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.
Steering, Feb 23, 2016
HIGHWAY DRIVEING SPEEDS OVER 50MPH STEERING IS EXTREAMLY LOOSE ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN BIGGER VEHICLES PASS THE AIR PUSHES MY CAR SO BAD I GET TERRIFIED IT WILL MAKE ME HIT A DITCH MY CAR IS LESS THEN A WEEK OLD TO ME. UNDER 70K MILES. EVEN REGULAR DRIVEING ON HIGHWAYS THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 16, 2016
RECEIVED MESSAGES OF: SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE AIR BAG, ENG PWR REDUCED, ENGINE DISABLED THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON, UNTIL I RECEIVED THE ENGINE DISABLED MESSAGE AND AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP.
Power train, Feb 15, 2016
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY BROKE AFTER 74K MILES WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 20MI AN HOUR. IT WOULD JUMP INTO 3RD GEAR AND THEN WOULDN'T COME OUT OF 1ST GEAR. AFTER PULLING OVER REVERSE HAD ALREADY GONE OUT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD ANY PROBLEMS, THERE WERE NO INDICATORS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEMS. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION BROKE I RAN ACROSS MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THEIR 2011 MALIBU'S. ALL OF THEM ARE 4 CYLINDER 6 SPEEDS WITH AN MH8 TRANSMISSION.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 15, 2016
FIRST, I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR TO START IT. COLD MORNING BUT THE BATTERY WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD. DRIVING FROM DOWNRIVER MI AREA ALL EXPRESSWAY TO GRAND RAPIDS. JUST ENTERED GRAND RAPIDS AREA WHEN I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED FROM 75 TO 60. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BACK TO ORIGINAL SPEED. CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN ENGAGED. PROBLEM RESOLVED ITSELF BUT 15 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WENT FROM 75 TO 25 MPH BY THE TIME I HAD EXITED THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON AS DID MESSAGES:REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ESC, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. I WAS ABLE TO TURN CAR BACK AND ACCELERATE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT CHUGGED A BIT. WHEN I STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS, THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WANTED TO STALL. MILEAGE IS 88,258.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 12, 2016
SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, ENG PWR REDUCED. THIS MESSAGE HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES LATELY, MOST NOTABLY WHEN TRAVELLING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. ENGINE LOSES ALL POWER NO MATER HOW FAR I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Engine, Feb 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ UPDATED 05/24/18*JB
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 10, 2016
THE CAR STUMBLES ON DRY ROADS IN SHARP TURNS, LIKE CLOVER LEAF RAMPS GETTING ON AND OFF THE INTERSTATE, WHEN COASTING OR BRAKING AT 20-25 MPH. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, BUT THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SOLUTION FROM THE DEALER. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Seat belts, Feb 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 7, 2016
GOING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE GOING TO MPLS AND CAR FLASHES REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN PULLED OVER A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES TO GET HOME. HAD TO PULL OVER TURN CAR OFF WAIT A LITTLE WHILE START AGAIN AND CONTINUE. CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY SO I AM REPLACING AND HOPEFULLY ABLE TO GET TO WORK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW ON ICY ROADS.
Seats, Feb 4, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, I FELT THAT THE SEAT WAS LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND WAS MOVING. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND EXITED, I FELT THE SEAT MOVE AWAY FROM THE RIGHT SIDE.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2016
THE OTHER DAY MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD. THIS ISSUE WAS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE I COULDN'T PROPERLY STOP THE CAR AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE DISPLAY INDICATED REDUCED ENGINE POWER/TRACTION/SERVICE ESC AND THE OBD2 CODES INDICATED P2135 (THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SW A/B VOLTAGE CORRELATION). THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. I HOPE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE THE NEXT TIME I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY IN GETTING OUT OF THIS PREDICAMENT UNSCATHED.
