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

Engine complaints

160 reports

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57,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 6 TIMES NOW. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ABOUT 70 MILES OUTSIDE OF ATLANTA GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY SURROUNDED BY 18 WHEELERS. SUDDENLY MY TRACTION LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCED POWER NOTIFICATION CAME ON, THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR VERY SUDDENLY AND THE CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME COULD NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH AND THE ONLY REASON I WAS NOT HIT WAS BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO VEER ONTO THE SHOULDER. TERRIFIED, I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF. I STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT BEGAN DRIVING NORMALLY, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. SINCE I WAS PRETTY MUCH IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DARK, I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN TO GET HOME. I MADE IT TO ATLANTA, BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ENTERING THE CITY ON THE LOOP. I BASICALLY COASTED HOME. SINCE THEN, THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT JIM ELLIS CHEVROLET IN ATLANTA WHERE I LEFT IT LAST NIGHT. NEED IMMEDIATE HELP. MY ENTIRE STORY CAN BE FOUND ON THIS FORUM. [XXX] MY POSTS ARE UNDER [XXX]3. I AM HOPING FOR SOME SORT OF RESOLUTION SO I WILL NOT HAVE TO RETAIN A LAWYER. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #10585210

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2014

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE LIGHT, LOW TRACTION WARNING AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT WOULD DISPLAY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY AND INSTANTLY LOSE POWER DOWN TO 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE RATHER VIOLENTLY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF 2 WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED 2 ERROR CODES. THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE SCREEN ON THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID VALVE WAS RESTRICTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10574535

33,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014

Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE DISPLAY SHOWED LOW TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED AND I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY A TRUCK. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE THE ENGINE BEGAN SHAKING AT WHICH POINT I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566999

47,300 miles · Feb 26, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVEN IN HIGHWAY 40 MPH SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL OF THE CARS' SPEED BECAUSE THE ENGINE STOPPED RESPONDING TO ITS NORMAL FUNCTIONS. THIS ULTIMATELY LOWERED MY SPEED DOWN TO 11 MPH. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN ME GETTING INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566184

33,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014

EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE DISPLAYED SHOWED LOW TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, REDUCED POWER ENGINE. AFTER QUICKLY PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE THE CAR BEGAN VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL RESULTED IN NO ENGINE POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565903

66,000 miles · Feb 18, 2014

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND STARTED SPUTTERING. ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO QUIT AND DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER. WOULD NOT GET OVER 15MPH. PUT ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILLED. DECELERATED AT A VERY FAST RATE. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $675. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 100K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. CHEVROLET CONVENIENTLY STOPPED COVERING THE THROTTLE BODY STARTING IN 2011. FROM LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2011 CHEVY MALIBU THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE OR POORLY DESIGNED PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564890

25,768 miles · Feb 13, 2014

EnginePower Train

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SITTING AT INTERSECTION, FOOT ON BRAKE, WAITING FOR LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, FELT SUDDEN POWER SURGE, THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND, LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD READ: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE ENGINE ICOM APPEARED. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HAD TO CROSS 5 LANES OF STATE HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE, LIGHT TURNED RED, PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AS BEST I COULD ACCOUNT 5 FT SNOW PILES ALONGSIDE ROAD. MINUS 6 DEGREES OUT. SHUT CAR OFF FOR APPROX. 5 MIN. STARTED CAR AND COULD DRIVE IT TO FIRST PARKING LOT ABOUT 3/4 MILE. HAD CAR TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME HE'S HAD ALOT OF THESE FAILURES AND IT'S DUE TO EXTENSIVE COLD WEATHER. I FEEL CHEVROLET SHOULD ORDER A RECALL AND TAKE CARE OF THESE VEHICLE PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. CAR JUST ENDED WARRANTY PERIOD THIS WEEK, OTHER OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR COST IF THEIR CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564177

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

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I CALLED AND MADE A COMPLAINT YESTERDAY REGARDING MY VEHICLE DROPPING FROM 60 MPH TO 30 MPH IN THE MIDST OF MORNING TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO LET THE CAR SIT IDLE WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS FOR A MOMENT AND THEN IT SHOULD RESET AND BE FINE. WELL, THIS HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES THIS MORNING, 3 OF THOSE TIMES MY TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE ROADS WERE SLICK THIS MORNING WITH RAIN/SNOW AND MY CAR FIRST DID THIS AT INTERSTATE 35 AND ILLINOIS, I PULLED OVER FOR TWO MINUTES AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. IT DID IT AGAIN AT INTERSTATE 35 AND REGAL ROW AND HAD TO AGAIN SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 2 MINUTES. I REACHED CARROLLTON AND IT DID IT AGAIN ON BELTLLINE ROAD AND THEN ON 161 AND TRINITY. MIND YOU, THE FIRST TWO INCIDENCES HAPPENED BEFORE DAYLIGHT. THE SECOND INCIDENT ALSO PUT US IN DANGER OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT AS AN 18 WHEELER WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME AS THE CAR BEGAN JERKING AND DECREASING SPEED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MOVE TO THE MEDIAN BEFORE I WAS SIDESWIPED. THE FIRST THREE INCIDENCES THE CAR DECREASED TO 30 MPH AND WOULD NOT INCREASE. ON THE FOURTH INCIDENT MY CAR WOULD NOT INCREASE PAST 25 MPH. THIS VEHICLE PUT ME IN MUCH DANGER THIS MORNING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WEATHER (SNOW) CONDITIONS IN OUR AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563241

42,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014

EnginePower Train

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 42,000 MILES ON SNOW-COVERED ROADS. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP, INCLUDING "SERVICE ESC", "ENGINE POWER REDUCE" AND THE CAR BEGAN IN JOLT. THIS CAUSED HER TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE AND JUST MISSED GETTING BROADSIDED BY A SEMI TRUCK. WE LET THE CAR SIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IN A PARKING LOT. WE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT WASN'T A COVERED PART UNDER GM'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WE PROCEEDED TO TALK TO GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. BOTH INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SPOKE WITH US TOLD US THAT IT IS A COVERED PART. THE ISSUE WAS ESCALATED TO A TIER 2 REP WHO SPOKE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN THAT IN THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH GM, THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. WE ARE SO FRUSTRATED. WE ARE 2 MONTHS FROM TURNING OUR VEHICLE IN AND WERE CONSIDERING ANOTHER GM LEASE, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE WE WILL BE GOING WITH ANOTHER MANUFACTURER, SINCE GM HAS OPTED TO TAKE THIS POSITION. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIR WITH US, BUT TO ME, THIS ISSUE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE DRIVER. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART. IT SHOULD EITHER BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF RESOLVE. THIS CAR NOW SITS IN OUR GARAGE AND ACTS THIS WAY WHEN WE START IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561617

42,532 miles · Jan 8, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

LUCKILY I WAS STUCK IN WALL TO WALL TRAFFIC DUE TO BAD WEATHER ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE GAS TO INCH FORWARD AND MY CAR STARTING SHAKING AND SEEMED TO BE IDLED UP. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY DASH READ ENGINE POWERING DOWN,SERVICE TRACKING SYSTEM AND MY CAR WOULD GO NO FASTER THAN 20 MPH. THE PART…

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NHTSA ODI #10559125

Official recalls

19V019000 · 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)