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

What owners actually said

977 reports

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2022

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

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MAP sensor was physically broken and replaced during a particularly cold snap (below -10 degrees F), but the check engine light and "Service ESC," "Service Traction," and "ESC off" messages continued to appear in the following weeks. Acceleration repeatedly dropped off for a split second, and would continue to dip and return until I let off the accelerator and tried again. This acceleration problem always coincided with the three ESC/Traction messages listed above, and happened multiple times every time I drove it. During a second trip to the mechanic, some "frayed wiring" was replaced and the throttle relearned, but the symptoms continued as before, prior to the MAP sensor replacement and the wiring repair. The symptoms progressed to delayed, pulsing acceleration, not just dropping out. The following week, the power steering went out while driving, preceded by a gentle automated jerking on the steering wheel upon startup. The mechanic confirmed that it was electrical, nothing wrong with the physical components.

NHTSA ODI #11451132

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2022

Steering

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My power steering randomly goes out and the warning lights come on. It’s hard to diagnose, as it doesn’t show up as an error and happens randomly. The wheel locks up and with no distinguishable pattern. Once I turn off the engine and start it up again, the issue seemingly disappears and I can drive as normal. Issue started around 120k, and I’m currently at 127k. Between then and now, it’s locked up about 5-6 times. Thankfully, it hasn’t happened while around others in traffic so far. But it’s definitely concerning since it’s my daily driver. Got a diagnostic done, but nothing shows up/no error codes.

NHTSA ODI #11450531

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2022

Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

ESC off shows up on dashboard and after driving I get "engine power reduced"

NHTSA ODI #11450479

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2022

Electrical SystemSteering

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Power steering went completely out as I'm driving down the road! It's only got around 65k miles maybe 66k,not that many miles at all for this to have happened. And they were aware of the issue as well. Now I'm out my car,I am in-between jobs at the moment,no money,and no transportation for my wife and I!! No way to go to job interviews,her very important medical appointments,and everything else!! I do not have the money to take to the shop,I don't have the knowledge either to do such a major task like that,not do I even have the space to work on it myself or anyone else for that matter.its winter time,And this car is my home,Soo now what are we supposed to do? It's unsafe to drive,and will probably just make it worse,more wear and tear on other parts by driving it the way it is now

NHTSA ODI #11448480

84,000 miles · Jan 12, 2022

Steering

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they …

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NHTSA ODI #11447240

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2022

Steering

The power steering in the car has went out and its incredibly hard to steer the car.

NHTSA ODI #11447072

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2022

Electrical System

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I have had my Chevy Malibu since 2016. In the almost 7 years I have had this car I has had the same issue with both starting and stalling while driving. There has been many time it has completely shut off while on the expressway. I have had it looked at by an outside mechanic and the dealership. The back Fuse box has been completely replacement 3 times twice of which were in the past year. There is a shot with the fuel pump relay causing the issue. The dealership will not acknowledge this issue. Each time I have been told it was the fuse box going out however a fuse box does not go completely bad every few years and now few month. I have same many many videos and comments from other owners of Chevy Malibu 2011 with the exact same issue. I have been lucky that I have been able to pull to the side of the road without accident due to this issue. This issue should be recalled if the vast number of 2011 Chevy Malibu's having the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11446668

136,000 miles · Dec 6, 2021

Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the contact avoided hitting a dog that was on the road, but the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a porch. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. The contact received medical attention after his head hit the steering wheel upon impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact replaced the CAM sensor, intake, radiator, and front end body, and on three separate occasions, the brakes were replaced. However, the failure recurred. Additionally, the accelerator pedal would go to the floorboard and the vehicle would stall. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light and a "Reduced Power" warning message were displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #11442926

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2021

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

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car unexpectedly died on the way home with 2 children in car. Car would crank, but wouldn't start up, and sounded like a typical fuel pump problem. We had the car towed to a shop and they showed the fuel pump as working within the normal ranges and then started up the next day just fine, but paid 750 for work. A few days later the car died again, so we had it towed to the same shop, by the next day when the mechanic said it started up just fine so he wasn't able to diagnose the problem. He and i don't want to spend a 1000 every week putting parts in it that don't fix the problem while getting towed each week at 150 dollars. This is a safety concern and leaves the consumer hopeless. We want to get rid of the car, but don't want to sell it to a person for them to have the same issues and then in return blame us. GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I've read hundreds of forums of other people having the same problem with no actual fix.

NHTSA ODI #11442569

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2021

Electrical SystemService Brakes

Rear window brake light stays illuminated have to keep raising the brake pad up to get it to go off and in the daytime you arent able to see it. The alarm system is not allowing the car to start correctly. It is very frustrating to have to remove battery cables in many circumstances in order to operate the vehicle. These are …

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NHTSA ODI #11441799

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)