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.
Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2019
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU AND I HAVE REPLACED MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM BULB TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS
Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. IT WAS REPLACED AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS IT WENT OUT AGAIN. REPLACED IT FOR THE SECOND TIME, BUT LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL. WHEN INSTALLED THE BULB WAS NOT TOUCHED AND GREASE/LUBRICATE WAS PUT INSIDE THE PLUG IN.
Exterior lighting, Jul 23, 2019
I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS LAST NOVEMBER OR SO AND DECIDED TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHT BULBS, BLINKERS, ETC ALL CHANGED SINCE THE BUMPER HAS TO COME OFF. I ALREADY HAD THE PASSENGER BULB OUT. TWO MONTHS AFTER THIS REPAIR WAS DONE THE SAME HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS WAS REPLACED AND LASTED FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS AND JUST WENT OUT AGAIN 07-21-19 FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 8 MONTHS. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MANY MALIBU OWNERS OVER MANY MODEL YEARS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 23, 2019
EVERY YEAR HAD TO GET MY CONNECTOR REPLACED BECAUSE MY LIGHT BULB KEEPS GOING OUT. HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS.
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2019
MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. I REPLACED THE LIGHT AND IT WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET SERVICED AND FOUND OUT THAT THE HEADLIGHT PIGTAIL WAS MELTED.I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM TO BE THE DRL RELAY SWITCH BECAUSE THERE ARE NUMEROUS CHEVROLET MODELS HAVING THIS PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT VERY OFTEN (THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH) BECAUSE THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR MELTS.
Exterior lighting, Jul 13, 2019
NOTHING HAPPENED SPECIFICALLY. MY LOW BEAMS (MAINLY PASSENGER SIDE) KEEPS GOING OUT. IT DOESN'T BURN OUT, IT JUST SIMPLY QUITS WORKING. EVERY NOW AND THEN I'LL HIT A BUMP AND IT WILL COME BACK ON, BUT THAT'S RARE. IT CAN BE SITTING OR IN DRIVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 12, 2019
WHILE DRIVING SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR STARTS DRIVING WEIRD AND DOESN'T FEEL SAFE!
Exterior lighting, Jul 12, 2019
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU HAVE GONE OUT ABOUT SIX TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND WIRING HARNESSES WHICH INVOLVES THE REMOVAL OF THE COMPLETE FRONT FASCIA OF THE VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AT COLLEGE AND HAS BEEN PULLED OVER NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT.
Electrical system, Jul 10, 2019
THE FUSE FOR MY REAR DEFROSTER GOT SO HOT IN THE FUSE BOX IT MELTED THE PANEL-THE FUSE BOX IS IN THE TRUNK-I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WANT OVER 500.00 TO REPAIR- I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AS IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IF IT WAS THAT HOT- I DO NOT FEEL LIKE THIS IS MY FAULT AND MORE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE-IF I DON'T GET THIS FIXED I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY AGAIN AND I AM LOOKING TO PURCHASE A CAR WITHIN THE END OF THIS YEAR. WHY TRY AND MAKE DRIVERS PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS MANUFACTURE? SHADY BUSINESS! ALSO NOW MY RADIO DISPLAY IS GOING IN AND OUT-THINKING MAYBE ANOTHER FUSE ISSUE OR ELECTRICAL.
Power train, Jul 9, 2019
81K MILES ON VEHICLE. DRIVING AT RESIDENTIAL SPEEDS (~ 30 MPH), VEHICLE STARTED SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTING, ENGINE REVVING, THEN REFUSING TO GET OUT OF 1ST GEAR. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY OR CROWDED CITY STREET!
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 7, 2019
I RECENTLY OBTAINED MY 2011 MALIBU LT FROM SUPERIOR AUTO IN BEDFORD, IN. IT IS A TRULY OUTSTANDING MACHINE. I WAS PLEASED WITH THE ENTIRE ECOTEC 2.4 ENGINE AND FUEL ECONOMY. THE DRIVETRAIN IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT TOPIC. I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING THE NEW PUSH BUTTON SHIFT SETUP. IT WAS SMOOTH FOR THE FIRST 3 WEEKS OR SO. OH BY THE WAY IT BARELY TURNED 105,000 ON THE ODOMETER. IT STARTED WITH 3RD SHIFTING LATE AND HARD. THEN IT WAS REVERSE NOT CATCHING ONCE SHIFTER WAS ENGAGED, MAKING ME USE MY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT COMPLETELY STOPPED PULLING FORWARD OR REVERSE. INITIALLY I ASSUMED TRANSMISSION JUST BURNED OUT. WAITED UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING, TRYING AGAIN AND IT ENGAGED GEAR. IT WAS ULTIMATELY SHORT LIVED, ONCE TRANSMISSION WARMS IT STARTS TO FAIL COMPLETELY. I'M VERY DISGRUNTLED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE CAR COMPANY I WAS RAISED ON. AS WELL AS MY FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS. NOT TO MENTION, THIS MY VERY FIRST CHEVY BUYING ON MY OWN. PLEASE RETURN MY CONCERNS PLEASE. I PURCHASED THE MALIBU FROM A LOCAL BUY HERE PAY HERE. THIS LEAVES ME ON A MOST AGGRAVATED NOTE, DUE TO ME BEING ABSOLUTELY HUSTLED INTO PAYING FOR A OPERATIONALESS MOTOR VEHICLE FROM WHAT I ONCE THOUGHT WAS 2ND TO NONE, CHEVROLET AND GM IN GENERAL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND WILL MOST DEFINITELY NEVER BUY THIS BRAND AGAIN, AS WELL AS MY FAMILY OF 80+ YEARS OF BUSINESS. GM, HAS LOWERED ITSELF TO AN ALL TIME LOW! PLEASE RETURN MY SUBMISSION ASAP. I NEED TRANSPORTATION FOR MY UNION CAREER I DRIVE A VERY LARGE AMOUNT FOR AS WELL. MINDS BLOWN BY THE UTTER LAZINESS OF THIS MASSIVE AUTO TITAN. DISGUSTED!!
