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.
Air bags, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, May 27, 2019
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED ITSELF. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS LIT MOST OF THE TIME. IT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAG AND TRACTION SYSTEM. TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. DOESNT RESET EVEN WHEN UNHOOKING THE BATTERY AND REHOOKING IT UP. CAR MAKES RATTLING NOISE FROM FRONT END. PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT.
Air bags, May 27, 2019
MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTH. THERE ARE RECALLS ON 2011 MALIBU'S FOR AIRBAG BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, HOWEVER THE SENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON
Electrical system, May 27, 2019
RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING HAS A SHORTAGE. IT CONTINUES TO GO OUT EVEN AFTER WIRE HARNESS CHANGED. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHEN I WAS TRAVELLING TO CHICAGO FROM TEXAS AND JUST GOT IT CHANGED PRIOR TO THE TRIP. IT WORKED FOR A DAY THEN JUST HAD GONE OUT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 26, 2019
MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS HAD 5 INCIDENCES OVER THE LAST YEAR OF LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT. NEVER BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING AND EXPENSIVE EACH TIME I BRING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS. PARTICULARLY WHEN ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT AT NIGHT TIME DRIVING ON DARK ROADS. ADDITIONALLY A HEADLIGHT OUT IS SUFFICIENT REASON FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ISSUE A SUMMONS. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS MAY 20TH 2019 VIA PHONE REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK 6 DAYS LATER. RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DID INFORM GM THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY OVER 300 LISTINGS ON GOOGLE FOR PERSONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM SHOWS NO INTEREST IN THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR, IN A REPETITIVE PROBLEM, AND AN ILLEGAL SITUATION THAT CAN RESULT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUING A SUMMONS. APPARENTLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE CONNECTORS AT THE BULBS NOT MAKING CONTACT. THE REPLACED CONNECTORS EXHIBIT OVERHEATING WHICH MAY INDICATE OVERLOAD OF POWER, OR CONNECTORS NOT MAKING CONTACT. THIS PROBLEM TOOK PLACE WITH ORIGINAL GM CONNECTORS INTERMITTENTLY - NEVER ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT ONCE. HERE IS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT TO NHTSA ID NUMBER 11204441 4/12/2017 COMPLAINANT STATES 5 REPAIRS AND STILL A PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT ON DRIVER SIDE. ADDITIONALLY THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB REGARDING 2010 & 2011 MALIBU'S. BECAUSE THE FENDERS AND UNDER THE HOOD PLASTIC PANELS MUST BE PULLED TO GET AT THE HEADLIGHTS....THIS IS QUITE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IS REPETITIVE AND FREQUENT AS WELL.
Exterior lighting, May 23, 2019
MY LOW-BEAMS KEEP SHORTING OUT. SOMETIMES 1 IS OUT. SOMETIMES BOTH ARE OUT. SOMETIMES BOTH ARE ON. THERE IS NOTHING COMMON AS TO WHEN WHICH WILL BE THE CASE. A WEEK AGO, BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT! DAYS LATER, 1 WAS WORKING. THIS MORNING, BOTH WORKED. I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE A LOCATION, ONLY 1 CAME ON AGAIN. MY OTHER LIGHTS ARE UNAFFECTED.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 22, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL. TURNS OFF TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC.WORSE IN COLDER OR DAMP WEATHER.
Power train, May 14, 2019
ONLY 115K MILES AND TRANSMISSION IS OUT, THIS CAR GETS ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, REVERSE WON'T ENGAGE AND TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISES IN FORWARD. HELP PLEASE
Electrical system, May 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TIM LALLY CHEVROLET DEALER (440-359-8781, 24999 MILES RD, WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH 44128) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT FOR OBSERVATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Seat belts, May 9, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY THE INSIDE LIGHTS BLINKS, THE POWER STEERING CANE ON TWICE AND I HAVE MY SEATBELT ON THE LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON WHILE THE IT'S CONNECTED
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 3, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECALLS THAT CHEVROLET NOT PICKING UP. ALL THE RECALLS ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR. WHEN IT RAIN THE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, MY LIGHTS BULBS CONSTANTLY GO OUT, MY CIGARETTE LIGHT STARKED FIRE. WHEN TURNING A CURVE MY CAR HALTS OR STALL AND JERK. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON WITH THE CAR THAT I CAN EXPLAIN. WHEN IT RAIN MY CAR PULLS OR GOES OFF ROAD I HAVE TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DO THE BRAKING SYSTEM ETC.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Apr 30, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO BE IN DANGER AT ALL TIMES. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE AIRBAG.
Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2019
I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT MORE THAN 5 TIMES, THE PIGTAIL HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE WIRING HAS BEEN REWIRED. HEADLIGHT IS OUT AGAIN BUT THE BULB IS NOT BURNED OUT, IT'S ALMOST AS IF IT'S A SHIRT IN THE ENTIRE HARNESS.
