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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 22, 2018
VERY DANGEROUS REDUCED ENGINE POWER WILL OCCUR AT ANY TIME. I COULD BE DRIVING 70 MPH AND IT WILL DROP TO 5MPH. SOMEONE COULD BE KILLED!! I HAD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR REPLACED BEC THAT'S THE CODE THAT WAS BEING TRANSMITTED AND IT WORKED FINE FOR 3 DAYS. NOW SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AS I'M DRIVING MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN HOME ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR WILL DROP SPEED AND VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND NOT GO OVER 10MPH.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 20, 2018
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS VEHICLE AND THE COMPUTER ASSISTED POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FIXED AT DOUG CHEVROLET 1-12-2018. NOW (AFTER THE WARRANTY REPAIR OF A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR) WHEN DRIVING FOUR DAYS LATER HE LOST POWER, VEHICLE FLASHED SERVICE TRACTION AND REDUCED POWER AND SLOWED IMMEDIATELY FROM 45 TO 5 MPH AND HE WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT HOME. THE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING WAS IMMEDIATE AND DRASTIC AND CARS BEHIND HIM WERE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN BUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "REDUCE POWER" ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. JACK WINEGARDNER CHEVROLET (11001 INDIAN HEAD HIGHWAY, FORT WASHINGTON, MD 20744) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE THROTTLE BODY WARRANTY EXTENSION AND SPECIAL COVERAGE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,659. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB
Electrical system, Seat belts, Service brakes, Jan 17, 2018
TAKATA RECALL DEALERS ARE TO ATTACH THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE BCM WITH A SPACER, APPLY DIELECTRIC LUBRICANT TO BOTH THE BCM AND HARNESS CONNECTOR AND ON THE BAS AND HARNESS CONNECTOR, AND RELEARN THE BRAKE PEDAL HOME POSITION FREE OF CHARGE. AND ALSO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTBOARD LAP ANCHOR MOUNTING BRACKET TO RE-LOCATE THE TENSIONER 30MM REARWARD. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CABLE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LAP PRETENSIONER. THESE REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE.
Wheels, Jan 11, 2018
THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING BEGAN FAILED WITH LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, WHICH COST JUST OVER $400. IF THE BEARING WOULD HAVE FULLY FAILED PRIOR TO MY SEEKING REPAIRS, THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SEPARATED TIRE AND BEARING FROM THE REST OF THE VEHICLE OR A LOCKED UP WHEEL, WHICH COULD HAVE STEERED ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT INJURY, DAMAGE OR LOSS OF LIFE. THE DEALERSHIP AND PARENT COMPANY OFFERED NO COMPENSATION OR INVESTIGATION, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THEY'VE REPAIRED MANY MALIBUS WITH WITH SAME ISSUE. I ASKED TO SEE THE FAILED PART, AND SAW EVIDENCE OF EXTREME HEAT BUILD-UP AND SIGNIFICANT RESISTANCE TO TURNING OF THE BEARING.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 11, 2018
WHILE TURNING ONTO A STREET MY ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. AFTER ENTERING TRAFFIC MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NOTICE APPEARED AS DID INFORMATION INFORMING ME I HAD REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON LOOKING UP THIS PROBLEM I LEARNED THAT MANY EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2011 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU AROUND THE SAME 70,000-80,000 MILES.
Seats, Jan 10, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE CONTACT'S COAT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS BURNED ON THE BACK UNDER THE RIGHT SHOULDER BLADE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (LITHIA CHEVROLET OF REDDING, 200 E. CYPRESS AVENUE, REDDING, CA, 96002) ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,621. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAT MODULE, SEAT COVER, AND PAD WAS REPLACED ON 02/13/17. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 5, 2018
MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WONT FUNCTION.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 4, 2018
FAULT CODES POWER STEERING AND BREAK LIGHT SHOW UP ON DASH BOARD. CODES WILL NOT CLEAR THUS CUSSING THE VEHICLE A NO START NO CRANK. THE VEHICLE WHILE BE DRIVEN INSTRUMENT GUAGES GO IN AND OUT CAUSING IT TO THROW CODES RANDOMLY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2018
MY CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD TWO LEAKING STEEL RIMS. THE FIRST TIME ONE OF MY RIMS WAS LEAKING IT WAS WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I KEPT PUTTING AIR IN MY TIRE AND WOULD NOT STAY FOR LONG. I HAD TO ADD AIR AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES A DAY. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP WHEN MY TIRE STARTED TO SLOWLY LOOSE AIR AND I HAD TO FILL IT UP A FEW TIMES JUST TO MAKE IT HOME SINCE STEEL RIMS FOR MY CHEVY MALIBU ARE SO HARD TO FIND SINCE ITS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT CHEVROLET HAS YET TO ADDRESS.
