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, Jul 9, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR CONTINUE TO BURN OUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. THE COST TO REPLACE IS $200. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THEY BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME
Engine, Jul 8, 2018
SOMETIMES AT STOPS (STATIONARY) , CAR STALLS, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT..IT WILL START AGAIN WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON AGAIN AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG.
Engine, Jul 1, 2018
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Exterior lighting, Jun 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Exterior lighting, Jun 24, 2018
2011 CHEVY MALIBU HEADLIGHT ISSUE. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVING SOME SORT OF POWER ISSUES. REPLACED BULBS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE REALIZING THE BULBS AREN'T BURNT OUT. LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR TO ACCESS.
Power train, Jun 6, 2018
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 91963 THAT HASNT MOVED SINCE APRIL 26 2018. THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 3-5-R WAVE PLATE IN CHEVY MALIBUS FROM 2009-10 THAT THEY FIX IN 2012 BUT DID NOTHING FOR 2011. MULITPLE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF 2011 MALIBUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM WILL NOT AKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT. I NEED HELP.
Power train, Jun 5, 2018
I BOUGHT MY CAR LAST OCTOBER WITH 88505 MILES AND MONTH AFTER MY SPEAKER WENT OUT AND IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MY CAR DIED ON ME THREE TIMES AND MY GRANDMOTHER HAD TO FORCE THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WARRANTY ALLOWED ME TO GET A NEW BATTERY AND IN MARCH MY CAR WOULD JUMP WHEN I SHIFT TO REVERSE. THEN I TOLD IT TO A AUTO SHOP THEY CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID . FINALLY ON APRIL 26 'MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR GO IN REVERSE . I HAD IT TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHARGED ME $108 TO DIAGNOSE IT AND TOLD ME MY 3-5-R WAVE PLATE WAS DONE AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. MY GRANDMOTHER DID HER RESEARCH MD COULD THAT BETWEEN 2009-2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU TRANSMISSION HAD A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE 35R WAVE PLATE AND THEY HAD MADE THE CHANGE THE 2012 MODELS BUT NEVER DID ANYTHING WITH THE 2010 MODELS AND I DID RESEARCH TO AN SAW THAT SOME CARS COULD HAVE PARTS FROM OLDER MODELS AND BE IN NEWER CARS. I WENT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY WITH THE STATES ATTORNEY. DEPENDING ON MY VIN I COULD FIND OUT IF MY 2011 CAR WAS MADE WITH 2010 PARTS
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 3, 2018, crash
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT STOP THE CAR.. BRAKES DIDN'T WORK; STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE A TURN.
Exterior lighting, May 24, 2018
I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE 5 TIMES. I ALWAYS REPLACE BOTH WHEN I TAKE THE CAR APART. I HAVE PURCHASED BULBS FROM THE DEALER, ASK PARTS STORES TO ORDER LONG LIFE BULBS. THIS LAST REPLACEMENT HAS LASTED 4 WEEKS. ALL CONNECTIONS, WIRES ARE GOOD, REPLACED RELAYS, CONNECTIONS LOOK GOOD. OWNED A SHOP OVER 20 YEARS. PLEASE, NEED HELP. STUPID DESIGN REQUIRES A COUPLE OF HOURS WORK TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP!!
Power train, May 23, 2018
DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET, ENGINE SPEED INCREASED AND VEHICLE SLOWED TO STOP. WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. AS TRAFFIC BACKED UP BEHIND ME, SHUT VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND RESTARTED. VEHICLE THEN MOVED ENOUGH TO GET OFF ROADWAY THEN STOPPED MOVING AGAIN. TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THEY DIAGNOSED WITH MAJOR INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 90,000 MILES, COST TO REPAIR, ABOUT $4200
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2018
DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55 MILES PER HR CAR LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE 8 MONTHS APART. FIRST TIME CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED A REAR FUSE BOX THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT WASN'T BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE CAR TO US. WE TRIED TO ESCALATE THIS ISSUE GM HEADQUARTERS WHO REFUSE TO HELP US.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 6, 2018
UPON DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND LIGHTS FLASHED WITH A DING. THE ESC LIGHT IS ON AND THE DASH IS PROMPTING "POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ESC" THIS HAS MADE DRIVING AND TURNING DIFFICULT. CAR IS NOW PARKED UNTIL IT CAN GO TO A REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART WHICH ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE WITHOUT AN ISSUE. THE NEXT DAY IT PROGRESSED TO EVERYTIME I START THE CAR AND ATTEMPT TO TURN THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND THE WARNINGS FLASH.
