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

196,000 miles · Dec 11, 2019

Fuel/propulsion System

STARTING PROBLEM TOWED AND WORKED ON ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP, ECM RELAY, ETC. ALL FIXED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY.MECANIC REFUSES TO WORK ON THE CAR NOW, CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. WE KNOCK ON THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK AND GET IT TO RUN BUT NOW DIES RANDOMLY. THE LAST TIME I DROVE IT, IT DIED IN A BLIND INTE…

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NHTSA ODI #11288306

124,000 miles · Dec 10, 2019

Exterior Lighting

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IN THE PAST FEW YEARS MY HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I REPLACE THE BULB AND LIKE A MONTH LATER IT GOES OUT AGAIN. WENT TO REPLACE AGAIN AND BULB WAS FINE BUT BAD WIRING. FIXED THAT AND TODAY NOW BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE OUT. I JUST REPLACED THEM IN THE SUMMER NOT SURE HOW THEY CAN BE OUT AGAIN! IT IS NOT AN EASY PROCESS TO GET TO THESE LIGHTS MAKING IT A LOT OF WORK AND MONEY IF I DONT DO IT MYSELF WHICH NOW THAT ITS NEGATIVE OUT I WILL BE PAYING TO GET THIS FIXED YET AGAIN. I WAS JUST LEAVING THE GROCERY STORE TURNED THEM ON AND THEY WERE NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #11288260

97,000 miles · Dec 10, 2019

Seat Belts

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL, THE SEAT BELT CABLE FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY CHEVROLET CADILLAC (LOCATED AT 501 38TH ST S, FARGO, ND 58103, (701) 282-5522) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRETENSION CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #11288168

76,000 miles · Dec 5, 2019

Exterior Lighting

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MY 2011 MALIBU HAS FAULTY HEADLIGHTS THAT CONTINUOUSLY GO OUT AND CANNOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT REMOVING THE FRONT BUMPER WHICH REQUIRES THE ASSISTANCE OF A MECHANIC AND THEREFORE COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO DO. EVEN AFTER THE BULB IS CHANGED, IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO GO OUT AGAIN AS QUICKLY AS HOURS LATER. THIS CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS AS OFTEN TIMES THE OUTAGES OCCUR SPONTANEOUSLY, AT NIGHT, AND ON DARK ROADWAYS. IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS AND FINANCIALLY TAXING TO OWN AND OPERATE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #11287386

100,000 miles · Nov 29, 2019

Exterior Lighting

YEAR 2008-2012 MODELS HAVE A REOCCURRING HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHT BULBS / CONNECTORS TEND TO BURN OUT AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. CAUSING REMOVAL OF FRONT BUMPER JUST TO ACCESS HEADLIGHT HOUSING. PRICING RANGING $100-$150 PER HOUR JUST IN LABOR.

NHTSA ODI #11282910

152,000 miles · Nov 26, 2019

Electrical System

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NUMEROUS DASH LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL ENGINE POWER REDUCED ENGINE POWER REDUCED FOLLOWED BY ENGINE DISABLED . AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE DIES AND YOU ARE UNEXPECTEDLY FACED WITH THE SURPRISED HORROR OF BEING AT A ROLL UN ABLE TO POWER OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC .AND AT THE MERCY OF THE EXACT LOCATION OF ALL THESE THINGS SUDDENLY HAPPENING AT RANDOM ALL THE WARNINGS ARE QUICK SO QUICK U HAVE NO TIME TO PULL OVER BEFOR YOU ARE AT A DEAD ROLL . TODAY MY MOM N ME AS WELL AS MY GIRLFRIEND WERE ALL MOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK CARRYING HOT ASPHALT . I COULDNT IMAGINE HAVING TO BE SMASHED TO DEATH WITH NO CHANCE TO REACT AND TO TOP IT OFF POSSIBLY EVEN BURNED TO DEATH CRUSHED ALL WHILE HAVEING TO HEAR MY MOTHERS SCREAMS IN MY LAST MOMENTS OF LIFE.PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM I'VE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IVE FOUND MANY FORMS WHERE PPL AREHAVEIBG SIMPLER ISSUE. THE WHOLE SMASHED BURNED BY HOT ASPHALT SENERIO WAS ONLY A FLASH OF IMAGES I IMAGINED BUT THE FIVE FOOT OF SPACE BETWEEN THE TRUCK THAT FACT ALL MOST SIDE SWIPED US TODAY IS AND WAS FACT THAT CAUSESD THIS HORRIBLE VISION DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING IN SOME DESINE OF THE CAR SHE BOUGHT ONLY DAYS AGO FROM HWY 59 MOTORS CAR LOT . THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11282564

100,000 miles · Nov 25, 2019

Unknown Or Other

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I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR EVERYDAY AND ON SUNDAY 11/24/19, I REVERSED FROM DRIVEWAY AND WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I TRIED NEUTRAL AND MANUAL AND NOTHING BUT THE REVERSE WAS FINE. AN ODD THING IS THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION OIL SUPPLY LINE, A SMALL PIECE THAT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL SO NOT SURE HOW IT WAS DAMAGED WHICH IS CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT MOVE WHEN IN DRIVE. THIS DEFINITELY IS AN ISSUE WITH GMC CARS AS I HAVE RESEARCHED IT IN MULTIPLE CHEVY BLOGS. IF A MECHANIC IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS SMALL CAUSE THEY WOULD SUGGEST TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION UNNECESSARILY WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR SOMETHING SIMPLE.

NHTSA ODI #11282361

65,000 miles · Nov 19, 2019

Exterior Lighting

I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD TO CHANGE MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT BULBS AND THAT IS A HAZARD AND WITHOUT THEM YOU GET A TICKET. THIS HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR. I AM DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENS AND IF I GET OUT AND HIT THE HEADLIGHT IT MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO

NHTSA ODI #11281074

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2019

Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. PROVIDE FORM TO SEND TO GENERAL MOTORS TO REFUND ME THE $700 PLUS DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11280531

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

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)