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.
Suspension, Seat belts, Seats, Dec 11, 2018
I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 11/30/2018 AND NOTICED NOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELTS. MY CAR BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED.
Electrical system, Dec 7, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. AFTER REPLACING THE BULB. I HAVE REPLACED THE 4 TIMES WITHIN 3 MONTHS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN USUAL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE BLINKING ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND EMITTED A BURNING ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2018
SERVICE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. PLAN ON TAKING TO DEALER THIS WEEK TO HAVE IT CHECKED.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Dec 4, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UPON ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WOOD MOTOR COMPANY (600 US-62, HARRISON, AR 72601, (870) 741-8211) INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE THAT REQUIRED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR MAY BE EXTENSIVE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN, GEAR, BELT, AND VALVES WITHIN THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE PISTONS HAD NOT BEEN FIRING AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THERE WAS AN INTERNAL MELTDOWN OF THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 27, 2018
MY BREAK LIGHTS LIGHT UP WHEN I AM NOT PUSHING ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND TRACTION CONTROL TURNS OFF WHEN I AM IN MOTION. ONLY HAPPENS SOMETIMES.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2018
CRACKED MANIFOLD. SMELL EXHAUST FUMES UPON START. AND WILL DISSIPATE AFTER ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY CAR BUT HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 25, 2018
SINCE OF BOUGHT THE CAR FROM DEALER THE ESC LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND IN THE WINTER MONTHS IF I GET STUCK I CAN'T SHUT OFF TRACTION CONTROL TO TRY AND GET OUT BECAUSE IT IS DISABLED. HAS POWER REDUCED
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 12, 2018
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC MESSAGE WILL FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE LOCKED AND CANNOT BE TURNED. WHEN RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE MESSAGE MAY BE GONE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE AGAIN OR OTHER TIMES IT WILL STILL BE LOCKED AND THE MESSAGE PERSISTS. ALSO WHEN DRIVING AND SITTING IN IDLE THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS AND VIBRATES ON ITS OWN AND MAKES A WEIRD RATTLING/RUBBING SOUND, ESP. WHEN IN PARK. I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE LAST YEAR AND MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP "FIXED" IT FOR NO COST SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE ISSUE, BUT NOW THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OUT. REPLACED THE HARNESS AND BULB 5/2018. IT MAY BE ON FOR 1 OR 2 DAYS AND IS OUT AGAIN. ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS BUMPY.
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEPS GOING OUT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE COUNTLESS OWNER/OPERATORS AND PASSENGERS INVOLVED.
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2018
I HAVE REPLACED MY DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT 5X THIS YEAR SOMETIMES I CAN BUMP THE HEADLIGHT EVERY NOW AND THEN AND IT WILL TURN ON BUT 90% OF THE TIME IT STAYS OFF
Engine, Nov 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHEPHERDS CHEVROLET BUICK (1520 E 9TH ST, ROCHESTER, IN 46975, 574-223-2136) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 6, 2018
I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE THREE YEARS AGO FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 60,000 MILES KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE ETC. AND TODAY THE VEHICLE LEFT ME STRANDED A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE . I CURRENTLY HAVE A NO START NO CRANKING ISSUE ALL THE DIAGNOSTIC FROM FUSES, RELAYS , FUEL PRESSURE, IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY, ETC WHERE DONE LEADING US TOO BELIEVE ITS A BCM ISSUES AS TOO SEEING THAT MANY OTHER CHEVY MALIBU AND OTHER GM PRODUCTS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME ISSUES
Air bags, Nov 3, 2018
THE AIRBAG COMES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. IT'S VERY SCARY. IT COMES ON SOMETIME WHEN I START THE CAR AND SOMETIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I STOP FAST OR MOVE OR TURN. IT'S RANDOM.
Air bags, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 3, 2018
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN BEFORE REGARDING THE ISSUE WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT BEFORE. JUST RECENTLY THE SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) LIGHT HAD COME ON. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS REGARDING IF THERE ANY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NOT ACTIVE RECALLS, BUT I SHOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT SERVICED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG NOT WORKING PROPERLY (NOT ON). I HAVE ALSO HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH MY TMP(TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING) SYSTEM AS WELL WITH REGARD TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE THAT KEEPS SHOWING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. WHEN I PUT AIR IN THAT TIRE AIR PRESSURE IS REGISTERING IN THE OTHER TIRES AS WELL. THESE ARE ALL SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THIS COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2018
I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM BULB 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS, DRIVERS SIDE TWICE AND MY DRIVERS SIDE JUST BURNT OUT AFTER TWO MONTHS. AFTER RESEARCHING NUMEROUS FORMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FROM 2008-2012 MALIBUS
