IllustrationWHEN EXCELLERATING FROM A SITTING POSITION THE ENGINE DOESN'T EXCELLERATE AT THE SAME TIME. THERE IS HESITATION FROM STEPPING ON THE GAS TO ACTUALLY MOVING AND ONCE THE EXCELLERATION KICKS IN THE CAR PROPELLED QUITE FAST ALMOST LIKE A STICKY CHOKE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
650–25K
10125–50K
15950–75K
17575–100K
176100–150K
55150K+
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
What owners actually said
977 reportsIT STARTED WITH MY LOW BEAM GOING OUT. I REPLACED IT. THEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN REPLACED IT THEN BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT REPLACED BOTH LOW BEAM NOW MY RUNNING LIGHTS ARE OUT. I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I ONLY HAVE HIGH BEAMS AT THIS TIME. APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAV…
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IT STARTED WITH MY LOW BEAM GOING OUT. I REPLACED IT. THEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN REPLACED IT THEN BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT REPLACED BOTH LOW BEAM NOW MY RUNNING LIGHTS ARE OUT. I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I ONLY HAVE HIGH BEAMS AT THIS TIME. APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED FUSES, CONTROL ARMS,,RELAYS ETC ON TOP OF THREE SETS OF BULBS.
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.
THE STEERING WHEEL MATERIAL IS DETERIORATING CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL. THE HANDS EITHER SLIP OFF THE WHEEL OR CATCH CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP WHILE CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE MATERIAL IS DETERIORATING AT A RATE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE DOWN TO T…
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THE STEERING WHEEL MATERIAL IS DETERIORATING CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL. THE HANDS EITHER SLIP OFF THE WHEEL OR CATCH CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP WHILE CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE MATERIAL IS DETERIORATING AT A RATE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE DOWN TO THE METAL AND NOT PROVIDE ANY PROTECTION TO THE OPERATOR AND WOULD CAUSE INJURY.
THE CAR HAD A "SHORT" IN THE BLINKER. WHEN TRYING TO LOCATE THE SHORT, THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY OFF. IT APPEARS TO HA E TRIGGERED AN ANTI THEFT DEVICE. IN THIS MODE, YOU CAN DO NOTHING. SO, EVEN IN MY DRIVEWAY, I CAN'T GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TOW IT. EVERYTHING IS LOCKED DOWN DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE BLINKER.
MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY SHOW THE OIL 100 ONE DAY AND NEXT IT'S 50% AND THE TIRES SENSERS WOULD SHOW LOW WHEN THE TIRE WOULD BE FULL AIR BAG WOULD SAY TO GET CHECKED THEN I'D TAKE IT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE GOOD . NOTHING WRONG IT'S VERY ODD AND OFF
I WENT TO ADJUST MY SEAT FORWARD USING THE AUTOMATED ADJUSTER AND HEARD A SNAP. THE SEAT WILL ADJUST FORWARD BUT NOT AS MUCH AS USUAL AND LEANS TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE. I CAN FEEL THE BACK, LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE SEAT LIFT FROM THE ACTUAL FRAME WHEN TURNING. I IMAGINE THIS MAKES FOR AN AWFUL SAFETY HAZARD IF I WERE IN A CRASH…
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I WENT TO ADJUST MY SEAT FORWARD USING THE AUTOMATED ADJUSTER AND HEARD A SNAP. THE SEAT WILL ADJUST FORWARD BUT NOT AS MUCH AS USUAL AND LEANS TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE. I CAN FEEL THE BACK, LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE SEAT LIFT FROM THE ACTUAL FRAME WHEN TURNING. I IMAGINE THIS MAKES FOR AN AWFUL SAFETY HAZARD IF I WERE IN A CRASH. I'M GLAD THE SEAT DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS MOVING THE CAR. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND MOST CERTAINLY WOULD'VE CAUSED ME TO CRASH. I'M EXTREMELY NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF SOMEONE HAPPENS TO COLLIDE WITH ME. WILL THE THE REST OF THE WELDS ONTHE SEAT FRAME HOLD? I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE ALREADY. IF I'M IN A FENDER BENDER OR (GOD FORBID) WORSE, WILL THE SEAT STAY IN THE CAR? THE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT AND I'M WORRIED. WHAT'S TO KEEP ME FROM GOING THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD?! THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, AND I HAVE REPLACED THE PIG TAIL. THE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT 2 TIMES SINCE I CHANGED THE PIG TAIL. THIS IS EFFECTING MY TRAVEL AT NIGHT NOT BEING ABLE TO DEPEND ON MY HEADLIGHTS.
THE CAR WONT START BRING 3 TIMES AT DEALER SHIP NO FUNS ANY REAZON A BUT THE PROBLEM
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR CONTINUE TO BURN OUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. THE COST TO REPLACE IS $200. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THEY BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME
Official recalls
319V019000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.