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.
Electrical system, Structure, Jan 11, 2017
THE DRIVER'S SIDE BODY SEAM OF MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. THIS ALLOWED WATER TO LEAK INTO MY ELECTRICAL PANEL CAUSE CORROSION TO ALL OF MY WIRING. I DETERMINED THIS AFTER DRIVING DOWN A HIGH WAY AT 60 MPH AND HAVING MY CAR DROP DOWN TO 10 MPH WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS, ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNINGS ALL LIGHTING UP MY PANEL. IT HAD BEEN RAINING THAT DAY. I AM LUCKY THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FOLLOWING AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF DISTANCE BEHIND ME. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 10, 2017, crash
I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND MY MALIBU STOPPED AND APPEARED THE IMAGE OF TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND THE MOTOR WAS SHAKING AND MY LIGHT OF CHECK ENGINE WAS ON AND MY CAR DID NOT ADVANCE MORE THEN 10 MILES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE REDUCED ENGINE SERVICE AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, IN ADDITION TO A FEW OTHER UNIDENTIFIED WARNING INDICATORS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER A WHILE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
Power train, Jan 5, 2017
TRANSMISSION, THE CAR JERKS AT ALL SPEEDS, SLOWS DOWN AND SPEEDS UP .THE LONGER YOU DRIVE IT THE WORSE IT GETS.WHEN YOU GO TO TAKE OFF AND PUSH THE GAS IT'S LIKE YOU PUSHED THE GAS AND LET OFF AND THEN ALL THE SUDDEN TAKES OFF . IT'D LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS CONSTANTLY SLIPPING AND THEN GRABBING .
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 5, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REDUCED POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CYCLING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON REMEDIED THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2017
THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT ABOUT A VEHICLE. IT IS TO POINT OUT SOMETHING THAT NHTSA SHOULD ADDRESS, AND THAT IS: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. MY QUESTION IS: WHY DOESN'T NHTSA REQUIRE THEM ON EVERY VEHICLE. JUST OPEN YOUR EYES ON A RAINY DAY, OR ANY DAY AT DUSK, AND NOTICE HOW MANY DRIVERS FORGET TO TURN ON THEIR LIGHTS. ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY COME OUT OF A WELL LIGHTED SHOPPING CENTER ONTO A HIGHWAY AND HAVEN'T REALIZED THEY HAVEN'T TURNED THEIR LIGHTS ON. IF YOU DON'T THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM, I CAN CITE FOUR INSTANCES WHERE IT HAS RESULTED IN CRASHES RESULTING IN DEATH AND THAT IS ONLY IN MY SMALL PART OF THE WORLD.
Steering, Dec 28, 2016
STEERING WHEEL "SHAKES" AS OF 12/2016 VEHICLE HAS APPROX 92,000 MILES PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW IN NOV 2010 FOUR NEW TIRES JUNE 2015 FULL ALIGNMENT AUGUST 2016. BRAND NEW BRAKE PADS AND BRAND NEW ROTORS, ALL 4 WHEELS, NOVEMBER 2016. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT (AND CONDITION): STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN RATTLING NOTICEABLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (40 MPH TO 75 MPH) AND WHILE TRACKING A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE HIT THE 40,000 MILE MARK. CAN FEEL SLIGHT MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL COINCIDENT WITH THIS RATTLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE TO TRACK A STRAIGHT LINE WHILE MOVING. THE RATTLE ALSO OCCURS AT LOWER SPEEDS LESS THAN 40 MPH, BUT IT HARDER TO DISCERN SINCE THE CITY STREET ROAD CONDITIONS IN SE WISCONSIN ARE TERRIBLE. STARTING ABOUT DECEMBER 2016, I HAVE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING, THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, AND THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE (NOT SURE IF THIS OCCURS WHEN IT IS IN PARK). THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO BE DOING SOME KIND OF "HUNTING" AS THE RATTLING IS RANDOM. APPEARS TO BE INDEPENDENT OF TEMPERATURE AS THIS OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS -10 DEG F AND AS WELL AT ABOUT 50 DEG F. POWER STEERING FLUID LEVELS ARE NORMAL. I CAN NOT DISCERN WHETHER THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNING WHILE IN MOTION, OR WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY. END. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 23, 2016
DROVE CAR THIS MORNING AND COUPLE MILES LATER THE CAR LOST MOST OF ITS POWER AND SERVICE ESC LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS ENGINE LIGHT TOO. NOW CAR IS SLOWER AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO SHAKES REAL BAD WHEN STATIONARY. DRIVING AROUND 35-45 MPH. CAN'T DRIVE NOW DUE TO LOST POWER AND ESC ISSUES/ LOOKS LIKE IT IS A COMMON HISTORIC ISSUE WITH THESE MALIBU AS INTERNET IS POLLUTED WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AND LOOKS LIKE GM CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. AS WELL GM TELLS ME ON THE PHONE JUST NOW THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL NOTICE WHILE THE PROBLEMS GO BACK TO 2003 AND COVERS EVERY OTHER MALIBU EXCEPT MINE IT APPEARS. REALLY? BOUGHT IS LOCAL AS A PRE OWNED VEHICLE WITH ONLY ABOUT 30K ON IT. SOUNDS LIKE GM IS TRYING TO SKIRT THE ISSUE OF OWNING UP TO THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE ME ON HOLD FOR SOME TIME NOW. HELP! *TR
Air bags, Dec 22, 2016, crash
THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANOTHER PERSON ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WILL NOT GO OFF. CLAIMS ADJUSTER DENIED THE REPAIR STATING THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2011 MALIBU'S AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WITHOUT CERTAINTY THAT IT WASN'T ON BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THIS LIGHT IS ANNOYING AND A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT I AM DRIVING A FAULTY VEHICLE OF WHICH I COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I AM INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CRASH BECAUSE MY AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Steering, Dec 21, 2016
ON 12/19/2016 AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY ONTO A SURFACE STREET MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE DASH BOARD DISPLAYED A "POWER STEERING " MESSAGE. BEING UNABLE TO STEER MY CAR WENT FORWARD AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR ON MY RIGHT WHO WAS ALSO TURNING LEFT. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BREAK TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AND THE CARS BEHIND ALSO HAD TO SLAM THEIR BREAKS. LUCKILY NO ONE HIT EACH OTHER. RIGHT AFTER THAT DASHBOARD MESSAGE DISAPPEARED AND MY CAR WAS ABLE TO TURN AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM. THE NIGHT OF 12/20/2016 THE SAME HAPPENED BUT AS I WAS EXPECTING A PARKING LOT. A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRST INCIDENT I STARTED TO NOTICE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD POP LIKE IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN AT A STOP OR RED LIGHT. I READ THAT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO GM AND NHTSA AND THAT OWNERS IN OTHER STATES HAVE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR THAT PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED SUCH NOTICE AND IT'S NOT LISTED AS A RECALL ON THE NHTSA OR GM WEBSITE FOR MY VIN. *TR
Steering, Dec 17, 2016
AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I LOST MY ABILITY TO STEER. THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ESC" FLASHED ON MY DASH. I ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME. I MADE IT TO WORK. WHEN I LEFT WORK, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING JUST FINE.
