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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 9, 2015
2011 MALIBU 2LT 3600 VVT. I HAVE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGES APPEARING. THE LAST TIME, TODAY, ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED DUE TO THE ENGINE FLUCTUATING BETWEEN ABOUT 200 AND 1500 RPM. AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER TO HAVE RECALL #14V252000 ADDRESSED. THIS SEEMED TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT ALL HAPPENED AGAIN TELLING ME THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING ELSE WRONG. THROUGH ON-LINE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH ALMOST AS MANY SUPPOSED CAUSES. THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON MY CAR AND I CAN'T AFFORD A MECHANIC TO GUESS. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR
Steering, Mar 31, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Mar 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PIECE OF PLASTIC DETACHED FROM THE MIDDLE CONSOLE AND COVERED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Engine, Mar 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Air bags, Mar 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 17, 2015
WHILE IDLING, MY 2011 MALIBU'S ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVERY DAY AND AT EVERY RED LIGHT/STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE ALSO DRIVES ON ITS OWN AT 72 MPH AFTER I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER REQUIRES ME TO PAY A SERVICE FEE TO CHECK FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE WE'LL FAMILIAR WITH. I DID REC'VE A CALL FROM CHEVY CORP WHO STATED THEY WILL PAY FOR THE FIRST HOUR TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM, BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COST AFTER THE FIRST HOUR/COFFEE BREAK. AFTER READING ABOUT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT - SHAME ON CHEVY!! *TR
Engine, Mar 16, 2015
JUST GOT MY CAR BACK MID FEBRUARY AFTER THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE SIGNS AT THAT TIME WERE CK ENGINE LIGHT SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC. GM DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH A BRAND NEW ONE. ITS STILL UNDER THE 100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. FORWARD 1 MONTH. NOW ALL LIGHTS COME ON...ENGINE, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC AND ENGINE POWER LOW. CAR SHAKES AND WONT EXCEED 10 MPH. *TR
Steering, Mar 11, 2015
2/28/15 TWITCH IN STEERING AT 55 MPH. (5 TWITCH/8 MI.) HAD BEEN SNOWY WITH SUBZERO TEMPS, AND SUSPECTED ICE IN STEERING LINKAGE. FOLLOWING DAY EXHIBITED SAME TWITCHES, BUT FEWER. BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WHEN STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. MESSAGES ON DRIVER INFORMATION: POWER STEERING FAILURE, ESC REQUIRES SERVICE, AND A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH WAVY MARKS WAS ILLUMINATED. DROVE 2.25 MI TO RELATIVE'S HOME. TURNED CAR OFF & RESTARTED; POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. NEXT DAY CHECKED FUSE CONNECTIONS ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CONSOLE, AND UNDER HOOD NEAR BATTERY. 80A POWER STEERING FUSE WAS LOOSE ON ONE SIDE. NUTS SECURELY TIGHTENED, BUT RIVETS ON FUSE BODY WERE LOOSE; LUG COULD BE MOVED APPROX 1/32". REPLACED FUSE, AND WORKED BETTER. THEN NOTICED THAT TWITCHING HAD RETURNED; WAS PREVALENT WITH VEHICLE STOPPED AND RUNNING. ON WED DROVE VEHICLE TO PICKUP LUNCH,; STEERING WHEEL WAS TWITCHING WITH CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE RUNNING. USED REMOTE START SYSTEM TO LET ENGINE RUN AS IT WAS NEAR 0 F AND HAD ONLY DRIVEN 3 MI. RETURNED TO CAR WITHIN 10 MIN REMOTE START RUN TIME, INSERTED KEY; POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK & SAME MESSAGES DISPLAYED. STOPPED & RESTARTED CAR; POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK. ARRANGED FOR REPAIR, AND DROVE CAR TO SHOP LATER THAT AFTERNOON; POWER STEERING WORKED, BUT LOTS OF TWITCHING. STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR CODE C0545. POWER STEERING FAILED AND FOUGHT ME AS EVIDENCED BY UNEVEN JERKY TURNING FORCE. SYSTEM ALLOWED STEERING WHEEL TO RUN ABOUT 1/8 TURN, AND THEN DAMPENED TURNING. HAVE A SORE RIGHT SHOULDER. FORCE REQUIRED TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING IS INEXCUSABLE. SYSTEM DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN IT FAILS, AND INTERMITTENTLY INTERACTS WHILE DISPLAY INDICATES IT'S OUT OF COMMISSION. SYSTEM IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS DUE TO FUNCTION DURING FAILURE. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 10, 2015
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND HAS REMAINED ON WHEN CAR WAS STARTED ONE DAY. IT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS, COLLISIONS, ETC. COINCIDENTALLY, THE LIGHT APPEARED AFTER THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND THE COMPUTER RESET FOR OIL CHANGE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION AND REDUCE ENGINE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 6, 2015, crash