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 30, 2018
FROM 5/2018 UNTIL PRESENT, MULTIPLE OCCASIONS UPON TURNING THE KEY TO START CAR HAVE EXPERIENCED: ENGINE POWER REDUCED ON MESSAGE BOARD ALONG W/ ESC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CAR SHAKES AND SPUTTERS. USUALLY CAN MAKE ALL SYMPTOMS EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISAPPEAR BY RESTARTING MULTIPLE TIMES. UNTIL LAST WEEK, THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY OCCURRED UPON FIRST STARTING THE CAR REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF TIME IT HAS SET BETWEEN STARTS AND IN ANY WEATHER (IE COLD, WARM, RAINY). LAST FRIDAY, IT CRANKED BUT DID NOT START THE FIRST ATTEMPT OF STARTING AND THEN AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS DID START NORMALLY BUT DURING A TWO MILE DRIVE IT REOCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES AND TOOK MULTIPLE TRIES EACH TIME TO GET IT TO START NORMALLY. EACH TIME I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OFF STREET TO AVOID TRAFFIC AS IT DECREASED IN POWER AND STARTED SHAKING. THE CODE IT SENDS IS P-2135. THE FIRST TIME BACK IN MAY, I DROVE IT THE 6 MILES TO WORK BUT HAD TO TOW IT AS IT RESULTED IN DEAD BATTERY. THE CODE IT SENDS IS P-2135, SO WE HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY TWICE TO MAKE SURE IT WAS NOT A DEFECTIVE PART. OTHERWISE AFTER MANY HOURS WAITING AT MY MECHANICS, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ACTUAL DIAGNOSIS THAT WE CAN FIND THAT SEEMS TO TRULY FIX THIS ISSUE. HAVE EMAILED CHEVY AND DO HAVE A SERVICE REQUEST # AND WILL BE CALLING TODAY TO SET UP APPOINTMENT W/ LOCAL DEALER ASAP IN REGARDS TO BULLETIN 15-08-45-001 TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER THIS AND PRAY THAT IT MAY ACTUALLY ONCE AND FOR ALL FIX THIS ANNOYING PROBLEM. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 22, 2018
HEADLIGHT BULB BURNED OUT - AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REPLACE WITHOUT SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND TOOLS. THIS IS A SEVERELY SAFETY ISSUE SINCE MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A CAR DEALER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN A HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. REPLACING THE LAMP REQUIRES REMOVING PARTS OF THE FENDER AND THE ENTIRE BUMPER, AND REQUIRES SOCKET WRENCHES AND MECHANICAL ABILITY BEYOND WHAT THE AVERAGE VEHICLE OWNER WILL HAVE. DRIVING WITH ONE HEADLIGHT BECAUSE GM COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WITHOUT TOOLS IS DANGEROUS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 22, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT HAS BURNT OUT 4 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. I REPLACED IT WITH REGULAR LIGHTS THE FIRST 3 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME USED LED LIGHTS AND STILL BURNT OUT IN 8 MONTHS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2018
MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. KEEP GOING OUT AFTER BEING FIXED THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL IT KEEPS RECURRING OVER AND OVER ON MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LS. HEADLIGHT BULBS OR IT'S THE SOCKET KEEPS BURNING OUT.
Power train, Oct 20, 2018
BROKEN PART IN TRANSMISSION THAT CLOGGED THE FILTER. CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 85,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF SINCE THE DAY PURCHASED NEW ON 10/23/2010. CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT QUIT MOVING. WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
Seats, Oct 18, 2018
ON 10/17/18 I WAS JUST ABOUT TO PULL ONTO THE SUBURBAN SIDE STREET THAT I LIVE ON, GOING APPROXIMATELY 10 MP, WHEN I SUDDENLY HEARD A VERY LOUD "CLUNK" OR "SNAP" AND IMMEDIATELY FELT MY DRIVER'S SEAT SHIFT DOWNWARD AND TO THE RIGHT. AFTER COMPLETING MY TURN, I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS "LOOSE." I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS TILTED TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE, ON A DOWNWARD ANGLE, THE SEAT WAS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH/UP & DOWN WHEN I GENTLY TOUCHED IT. WHAT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN A SUBURBAN SIDE STREET AT A LOW SPEED, THEN WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT? ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS THAT SHORTLY PRIOR TO MY SEAT BREAKING, I HAD USED MY AUTOMATIC CONTROLS ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT TO ADJUST MY SEAT SLIGHTLY. I ADJUSTED THE HEIGHT AND TILT OF THE FRAME (NOT THE ANGLE OF THE BACK OF THE SEAT). IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE, THAT IS SCARY! I AM WAITING TO GET AN ESTIMATE FROM THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP I GO TO, AND I AM HOPING IT IS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS A 2011 MALIBU AND IS JUST UNDER 50,000 MILES. IT IS SERVICED REGULARLY BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT, THERE IS NO REASON WHY THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED!!!!!!! VERY SCARY TO DRIVE WITH A SEAT THAT IS NO LONGER SECURED PROPERLY. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THIS IS BEING ADDRESSED BY CHEVROLET, EITHER AS A RECALL, SAFETY INVESTIGATION, OR ETC. IF THIS HAPPENS TO 1 OR 2 PEOPLE, MAYBE COINCIDENCE, BUT GOOGLE IS FULL OF REVIEWS WITH THIS COMPLAINT. IN FACT, WHEN SEARCHING ON GOOGLE FOR "DRIVER SEAT BROKEN" THE FIRST THING THAT COMES UP IS THIS EXACT ISSUE IN A MALIBU!!! THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER SEARCH RESULTS ON THE FIRST PAGE THAT ARE THIS EXACT ISSUE IN A MALIBU AS WELL.
Air bags, Oct 17, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW YARD AND THEN TAKEN TO DAVIS CHEVROLET (2277 S LOOP W, HOUSTON, TX 77054, (832) 554-9250). THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, WINDOW, SIDE VIEW MIRROR, AND FRONT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT*JB
Seats, Oct 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS NOT COMPLETELY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT MOVED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,112.