Structure, Feb 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE EXTERIOR BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 28, 2016
CAR LOST POWER AT 65 MPH THAN REDUCED POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TURN CAR OFF AFTER TRYING TO COAST TO TA STOP WITH CARS AND TRUCKS FLYING BY HONKING THERE HORN AND FLICKING ME OFF AND I WAS HELPLESS THE CARS MOTOR WAS SHUT OFF BECAUSE OF THE POWER REDUCE AND ESC THAN THE TRACTION CONTROL CAN ON TOO ALL NEED TO BE SERVICED FINE BUT THAN IT DID IT ALL AGAIN AFTER I GOT EVERYTHING FIXED AND THEN THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO REPLACED AGAIN AND PEDDLE SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR AND STILL DOES IT THE CAR IS TRYING TO KILL ME AND THE NEW MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO SAID HE SEES THIS A LOT AND ITS SOMETIMES HARD TO FIX BECAUSE IT COMES BACK AND THAN I READ ONLINE THE SAME THING I THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF ME WHY WONT CHEVROLET HELP GM HELP GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND MAKE THESE CAR PLACES FIX THIS STUFF BEFOR A LOT OF PEOPLE GET KILLED
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE IGNITON KEY WAS TURNED, A LOUD CLICKING NOSE EMITTED AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCKS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE RPM GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 22, 2016
30 MINUTE DRIVE TO WORK, IN RAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 32 DEGREES, VEHICLE WAS RUNNING GOOD UNTIL I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED (REDUCED ENGINE POWER). I LATER LEFT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I THEN RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE (SERVICE ESC) AND LATER AGAIN RECEIVED THE (REDUCED ENGINE POWER) WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS SNOWING DURING THIS TIME. I WAS UNABLE TO FULLY ACCELERATE BUT IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATION WAS NOT RUNNING WELL. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE/ CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO RESOLUTION; EVEN AFTER TAKING TO DEALER ON MANY OCCASIONS. GM NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE AND DISCOVER A RESOLUTION.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 21, 2016
MY 2011 MALIBU WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH A SENSOR CODE FOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS THE FIRST STATING REDUCED ENGJNE POWER, THEN SERVICE ES, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE AIRBAGS ETC... PROBABLY 8 CODES. AT WHICH POINT ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE ABOVE 40MPH CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME. THE CAR WAS JERKING AND SHAKING AND THE RPM WAS REVING UP BETWEEN 500 AND 1500 EVEN AFTER I STOPPED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FEARING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND CALLED MYHUSBAND. HE ASKED ME TURN IT ON AGAIN SO I DID AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOW IDLING NORMALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. HE SUGGESTED I CONTINUE MY COMMUTE. I PULLED BACK ON TO THE HIGHWAY AND EXPERIENCED THIS SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM 7 YIMES BETWEEN JACKSON MI AND LANSING MI. WE TOOK IT IN TO A REPAIRSHOPAND THEY ASSESSEDWHAT THEY COULD STATING THAT IT APPEARED TO BE A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT APART TO LOOK AT IT. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATEDTHAT MANY OF THE CHEVY MADE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HE WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THEREHAD NOT YET BEEN A RECALL ON THE PART.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Steering, Jan 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIME AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Steering, Jan 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 15, 2016
THE VIOLENTLY SHAKES ALMOST AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO DIE. IT DOESN'T GO OVER 23-30 MPH. THE CAR ACCELERATES WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKES. A MESSAGE DISPLAYS SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCING, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC. THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE STREET AND HIGHWAY. I'M SCARED OF HITTING SOMEONE WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE! MY CAR IS AT 103K MILES ON IT. I'M OUT OF A CAR THAT I'M PAYING A NOTE ON. ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR FOR A WHILE YEAR YET. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS WELL. THE CODE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS C0242. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! MANY CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING OR HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE!
Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 14, 2016
I WAS STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND MY DASH READ SERVICE AIRBAG. I STARTED TO DRIVE OFF AND THE DASH STARTED FLASHING SERVICE AIRBAG. WHEN IN MOTION AND AS I START IGNITION. ALSO MY SEATBELT SOMETIMES LOCK OR NOT LOCK AND IS VERY LOOSE AS I ADJUST SEAT.
Electrical system, Visibility, Jan 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER FAILED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE FUSE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE MELTED INTO THE FUSE PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUSE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT SMOKE AND UNKNOWN FLUID WERE BUBBLING OUT OF THE BATTERY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SHORTAGE WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Engine, Jan 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME TIME. IN ADDITION, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, THE BATTERY CABLE AND THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,697.
Seat belts, Jan 9, 2016
I TOOK MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN FOR GM RECALL #15031, NHTSA RECALL # 15V269. THIS IS HOW MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS RETURNED TO ME AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE BY MALL CHEVROLET IN CHERRY HILL, NJ. THE FRONT PASSENGER BELT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AS INSTALLED BY MALL CHEVROLET IN CHERRY HILL, NJ.