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 5, 2019
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR, USED FROM A FLEET SALE. THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AT JUST OVER 50K MILES. ALL FLEET MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN COMPLETED. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ALL DAY, IT WAS RUNNING FINE, AND RAN INTO A STORE. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT AND WENT TO START THE MALIBU, IT FIRED UP, ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS. YOU COULD HEAR IGNITION FIRING AND STARTER ENGAGING.
Steering, Jun 24, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. AS I WAS LEAVING WORK, MAKING A RIGHT TURN, MY STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT AND LOCKED. WHILE STILL DRIVING, I MANAGED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL JUST ENOUGH FOR ME TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT DISPLAYED 'POWER STEERING'.
Exterior lighting, Jun 23, 2019
THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HIT A BUMP AND IT COMES BACK ON SOMETIMES. REPLACED BULB AND HARNESS MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS YOU HAVE TO TAKE APART ALMOST THE WHOLE FRONT END JUST TO REPLACE A BULB.
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2019
MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS, I CHANGE THEM AND BEFORE I KNOW IT THEY ARE OUT AGAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE IS THE WORST, LIKE IT HAS A SHORT OR SOMETHING NOT SURE, BUT I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 5 YRS AND CAN'T COUNT HOW MANY HEADLIGHT BULBS I HAVE PUT IN THE CAR. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S NOT A EASY JOB, THE WHOLE FRONT END HAS TO COME OFF JUST TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT BULB, RIDICULOUS! ALSO I CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE IT INTO A SHOP EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS TO GET THE HEADLIGHT CHANGED. THIS NEEDS TO BE CHECKED INTO!!
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 20, 2019
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON LATELY. SO I TOOK IT TO A PLACE SO THEY COULD CHECK IT. THE RESULTS STATES THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY LIGHTS ARE DIMMING, THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS SYMBOL COMES ON IF I AM SITTING UNDER A VIADUCT, THE RADIO IS DISAPPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD, AND MY HEATING SYSTEM IS ON WHEN IT'S OFF. THEN THE CAR IS JERKING ERRATICALLY WHEN I PROCEED TO DRIVE AFTER A STOP. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER 50,000 MILES. IT'S AT 48342 NOW. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS BECAUSE 3 YEARS AGO I,WAS UNDER 35000 MILES AND HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE EMISSIONS ACT, AND I HAD TO PAY $800 FOR THAT, PLUS GETTING DISRESPECTED BY THE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING COMES UP CONCERNING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU
Exterior lighting, Jun 20, 2019
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. WITH IT COSTING MORE THAN $250 TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE FRONT BUMPER, THIS IS ANNOYING. I JUST PAID $330 TO HAVE ALL OF MY FRONT LIGHTS REPLACED. SIX WEEKS LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT IS OUT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Engine, Jun 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DICK GENTHE CHEVROLET (866-874-7380, LOCATED AT 15600 EUREKA RD, SOUTHGATE, MI 48195) AND THE CONTACT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT APPROVED THE RECALL REPAIRS. SIX DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT READY AND SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SEE OR RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CALLED TWO HOURS LATER TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A $250 DISCOUNT TOWARDS THE REPAIRS ("TAKE OR LEAVE IT"). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,865. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *AS *TR
Seat belts, Seats, Jun 4, 2019
BROKEN WELDS UNDER THE SEAT WHERE THEY SHOULD NEVER BE BROKEN, VERY DANGEROUS! SEAT IS ALL THE WAY DOWN, DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS COLLASPED
Air bags, May 30, 2019, crash
I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A VERY BAD CAR CRASH AND I AM INJURED FROM THE AIR BAG . IT HIT ME VERY HARD IN THE HEAD CAUSING ME TO LOOK CONSCIOUSNESS .
Seat belts, Seats, May 30, 2019, crash
THE SEAT BELTS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE SOME ISSUES. I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK LATELY AND I WAS HURT REALLY BAD FROM THE SEAT BELT ON THE CHEVY . THE SEAT BELT DINTED INTO MY BODY CAUSING SOME REALLY BAD PAIN WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
Electrical system, Seats, Engine, May 30, 2019
THE WIRING ON MY VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MESSED UP CAUSING MY CHECK LIGHT ENGINE TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE MACHINISTS LOOK OVER MY VEHICLE AND HAVE SPENT LOTS OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED.
Structure, May 29, 2019
I TRIED TO OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN RANDOMLY LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND APPARENTLY ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH NO WAY TO FIX BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR STUCK SHUT, WITH NO SOLUTION SHOULD BE COVERED BY CHEVROLET IN A RECALL
Exterior lighting, May 27, 2019
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. TAKE BULBS OUT AND REINSTALL AND THEY WORK FINE FOR AWHILE. BULB HOLDER ALSO IS MELTING. HAVE HEARD OF MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF SAME PROBLEM.IN MOTION