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT WAS NECESSARY TO DO SO. ONCE I MADE THE TURN I COULDN'T TURN WIDE ENOUGH BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. *TR
Power train, Mar 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,500.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 4, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A FAIRLY BUSY 2 LANE STREET. WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR LOST POWER. A MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE INFORMATION SCREEN INDICATING SOMETHING LIKE "REDUCED POWER TO THE ENGINE". ALSO, A MESSAGE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING UNDER REDUCED POWER MODE BECAUSE I NEEDED TO SERVICE ESC, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED AS WELL ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND ESSENTIALLY FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN "LIMP MODE". I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THIS TO BE A "COMMON PROBLEM" FOR CHEVY MALIBU MODELS. MY CAR WAS, OF COURSE, OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT COVERED UNDER ANY SORT OF RECALL, SO I HAD TO PAY ABOUT $500 FOR THE REPAIR. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING LOST POWER. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO PULL ACROSS A HEAVY INTERSECTION OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY. FURTHER, I SEE REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND I AM REPORTING THIS AS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN - HAD THIS SITUATION HAPPENED UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES IT VERY EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS INJURY TO SOMEONE. I SINCE FOLLOWED UP WITH CHEVROLET SERVICE AND THEY ESSENTIALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE "AWARE" OF THE ISSUE BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ETC... *TR
Traction control system, Engine, Mar 4, 2015
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND THE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, AND REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. *TR
Engine, Mar 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT REDUCED ENGINE POWER WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 3, 2015
I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON I-95 IN THE RIGHT LANE AND PRIOR TO PASSING THE PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MY WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE THEY WERE IN USE. I WAS PETRIFIED BECAUSE WATER WAS ACCUMULATING RAPIDLY ON TO MY WINDSHIELD AND THE MOTORIST WHOM WERE PASSING ME INCREASED THE DANGER TEN FOLD BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLES WERE SPLASHING WATER ON TO MY WINDSHIELD AS WELL. MY VISIBILITY WENT DOWN TO ABOUT TEN PERCENT; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE PASSING MOTORIST THAT QUICKLY DECREASED TO ZERO MAKING IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. FURTHERMORE, DURING THE FRIGHTENING INCIDENT I KEPT MY COMPOSURE AND SLOWED DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE UNTIL I COULD PROCEED TO THE SHOULDER. FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT MY CONFIDENCE IN AMERICAN AUTOMOBILES HAS VANISHED AND AS A RESULT I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE AMERICAN MANUFACTURED AUTOMOBILES IN THE FUTURE. MOREOVER, FOR THOSE WHOM MIGHT BE WONDERING I OWN A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU IT HAD A LITTLE LESS THAN 82,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME AND NO THERE WAS NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THE WIPERS TO CAUSE THEM TO FAIL AT THE TIME. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 3, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON THE 376 PARKWAY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR FLASHED SERVICE ESC ENGINE POWER REDUCED SERVICE TRACTION. THEN IS WOULDN'T DRIVE PAST 20MPH AND I COULD FEEL THE CAR PULLING ITS SELF AND SHAKING SEVERELY WHEN I WOULD BE AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS. THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE ITS REVVING UP LIKE A RACE CAR. SCARED ME BAD I HAD THIS CAR BRAND NEW I ACTUALLY JUST GOT IT INSPECTED LAST MONTH NO ISSUES AND ACTUALLY IS IN A GARAGE WHEN I GET HOME I TRAVEL 5 MILES DAILY TO AND FROM WORK. I'M BEING TOLD MY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED BUT I SEE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL CAR AND ALSO DRIVERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS WELL. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 3, 2015
THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON AND CAR WENT INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE AND WAS VIOLENTLY SHAKING. IT IS SNOWY CONDITIONS AND FREEZING. WE WERE NEARLY REAR ENDED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A MINUTE AND IT RAN FINE ONCE I RESTARTED. HOWEVER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. WHEN IN REDUCED POWER MODE IT GAVE A MESSAGE ABOUT THE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC. ALSO, FOR ABOUT A WEEK, DASH LIGHTS HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING AT TIMES. DANGEROUS AND COMMON PROBLEMS FROM WHAT I SEE. *TR
Steering, Mar 3, 2015
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS VIBRATING AND TURNING ON ITS OWN WITH LITTLE OR NO INPUT. RANDOM LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL. POWER STEERING COMES BACK EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN AND SAME THING OCCURS. IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS TO OLDER MODELS WITH RECALL FROM 2008 MODEL YEAR. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 2, 2015
I WAS ON THE WAY TO WORK WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO JUMP, SPUTTER AND THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY, WAS GOING ON TO THE EXPRESSWAY. THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AS DID MANY OTHER LIGHTS. TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON BUT DID NOT START, WAITED A BIT AND FINALLY GOT THE CAR RUNNING. TOOK TO MY AUTO MECHANIC AND STATED IT WAS THE ECS AND THROTTLE BODY THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE LOOKED AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE. I WAS DRIVING TODAY AT 70RPM WITH THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH FOR GET OFF THE HIGHWAY PRIOR TO CAR COMPLETELY STOPPING. IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHY IS CHEVROLET WAITING UNTIL SOMEONE IS INJURY OR WORST YET KILLED BEFORE A RECALL IS DONE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2015
I STARTED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 64,000 MILES ON A THURSDAY EVENING AFTER WORK. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 12 HOURS. THERE WAS A WARNING MESSAGE STATING REDUCED POWER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND THEN ANOTHER MESSAGE FLASHED STATING SERVICE TRACTION. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I COULD NOT GO OVER 10 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THE THROTTLE BODY (POSITION SENSOR) WAS DETERMINED TO BE BAD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SAW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS ISSUES WITH THIS THROTTLE BODY SENSOR ACCORDING TO MANY OTHER CHEVROLET CUSTOMERS, BUT CHEVROLET SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON IT, YET. THIS IS THE 3RD ISSUE IN 6 MONTHS I'VE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH. ONE ISSUE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WAS A BAD WATER PUMP AND THE OTHER ISSUE FROM THE LAST 6 MONTHS WAS A BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. THIS CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR COST OVER 30K AND HAS BEEN MAINLY USED FOR EASY HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 1, 2015
ON MY WAY TO WORK, I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. CAR GOT ME TO WORK FINE. CHECKED GAS CAP JUST TO BE SURE THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. OFF WORK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, BUT CAR RUNNING FINE. DID SOME RUNNING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. GOT IN THE CAR TO GO HOME THE LIGHT WASN'T ON, SO IM THINKING MAYBE A SENOR BAD. DRIVING HOME WHICH WAS ABOUT A 30 MINUTE DRIVE. ABOUT HALF MILE FROM MY EXIT ON THE HIGHWAY AND ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON, ESC LIGHT POPS ON, REDUCED ENGINE SPEED FOLLOWS. THANKFULLY I MAD IT HOME. PRESSURED ON STAR FOR AN ON DEMAND DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND ITS MY THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. ITS AN 2011 MALIBU, NEXT MONTH MAKES A YEAR THAT IVE HAD IT. ALSO THE THIRD TIME ITS GOING TO THE SHOP. FIRST TIME WAS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, THE U JOINT DISLOCATED LOST ALL POWER TO STEER, THANK GOD IT HAPPENED IN MY PARKING LOT AT HOME FRESH OFF THE HIGHWAY. CHEVY ONLY PAID HALF AND AFTER A MONTH BATTLE WITH THEM, KICKER WAS IT WAS A RECALL FOR THAT BUT MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED. SECOND TIME WAS FOR LEAKING TRANSMISSION. SO DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVY AND PAST FED UP. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE LOW ENGINE, THE POWER TRACTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE PEDAL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Feb 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECREASED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 24, 2015
STARTED THE CAR UP. ESC AND REDUCE POWER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TODAY 2/24/2015 MAKES THE 4TH TIME IT HAS DONE THAT. TODAY AS I WAS RIDING ALONG IT DONE IT. CAR STALLS AND JUMPS. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. ONLY HAD THE CAR A YEAR STARTING AT 65000 MILES. *JS