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
978 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2019
MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE CONNECTOR AND BULBS MULTIPLE TIMES SAME PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT TURNS ON IF I HIT A BUMP AND GOES RIGHT BACK OUT. I CHANGED THE BULBS AGAIN TODAY STAYED ON ALL DAY UNTIL I MOVED MY CAR. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2019
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP IS CONSTANTLY IN NEED OF REPAIR. AFTER REPLACING THE DIM BULB SEVERAL TIMES, I HAD THE WIRING REPLACED TO FIX IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE FAULTY LIGHTING. THIS STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE R.H. PASSENGER DIM LAMP IS OUT AGAIN. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL 2009 - 2011 CHEVY MALIBU VEHICLES. THE LIGHTING, ONCE REPLACED, WORKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THEN IT GOES OUT. I AM AT THE POINT OF REPLACING THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH IS PRICEY. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE SEVERAL TIMES BEGINNING IN 2018.
Air bags, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 3, 2019, crash
TIRES GO FLAT REALLY FAST. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT READY MY TIRES NO MORE AND DON'T SHOW IF THERE'S AN ISSUE INCLUDING AIRBAGS. THE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A MONTH AND WEN TAWAU I GOT HIS IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T NOT DEPLOY.
Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS. AS OF THIS MORNING, BOTH BREAK LIGHTS AND REAR TURN SIGNALS ARE RANDOMLY WORKING. SOMETIMES THEY WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. I'VE READ A LOT OF POSTS ABOUT PEOPLE DEALING WITH ISSUES WITH THE POWER GOING SPECIFICALLY TO HEADLIGHTS, AS IN IT IS TOO MUCH VOLTAGE AND THAT IS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO GO OUT.
Power train, Oct 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, THE RPMS REVVED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND A SPEED SENSOR FOR THE ENGINE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A CODE FOR THE SPEED SENSOR WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH PRIORITY CHEVROLET (1495 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 424-1811) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND A LOT OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLES THAT WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES EVEN WITH THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AROUND 90,000 TO 95,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Oct 15, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS UNBLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHILE AS IF THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 11, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, THE CAR WILL JUST STOP MOVING FORWARD ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. WE HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR POWER STEERING / ESC COME ON AND THE CHIMES RING 3 TIMES. UPON STOPPING THE CAR, IF THE ENGINE REMAINS OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, THEN THE CAR WILL START BACK UP AND RUN NORMALLY FOR UP TO 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER IN ST. LOUIS 4 TIMES BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REPLACED A NUMBER OF PARTS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING BUT THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE INEFFECTIVE. WE ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CLEANED THE CABLES WITH NO RESULTS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THE MECHANICS AT THE DEALER HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. WE CANNOT BELIEVE OUR 2011 MALIBU IS THE ONLY CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Oct 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE BULB TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Steering, Oct 8, 2019
LOSS OF POWER STEERING
Exterior lighting, Oct 6, 2019
THE HEADLIGHT KEEP BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED IT THREE TIMES IN TWO MONTHS. PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT
Engine, Oct 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OZARK CHEVROLET (1020 N 18TH ST, OZARK, MO 65721, (417) 297-0091) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE TO SIX MONTHS FOR NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2019
MY CAR WILL DISPLAY THE SERVICE ESC/TCS LIGHT AND THEN THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO DIE FOR NO REASON. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS, NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE EXCELLENT. I USUALLY HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN MY CAR OFF AND RESTART ENGINE, THEN CAR RUNS LIKE NEW AGAIN.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2019, crash
I HAVE HAD 2 FRONT END COLLISION WITH WILD HOGS THE SECOND WAS REAL BAD. THE ENTIRE FRONT END ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INCLUDING THE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG NEVER EXPLODED NEITHER TIME. WHEN I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IN 2012 OR 13 THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON BUT GO OF FOR AWHILE. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WOULD ALWAYS SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT.
