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, May 10, 2020
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING. ONLINE RESEARCH MENTIONS A TSB 15356.61722 AND RECALLS FOR EARLIER MODEL YEARS. WHY WAS I NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS BACK IN 2015? *TR
Electrical system, Apr 29, 2020
NEITHER FRONT DOOR ELECTRIC LOCKS WILL UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS STOPPED. OPERATOR AND PASSENGER MUST PHYSICALLY TURN AROUND AND UNLOCK THE DOOR TO GET OUT OF CAR. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR (SWITCHES, RADIO, GAUGES, LOCKS, WINDOWS) HAS MALFUNCTIONED AT ONE POINT IN TIME, EVEN WHEN THE CAR HAD AS LOW AS 40,000 MILES ON IT, BUT CHEVROLET HAS NEVER TAKEN ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF IT.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 11, 2020
I BOUGHT MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU IN MARCH OF 2017. ONLY PUT 30K MILES AND IT'S APRIL OF 2020. MY CAR WON'T CRANK UP SOMETIMES OR WHEN I'M IDLE, IT'LL START TO SHAKE AND I HAVEN'T DROVE MY CAR IN A WEEK BUT WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN AND TRY TO TURN IT, NOTHING COMES ON. NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 1, 2020
THE ESC LIGHTS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY AND THEY 'FIXED' IT BY REPLACING THE HUB ASSEMBLY. WORKED OK FOR A MONTH. LIGHTS ARE BACK ON AS WELL AS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, TEMP GAUGE, AND RPM'S WILL DROP TO 0 THEN BACK TO NORMAL AND THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR THE A WHOLE TRIP. THEN THE NEXT DAY OR FEW DAYS IT WILL BE FINE THEN DO IT AGAIN. ALL THE LIGHTS ARE ON CONTINUOUSLY.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 15, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON DASH AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS UP RED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT THE BRAKE APPLIED.
Air bags, Mar 13, 2020
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS DISPLAYING NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE AT ALL
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2020
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ WITH 44,589 MILES AND I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY SCREENS READING THAT MY ESC SYSTEM IS BAD AND WILL REDUCE MY ENGINE POWER, I TOOK IT IN TO AIRPORT CHEVROLET IN MEDFORD, OREGON AND THEY PLUGED MY CAR IN AND TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE COUNTLESS TIMES, AND HAS SEEN PEOPLE HAVE TO REPLACE THINGS AS SIMPLE AS A SENSOR ALL THE WAY TO IT BEING AN ISSUE IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND PEOPLE WILL BRING THEIR CAR IN AND DO THE SMALL REPAIRS FIRST ( ECONOMICALLY MAKES SENSE) AND IT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.. UNTIL THEY FIX THIS HUGE EXPENSIVE ISSUE ALL BECAUSE. CHEVY HAS AN ISSUE WITH A SYSTEM THEY PUT INTO A CAR THAT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY! I HAVE READ OTHER REVIEWS VERY SIMILAR TO MINE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HIT IN TRAFFIC . NOW LUCKILY I CAUGHT MINE BEFORE A WRECK. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!
Air bags, Mar 3, 2020
INTERMITTENTLY THE SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING COMES UP AND AT OTHER TIMES IT IS NOT ON. HAVE BEEN TOLD IT COULD BE LINKED TO DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CLIP HAS BEEN CHANGED AND STILL DOES IT.
Steering, Mar 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ALMOST CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES AND BARELY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR TWO DAYS AND LATER WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE CODE C0545 WHICH WAS A STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Steering, Feb 29, 2020
POWER STEERING LIGHT DISPLAYS ON THE DASH THAN CAR LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL..WHILE DRIVING ABLE TO STEER WITH USING EXTREME STRENGTH TURNING BY DRIVER THIS HAPPEN ON CITY ROAD. *BF
Engine, Feb 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ENGINE DISABLED MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 20, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND LOCKED UP, I ALMOST LOSS CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS IS MY 2ND 2011 MALIBU AND THE OTHER CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING CONTROL. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY CANNOT BE DRIVEN.
Seats, Feb 18, 2020
I GOT INTO MY CAR AND THE DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED ON THE BACK-RIGHT SIDE. AFTER INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE WELD BROKE, CAUSING MY CAR TO BE EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE! I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA FOR THIS ISSUE. WHY ISN'T AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED REGARDING THIS DEFECT? I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL AND GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS!
