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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 →
977Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
987
20081,509
20091,360
2010977
2011906
2012835
2013351
2014
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
235Steering
213Electronic Stability Control (esc)
174Engine
160Exterior Lighting
130
All reported categories
Power Train
112Air Bags
93Vehicle Speed Control
87Unknown Or Other
60Seat Belts
53Seats
38Service Brakes
38Fuel/propulsion System
32Structure
19Traction Control System
15Engine And Engine Cooling
12Suspension
11Wheels
11Visibility/wiper
8Service Brakes, Hydraulic
6Tires
6Visibility
6Fuel System, Gasoline
5Forward Collision Avoidance
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Equipment
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Steering complaints

213 reports
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126,000 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

SERVICE ESC MESSAGE - ESC OFF MESSAGE - AND POWER STEERING MESSAGES COME ON AND I CANNOT TURN MY CAR. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON DAILY COMMUTE AND CAUSES ME TO BE PUT IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ESPECIALLY ON THE EXPRESSWAYS. THERE IS NOT ALWAYS A PLACE TO PULL OVER. THESE INDICATORS HAPPENS WHETHER DRIVING OR SITTING S…

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SERVICE ESC MESSAGE - ESC OFF MESSAGE - AND POWER STEERING MESSAGES COME ON AND I CANNOT TURN MY CAR. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON DAILY COMMUTE AND CAUSES ME TO BE PUT IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ESPECIALLY ON THE EXPRESSWAYS. THERE IS NOT ALWAYS A PLACE TO PULL OVER. THESE INDICATORS HAPPENS WHETHER DRIVING OR SITTING STILL. SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE STAYS ON.

NHTSA ODI #11180952

101,000 miles · Feb 14, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

ESC OFF "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHTS FLASHED ON UPON START OF VEHICLE, POWER STEERING WAS OFF/NOT WORKING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ERRORS DISAPPEARED AND IT WAS DRIVEABLE. THIS HAPPENED 7-8 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 WEEKS, AS IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND THE STEERING COLUMN REP…

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ESC OFF "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHTS FLASHED ON UPON START OF VEHICLE, POWER STEERING WAS OFF/NOT WORKING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ERRORS DISAPPEARED AND IT WAS DRIVEABLE. THIS HAPPENED 7-8 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 WEEKS, AS IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO WOULD SHAKE WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, AND THIS WAS A DANGER AT TIMES ON ICY ROADS IN NORTH DAKOTA!!

NHTSA ODI #11180127

149,000 miles · Feb 10, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

UPON STARTING MY 2011 MALIBU, THE ALERT TONE SOUNDED AND A MESSAGE APPEARED FLASHING "POWER STEERING AND ALSO ESC". IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEEL. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAITED A MINUTE, THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. IT WAS FINE, BUT HAS DONE THE SAME THING SEVERAL AT LEAST ONCE DAILY OVER THE LAST WEEK. WHEN ERROR MESSAGE IS NOT…

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UPON STARTING MY 2011 MALIBU, THE ALERT TONE SOUNDED AND A MESSAGE APPEARED FLASHING "POWER STEERING AND ALSO ESC". IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEEL. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAITED A MINUTE, THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. IT WAS FINE, BUT HAS DONE THE SAME THING SEVERAL AT LEAST ONCE DAILY OVER THE LAST WEEK. WHEN ERROR MESSAGE IS NOT PRESENT, THE WHEEL PULSES & MOVES- WHILE IN PARK AND IN DRIVE. 149,700 MILES ON CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11176091

113,413 miles · Feb 7, 2019
Steering

WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU, I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE FOR POWER STEERING. I TRIED THE STEERING AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I TURNED OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE STEERING FELT NORMAL, SO I DROVE IT ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING, I WENT TO START THE C…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU, I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE FOR POWER STEERING. I TRIED THE STEERING AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I TURNED OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE STEERING FELT NORMAL, SO I DROVE IT ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING, I WENT TO START THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERS AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS LIT UP IN THE DASHBOARD AND AGAIN, THE WHEEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND AT THE POINT I NEEDED A TOW. I WANT TO ADD THAT THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED, SO I WAS GETTING NO POWER AT ALL TO THE CAR. IN MY SPARE TIME AND WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK I LOCATED A BULLETIN ON-LINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BULLETIN 15356, WHICH WILL COVER YOUR CAR, IF YOU HAVE OWNED IT LAST THEN 10 YEARS AND IT HAS LESS THEN 150K MILES ON IT, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT GM AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED, BUT LEARNED WHEN CHECKING MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE, IT WAS COVERED. IT IS NICE THAT GM PUT THIS BULLETIN OUT TO COVER THIS WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT ARE OUT OF TIME AND MILEAGE. THIS IS NOT FAIR! WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERS, 2 OTHER PEOPLE WERE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE POWER STEERING FAILURE. GM REPLACED TORQUE SENSOR AND THE MOTOR MODULE. APPARENTLY BOTH FAILED AND FORTUNATELY BOTH WERE COVERED UNDER THE "SPECIAL WARRANTY BULLETIN 15356, WHICH I AM VERY HAPPY ABOUT. I AM STILL UPSET THOUGH, BECAUSE GM KNOWS THAT THE POWERING STEERING A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO COVER THE PEOPLE THAT SPENT THEIR HARD OWNED DOLLARS ON BUYING YOUR CAR, ONLY FOR THEM TO GET SCREWED LATER WHEN THE POWERING STEERING SYSTEM FAIL PREMATURELY. I PICKED UP THE CAR TODAY FROM THE DEALER AND SO FAR, IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING OKAY. IF THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS, I HOPE IT HAPPENS BEFORE I OWN THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS, OR BEFORE MY MILES GET TO 150K

NHTSA ODI #11175007

157,000 miles · Jan 29, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COOK GM SUPER STORE (LOCATED AT 1193 W SAGINAW RD, VASSAR, MI 48768, (989) 823-8523) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COOK GM SUPER STORE (LOCATED AT 1193 W SAGINAW RD, VASSAR, MI 48768, (989) 823-8523) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #11172820

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2019
Steering

ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING IS FAILING. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT TIMES AND OTHER TIMES THE WHEEL CAN'T BE TURNED. NOTICED THIS RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND TRYING TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE.

NHTSA ODI #11172251

110,000 miles · Jan 22, 2019
Steering

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM. OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS, ROADS, WEATHER, ETC.

NHTSA ODI #11171405

77,400 miles · Jan 11, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

CAR SHUT OFF AFTER DRIVING TO THE STORE, IT WOULDN'T START AND SAID SERVICE ESC

NHTSA ODI #11166417

149,500 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Steering

STEERING WHEELS SHAKES WHILE PARKED BY ITSELF

NHTSA ODI #11166096

184,240 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE BCAR WAS WARMING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT COMES AND GOES AS IT PLEASES SOMETIMES WHILE IN MOTION, SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TURN OR STEER. IT ALSO MAKES MY CAR FEEL AS IF THE WHEELS ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF THE FRONT END. MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALSO…

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TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE BCAR WAS WARMING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT COMES AND GOES AS IT PLEASES SOMETIMES WHILE IN MOTION, SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TURN OR STEER. IT ALSO MAKES MY CAR FEEL AS IF THE WHEELS ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF THE FRONT END. MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON AND WON'T GO OFF. GUESSING IT DOESN'T WORK. PULLED SOME CODES BUT NOTHING FOR POWER STEERING, ATTACHED ARE A FEW IMAGES OF A FEW CODES THAT WERE PULLED. NOT ALL CODES.

NHTSA ODI #11164439

Official recalls

3

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)

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.