IllustrationRIGHT FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. HARNESS AND BULB HAS BEEN CHANGED. SAME HAS HAPPENED 3TIMES. SAFETY CONCERN!!! LAST CHEVROLET FOR ME!!! THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES THIS YEAR. GETTING EXPENSIVE!!!!
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
130 reportsWHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY COME ON AND GO OFF BUT NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. I JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NOT BEING ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE ESC COMES ON WHENEVER IT PLEASES, EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS GOOD OUTSIDE. LAST WEEKEND, MY BAT…
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WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY COME ON AND GO OFF BUT NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. I JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NOT BEING ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE ESC COMES ON WHENEVER IT PLEASES, EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS GOOD OUTSIDE. LAST WEEKEND, MY BATTERY DIED FOR THE FIRST TIME, I'M JUST GLAD THAT I HAD SOMEONE TO JUMP ME OFF. MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS MY HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE 3 TIMES DUE TO MY INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHTS. THE FIRST TIME MY RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, A OFFICER PULLED ME OVER AND INFORMED ME OF THE ISSUE, SO I GOT IT FIXED THE VERY NEXT DAY. A WEEK GOES BY AND I GET PULLED OVER AGAIN AND THE OFFICER INFORMED ME BUT THIS TIME I INFORMED THE OFFICER THAT I JUST CHANGED THE BULB A WEEK AGO AND HE MENTIONED THAT IT COULD BE THE WIRING. AFTER THE OFFICER LEFT, I GOT OUT MY CAR AND HIT THE HEADLIGHT WITH MY FIST AND IT CAME BACK ON JUST TO GO BACK OUT THE NEXT DAY. I WENT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB SOCKET. THAT ONLY LASTED 3 OR 4 WEEKS AND NOW I LITERALLY HAVE TO RIDE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON BRIGHT OR CAN'T BE OUT AT NIGHT. AFTER GOING TO MULTIPLE AUTO SHOPS, THEY ALL SAYS THAT IT'S THE WIRING, WHICH I ALREADY KNEW BECAUSE THE GAGES ON MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP LIKE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS EVERY OTHER DAY.
IN THE PAST FEW YEARS MY HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I REPLACE THE BULB AND LIKE A MONTH LATER IT GOES OUT AGAIN. WENT TO REPLACE AGAIN AND BULB WAS FINE BUT BAD WIRING. FIXED THAT AND TODAY NOW BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE OUT. I JUST REPLACED THEM IN THE SUMMER NOT SURE HOW THEY CAN BE OUT AGAIN! IT IS NOT AN EASY PROCESS TO GET TO THES…
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IN THE PAST FEW YEARS MY HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I REPLACE THE BULB AND LIKE A MONTH LATER IT GOES OUT AGAIN. WENT TO REPLACE AGAIN AND BULB WAS FINE BUT BAD WIRING. FIXED THAT AND TODAY NOW BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE OUT. I JUST REPLACED THEM IN THE SUMMER NOT SURE HOW THEY CAN BE OUT AGAIN! IT IS NOT AN EASY PROCESS TO GET TO THESE LIGHTS MAKING IT A LOT OF WORK AND MONEY IF I DONT DO IT MYSELF WHICH NOW THAT ITS NEGATIVE OUT I WILL BE PAYING TO GET THIS FIXED YET AGAIN. I WAS JUST LEAVING THE GROCERY STORE TURNED THEM ON AND THEY WERE NOT WORKING.
MY 2011 MALIBU HAS FAULTY HEADLIGHTS THAT CONTINUOUSLY GO OUT AND CANNOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT REMOVING THE FRONT BUMPER WHICH REQUIRES THE ASSISTANCE OF A MECHANIC AND THEREFORE COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO DO. EVEN AFTER THE BULB IS CHANGED, IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO GO OUT AGAIN AS QUICKLY AS HOURS LATER. THIS CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING …
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MY 2011 MALIBU HAS FAULTY HEADLIGHTS THAT CONTINUOUSLY GO OUT AND CANNOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT REMOVING THE FRONT BUMPER WHICH REQUIRES THE ASSISTANCE OF A MECHANIC AND THEREFORE COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO DO. EVEN AFTER THE BULB IS CHANGED, IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO GO OUT AGAIN AS QUICKLY AS HOURS LATER. THIS CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS AS OFTEN TIMES THE OUTAGES OCCUR SPONTANEOUSLY, AT NIGHT, AND ON DARK ROADWAYS. IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS AND FINANCIALLY TAXING TO OWN AND OPERATE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS.