Engine, Apr 29, 2019
EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION. 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR THIS CAR HAS JUST DIED ON ME. HAVE ALL POWER TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO BUT THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND WONT RESTART. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS LOW ON OIL. SECOND TIME IT SAT FOR 2 DAYS AND CRANKED RIGHT UP. 3RD TIME THE PLENUM ON THE EGR VALVE WAS CLEANED. IT SEEMS ODD TO ME THAT THESE 3 THINGS WOULD ALL CAUSE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THANKFULLY IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF THE ROAD
Exterior lighting, Apr 23, 2019
PASSENGER HEAD LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I'VE HAD IT FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVEN BEEN PULLED OVER. EVERY TIME I GET IT FIXED, IT GOES OUT ABOUT 4-5 DAYS LATER. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 19, 2019
MY VEHICLE IS AT AN AUTO SHOP BEEN THERE FOR A WEEK AND A HALF TO REPAIR THE CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE MOTOR AND MODULE FOR THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST IS SEIZING UP WHICH WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO TURN IN TRAFFIC. I ALREADY SPENT ENOUGH TIME AND MONEY ON PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS NOTHING I HAVE DONE TO THE CAR ONLY HAD FOR A YEAR. I NEED YOUR HELP! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE! OR SEND ME A NEW MOTOR AND MODULE FOR THIS CAR PLEASE. YOU GUYS CAN AT LEAST DO THAT. I LOVE THE CAR BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM. 2.4L ELECTRIC ASSIST. THE STEERING COLUMN IS FINE JUST NEED THE MOTOR AND MODULE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
Power train, Apr 16, 2019
TAKATA RECALL*** AT 80000 MILES I WAS DRIVING AND THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE TRIED REVERSE WITH NO LUCK ENDED UP HAVING TO CALL TOW COMPANY TO GET ME OUT OF TRAFFIC WITH ALMOST BEING HIT SEVERAL TIMES . WITH RESEARCH FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON AND GM REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM WITCH IS NOT RIGHT SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING AND PUTTING FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN 2010 AND 2011 MALIBU'S
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 16, 2019
THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST AS I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A CITY ROAD. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES AN HOUR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, NOT TURNING AT THE TIME. THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR JERKED TO THE SIDE, WHICH WAS TERRIFYING WITH MY TWO YOUNG KIDS IN THE CAR. THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE GM BULLETIN 15356 AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE EPS MOTOR AND TORQUE SENSOR. HOWEVER, SINCE HAVING THE WORK DONE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY STEERING COLUMN IS NOW BENT. AS I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT, THIS COULD ONLY BE FROM THE IMPACT OF LOSING MY POWER STEERING. I FEEL LIKE THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS SPECIAL BULLETIN AS WELL. THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE JEOPARDIZED THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THIS SHOULD BE MADE A FULL RECALL COVERING ALL THE STEERING COMPONENTS TO THE 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR WHAT WILL BE OVER $700 TO FIX THE ISSUE CAUSED BY THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE. *DT
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 14, 2019
I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY GOT AN ESC/POWER STEERING ALERT. I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR.
Exterior lighting, Apr 13, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT I HAVE HAD IT CHANGED OVER 10 TIMES AND EACH TIME THE LIGHT BULB IS NOT BLOWN BUT WON'T COME ON
Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2019
MY LOW BEAMS KEEP GOING OUT ON BOTH SIDES. ALL OTHER LIGHTS SEEM FINE WITH NO APPARENT ISSUES. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE BULBS, THEN FOUND OUT THEY WERE STILL GOOD ALL ALONG. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE CONNECTOR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CONNECTOR WAS BURNED MOSTLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I CHANGED OUT BOTH DUE TO THE FACT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE/PARTIAL REMOVE THE BUMPER IN ORDER TO WORK ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL WORK FOR A WHILE THEN STOP AGAIN USUALLY ONLY ONE SIDE AT A TIME. I WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND WHO ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE ON A 2012 THAT IT MAY BE THE AUTO LIGHT STAYING ON AND THE CIRCUIT MAY BE OVERHEATING. NOT SURE IF THIS IS ACCURATE BUT IT SOUNDS LOGICAL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 4 YEARS NOW WITH THIS MONTH BEING THE MOST RECENT AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS SINCE REPLACING WIRES AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY KNOW RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 31, 2019
3RD TIME PASSANGER HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT IN THE LAST YEAR. ALONG WITH THE PREVIOUS ISSUES I REPORTED
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 27, 2019
LIGHTS ON PANAL COME ON GO OFF WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND TURN BACK ON. I WAS DRIVING MAYBE 30-35 MPH ON CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT. NO WE RAIN, POT HOLES OR SPEED BUMPS
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 27, 2019
1) SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY WHEN STARTING VEHICLE OR WHILE IN AUTO IS IN MOTION. 2) INTERNAL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD DIMS WHILE DRIVING PERIODICALLY WHILE AUTO IS IN MOTION.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 27, 2019
MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM THE DOCTORS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT CAUSE HER TO HIT THE CURB AND POSSIBLY DO MORE DAMAGE. SHE WAS ONLY DOING 30 MPH ON A BUSY STREET. I HAVE A DATE WITH A DEALERSHIP ON THE 27TH OF MARCH 2019 TO WAIT FOR THE VERDICT OF WHAT THERE GOING TO SAY. I HAVE READ ALOT OF THE POST ON HERE AND HAVE SEEN THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT I HAVE CHANGED THEM SEVERAL TIMES WITH DIFFERENT BRANDS AND THEY CONTINUE TO GO OUT. I HAVE TO RUN WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON BECAUSE THE LIGHTS KEEPS BURNING OUT. THIS IS CAUSE AND SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD INVOLVE POINTS ON MY LICENSE IF PULLED OVER. THIS IS CRITICAL SINCE I'M A CDL DRIVER. THE STEERING COULD CAUSE DEATH IF TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IF PUBLIC ISN'T NOTIFIED THAT IT'S FAULTY COULD ALSO INVOLVE A LAWSUIT.
Seats, Mar 26, 2019
WAS DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ WHEN I NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT STARTED LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. I INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE TO SEE THE CROSS BAR BROKEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE. NOW THE SEAT ROCKS AND IS VERY UNSTABLE. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF REPORTS CLAIM THAT MY THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. WHY IS GM NOT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?