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 15, 2020
THE ESC TURNS OFF PRETTY MUCH EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. LAST MONDAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING M. THE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT AND THE SOLENOID IS STUCK OPEN WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. PROMPTING THE DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND SELL ME A WHOLE NEW $5,000 TRANS. WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN RUNNING SLOW ON ACCELERATION BUT HAS NEVER BEEN STUCK IN FIRST GEAR LEAVING ME LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAITING FOR HELP TO COME GET ME. THE HEADLIGHT BURN OUT LIKE EVERY 6 MONTHS RESULTING IN TAKING OFF THE BUMPER OR PAYING $200 FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR A $5 BULB. I HAVE NO PICTURES SINCE MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR ME TO EITHER GO GET OR PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 15, 2020
PER ONLINE REVIEWS FROM RECALLS FOR 2011 MALIBU THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THIS RECALL WAS NOT SENT TO ME, HOWEVER, MY CAR IS AFFECTED.
Steering, Feb 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED JONES FORD DEALER, (510 FLORENCE RD, SAVANNAH, TN 38372, (731) 925-4018) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Exterior lighting, Feb 3, 2020
MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT REPEATEDLY. IT STARTS WITH THE PASSENGER LIGHT THEN BOTH AND AFTER A FEW DAYS I HAVE NO LIGHTS. THEY BEEN GOING OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS AND THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I REPLACED THEM. NO SPECIFIC TIME WHEN THEY GO OUT I JUST NOTICE IT WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS ON. THEY HAVE NOT LASTED LONGER THAN TWO MONTHS.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Jan 27, 2020, crash
SATURDAY AROUND ABOUT 2 PM ON 2/2/2019. IN VEHICLE TRAVELING IN LEFT LANE ON HIGHWAY 72. VEHICLES WERE AT COMPLETE STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGED AND THE VEHICLES BEGAN TO MOVE ABOUT LOW MPH TO GRADUALLY FLOWING WITH MOVING TRAFFIC. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM BRAKE MY VEHICLE INITIATED AN ACCELERATION. IT SEEMED STRANGE SINCE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPER ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. MY VEHICLE PROPELLED WITHOUT THE HELP OF ACCELERATION AS TRAFFIC WERE AT LOW MPH. MY VEHICLE SUSPENSION CHANGED IN STEELING OFF INTO THE MEDIAN FROM LEFT LANE GOING DOWN HILL UNABLE BRAKE OR TO CONTROL THE STEERING. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY HITTING THE RAISED CONCERT MEDIAN MY CAR AND I WENT AIRBORNE. INJURY TO MY HEAD, AGGRAVATED NECK CERVICAL, SPINE, HIP AND LEGS. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY VEHICLE TOTALED. THE ON-STAR FAILED TO OPERATE. THANK GOD FOR DISPATCHING HIS ANGELS AROUND ME. AND THANK GOD FOR ON THE SCENE ANGEL AND ANGELS. STAYED WITH ME AND CALLED FOR HELP. I HAD PAID MY CAR OFF 2 YEARS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP SENT ME A LETTER THAT THEY HAD A BUYER FOR MY VEHICLE. UNBEKNOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP CAR WAS TOTALED. WITH IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE SEE CHEVROLET CARS AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED MORE AND MORE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. FAILURE TO KEEP THE CONSUMERS SAFE IS BAD BUSINESS BASED ON ADVERTISEMENT SAFETY HAZARDS THAT CAUSES PREMATURE DEATH. COMMUNICATION TO THE CONSUMER SAFETY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAL TO THE MEDIA ABOUT RECALLS DEFECTS WARNS PROACTIVELY SPEAK VOLUMES ABOUT THE MANUFACTURERS AND THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. CUSTOMER SERVICES IS KEY TO SAFE LIVES MATTERS ON THE STREET AND IN MY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AND DEALERSHIP WE THE PEOPLE CAN COUNT ON YOU!