Power train, Dec 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
Seats, Dec 13, 2016
DRIVERS SEAT IS BROKEN AND LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. SEEMS LIKE A BRACKET PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 2, 2016
1. MY CAR IS 5 YEAR OLD AND 73,000 MILES. WE USE IT FOR COMMUTING TO WORK AND GROCERY. AND WE DO ALL THE MAINTENANCE AT DUBLIN CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. ON NOV 11TH, MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND BLOCKED THE TRAFFIC. THE FRONT TRUNK WAS SMOKING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID POSSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR HAS NO QUALITY PROBLEM WITH SUCH FEW YEARS AND RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. 2. A FEW MONTHS AGO, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE CAR MAKING COMPANY AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE RECALL DONE. BUT THEY SAID THE PART HAS NOT ARRIVED AND ASKED US TO WAIT UNTIL THEY CALL US. WE NEVER GET CALL FROM THEM. THIS TIME, I CALLED THEIR RECALL DEPARTMENT AND LEFT A MESSAGE. NEVER HEAR BACK FROM THEM.
Air bags, Nov 15, 2016
WHEN I ENTERED MY CAR IN TURNED THE SWITCH TO START THE CAR AN THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF.
Engine, Nov 11, 2016
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT LOST POWER AND STARTED SMOKING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DROPPED TO ZERO AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER AND BE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE HAD 98,616 MILES AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT GREAT COST AND INCONVENIENCE! GM ISSUED A BULLETIN FOR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVROLET CRUZE (2011-2014) AND SONIC (2012-2014). IT IS BULLETIN NO.: 14371B. I CALLED GM TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT THEY SAY NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN BECAUSE THERE IS NO BULLETIN OR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 2011 CHEVY MALIBU.
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 9, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, LEG, AND ARMS, WHICH CONTINUOUSLY REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,900.
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2016, fire
FIRE IN TRUNK STARTED AT REAR FUSE PANEL. DRIVING AT 35 MPH IN DRIZZLE, TRUNK AJAR MESSAGE LIT, STOPPED TO CHECK IT & ENGINE STALLED AS I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, FOUND THE TRUNK SECURELY LATCHED, AND COULDN'T OPEN IT WITH KEY FOB OR BUTTON IN CABIN. THEN SAW PAINT TURNING BROWN (SCORCHING) AT REAR CORNER PANEL AT LOCATION OF REAR FUSE PANEL. BY THE TIME FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED THE CABIN AND TRUNK FULLY ENGULFED - TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Power train, Nov 3, 2016, crash
LATE LAST WEEK, AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY, ONTO THE CITY STREET, MY FRONT WHEELS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AT 50 MPH (AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD A CATASTROPHIC MECHANICAL FAILURE). THIS ENDED UP IN SOMEONE REAR ENDING ME, CAUSING INJURIES AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE CARS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 26, 2016
MY VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS FLASH THE NO SEAT BELT SIGN. WHEN DRIVING UNBUCKLED, THE NO SEATBELT WARNING SIGN WILL APPEAR AND FLASH. HOWEVER, AFTER JUST A FEW MOMENTS THE WARNING LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE WARNING LIGHT WON'T EVEN TURN ON WHEN THE SEATBELT IS NOT FASTENED. *TR
Power train, Oct 6, 2016
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS THEN WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE TO CLEAR TRAFFIC SUSPECT WAVE PLATE FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION
Steering, Sep 26, 2016
EPS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. IT MAKES THE STEERING REVERT TO MANUAL STEERING. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR IS BAD. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. I CAN RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND THE EPS STARTS WORKING, BUT FAILS LATER.
Exterior lighting, Sep 23, 2016
THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT CONTINUE TO BLOW, I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB 5 TIMES AND ALSO REPLACE A BURNT-OUT WIRE BUT THE BULB HAS BLOWN AGAIN AND IT'S GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2016, crash
AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY NORMALLY. HAD AN ACCIDENT AND DRIVER BAG DEPLOYED LITTLE. PASSENGER NEVER DEPLOYED. CAR WAS ON HIGHWAY. INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER CAR THEIR'S FULLY DEPLOYED.