Tires, Sep 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH MASTERCRAFT LSR GRAND TOURING TIRES, SIZE: 225/50R17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS FLASHING AND THE NUMBERS CONTINUED TO FLUCTUATE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD A BUBBLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS LOSING AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,056. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 18, 2019
VEHICLE LIGHTS DIM, LOSS OF POWER, ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, ILLUMINATES ON DASH. CAR SPUTTERS WITH NO ACCELERATION. CAR IS UNABLE TO TURN. THIS HAPPENED AS I BEGAN TO LEAVE MY SUBDIVISION, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT BACK. I HAVE A NEW BATTERY NO CAR WILL NOT CRANK UNLESS I HAVE A JUMP.
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2019
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS NUMBERS TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. THE LAST TIME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I FOUND BOTH ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WERE BURNED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD TO REPLACE THE CONNECTORS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND THAT IT CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. CHEVROLET SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THESE FAULTY CONNECTORS.
Exterior lighting, Sep 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. EACH TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HEADLIGHT BOLTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 7, 2019
ESC LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON HEADLIGHTS BURNOUT AFTER MAYBE A FEW MONTHS OF BEING CHANGED FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.
Exterior lighting, Sep 5, 2019
I HAVE CHANGED MY HEADLIGHTS LIGHT 5 TIMES WITHIN THE 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WAS RECENTLY OUT GOT THEM REPLACED A WEEK AGO AND SURE ENOUGH THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE AND IF THIS IS AN KNOWN ISSUE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2019
THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT HAS HAD CONSISTENT ISSUE GOING OUT. THE LIGHT HAS APPEARED TO 'BURN OUT' THREE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. JUST REPAIRED THE HEADLIGHT 5 MONTHS AGO AND NOTICED THAT THE BULB ACTUALLY WAS NOT BURNED OUT IT APPEARED TO NOT BE FULLY CONNECTED IN THE BASE. THE ISSUE KEEPS HAPPENING AND IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. HEADLIGHT REPAIRS REQUIRE COMPLETELY REMOVING FRONT BUMPER. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE.
Structure, Engine, Aug 19, 2019
TAKATA RECALL... THE UNDERCARRIAGE FELL DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT I HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY GETTING AN ERROR THAT MY ENGINE REDUCED/ENGINE DISABLED AND IT SHUTS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE STREET. I MAY GET A FEW SECONDS OF MOTION TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE IT STOPS COMPLETELY. IT'S HAPPENED WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND THAT SCARES ME MORE TO THINK IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIME IN THE PAST 5 WEEKS. I'VE HAD A TUNE UP AND A NUMBER OF THINGS REPLACED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND ONE OF THE SAME SENSORS ON THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 13, 2019
SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND DISABLED MY ENGINE TWICE! 1 TIME ON FEBRUARY 14,2019 WHICH I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY GOT THAT REPLACES IN MARCH. COME JUNE SAMETHING HAPPENED SERVICE ESC ENGINE DISABLED AND WE HAD TO BE TOWED OFF OF THE EXPRESSWAY IN JUNE OF 2019. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO GET IT SERVICED FOR THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE HAS A SHORTAGE IN IT AND FUSES IN MY FUSE BOX HAD MELTED TO THE FUSE BOX AND CAUSED A SHORTAGE ! THE CAR STOPPING ON THE EXPRESSWAY COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY MOM!!!
Power train, Aug 6, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY. STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AND WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, REV LOUDLY, AND SEEMED TO KICK INTO HIGH GEAR WHILE ONLY GOING ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR. I GOT TO A PLACE WHERE I COULD STOP, AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, BUT THIS GEAR DID NOT WORK. I HAD IT TOWED AND MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REBUILT. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD RECOMMEND A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION.
Steering, Aug 3, 2019
LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DASH SAYS NO POWER STEERING AND ESC DISABLED, ENGINE STILL RUNS TYPICALLY WHEN DONG PARKING LOT MANEUVERS. SHUT OFF ENGINE, RESTART NO ISSUES. IT REPEATS WITH SAME RESULTS.
Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2019
THIS IS NOW THE TENTH TIME ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. TONIGHT DRIVING THEY BOTH BURNED OUT. THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE AND IT COST CLOSE TO $200 TO FIX EACH TIME. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED