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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 →

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

60 reports
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123,220 miles · Feb 27, 2019
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING CAR AND THE SERVICE ECS AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED THEN 3 WEEKS LATER ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED, ONCE AGAIN GOT CAR TO DEALER. REPAIRED IT, THE A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR S…

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DRIVING CAR AND THE SERVICE ECS AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED THEN 3 WEEKS LATER ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED, ONCE AGAIN GOT CAR TO DEALER. REPAIRED IT, THE A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR STALLED. WOULD START BUT WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI #11182846

145,000 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

CAR CONTINUES TO GO INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND WILL NOT DRIVE/RUN LONGER THAN FIVE MINUTES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD ALL RECALLS FIXED ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE ONE THAT SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11182421

130,000 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING DOWN TROY AVE IN ILLINIOS WHEN MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER AND SAID ENGINE REDUCE AND AND STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF. I WENT ALL THE WAY FROM 60 TO 20 MPH AND ALMOST CRASH AND GOT HIT FROM BEHIND. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM NON STOP AFTER FIX AFTER FIX. BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW THE PROBLEM. THEN MY HEAD LIGHT GO …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN TROY AVE IN ILLINIOS WHEN MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER AND SAID ENGINE REDUCE AND AND STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF. I WENT ALL THE WAY FROM 60 TO 20 MPH AND ALMOST CRASH AND GOT HIT FROM BEHIND. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM NON STOP AFTER FIX AFTER FIX. BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW THE PROBLEM. THEN MY HEAD LIGHT GO IN AND OUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE EVER SINCE I HAD IT FIXED OVER AND OVER.

NHTSA ODI #11173231

97,000 miles · Nov 27, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

CRACKED MANIFOLD. SMELL EXHAUST FUMES UPON START. AND WILL DISSIPATE AFTER ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY CAR BUT HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE.

NHTSA ODI #11154165

103,000 miles · Nov 9, 2018
Unknown Or Other

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OUT. REPLACED THE HARNESS AND BULB 5/2018. IT MAY BE ON FOR 1 OR 2 DAYS AND IS OUT AGAIN. ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS BUMPY.

NHTSA ODI #11150373

80,000 miles · Nov 6, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE THREE YEARS AGO FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 60,000 MILES KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE ETC. AND TODAY THE VEHICLE LEFT ME STRANDED A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE . I CURRENTLY HAVE A NO START NO CRANKING ISSUE ALL THE DIAGNOSTIC FROM FUSES, RELAYS , FUEL PRESSURE, IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY, ETC WHERE DON…

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I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE THREE YEARS AGO FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 60,000 MILES KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE ETC. AND TODAY THE VEHICLE LEFT ME STRANDED A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE . I CURRENTLY HAVE A NO START NO CRANKING ISSUE ALL THE DIAGNOSTIC FROM FUSES, RELAYS , FUEL PRESSURE, IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY, ETC WHERE DONE LEADING US TOO BELIEVE ITS A BCM ISSUES AS TOO SEEING THAT MANY OTHER CHEVY MALIBU AND OTHER GM PRODUCTS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME ISSUES

NHTSA ODI #11149794

160,000 miles · Aug 13, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

WHEN I START THE CAR THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ESC COMES UP AND SAYS IT TURNED OFF . WHEN STATIONARY IT WILL JUST DIE, WHEN DRIVING IT WILL JUST DIE DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M GOING 75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OF CITY STREETS!!!!! TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT …

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WHEN I START THE CAR THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ESC COMES UP AND SAYS IT TURNED OFF . WHEN STATIONARY IT WILL JUST DIE, WHEN DRIVING IT WILL JUST DIE DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M GOING 75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OF CITY STREETS!!!!! TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT I'VE ADD MECHANICS TELL ME IT'S MY COMPUTER BUT THEY DON'T WORK ON MY MAKE OF A CAR. THE CAR MAY START UP OR NOT. I'VE READ OF A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM BACK IN 2014 FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. THEY SAID THEY FIXED? AND THIS HAPPENED WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2016 AFTER THEY KEPT IT FOR 90DAYS FOR THE SEAT BELT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11119561

40,000 miles · May 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55 MILES PER HR CAR LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE 8 MONTHS APART. FIRST TIME CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED A REAR FUSE BOX THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT WASN'T BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND COULD …

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DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55 MILES PER HR CAR LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE 8 MONTHS APART. FIRST TIME CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED A REAR FUSE BOX THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT WASN'T BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE CAR TO US. WE TRIED TO ESCALATE THIS ISSUE GM HEADQUARTERS WHO REFUSE TO HELP US.

NHTSA ODI #11093550

120,000 miles · Apr 10, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING, A NOTICE OF REDUCED POWER, SERVICE TRACTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED THE CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT OFF, UPON RESTART THE WHOLE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I THEN SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, THIS TIME WHEN I RESTARTED ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF …

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WHILE DRIVING, A NOTICE OF REDUCED POWER, SERVICE TRACTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED THE CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT OFF, UPON RESTART THE WHOLE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I THEN SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, THIS TIME WHEN I RESTARTED ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE AND NO FIX FROM GM. THIS IS A MAJOR RISK WHEN A CAR STALLS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A SMALL CHILD ON BOARD.

NHTSA ODI #11084308

89,500 miles · Jan 20, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS VEHICLE AND THE COMPUTER ASSISTED POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FIXED AT DOUG CHEVROLET 1-12-2018. NOW (AFTER THE WARRANTY REPAIR OF A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR) WHEN DRIVING FOUR DAYS LATER HE LOST POWER, VEHICLE FLASHED SERVICE TRACTION AND REDUCED POWER AND SLOWED IMMEDIATELY FROM 45 TO 5 MPH AND HE WAS A…

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MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS VEHICLE AND THE COMPUTER ASSISTED POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FIXED AT DOUG CHEVROLET 1-12-2018. NOW (AFTER THE WARRANTY REPAIR OF A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR) WHEN DRIVING FOUR DAYS LATER HE LOST POWER, VEHICLE FLASHED SERVICE TRACTION AND REDUCED POWER AND SLOWED IMMEDIATELY FROM 45 TO 5 MPH AND HE WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT HOME. THE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING WAS IMMEDIATE AND DRASTIC AND CARS BEHIND HIM WERE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN BUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11063866

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.