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

Service Brakes complaints

38 reports

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68,000 miles · Oct 7, 2020

Service BrakesSteeringCrash

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ, I EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE WAS ONLY TEMPORARY; WHILE DRIVING APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, I WENT THE APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL HAD ALMOST NO PRESSURE. IT ALMOST WENT THE THE FLOOR BEFORE I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES. UNFORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT WORK, WHICH LED TO MY CAR REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, I MADE MY BEST ATTEMPT TO INSPECT THE BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID, AND NOTICED ALMOST NOTHING. THE ONLY THING I HAD NOTICED WAS SLIGHT LOW BRAKE FLUID. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I READ A FEW COMPLAINTS RELATED TO BOTH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK ISSUES, AND BRAKE FAILURE. BOTH OF THESE WHICH I EXPERIENCED. ALL OF WHICH HAPPENED AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET

NHTSA ODI #11363307

108,000 miles · Mar 15, 2020

Electrical SystemService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON DASH AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS UP RED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT THE BRAKE APPLIED.

NHTSA ODI #11318080

69,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020

Service BrakesSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

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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!

NHTSA ODI #11302153

96,000 miles · Dec 21, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlInjury

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THE ABS, ESC, AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE SUDDENLY MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND AS MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND THE BREAKS LOCKED UP SO I COULDNT STOP. IT ONLY STOPPED ROLLING AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, HITTING THE EMERGENCY BREAK, AND QUICKLY GETTING THE KEY OUT BEFORE HITTING THE FAMILY BEHIND ME. I TRIED TO TURN ON MY HAZARDS AND THEY WOULDNT COME ON. I RESTARTED THE CAR, AND THE WHOLE DASH WAS FLICKERING. AFTER TRYING THIS 3 TIMES IT STARTED, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR WENT TO 7/8 RPM AND DID NOTHING. THEN IT STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AGAIN BEFORE I COULD PUT IT IN PARK I WAS THRUSTED FORWARD INTO THE CENTER OF A ROUNDABOUT. AFTER THAT IT BEGAN TO DRIVE. I WAS LESS THAN 5 MINUTES FROM A FAMILY MEMBERS HOME SO I TRIED TO MAKE IT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR GOING 30 MPH FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE SPEED IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO ZERO, AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AGAIN. MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE OF THE JOLT WHICH RESULTED IN FACIAL BRUISES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENED ALL OF THE ELECTRIC IN THE CAR STARTED GOING CRAZY. I WAS ON A BACKROAD, AND LUCKILY A GOOD SAMARITAN STOPPED TO HELP ME. I CALLED MY UNCLE WHO IS A MECHANIC WHO TOWED ME BACK TO THE HOUSE. THIS ISNT THE FIRST TIME IVE HAD ISSUE WITH THESE WARNINGS COMING UP AND THEN I HAVE TO SUDDENLY START FIGHTING TO SURVIVE BEING TRAPPED IN A CAR TRYING TO KILL ME. SINCE THIS LAST INCIDENT I HAVE NOT TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR. AFTER SEEING MULTIPLE MECHANICS THEY CONFIRMED THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE IN THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN CAUSING THIS. THIS KIND OF ISSUE COULD KILL SOMEONE. IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, AND GM NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING UNRELIABLE, UNSAFE, DEATH TRAPS TO CONSUMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11290630

142,000 miles · Nov 14, 2019

Service Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE RESIDENCE BY A MOBILE MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CALIPER DISINTEGRATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME, BUT A SECOND REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #11280009

130,000 miles · May 22, 2019

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL. TURNS OFF TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC.WORSE IN COLDER OR DAMP WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI #11209401

80,000 miles · Apr 30, 2019

Air BagsSeat BeltsService Brakes

TAKATA RECALL THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO BE IN DANGER AT ALL TIMES. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI #11204778

114,900 miles · Mar 27, 2019

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

LIGHTS ON PANAL COME ON GO OFF WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND TURN BACK ON. I WAS DRIVING MAYBE 30-35 MPH ON CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT. NO WE RAIN, POT HOLES OR SPEED BUMPS

NHTSA ODI #11191938

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2019

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

TAKATA RECALL. BRAKE APPLY SENSOR FLUCTUATES ON AND OFF ALSO TURNING SIGNAL IS NOT WORKING ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT EVEN THOUGH THE BUGS BEEN CHANGED AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE IT SHOWS A TURNING SIGNAL, NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN DRIVING OR AT A COMPLETE STOP. EVEN THOUGH FUSES AND NEW BULBS REPLACED, ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WITH RADIO AND …

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NHTSA ODI #11191603

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2018

Service Brakes

I HAVE HAD MY FRONT BRAKES SERVICED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. THEY CONTINUALLY NEED TO BE SERVICED AND THE CAR ISN'T EVEN AT 100,000 MILES YET. EVERY 6 MONTHS TO ONE YEAR, THE CAR BEGINS TO CHUG WHEN BRAKING AND SHAKING CONTINUOUSLY. THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS ARE WHAT IS FIXED MOST OFTEN.

NHTSA ODI #11163107

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)