YEAR 2008-2012 MODELS HAVE A REOCCURRING HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHT BULBS / CONNECTORS TEND TO BURN OUT AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. CAUSING REMOVAL OF FRONT BUMPER JUST TO ACCESS HEADLIGHT HOUSING. PRICING RANGING $100-$150 PER HOUR JUST IN LABOR.
I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD TO CHANGE MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT BULBS AND THAT IS A HAZARD AND WITHOUT THEM YOU GET A TICKET. THIS HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR. I AM DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENS AND IF I GET OUT AND HIT THE HEADLIGHT IT MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. NOT BURNING OUT, BUT QUITS WORKING! I CHANGED THE BULB ABOUT 5 TIMES BEFORE I REALIZED THAT IT WASN'T BURNING OUT. ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS ON THAT SIDE WORK FINE. A FEW TIMES I COULD TAP ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON. I TOOK IT APART AND F…
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I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. NOT BURNING OUT, BUT QUITS WORKING! I CHANGED THE BULB ABOUT 5 TIMES BEFORE I REALIZED THAT IT WASN'T BURNING OUT. ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS ON THAT SIDE WORK FINE. A FEW TIMES I COULD TAP ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON. I TOOK IT APART AND FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR WAS BROKEN AND SHORTED OUT, SO I ORDERED A NEW WIRING HARNESS THAT GOES FROM THE GROUND WIRE SPLIT TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, PUT IT TOGETHER AND IT WORKED FINE FOR 2 DAYS AND WENT OUT AGAIN. I TOOK THE FRONT END OFF AGIAN AND UNPLUGGED THE BULB AND PLUGGED IT BACK IN AND IT WORKS FINE AGAIN. I HAVE CHECKED ALL THE WIRES AND THE GROUND SCREW AND CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM.
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP IS CONSTANTLY IN NEED OF REPAIR. AFTER REPLACING THE DIM BULB SEVERAL TIMES, I HAD THE WIRING REPLACED TO FIX IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE FAULTY LIGHTING. THIS STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE R.H. PASSENGER DIM LAMP IS OUT AGAIN. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL 2009 - 2011 CHEVY MALIBU VEHICLES. THE LIG…
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THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP IS CONSTANTLY IN NEED OF REPAIR. AFTER REPLACING THE DIM BULB SEVERAL TIMES, I HAD THE WIRING REPLACED TO FIX IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE FAULTY LIGHTING. THIS STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE R.H. PASSENGER DIM LAMP IS OUT AGAIN. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL 2009 - 2011 CHEVY MALIBU VEHICLES. THE LIGHTING, ONCE REPLACED, WORKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THEN IT GOES OUT. I AM AT THE POINT OF REPLACING THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH IS PRICEY. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE SEVERAL TIMES BEGINNING IN 2018.
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS. AS OF THIS MORNING, BOTH BREAK LIGHTS AND REAR TURN SIGNALS ARE RANDOMLY WORKING. SOMETIMES THEY WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. I'VE READ A LOT OF POSTS ABOUT PEOPLE DEALING WITH ISSUES WITH THE POWER GOING SPECIFICALLY TO HEADLIGHTS, AS IN IT IS TOO MUCH VOLTA…
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PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS. AS OF THIS MORNING, BOTH BREAK LIGHTS AND REAR TURN SIGNALS ARE RANDOMLY WORKING. SOMETIMES THEY WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. I'VE READ A LOT OF POSTS ABOUT PEOPLE DEALING WITH ISSUES WITH THE POWER GOING SPECIFICALLY TO HEADLIGHTS, AS IN IT IS TOO MUCH VOLTAGE AND THAT IS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO GO OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE BULB TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE BULB TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
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.