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 · Aug 11, 2020

Exterior Lighting

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE LOW BEAM BULBS OVER 10 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST 4 YEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER MCCARTHY CHEVROLET LEE'S SUMMIT (945 SE OLDHAM PKWY, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO 64081, (816) 356-6610) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11348589

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2020

Electrical System

I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN A FEW TIMES, WHEN I PARK MY CAR SHUT OFF ENGINE PULL KEYS OUT OPEN DOOR THE IGNITION KEY KEEPS RINGING LIKE I LEFT MY KEYS IN THE IGNITION BUT I DIDN'T. I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CLOSE THE DOOR AND IT WILL STOP AFTER A WHILE.

NHTSA ODI #11343542

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2020

Steering

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I GOT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST (EPS) LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. AS A RESULT, I WAN'T ABLE TO STEER THE WHEELS. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL. BUT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM IF IT HAPPENS WITHIN 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES ON THE CAR. BUT SINCE THAT 10 YEARS JUST PASSED IN JUNE 2020 FOR MY CAR, I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET, THEY SAID. THEN I ASKED WHY I DIDN'T GET A NOTIFICATION ABOUT THE 10 YEARS/150,000 MILES COVERAGE. THEY SAID IT'S BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. UNLIKE RECALLS, THEY SAID ONLY ORIGINAL OWNERS GOT THE NOTIFICATION (I BOUGHT THIS CAR SECOND HAND). I THINK THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER WHEELS DUE TO THE MECHANICAL DEFECT IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. BUT IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO OPEN RECALLS YET. AND GM SETS AN ARTITRARY QUALIFICATIONS FOR FREE SERVICE AND DECLINES WARRANTY FOR CARS BEYOND THEM. I THINK NHTSA SHOULD ORDER OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM SO THAT ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE SERVICED REGARDLESS OF YEAR AND MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11342941

85,876 miles · Jul 31, 2020

Electrical SystemSeats

THE METAL ON SIDE OF SEAT BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT NOT TO BE ABLE TO ADJUST. ALSO, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LIGHTER HAD SHORTAGE AND SPEAKER SOUNDS INCREASE AND DECREASE WITH BEING ADJUSTED, AND THE LIGHT FOR THE TIRE PRESSURE REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN THE TIRES HAS SUFFICIENT AIR. I DIDN'T NOTICE AN EXACT TIME THE DEFECT HAPPEN. I JUST NOT…

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NHTSA ODI #11342520

65,000 miles · Jul 28, 2020

Electrical System

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THE ISSUE IS CONCERNING HEADLIGHTS ON THE CHEVY MALIBU. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES ONLY TO HAVE THEM BURN OUT WITHIN DAYS/WEEKS. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THE FAULT LIES WITH THE DESIGN. THE LIGHT GETS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN OUT THE HARNESS. THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE EXCEPT TO CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE BULB/HARNESS WHICH REQUIRES REMOVAL OF THE END FRONT BUMPER WHICH ONLY ADDS TO THE EXPENSE. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT WHICH HAS CAUSED US TO BE PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BY THE POLICE AND GIVEN WARNINGS.

NHTSA ODI #11341950

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2020

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF. I USE TO HIT THE FRONT AND IT TURNS ON BUT NOT ANYMORE. HAD IT FIXED 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. NO AC DOESN'T TURN ON WHEN I START THE CAR AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11339030

132,000 miles · Jul 13, 2020

Power TrainSeat Belts

WHILE MY SEATBELT IS FASTENED THE SEATBELT NOTIFICATION GOES OFF AS IF ITS NOT FASTENED. ALSO AS I'M ACCELERATING IT'S LIKE MY CAR STRUGGLES TO GET TO 40 MPH. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS FOR IT TO GO OVER 40

NHTSA ODI #11338972

50,000 miles · Jul 6, 2020

Exterior Lighting

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THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE BURN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3-4 MONTHS (3-4 TIMES PER YEAR FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE). THIS IS NOT ONLY AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR (BECAUSE MY MECHANIC NEEDS TO REMOVE THE BUMPER IN ORDER TO COMPLETE IT), BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MULTIPLE TIMES MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES PULLING OVER AND HITTING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WILL CAUSE IT TO HAVE A BETTER CONNECTION AGAIN, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO WORK, BUT THIS FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY. THE CONNECTORS KEEP MELTING, MY MECHANIC AND I NOW BELIEVE, DUE TO THE HIGH AMPERAGE CAUSED BY THE 70% REDUCTION IN POWER DURING THE VEHICLE'S DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODE. MY COMPLAINTS TO THE MANUFACTURER HAVE GONE UNHEARD. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO PROVIDE FOR A HEAVIER CONNECTOR THAN THE OEM PART, AND PERHAPS DIFFERENT BULBS, TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE YEAR 2020 IT SHOULD NOT BE SO DIFFICULT TO KEEP BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS RUNNING! I CAN GET AROUND THE ISSUE BY USING MY HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, BUT THIS IS HAZARDOUS TO OTHER MOTORISTS. IT IS A POOR DESIGN, AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A SATISFACTORY FIX FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE UNTIL NHTSA COMPELS GM TO ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11337787

36,000 miles · Jul 3, 2020

EnginePower Train

TIMING CHAIN AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION. REVIEWED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME THING. THE 2.4 ECOTECH ENGINE WAS IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR EQUINOXS BUT NOT MALIBUS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11337353

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2020

Suspension

I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH BAD STRUTS ALL AROUND VEHICLE AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR UNDER 40 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329683

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)