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2020
I HAVE GOTTEN MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CHANGED ON BOTH SIDES TWICE, COSTING ME $150 EACH TIME DUE TO HAVING TO REMOVE THE BUMPER, AND THEY KEEP GOING OUT!!! I WORK AT NIGHT IN AN AREA HEAVILY POPULATED WITH DEER, AMONG OTHER ISSUES WITH JUST NEEDING TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS WORKING REGULARLY. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING THEM! AND I JUST GOT IT IN OCTOBER.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2020
MY MOTHER"S 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ HAS HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM CONCERNING DASH LIGHTS. IT IS QUITE COMMON FOR US TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE ARE NO LIGHTS WITHIN THE GAUGE PANEL OR STEREO FACE PANEL. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WILL ONLY DIM, OTHERS THEY GO OUT COMPLETELY. ON OTHER OCCASIONS THE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON AT START-UP AND MAY TURN ON AT SOME POINT, 10-15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD. WE'VE CALLED THE DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM, STARLING CHEVROLET-CADILLAC TO REPORT THESE ISSUES, ONLY BE TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN "WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING", BY THE TIME WE WOULD GET HALF WAY THERE, THE PROBLEM STOPPED AND THE SERVICE WRITER SAYS COME BACK WHEN IT'S HAPPENING. WE'VE WONDERED IF THIS COULD BE RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR WHICH CHEVROLET SENT OUT THE EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. ANOTHER ISSUE WE'VE HAD RELATES TO THE OLDER POWER STEERING RECALL. WE'VE HAD THE CAR IN TO STARLING CHEVROLET TWICE THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PROBLEM I HAVE CONCERNS THE UN PROFESSIONAL WORK OF THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE SERVICE. WHILE HAVING TIRES REPLACED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE POWER STEERING REPLACEMENT, WE WERE SHOWN THE WAY THE STARLING CHEVROLET MECHANIC HAD BEAT THE DEVIL OUT OF THE CARS' UNDER CARRIAGE. IT'S ABSOLUTELY UNFORGIVABLE FOR A CHEVY DEALER TO CAUSE THIS KIND OF DAMAGE WHILE PERFORMING A RECALL SERVICE!!! FINALLY, IS THE FIRST PROBLEM WE INCURRED WITH STARLING. DURING THE ORIGINAL TEST DRIVE, THE DEALER'S SALESMAN PROCEEDED TO TOSS A DRIVE-OUT TAG IN THE REAR OF THE CAR DURING WHICH THEY DAMAGED THE PAINT. MY BROTHER TRIED TO STOP THE SALESMAN FROM USING THIS TAG HANGER WHEN HE SAW THE UNGUARDED MAGNET HANGER, BUT THE DEALER REP WOULDN'T LISTEN. IT TOOKY A MONTH TO GET THE PAINT FIXED AND ONLY THEN AFTER MR. STARLING GOT INVOLVED. THE DEALER CHANGED HANGERS AS A RESULT!
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2020
WITH IN THE LAST 10 TO 12 MONTHS I'VE HAD 5 HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT. ONE THE MODULE HAD MELTED. THE CURRENT LIGHT OUT IS ONCE AGAIN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT BURNT OUT JANUARY 24, 2020. SO FAR TO DATE IT'S BEEN 2 ON THE DRIVER SIDE, 3 ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Air bags, Jan 24, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON. IN ALL STATE. IN MOTION AND STANDING STILL. .
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 24, 2020
DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, REPLACED IT SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO REALIZE IT'S NOT THE BULB ITSELF
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 24, 2020
MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU BURNING OIL I KEEP HAVING ADD OIL TO CAR ON TOP THAT TIMING BELT BROKE CHANCES OUT EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSSIBLE SENSOR OUT 2-3 TIMES AND CODE REMAIN LATER CHAIN GUIDES BROKE SEEN 2.4L EQUINOX HAD RECALL DUE TO BURNING OIL NOT SURE TIMING CHAIN BRAKE BUT HEARD ALOT COMPLAIN ABOUT CHAIN GUIDES BREAKING ALSO SEAT BACKING KEEP CALLING OFF LATCHES FOR THEM FAIL EVERY TIME CAR JUST GAVE ME ALOT OF PROBLEM CONTROL ARM GOING OUT. CAR WAS MADE CHEAP AND WASN'T MEANT TO LAST. CAR BROKE DOWN TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED.BURNT OIL SMELL WHEN TURN CAR ON COMING THROW AC WHEN ON. 2.4 L ECOTEC MOTOR IS PROBLEM AS WELL POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION BREAK REVERSE WAVE GEAR MAKING IT A COSTLY REPAIR.
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2020
EXTERIOR PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED/REPAIR ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. IT MAY GO OUT AT ANYTIME.