IllustrationAIRBAGS AND SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, STEERING LOCKED UP AND WHEEL SEPARATED FORM AXEL
2011 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
650–25K
10125–50K
15950–75K
17575–100K
176100–150K
55150K+
731 reports with mileage · 246 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 213 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 174 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
40 crash reports17 fire reports30 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
93 reportsMY WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OTHER VEHICAL RAN A RED LIGHT AND COLIDED WITH HER IN THE DRIVER FRONT AND HEAD ON TYPE. THE VEHICALS SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE DRIVER OR PASSANGER AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.THIS IS IN A POLICE REPORT AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR.THE TWO CARS COLIDED AT A INTERSECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF LACROSSE WI…
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MY WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OTHER VEHICAL RAN A RED LIGHT AND COLIDED WITH HER IN THE DRIVER FRONT AND HEAD ON TYPE. THE VEHICALS SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE DRIVER OR PASSANGER AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.THIS IS IN A POLICE REPORT AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR.THE TWO CARS COLIDED AT A INTERSECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF LACROSSE WIS AND THE OTHER VEHICAL WENT OVER MY CARS HOOD AND OVER TURNED. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS EXTRACTED FROM HIS VEHICAL WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE.
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STAYING ON.
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 …
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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
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.
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.…
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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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURED BONES ON HER FACE AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURED BONES ON HER FACE AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING AXLE AND TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FELL OUT ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FELL OUT ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Official recalls
319V019000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
15V269000 · Seat Belts
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System:wiring
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.