Steering, Dec 31, 2017
STARTED THE CAR TO GO TO WORK . ON THE SCREEN CAME UP POWER STEERING ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ALSO ON AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE CABLE AND BATTERY. WAS GOING TO GO TO THE STORE TODAY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED NO POWER STEERING. NOT REALLY DRIVING THE CAR THIS WEEKEND. IT'S DANGEROUS IF IT WOULD SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THAT HAS FILED A COMPLAINT IF I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A LITTLE BIT AND RESTART I HAVE POWER STEERING AGAIN
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THAT THE ACCELERATION WOULD BEGAN TO DECREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND PLACE IT IN PARK TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN, INDICATING THE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE, AND ESC FAILED AND NEEDED SERVICING. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AT HOME AND RECEIVED ERROR CODE P-2135, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR POSITION NEEDED REPAIRING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 22, 2017, crash
AIRBAGS AND SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, STEERING LOCKED UP AND WHEEL SEPARATED FORM AXEL
Seat belts, Seats, Dec 19, 2017
I CALL WYLIE MUSSER MOTOR S FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPAIR WHEN THEY HAVE THE ORDER. IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS AND STILL NO CALL BACK FOR SERVICE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2017
THE SENSOR FOR AIRBAGS DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ME ALL THE TIME SOMETIMES IT WILL BUT MOST THE TIME WONT
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 10, 2017
DRIVERS FLOOR WAS SOAKING WET AFTER A RAINY NIGHT SINCE THEN MY CAR HAS BEEN READING SERVICE ESC AND NOW IT WONT START.
Steering, Nov 29, 2017
POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 29, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HARNESS TO THE LOW BEAMS WAS BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE HARNESS BURNED, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HARNESS WAS REPLACED ONE TIME ALSO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (JIM GLOVER CHEVROLET IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA) THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 27, 2017
'TAKATA RECALL' THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE LIGHT BECAME DIM. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, I HEARN A CHIME AND THE DASH SHOWS 'POWER STEERING' AND 'SERVICE ESC'. THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK; ONLY FLICKER N THE DASH AND LOOSE POWER.
Seat belts, Nov 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PART WAS REPLACED, BUT THE SEAT BELT FRACTURED FROM THE BASE CONNECTION. THE BUCKLE LOCKED IN PLACE, BUT THE PART WAS FRACTURED; THEREFORE, THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT SECURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER (WEST HERR CHEVROLET OF HAMBURG, 5025 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, HAMBURG, NY 14075, (716) 217-4129) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Nov 16, 2017
I AM REPORTING THIS INCIDENT ALTHOUGH IT IS A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS OLD, I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS RELATED TO THE COMPLAINT I RECENTLY SUBMITTED, COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11045010, PLUS CHEVROLET NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. ON OCTOBER 6TH, 2014 AT ABOUT 2PM I AM GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AS I AM ABOUT TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND START TO ACCELERATION I FEEL A SURGE AND THAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I AM ABLE TO I PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND CONTACT THE SHOP WHERE I TAKE MY CAR TO BE SERVICED AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING MY CAR IN THE NEXT MORNING. BRACH'S AUTO RUNS A ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND THE CODES ARE P0700 AND P2714. THE MANAGER ASKS IF MY CAR IS STILL UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND IT WAS STILL UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY SO HE SUGGESTS I CONTACT CHEVROLET. I FIRST CONTACT WEBB CHEVY OAK LAWN WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO GIVE ME AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL 2 WEEKS AWAY SO I CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER CARE AND SPOKE WITH A REP WHO HELPED ME TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH KINGDOM CHEVROLET AND TO RECEIVE A GM RENTAL. I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE LICENSED SHOP WHERE I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY THE ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS FEE I HAD ALREADY HAD COMPLETED. KINGDOM CHEVROLET CAME UP WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSTIC CODES AS BRACH'S AUTO AND SUGGESTED A THROTTLE BODY SERVICE AND FUEL INJECTION SERVICE FOR RUNNING ISSUES. AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED I TOOK IT BACK TO BRACH'S AUTO TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT I DO THE THROTTLE BODY SERVICE WHICH I HAD COMPLETED.
Structure, Nov 14, 2017
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. HAD TO CLIMB OVER SEAT TO GET OUT OF THE BACK DOOR. CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT.
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2017
ON NOVEMBER 1, 2017, WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE EXPRESSWAY I HEAR THIS LOUD REVVING NOISE, I TURN MY RADIO OFF AND REALIZE IT IS MY CAR MAKING THE NOISE AND THAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED MY CAR OFF IN HOPES OF THE ERROR CLEARING OUT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON ONLY TO FIND THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, WHEN IT WAS SAVE TO DO SO, I PULLED BACK INTO TRAFFIC WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS AS I COULD NOT GO OVER 20 TO 30 MPH WITHOUT THE RPM GOING UP. I MADE IT HOME, TRIED TO BACK INTO MY GARAGE ONLY TO FIND THAT MY CAR WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. I PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE, PULLED AROUND TO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND PARKED THE CAR. SINCE IT WAS AFTER MIDNIGHT, I CALLED CHEVROLET THE NEXT DAY AND THE ONLY THING THEY COULD HELP ME WITH WAS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS AS MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS MODEL YEAR ALTHOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR MODELS 2007 THRU 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUES. MY SERVICE ADVISER CALLED ME LATER THAT DAY TO TELL ME IT WAS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THEY FOUND METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION AND HIS ADVICE WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. MY DIAGNOSTIC CODE WAS P0776( PRESSURE SOLENOID 2 STUCK OFF), MY BILL $3946 FOR CAR THAT HAS 84000 MILES ON IT. A CAR THAT I AM STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE ON. WHEN I PURCHASED IT 4 YEARS AGO IT HAD JUST UNDER 30000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO MAINTAIN MY CAR BECAUSE MY BIGGEST FEAR IS BEING STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM A WOMAN WORKING 2ND SHIFT. I DO NOT HAVE MY REPAIR INVOICE YET AS I HAVE NOT PICKED MY CAR UP YET, ITS NOT SO EASY TO COME UP WITH NEARLY $4000.
Engine, Nov 7, 2017
TIMING CHAIN, ENGINE NOISE