Air bags, May 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (JOHN THORNTON CHEVROLET IN LITHIA SPRINGS, GEORGIA) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Power train, May 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS WERE GRINDING AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER (GORDON CHEVROLET, 1506, 31850 FORD RD, GARDEN CITY, MI 48135, (734) 427-6200). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 190 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER 50% OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE PART, BUT REFUSED TO COMPLETELY COVER THE REPAIR FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *TT
Air bags, Apr 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WHISLER CHEVROLET CADILLAC (2200 FOOTHILL BLVD, ROCK SPRINGS, WY 82901, 307-212-8247) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND DECELERATED TO 5 MPH. THE ESP, ABS, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO BALLAS BUICK IN TOLEDO, OHIO (419-386-0187). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 28, 2018
THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT EVERY COUPLE MONTHS. I'VE CHANGED IT 4 TIMES. I CHANGE THE DRIVER SIDE TOO BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH WORK EVEN THOUGH IT WORKS FINE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEMS, IT HAS TO BE A MALFUNCTION OF SOME KIND.
Steering, Apr 23, 2018
MY 2011 MALIBU HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS THAT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED HARD TO STEER AND ON DASHBOARD SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING. IT WILL GO OUT AND THEN GO BACK TO DRIVING NORMAL BACK AND FORTH.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 22, 2018
ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING CAR GOING AROUND 40 MILES AN HR AND IT WOULD JUST DIE ON ME, NO LIGHTS CAME UP NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES AND EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED IT HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED OUT. I'VE HAD FUEL PUMP, FUEL RELAY, CAM SHAFT SENSOR 2 TIMES AND OTHER THINGS REPLACED. STILL SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. DIED AGAIN ON ME HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND MY TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN, REPLACED THAT AND CAM SHAFT SENSOR AGAIN. DROVE AWAY AND IT DIED ON ME AGAIN. THE ONLY WAY MY CAR STAYS RUNNING IS WHEN CAM SHAFT SENSOR IS UNPLUGGED BUT ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. WHEN CAR DIES I HAVE NO LIGHTS THAT COME ON TO TELL ME I HAVE A ISSUE, IT JUST SHUTS OFF. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE CAR JUST SHUTTING DOWN ON ME FOR A YEAR. I'M AFRAID TO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE IN MY CAR CAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF OR WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD AROUND 92000 MILE ON CAR.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 21, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: MY VEHICLE SENSOR ARE READING INCORRECTLY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF, RANDOM LIGHT COME ON AND OFF, MY SENSORS IS NOT READING MY ENGINE AND ENGINE LOCATION OR TIRES. SYSTEM IS ALSO READING THERE ARE NO AIR BAGS OR SAYS PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT IN PLACE WHEN IT IS. FREQUENTLY MY WIRING GLITCHES AND I CAN NOT CONTROL THE MIRRORS OR WINDOWS, ECT. MY COOLANT AND OIL CONSTANTLY DRAINS OUT BUT NO HOLE IS NOTICEABLE. MY CAR EXHAUSTS AND WON'T MOVE LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO AS WELL.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 10, 2018
WHILE DRIVING, A NOTICE OF REDUCED POWER, SERVICE TRACTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED THE CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT OFF, UPON RESTART THE WHOLE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I THEN SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, THIS TIME WHEN I RESTARTED ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE AND NO FIX FROM GM. THIS IS A MAJOR RISK WHEN A CAR STALLS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A SMALL CHILD ON BOARD.
Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2018
MY MALIBU HEALIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS GOING OUT A LOT I JUST CHANGED IT 2 TIMES LAST MONTH AND HAD THE SOCKET REPLACED THAT CONNECTS TO THE LIGHT BULB.ITS ONLY BEEN 3 WEEKS AND THE LIGHT IS CUTTING ON AND OFF! I CAN'T GET AROUND AT NIGHT AND MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO TRAVEL AT NIGHT.ITS COSTING ME MONEY TO KEEP TTAKIG THIS CAR TO FIRESTONE AND SUCKS BECAUSE I LOVE THE CAR .
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH CLEARED THE FAILURE CODE EACH TIME THE FAILURE HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED ONE RECALL AND SEVEN TSBS FOR THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Apr 2, 2018
MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WILL STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL COME ON. IF I SHUT OFF THE CAR, IT WILL START WORKING, BUT SHAKES WHEN AT A STOP. YOU CAN ALSO FEEL IT SHAKING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IN NUMEROUS SITUATIONS. PLEASE ADD THIS TO 14V153000
Steering, Mar 19, 2018
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED IN A CURVED PART OF THE HIGHWAY AT ~45 MPH. WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE DRIVE HOME WHICH WAS ~2 MILES. RESTARTED THE CAR AT HOME AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER - SAME PROBLEM. SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING ILLUMINATED ON DASH.