020
THE POWER STEERING WARNING COMES ON ALONG WITH SERVICE MESSAGE. WHEN CAR IS STARTED AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. GLAD THIS HAPPENED IN PARK AND NOT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT. I READ ABOUT A RECALL FOR MALIBU FROM 2007 THRU 2012 I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER HAVE RECEIVED ANY INFO FROM GM. THE DEALER SHIP SAID TODAY THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. I CAN'T BELEIVE THAT THE STEERING STAFF SENSOR WAS A DIFFRENT PART FROM ONE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER. THE DISCRIPTION OF THE ISSUES I'M HAVING IS EXACTLY THE SAME THAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. I BELEIVE GM IS IN ERROR THAT IF MY VEHICLE HAS A DIFFRENT PART # FOR THE SENSOR THAT PART IS ALSO DEFFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE IN THIS RECALL. HOPE YOU CAN HELP THANKS.
Steering, Nov 17, 2020
WHILE PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, LEAVING STARBUCKS,, I LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF THIS POSSIBLE ISSUE OCCURRING, ALMOST RESULTING IN CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 16, 2020
THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I'VE ENCOUNTERED THIS EXACT ISSUE, AND HAVE HAD PREVIOUS ISSUES AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (USED) BACK IN 2013. BOTH TIMES THIS EXACT ISSUE AT HAND OCCURRED, BOTH HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN A SHARP CURVE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. THIS LAST TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY NOTHING WAS HIT IN EITHER CASES, HOWEVER THIS PAST TIME I PULLED MUSCLES IN MY BACK STRAINING SO HARD TO TRY AND STEER THE VEHICLE TO GET AT LEAST VERY MINIMUM OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO A SIDE STREET AND TO SAFETY. AS BOTH TIMES I WERE DRIVING THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON, AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. RESULTING IN ME NOT BEING ABLE TO BRAKE, OR STEER - THE ONLY STEERING I WERE ABLE TO DO WAS VERY STRAINED (AS PREVIOUSLY STATED), I HAD TO PUT FORTH EXTREME EFFORTS TO GET IT TO BARELY TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL ACTED AS IF IT WERE LOCKED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND COVERED UNDER A RECALL AS I'VE READ/HEARD A MULTITUDE OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT ARE ALL COMMON WITH THIS EXACT YEAR, MODEL/CAR. AND FOR THIS BE SUCH A DANGER, IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE IT COSTS SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. I'M TERRIFIED TO THINK WHAT IF EVERYONE AROUND ME WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION WHEN BOTH EVENTS TOOK PLACE, IT COULD'VE RESULTED IN MY LIFE. MY SPOUSE BEING SINGLE RAISING OUR PRECIOUS 4 CHILDREN. HOW CHEVY/GM CAN LIVE KNOWING THESE ISSUES HAPPEN AND NOT ADDRESS IT IS HORRIBLE, KNOWING VERY WELL IT COULD RESULT IN A LIFE I'D NOT MORE BEING LOST. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET THE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF AND ME TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE, I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAIT, AND TURN IT ON IN ORDER TO CONTINUE MY DRIVE TO WORK. I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS DEATH TRAP OF A CAR, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THESE ISSUES COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, WITHOUT WARNING OR REASON. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. OTHERWISE THIS IS A LAWSUIT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Steering, Service brakes, Oct 7, 2020, crash
WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ, I EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE WAS ONLY TEMPORARY; WHILE DRIVING APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, I WENT THE APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL HAD ALMOST NO PRESSURE. IT ALMOST WENT THE THE FLOOR BEFORE I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES. UNFORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT WORK, WHICH LED TO MY CAR REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, I MADE MY BEST ATTEMPT TO INSPECT THE BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID, AND NOTICED ALMOST NOTHING. THE ONLY THING I HAD NOTICED WAS SLIGHT LOW BRAKE FLUID. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I READ A FEW COMPLAINTS RELATED TO BOTH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK ISSUES, AND BRAKE FAILURE. BOTH OF THESE WHICH I EXPERIENCED. ALL OF WHICH HAPPENED AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET
Steering, Air bags, Sep 1, 2020
IT HAVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON IN THE DASH SAY SERVICE AIR BAGS AND WITH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU DRIVE IT LIKE IT WON'T TO LOCK UP
Steering, Aug 3, 2020
I GOT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST (EPS) LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. AS A RESULT, I WAN'T ABLE TO STEER THE WHEELS. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL. BUT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM IF IT HAPPENS WITHIN 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES ON THE CAR. BUT SINCE THAT 10 YEARS JUST PASSED IN JUNE 2020 FOR MY CAR, I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET, THEY SAID. THEN I ASKED WHY I DIDN'T GET A NOTIFICATION ABOUT THE 10 YEARS/150,000 MILES COVERAGE. THEY SAID IT'S BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. UNLIKE RECALLS, THEY SAID ONLY ORIGINAL OWNERS GOT THE NOTIFICATION (I BOUGHT THIS CAR SECOND HAND). I THINK THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER WHEELS DUE TO THE MECHANICAL DEFECT IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. BUT IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO OPEN RECALLS YET. AND GM SETS AN ARTITRARY QUALIFICATIONS FOR FREE SERVICE AND DECLINES WARRANTY FOR CARS BEYOND THEM. I THINK NHTSA SHOULD ORDER OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM SO THAT ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE SERVICED REGARDLESS OF YEAR AND MILEAGE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 26, 2020
SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BACK IN 2015 (USED) I HAVE HAD ONGOING STEERING ISSUES. THE STEERING FEELS MUCH LOOSER THAN MOST VEHICLES. IT HAS ALMOST TAKEN ME OFF OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE HAD MECHANICS LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY HAVE ALL SUGGEST I TAKE IT INTO CHEVY FOR DIAGNOSTICS SINCE IT IS ELECTRICAL STEERING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING ON THIS EXACT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, THOUGH IT SAYS MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. IT IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR MYSELF TO HAVE THIS STEERING CORRECTED AS I HAVE A TODDLER IN MY BACK SEAT. WHEN ROADS ARE WET, UNEVEN PAVEMENT, OR THE WEATHER WINDY.. MY CAR PULLS OFF THE ROAD DRASTICALLY I HAVE TO GRIP MY STEERING WHEEL SO HARD TO THE POINT MY HANDS TURN RED FROM GRABBING SO TIGHTLY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SOMEWHAT CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE.. WITH THIS YEAR. MAKE AND MODEL HAVING STEERING RECALLS, I REQUEST CHEVY HONORS MY REQUEST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A LICENSED CHEVY DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND I FIND IT UNLIKELY THAT I HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS THE RECALL THOUGH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUE. I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR AND WRECK. HIGHER SPEEDS (FOR EXAMPLE ON THE FREEWAY) MAKE THE STEERING ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I HAVE SPOKE TO NUMEROUS CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR RECALLS. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO CHEVROLET DIRECTLY TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS AND IT WAS DISREGARDED, THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT EFFECTED SO IT COULDN'T BE THE ISSUE.*DT CONSUMER HAD THE PARTS REPLACED ON 6/19 AGAIN ON 6/29 BUT VEHICLE IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND PROBLEM IS RECURRING.*JB